“You better not have thrown our cure out that door, doc, or I’m shootin’ you here and now.” Simon did not confirm anything, particularly as the gun was pointed barely two inches from his nose. Actually he was pretty certain that whatever this Captain and crew had, the cure had gone out of the bay door, but he was not about to give himself a death sentence either. “You will have to let me examine you to find that out,” he replied. The Captain shouted to another member of his crew and pushed the doctor forward. “Jesse! Go with the doc and let him find out what those shee-niou settlers gave us.” Jesse also pushed Simon roughly and he led him to the Med Bay. In the time it had taken for him to walk up the ramp and for them to close it, Simon had been able to diagnose the disease. Tiny red spots at first, profuse sweating; it had to be Fingal’s plague. It was a quick and deadly disease that affected most newly settled planets and formed part of the standard settler inoculation pack. He had examined most of the colonists that Serenity had transported, they had all had their compulsory shots, which would have included one for Fingal’s plague. As spacers it was pure stupidity for this crew not to have had their inoculations. However, in those brief moments before the ramp closed, he had remembered with horror that Kaylee had not been up-to-date with her jabs, having a dislike of needles, and she had a terribly persuasive way of making him change the subject. That was what had made him throw the bag out of the closing ramp. He made a show of examining Jesse carefully, but there really was no doubt. They were still in the early stages, which meant that they had only been exposed for about a day. By this evening they would likely lapse into comas. The unconscious part was the unpredictable bit about the disease, sometimes it lasted days and for others, hours, depending on how strong they were. The antidote could be administered at any time to provide a full recovery. After the unconscious stage came death. He made a show of pretending to find the medicine to cure it. Do no harm, it was his oath as a doctor. He could have kept the bag, but then would not be able to live with himself if Kaylee died. He just hoped that someone in the settlement would know what to do with the medicine in there – and which medicine to use. He realised that he was in more than a little danger himself. If the crew found out that he really had thrown the cure out with his bag, then he would need to hide himself away somewhere. He knew a few of Mal’s illicit hiding places, but not all of them. He figured the best one would be at the base of the stairs in the cargo bay. It was large enough and completely undetectable to most people – provided he could get there unseen. “Hey, doc, you payin’ attention? I asked if this will make me better?” said Jesse. Do no harm – that was the creed – do no harm, he repeated. He injected Jesse with a harmless fever preventant to bring down his temperature. “That should do the trick,” was all he said, and wiped his arm with disinfectant. Jesse got on the com to call the others down. “What is it then?” he said, rubbing his arm. “Fingal’s plague,” replied Simon efficiently. “It affects many newly colonised planets, but most people are usually inoculated against it. When did your crew last have shots?” Jesse did not answer as the Captain came in and ordered him up to the cockpit to take over from Stern. The Captain now held out his arm to be injected. “This better work, Doc,” he said. “Or I’m gonna look forward to shootin’ you.” “Can I ask who you are?” Simon was pretty confident now that he would not be the one dying first. “Captain Phillipou of the Walden.” “And your reason for hijacking Serenity?” Simon had not expected the man to be so forthcoming, but then the Black sometimes had the effect that people thought they were free and clear. He did not share that opinion. “Had engine trouble on ours, that’s why we touched down. Everyone was already dead and we couldn’t go nowhere until your shiny ship landed.” A wave of fear washed over Simon. If everyone on the planet was dead then no one would likely know how to administer the medicine, let alone use the right one. He checked himself and steadied his voice. “Why didn’t you just ask to get inoculated instead of forcing your way onto the ship and kidnapping me?” “Had dealings with Reynolds before – wasn’t about to go askin’ him for help.” ~ * ~ With no doctor on the planet or amongst the new settlers, the crew of Serenity had no way of knowing what all the existing colonists had died of – and they were all dead. The other ship had contained the crew of the SS Walden, which Mal had a run in with when Serenity had been disabled by fire a year or so ago. As soon as he and Zoe had spied the name written on the side they had turned and started running back to the ship, but it had been too late. The Walden crew had obviously waited for them to land in order to hijack the ship and make their escape, leaving the rest of them to die from whatever disease everyone else had. They were stranded and all they could do was wait to see if they all got sick and died as well. * * * * * * * * * * Mal, Jayne and