A.N.: A quick précis of the story so far, as it’s been a while.

Landing on Lazarus to effect some minor repairs, the crew find Inara pregnant, and keeping a secret regarding her own health. Freya is also keeping something from Mal, which only Simon is privy to. Meanwhile another secret comes to light – Molly, the daughter of the Bodens, Inara’s household employees, is being chased by bounty hunters after she was assaulted by the son of her employer, and took a handful of jewellery in recompense. The head bounty hunter, one Philo Cobb, is not a man to be put off easily, and tells them that the Bodens – under the name Grogan – are both wanted for murder. River has an episode when she picks up a necklace, a blood red stone in a gold cage, and Hank tells Mal he’s found out the truth about the Bodens … Now read on.

Mal glared at his pilot. “Okay. Before you bust something and make a mess, what about the Bodens?”

Hank led him away from the entrance so they wouldn’t be overheard. “I did a little digging, seeing as my middle name is curiosity.”

“I thought it was annoying .”

“That too. But it was mainly because of the pictures, with those names. Grogan. Something tickled my memory from a long time ago.”

“You likely to be coming to the point any time soon?”

“They’re wanted. It’s not murder as such, but it … well, it’s worse. Terrorism charges.”

“What?” Mal’s jaw dropped. “The Bodens?”

“Joseph and Mary Grogan, actually. It took a lot of skill, even if I say so myself, because someone’s gone in and changed the history, but the warrant’s still active, far as I can see. Look.” He held out his small Cortex link.

There it was, slightly grainy black and white. The same pictures, with the warrant’s date and time of issue. “This was at the end of the war.”

“Yeah. Just read a bit further.”

Mal scrolled down, and his shoulders visibly stiffened. “You planning on telling anyone else?” he asked.

“Nope. Not unless you think –”

“I’m saying don’t