****Serenity******

It had snowed. River danced across Serenity's cargo hold. So happy to be home. She would get Kaylee and Simon, together with the children, they would make angles in the snow covered the decks. No, not snow. Not cold. Too light and powdery. Rose up in clouds when she kicked her legs. Left a fine residue on her bare feet. Made her cough, got stuck in her panting lungs.

"Ash," she cried in recognition, clapping her hands. Had to tell Simon. He'd be so proud. They tried to trick her by making it all white and fluffy. Stacking it up so high. Had to let him know they couldn't trick her. She knew what was real.

"Please tell me we dumped all the gorram cargo on Calliope," Mal said running down the steps, Wash and Zoe following close behind.

"Look Captain! It's ash," River crowed cupping a large pile in her hands for him to inspect.

"Not so much as a stick left on the boat, Sir." Zoe answered.

They weren't listening. They never listened. "We got plenty of dust. You really have to get Jayne to clean up more," River admonished.

"Why do you think they're boarding us, Mal?" Wash asked.

"We can't have guests. This place is a mess." Why was she the only one who could see that?

"Most probably just a routine check. Alliance been mighty anxious since the revolt started. Everybody just stay cool and we'll be fine. Now raise your hands up high. Last thing we want is trouble."

The air lock snapped into place. The cargo bay door opened, a score of purple bellies marched on board Serenity followed by their commander. River was more annoyed than frightened. Didn't their mothers ever teach them that it was polite to knock?

"Captain Malcolm Reynolds, I presume." He was tall, dark, and handsome with his olive complexion and large brown eyes. There was something vaguely familiar about him.

Mal shook his head looking genuinely confused. "No Sir. Pete, Pete Townsend. This here is my wife Ann Margaret and my brother Tommy." Is the Captain trying to hide m