Kaylee all showed signs within a few hours of coming down sick, and a newborn baby that had come in on Serenity. Mal and Jayne would not admit they were ill, until the red spots started to appear over their faces as well. Miraculously no one else seemed sick. After talking to the new settlers Zoe was able to work out that they had all had their vaccinations before coming out, apart from the baby who had been born afterwards. Out of Serenity’s crew, those who had not kept up with their shots were now sick. It had to be a common but deadly illness that had a cure. Bane came up to her. “I’ve finished sorting out Simon’s bag. One of his disinfectant bottles broke so I had to wipe everything down.” There were two other small vials in the bag and Bane held them up. “These are the only things left, other than bandages and implements.” She handed them over. Zoe looked at the names on the vials and they made no sense. It probably would have been too easy if one of them had said ‘cure for unknown deadly disease’ in big bold letters. She herself had only just had a vaccine booster last month given by the doc, but she had not been paying much attention to the bottle it was fed out of. She guessed that Kaylee, Mal and Jayne had all forgotten to get their boosters. The early symptoms seemed to be tiny red spots and lots of sweating. She held up the first bottle and it read Triordinalthaline. The other said Bistrolketahydrate. The only good thing in all this was that there was plenty of water. The settlement was built around a small oasis, although the rest of the planet looked largely desolate. Karl had built up a fire as none of them could bring themselves to go aboard the Walden, other than to establish that she was not flying out anytime soon. Mal had said very little since watching Serenity fly away, instead he looked sick and bereft. Zoe was doing her best to fill in for him, assigning various people tasks to keep them busy. The new settlers had distanced themselves from the crew, insisting that they camp outside of the oasis and away from them. They spent a very long night waiting for something to happen, all secretly hoping that the ship would suddenly appear in the sky again. In the morning Kaylee did not wake up, she had lapsed into a coma. Mal stood up, he had been awake all night, and he just started walking away from the camp before anyone else woke up. When he saw Kaylee, Jayne started to freak out, swearing loudly and stomping around the fire. “I ain’t ruttin’ dyin’ on this fei hua planet. Give me one of those gorram bottles and I’ll try both.” “We don’t know what’s in them, Jayne,” explained Zoe. “One as likely could kill you.” “Huh choo-shang tza-jiao duh tzang-huo,” he raged. “Likely I’m gonna be as dead as those settlers soon anyways. Jus’ give it to me, Zoe – I ain’t asking anymore.” Zoe sighed and had to admit Jayne was right, they were just as dead anyway. She nodded to Bane to bring her the Doc’s bag. “Just so’s I go on record as doing this under protest, Jayne,” she said, and got the hypo-syringe out of the bag. “Ain’t complainin’ none. You’d think with our own moonbrain genius on board we could have figured out which one does what.” Zoe’s mouth dropped open as asking River had not even crossed her mind. She had hardly said a word since Simon had been taken and when they had been unable to wake Kaylee, she had moved further away from the fire and the rest of them. She stood up, using Jayne’s shoulder to lean on – her way of thanking him for the idea. She took the two bottles over to River and sat down beside her. “River. I know you’re missin’ your brother,” Zoe started. River was holding her knees and rocking slightly. “Kaylee’s missing him too. She’s dying.” “I know, bao bei, but I think we can help.” She showed River the bottles. “You saw Simon throw out his bag before they took him. In it was these two bottles. We think one of them can help them all. Do you know what Bistrolketahydrate is?” River knew, but there were too many words in her head. She could feel Kaylee was lost, crying out for Simon. She felt her pain and put her hands up to her eyes. Zoe pursed her lips and gently levered one of her hands down. “River – Bistrolketahydrate?” River starred blankly at her then spoke as if she were reading the entry in a text book. “Bistrolketahydrate. Used in a variety of medicines. A post operative stimulant that assists in bring patients round and counteracts infections. Only administer in conjunction with anaesthetic. Side effects include nausea and bowel evacuation.” “Thanks, River,” said Zoe, thinking at least it was not that one. “What about Triordinalthaline?” River was getting more lucid. “Multi-vaccine. Part of standard inoculations for any colonists. Prevents Soller fever, Fingal’s plague, Rocelitis –“ “I think this is the one.” Zoe left her and jogged over to Kaylee. “Pass me the hypo-syringe,” she said to Bane and she brought it over. Zoe put the small bottle in the end of the syringe and then pressed it to Kaylee’s arm. They both heard the familiar hiss of it penetrating her skin. There was little they could do now but wait. Zoe moved over to Jayne, in the time she had been talking to River he had collapsed