Don't faint, two chapters in one day. I felt bad since the last one was so short.

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Epilogue

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“Mei mei?” Simon knew she was in her bunk. It was the only place on the ship he hadn’t checked yet.

River smiled at her brother when he reached the bottom of the ladder. That bratty smile that told him she knew he’d been looking for the better part of an hour. She glanced at the small bag he held. “For me?” She already knew the answer, of course.

Simon’s mouth twisted in a wry smile as he sat beside her on her bed. “Just once can you not read my mind?”

She shrugged and set her book aside. “Need better blocks. You’re too transparent.”

Simon scowled at her and impetuously tugged her hair.

Her wide eyed response indicated to him that he’d surprised her and he felt a surge of pride that he’d been able to do something without her knowing about it, even if it was a very childish action. He smiled smugly at her. “There, now I feel better.”

River pouted. “I’m the brat. You’re the big brother who is always right.”

Simon laughed at that and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I wish.”

“You were right about going home.” She murmured sadly against his chest.

“For the wrong reasons.”

“We had to see them, to know they still loved us.” River shook her head. “We had to go. I hoped I was wrong. Hoped they wouldn’t come for us. Now – mom and dad – they will be punished.”

“I don’t believe that. Father’s smart, mother is smarter,” he added with a confidence he wasn’t certain he should feel. “They’ll come out okay. They always do.”

River pushed out of his arms. “So do we. Thanks to you.”

Simon smiled sadly and touched her cheek. As they grew older, as experienced changed them, the bond between the siblings stretched and twisted, but it never broke, regardless of how many times they fought or disagreed with each other.

“Would – you have stayed?” Simon asked after a few uncomfortable moments. “Would you have left Serenity and sta