Firefly: "Fathers and Sons--Part 1"

Disclaimer: If I weren't just a poor college student and could finance the series myself, I would, but I can't. So all I can do is just play around in Joss Whedon's 'verse. Also, I don't know a lick of Chinese so I haven't bothered to put the translations because they're probably horribly wrong. If it were Japanese or Latin, well, that'd be another story...

Episode five of my second season of Firefly: A reunion between Simon and his parents leads to an uncomfortable atmosphere on Serenity, marring what should be one of Simon's happiest days. River's not doing any better either, as she comes down with the flu. Part one of two.

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"Mr. Tam," said a pleasantly pitched, genial voice from the shadows that startled Gabriel Tam. He turned from the window where he'd been watching the rain fall and spied a figure emerging from the hall. He was tall, with a dark, round face and short hair. In contrast to his dark skin, the man wore a loose, white tunic and trousers, and his wing-tipped shoes made no sound as he stalked across the carpet.

"Who--"

"Who I am is of little importance, Mr. Tam," said the man pleasantly; his eyes roaming around the den lit only by the dying fireplace. "The reason for my calling is. I know of your plight, Mr. Tam; ostracized by your so-called peers; losing the high-profile cases your firm would usually take. I know of what the Alliance has done to exploit your situation, all for the promise of returning things to normal once your children are captured. And, I know of your recent change of heart."

"It seems you know many things," coughed Gabriel, who'd been thoroughly nonplussed at the man's appearance.

Gabriel didn't like the smile the man gave. It was too polite. No one should be so polite. "Knowledge is my business, Mr. Tam, and it just so happens that my knowledge might be service to you."

"Really?" asked Gabriel. He smoothed out his fine, silk robe and narrowed his eyes to scrutinize the