unconscious. Now all she had to do was find the Captain, not really understanding why he was behaving so strangely. Well, she did know, but could not work out why he was not fighting back as he always fought back. Zoe left Jayne and went over to the others. “I need to give a dose to that baby them settlers got. You two need to find the Captain. You all saw the tracks he made, bring him back here.” Bane and Karl filled up their water bottles and left the camp at a jog. “River, I need you to look after the others, dong ma?” Zoe did not wait for her answer and started to run towards where the oasis where the settlers were camped. * * * * * * * * Simon was now the only living person on a ship of the dead and it was far more disturbing than he ever could have imagined. When the first crew member had fallen unconscious that evening the Captain had come hunting for Simon but he had hidden in one of Mal’s smuggling compartments and just waited. That was all he had to do, wait them out. The last to die had been the Captain’s First Mate, Mary, left piloting until she too fell unconscious. It went against everything he had been taught, but he knew there was nothing he could do for them. They would not be in any pain but they could shoot him and just out of spite. The silence was unbearable. He kept hearing things, creaks and noises, like the ghosts had come out to play, even though he did not believe in anything so childish. The ship now drifted lifelessly because Simon had no idea how to pilot a ship, or the com, or use the airlock to dispose of the bodies and sooner or later the bodies would start to decompose. He managed after many hours to get them all into the cargo bay from the various areas of the ship that they had been in. It was then he started to worry. What if Reavers came? Up until before that he had been functioning on his own kind of auto-pilot. He was drifting with no idea where in the ‘verse he was. He was confident he had enough air, even though the engines were off, because it was only him. There was also food in the galley, so he would not starve. However, Simon had never been truly alone, he had spent most of his adult life keeping things withheld and secret, but he had the company of fellow doctors and acquaintances. Spending all his money on gaining the information to get River out of the Academy meant that he had little time for friends. In fact the last two years on Serenity he had formed more of a bond with its crew than he had done with anyone in his entire life, apart from his Medacad room mate, David Spellman. He went up and sat in the cockpit, in Wash’s chair. He missed Wash, particularly at times when Mal and Zoe came up with their more lunatic plans. Wash had always been the one to lay sense and practicality on them, as well as a healthy dose of ‘are you insane?’ Simon sighed, wishing he knew what all the button and switches did. He leaned back and dosed off to sleep. The beeping was what woke him, but it was the huge symmetrically green and black IAV that almost gave him a heart attack and expanded his cursing repertoire. He ignored the hail, already running to the galley. He then came to a halt before running down the steps to the cargo bay. He needed to hide, but he also might need to hide for a while. Simon ran to the pantry and grabbed some tins and some provisions. The ship jolted almost throwing him down the stairs. He shoved the food into the hiding space and then ran to his and Kaylee’s quarters. He took a blanket, pillow and anything that could identify him as Simon Tam and, on a whim, Kaylee’s old teddy bear that usually adorned their bed. There was not much time. He did a quick check of River’s room but could see nothing incriminating. The last thing he grabbed before running back to the cargo bay was his Med diary – the log he kept on all the crew and their injuries and his treatments. * * * * * * * * * * Bane and Karl had been looking for the Captain for a couple of hours without success. They had even split up and cut a slight diagonal, always remaining within view of each other. Karl could not figure out how Mal could have gone so far and worried that they had already gone past him. The terrain was sparse and dusty, but with clumps of plants and small trees, fortunately being fairly flat. He whistled and waved to Bane and started to walk towards her. The day was already hot and he had wrapped his shirt around his waist. He was likely sunburned but it was far too hot to wear his shirt. “He can’t have walked this far,” said Bane when she reached him. She was using her own shirt to wipe the sweat off her face. “I agree, but I’m pretty sure we haven’t gone past him.” They both looked in the direction they were going. There was a slight gradient so maybe they could get a bit of a view from it of the ground ahead. “One more hill?” he added. Bane shrugged in agreement and they started walking again. If they did not get Mal back soon Zoe would not be able to give him a shot. It just happened that one more hill was all that was needed as Mal was lying just over the bluff and both of them ran up to him, sand flying. He was lying face up, his face reddened from the sun, unconscious. “It took us some time to find him – how are we gonna get him back between us?” asked Bane. She was worried. Mal was only just slighter than Karl, who could have passed for Jayne’s twin in build, were it not for the hairy beast impression. Karl looked around but there was nothing in this wilderness, not even any gorram shade. “Let’s think about it on the way,” he said, partially lifting Mal. Bane took the strain on his other side. She could feel all the muscles in her back and side crying out in protest. They could see their back trail, but it would not be easy dragging Mal’s unconscious form back. As if the situation could not get worse, the wind whipped up a little dust storm for them and they were finding it difficult to see. Bane buttoned up her shirt around Mal’s head to prevent sand from choking him. She was very relieved when they found their trail again, the one both of them had made before splitting up. They gently lay Mal on the ground as they took a brief rest. Karl had been doing some thinking. “If this wind keeps up, it’s gonna wipe out our way back altogether. Why don’t I carry Mal on my own – you run ahead and get Zoe? At least if she’s coming in this direction then the distance is shorter.” “You won’t be able to carry him far, he’s almost the same size as you,” she coughed again and then spat out the grit that had accumulated in her mouth. “It’s the quickest way, Bane, you know that.” Bane looked around them. Already the trail behind them had disappeared. “Okay. But you take it steady – no running. And here,” she threw him the other water bottle after taking a quick swig, “Take this. I’ll get more when I reach the others.” Karl could have insisted she keep it, but in truth he figured that by the time they got Mal back to camp it would be too late for him. What had possessed the man to walk out this far? Bane did not hang around as she knew every minute would count. She started to jog, knowing that sprinting would tire her out faster, but her boots were feeling heavier by the moment. Her shoulders were already red from the sun and likely her face too. She thought back to the instant that they had watched the Serenity disappear into atmo and seen the look on Mal’s face. She realised that to Mal ‘the Serenity’ was not just a ship like the Rosalyn was, it was a person, a place and an emotion of it’s own. The ship was a member of the crew and it had a name, there was no ‘the’ about it. She had never understood it before that moment with Mal. Take away Serenity and you take away Mal’s soul. While running it dawned on her that most of the crew had their own special affinity for the ship. Maybe that’s why she herself spent so many nights wandering the corridors, or she could be feeling the loss because she had only just become a part of the crew and it looked like she would have to return to her brother, which is something she did not want to do. Lost in her thoughts Bane tripped and landed heavily, face in the sand. She cursed and spat, got up and started running again. The wind was harsher and she could barely see, it was so thick with dust. It whistled and howled, and buzzed? She was slow in realising the buzzing sound was mechanical and tried to concentrate – it was getting louder. She ran faster and the buzzing was finally recognisable as a motor. She rubbed her dry and gritted eyes and carried on, hoping that it would be help. Out of the dust came Zoe driving a mule. Bane shouted out but found her mouth was completely dry, so she ran towards her waving. Zoe finally saw her and changed direction. “We found him. Karl is carrying him back – just head that way,” she pointed. Zoe wiped her goggles that she had sensibly worn. “Jump on,” she shouted above the noise of the mule and the wind. “You need to get there fast, I don’t want to slow you down with the extra weight. I’ll keep walking, pick me up on the way back – after you’ve given Mal the shot.” Bane patted Zoe on the shoulder and then continued walking in the wake of her wheels. Zoe had found the mule in the cargo bay of the SS Walden – had found two in fact, but this had been the one with the most fuel. Bane must have run quite a distance from Karl and Mal and she hoped she had not driven past them in this dust storm. At last she saw a shape amongst the dust, it was Karl with Mal over his shoulders. As she drove up she could see Karl limping heavily. She had carried Mal out of enough fire fights to know how heavy he was and Karl’s leg was likely not up to full strength yet. She stopped the mule and ran up to him. Karl half collapsed trying to bring Mal down to the ground gently. Zoe easily took up the strain on his other side and they got him to the mule. “Did you see Bane?” he asked, securing Mal’s body between himself and the Zoe. “Yes, we’ll get her on the way back.” Before climbing on the mule again, she gave Mal the shot which she hoped would cure him. She knew that Jayne and Kaylee had made no change in recovery when she had returned from the settlement. Before setting out, she and River had to get Jayne and Kaylee into the Walden and out of the dust storm. Zoe got into the driver’s seat and turned to make sure that Karl was holding on, fired up the mule and turned it around. They got back to the