Serenity crew on Shadow.

[badinlatin]

It's been eight years since Malcolm Beauregard Reynolds has stood on the Reynolds Ranch. Mal never came back to the ranch after Serenity Valley; too dangerous for his ma. Closest he came was to send a wave to David's parents after his body was shipped home.

Johnny Comes Marching Home Again Hurrah Hurrah

The willow by the porch of the small white house was larger than he remembered. Mal would have to check later to see if one can still tell where the bull's eye always hung for target practice.

We'll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah Hurrah

The horses are still running around the paddock, ready to jump the fence and head off in between the trees just beyond; the cattle near the gated area behind the paddock seemed simply content to watch Mal and his crew arrive and step off the mule after rolling to a stop.

The men will cheer and the boys will shout The ladies they will all turn out

There is a hovercraft parked next to the front door of his mother's house. Mal's mother hates hovercrafts. Preferred horses.

And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home.

Mal walked up the stoop and entered the unlocked door without knocking.