All standard disclaimers apply. Fun not profit is the goal of this little ditty.

Time to Go....

The field of stars twinkled in the black. He realized he didn't know one from the other and glanced down at the controls, checking the charts, looking for names. Why was it all so gorram complicated? The ship, the crew, his life had all seemed to be workin' so well. The charts blurred and he realized there were tears in his eyes. When had they stopped being a crew and started bein’ a family? It was a dysfunctional family, but was there any other kind? Now he and Simon had had words. For the first time in months they were angry with each other. Both wantin’ to protect what was precious and buttin’ heads as to how.

He heard a soft rustle of fabric and looked over as Simon settled into the co-pilot's seat. It reminded Mal of that night an eternity ago when he'd offered Simon and River safe haven. He'd never thought then that he'd come to see them as part of his crew, his family. He'd come to rely on Simon's agile mind as much as his surgical skill, and River had proved herself more than useful. Simon gazed out the window and then over at Mal, his voice soft, "It’s time for the two of us to leave."

Mal hadn’t been expecting those words. He hadn't been sure what he'd been expecting, but not that. He marshaled his thoughts, "Thought you said couldn't imagine a future that didn’t include Serenity?"

"I recall that conversation. I also remember saying 'as long as it worked for everyone' and you have to agree its not working. I need to do what’s best for us."

"So you made your choice? You're just gonna leave her now?"

"She'll be fine. She loves this ship and needs it far more than she needs me now. You know that, I know that, and she knows that."

"You talked to her about this?"

"Yes, just before I came up here. We talked alone, then the three of us had a little meeting. She knows its time for us to go our separate ways. It would have happened eventually in the natural course of thing