I've been feeling this desperate need to write something new to commemorate the second anniversary of Firefly's fated debut, and to tie it in with this week's ff_friday challenge (fairy tales). Ideas sputtered around and stopped cold in my brain all weekend, but suddenly tonight, after a glass of wine, something clicked.

I apologize if this title has been used before. Just over 500 words, rated G. Many thanks to sffan for the spur-of-the-moment beta.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. No infringement is intended on the rights of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, or 20th Century Fox TV. (c) HawkMoth, 9/20/2004. No archiving, please.

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"The Stuff of Legends"

by HawkMoth

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They've all got stories.

Everyone has a tale to tell.

A soldier fought bravely for what he believed in, and lost everything he had. Home, family, faith, gone in a blaze of glory. The shame of defeat burned as deeply. He was a man of honor who stole to survive, and told himself he didn't care.

Another soldier fought by his side, and never stopped believing in him. She didn't care how they survived, as long as they were free. When she couldn't get back the things she lost, she found something else and allowed herself to be surprised by joy.

There was a man who could fly like no one else, who was born with wings no one could see. He thought he was happy, free as a bird, till the day he met a woman who put a notch in his feathers and loved him for the way he laughed. Then he truly knew what happiness was.

A beautiful woman lived in a world of light and saw too much. So she chose to dwell in the dark and see new things. In the darkness there was fear, but also faith, hope and love. She looked into the eyes of a bad, sad man and saw they were each trapped in the other's reflection with no way to break free.

A good mother's son got lost in the woods, and so had to grow up to be strong and hard. He usually thought only of himself, dismissing love and goodness as foolish notions. But there were times he c