Chapter Eight

Cat's 'verse: three years after the 2nd War of Indepedence

It was a nice ceremony. Flowers lined the ground around the casket, Serenity as the backdrop. She hadn't flown in a year now: well, that wasn't exactly true. One last trip into the black ... to let him die in the arms of the stars. Kaylee had made sure the engine made it one last time. The Firefly gave it her all and her all had been enough. Thankfully, no one expected any more from her.

Several thousand people littered the planet of Hera, a place Cat thought was only fitting for Mal to be buried. Though Shadow had been his home, every one of them knew that there was no other place he held dearer than the Valley. People mingled around talking, some even tried to laugh, but she could tell it was just for show. Sad because he would have wanted more ... laughter. Maybe a few drinks, or at least something beyond tears and lost memories ...

He’d have liked a good, old-fashioned wake, but Cat was pretty sure nobody else would have approved. Still, that seemed a good enough reason, just for the hell of it, but she’d given in, let it be what the others wanted ...

“It was a pretty ceremony, Cat." Kaylee touched her shoulder, her brown hair almost completely grey, but her smile would always be her own. Wrinkles might decorate her face, but there was still youth in her eyes.

A small child tugged at her pant leg. "Gamma, I want go see Papa."

"Yes, Gemmy. Give me a minute, kay?"

Cat almost smiled. "Go on, Kaylee. I'm fine, really."

"Okay, but you need anything ... I mean anything at all. You know where Simon and I are."

"Thank you, Kaylee bird, for everything." A tear threatened to gather at her eye, but Cat didn't let it manifest any further.

"You're always welcome, Cat. I mean that." The woman pulled her into a hard hug, Cat returning it as much as she dared.

She then watched as they disappeared into the crowd.

"So what are you going to do with her?" A darker voice entered her ears, full of ang