PROLOGUE

ONE YEAR AGO

Serenity would only be in port for 15 minutes more so she needed to go. It was time. In fact, it was far beyond time. River had calculated that had she left 12 hours prior, she could have taken advantage of the several factors that had converged to maximize her opportunity and forward her plans. But she hadn't been ready. She couldn't force herself to leave. She had needed a bit more time with her family.

She shook her head. That was go se. She stayed for him. Every time it was her time to leave, she stayed for him. But now, there was no choice. It was time.

"Whatcha starin' at, Moony?"

His voice shook her from her introspections and she blushed to be caught staring at the object of her affections for 8 years now. She dipped her head, knowing sadly that this would be their last interaction for a good long while.

"Just observing the Man With A Girl's Name," she murmured. "Sands of time steal away… as I must as well."

Jayne just wiped his face with the towel flung over his shoulder. His long, heavy yet graceful steps brought him to her position efficiently, if not a bit angrily.

"Told ya' not to call me that, Girlie," he hissed. "Don't make me prove I ain't a girl. You won't like it….much."

River looked up and saw his faux fury transition to his signature sneer. She knew this scene well. It was practiced nearly every week since Miranda. She knew the script. She was supposed to say "you won't like your brain bleeding out of your ears…much." He'd chuckle, she'd grin. He'd stare at her for a bit and turn and walk away. The scene was the same every time. It was ritual. It was perfected. But River knew the script had to change. This was her farewell scene. He just didn't know it.

"Hey! Hello," he interrupted. "Going to make me prove I ain't a girl, Moony?"

She simply smiled when she should have frowned and delivered her quip. He picked up right away that they were off script. His expression turned confused, maybe even worried, and his hand half-reached to her shoulder before returning to his side. She gathered her courage and took the half step closer to bring their faces within an inch's distance.

"Jayne. I have known from the moment I saw you that you are not a girl," she whispered. "However, as the hourglass bleeds, I do indeed desire the proof you offer."

She reached her hand to his cheek and brushed her lips over his.

His body stiffened under her tender touch. Her kiss transformed into a small smile when he neither reciprocate nor denied her. She took a slow step back and force her eyes open. She was somewhat surprised to find her hand still caressing his cheek.

"You were wrong, Man With A Girl's Name," she smiled. "I liked it very much." She tore her hand from his warmth and turned toward the stairs to the bridge. "Time will come that the hourglass is flipped and scripts will need to be re-written. Action adventure will give way to action romance. New to both players so regular rehearsals will be required."

Jayne was completely shell-shocked. His hand had gone to his lips and he was staring at her blank-faced and still.

"Don't forget, Jayne," she added sadly. "Some stories are fiction."

Satisfied that she had given herself the moment she needed to say goodbye, River ran up the stairs to gather her things. Ten minutes and her biggest role would begin.