AN: I have a confession to make, I had written this chapter before I got many comments on the last one, so I held it back a couple of hours until a few more comments found its way here. So just so you know people, commenting instead of just plain reading, really pays off in how quickly I add the next installment. They are also great help in determining where to take the story next.

*** Bon voyage ***

It was with heavy hearts that they said their goodbyes with Kaylee's family, who even after just three days of knowing them felt a lot more like home for Simon than his own had done his whole life.

Not only had the welcomed him into their family as their son-in-law and the soon to be father of their first grandchild. They had listened closely as he had told the story about River and the Academy, how he was now and would most likely always be on the run. It didn't seem to bother them a tiny bit that he was a wanted fugitive. In fact they had focused so much on the part where he had risked his job, his life for his sister, that they took an even greater liking to him. For them the family came first, the law second, which of course was the only way they could be. They knew very well that most of the jobs their daughter either directly or indirectly got involved with was far from legal. Mal had been straight with them on that from day one.

On their second day at the Frye residence River had come to visit. Rose had immediatly taken the girl to her, as if she was her own daughter and made it her goal to get some meat on her tiny body. River, who at best was cautious with new people, lit up at Rose's hospitality and didn't even pay attention to her brother, who she usually seeked as an anchor in these sorts of situations.

Even when River had a small anxiety fit, brought on by unknown reasons, Rose handled it superb. She had firmly placed her hands on both of Rivers shoulders, demanding eye contact and then asked River calmly if she wanted to help out with dessert. When Simon had objected, imagining his sister