Londinium Shipping Yard:

Years Ago

Serenity hauled the crate off of the loading platform and onto the grilled flooring of the ship’s cargo hold.

“I sure hope these folk appreciate this,” she called out.

Soul, the captain of this here vessel walked in carrying a crate of his own. No mule necessary. “Show off,” she muttered, prompting a smile from the man.

“It’s for a good cause,” he answered. “You know that.”

“Helping folk that can’t help themselves,” Serenity acknowledges, her focus on unloading the boxes. “So where’s this one off to?”

When there’s no answer, she stops and looks up.

Soul has a smile on his face and is looking outside the ship.

“Daydream believer,” she calls out to him, before stepping out and following his gaze to the outdoors. There, standing in the shadow of the Firefly class vessel is a young man, smartly dressed and looking just ever-so-slightly lost.

“Needy,” Soul says, warmly welcoming him. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Soul walks down the walkway and greets the companion, holding his hands out.

Needy takes the man’s strong hand in his own and shakes it.

“Don’t particularly know what I’m doing here,” he says.

Needy looks up and catches sight of Serenity, although the sunlight is hiding her features. The silhouette of her wings is enough to take him back.

“Who’s that?” he asks, a little fearful.

“This here is Serenity,” Soul introduces, as the woman walks out of the ship and into the light.

The woman is dressed in work wear, her face is dusty and there’s no make-up covering up any blemishes. And she looks absolutely stunning.

Needy holds out his hand.

“You’re a companion and your name is Needy?” she says with a knowing smile, holding out her hand too.

“I know,” he says, raising a smile for the first time.

Then, spotting the necklace hanging from her neck, he says, “Nice Wren.”

“I’m sorry?” she asks.

“Your chain,” he says, reaching out but holding back from presumptuously touching the jewelry.