Disclaimer: Don't own

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You think, as you watch Simon walk away, that the measure of time as used by the rest of the 'verse no longer holds any meaning to the crew of Serenity. The hours, minutes and dates tick by, useless and unfixed. For the crew, time has a new meridian, and it is measured in 'Before Miranda' and 'After Miranda.'

Before Miranda, Serenity was lonely. You walked her corridors, feeling her confusion rising up through your toes. She desired peace and was confused that her family was lost and lonely. She felt so much anger and misunderstanding, so much longing for what could be, but wasn't. So much pain, with only the bright lights of the Pilot and his Warrior Woman and the gentle touch of strawberries to fight it.

Before Miranda, you were crazy.

After Miranda, your feet no longer freeze as they tread the catwalks. Serenity is warm now, secure that her family has found each other. She mourns the loss of his hands on her console, misses the conflicted morality of the wool clad wolf , but rejoices that spices and thunder, sunbeams and healing, gun smoke and flowing blades have all combined to scent her bones with heady flavors. The only discordant note is the salt of the Right Hand, but even that simply adds tang and will eventually be absorbed into the whole. She regrets that suffering was necessary, but accepts that all religions of the 'verse confirm that it must be so.

After Miranda, you are...not completely sane, but no longer crazy. After Miranda, there is Jayne.

He is speaking to you, his voice rumbling in your ear. 'He ain't coming back with none of that go se from the Lassiter Job is he?' he asks, only half joking.

You giggle and pat his cheek 'No, Jayne Man.' And because Simon is not being careful, you tell Jayne 'He is calculating optimal circumstances for us to reveal our relationship to the Captain. Currently, he is favoring the use of sedatives. Many sedatives.'

You feel Jayne relax, muscle set b