She could feel it. The anguish. The mourning. Wash was gone. Gently she stroked the console, trying to console the ship itself. Serenity was mourning the loss of her pilot. River was the only one who could feel it. And she could feel it so strongly. Serenity shuddered imperceptibly through space, sobbing. Truly sobbing. The grief made fresh tears drip from the corners of River's eyes. She had already cried for Wash. Now she cried for the ship's loss.

"I'm here." She whispered. "I'll take care of you." She eased her head down onto the panel and allowed her tears to soak the screen. "I can't be him. But I can still take care of you." She sighed. "Someone's coming."

Mal stepped onto the bridge and saw River lying on right console. "What're ya up to, albatross?" He paced towards her curiously.

"I'm comforting her. Shhhh." River did not raise her head. Mal sat in the other chair to observe. River said nothing more, just closed her eyes and sighed again.

Finally she lifted her tearstained face. "See? It's okay now. We'll take care of you." Mal couldn’t help but arch his eyebrows.

River turned to him. "She misses Wash." With that she stood up and slipped silently from the bridge.

"Huh." Mal turned to the screen. "Yeah, I guess we will take care of you."