dust covered campsite without trouble, but they had not seen Bane on the way back. Karl wanted her to drive around again, and she argued that he could do all the driving around he wanted, once they had the Captain safely in the cargo hold and out of the storm. Zoe drove right into the belly of the SS Walden and cut the engine. The first thing both of them saw was Jayne weakly taking a drink of water from River. Kaylee was still unconscious, but a little of her colour had returned and the spots were already receding. “They are coming out of the darkness,” River said brightly, feeling restored herself from the effect of listening to too many nightmares. Zoe pulled off the goggles and jumped down from the mule. Karl was coughing up the dust and at the same time trying to lift Mal off the end of the mule. Between them they laid him on the floor next to Kaylee and River came over and knelt down beside him. “He’s lost, but Simon can make him whole again,” Zoe gritted her teeth, the last thing she needed was River to go moonbrain again. “Give me the goggles,” said Karl, holding out his hand to Zoe. “It’ll be dark in a couple of hours. Let me go search for Bane.” Zoe handed them over without questioning and he climbed aboard the mule again. The sound of the engine resounded loudly off the metal bulkheads, Karl put the goggles on, revved the engine and then did not move. Zoe looked to where he was starring. Bane had stumbled onto the ramp looking like she had been swimming in sand. She was coughing and spluttering, choking on sand. Karl cut the engine and jumped off the mule to help. “Heard you – drive – past me,” she managed to say. Zoe passed the water can and Bane put it to her lips. She swallowed a big gulp and then choked it up again, her mouth full of grit. She took a smaller mouthful, swilled it around and then spat it out. The water had made the dust over her face and hands turn to mud. Bane sat down on the footrest of the mule and took another longer drink. Zoe saw Karl hovering and decided to put him to work. “Karl, go check out the galley on this thing and see if you can rustle us up some food. Jayne’s like to be hungry when he recovers enough.” Karl took off the goggles did as he was ordered and went off up the stairs, relieved that Bane was alright. Zoe got up from beside Bane and went back over to where River was with the unconscious Kaylee. “He’s such a boob. Doesn’t know he likes her yet.” stated River softly, starring at Karl’s disappearing form through the strands in her dark hair. “Don’t need to be a reader to see that,” replied Zoe, equally as soft. * * * * * * * * To his crew, Major Dedham looked like he was seething and he did not mind keeping their opinion swayed that way. Colonel Collins had given him a go se job – towing a transport junker back to the Alliance Shipyard in orbit around Osiris. All they would do was just stick on a few charges and blow it to pieces in the Black and no one would be the wiser. Fortunately Major Dedham had a completely different view on the matter, a more lucrative view. He may be just a Major, but he had bided his time and knew the Colonel was worried about his job. So he should be, Dedham had filed a complaint about him and then been asked to provide a dossier on his incompetences, apparently the Colonel was not too popular planet-side as well. This would be one of the last inane jobs he would have to be ordered to do by the Colonel, and he could at least make it a profitable one. Once the IAV Malaga was out of range, Dedham ordered a change of course. He knew someone who would love to scrap a ship like this and for a good price too. ~ * ~ Yuri Kostova almost swallowed his cigar when he got the wave from the Alliance Major, Dedham. They had done business now and again, grudgingly, and now Dedham was nonchalantly trying to sell him Serenity, saying that all the crew had died. The same ship that had left his yard not seven days ago. It was all Yuri could do to keep himself from raging at the screen and giving himself away. He did not even bargain with Dedham, just agreed his first offer. The Major was one of those contacts who you preferred not to deal with, but did not have any choice in the matter. The man liked to think he had a crooked side and useful contacts amongst the criminal elements, but all he really wanted to do was accumulate a little pocket money. Kostova knew he would sell him out as soon as blink. Koz watched from the window in his office as the ship came in, the emotion rising in his throat. He had known Mal Reynolds for years and could not quite believe him and his entire crew were dead. He never thought that he would die that easy or quick, or anonymously. Koz sighed and went down to greet the Alliance snake, being typically tall, superior and typically Alliance. Dedham believed he was going places and those who got in his way would suffer, so Koz never tried to get in his way. “Koz – my friend,” said Dedham, holding out his hand. Koz shook Dedham’s gloved hand briefly. “What would I want with this piece of junk?” he said, covering the fact that he would have chewed off Dedham’s arm to get Mal’s ship. “Deal’s agreed, Koz,” he replied firmly, making sure that Kostova was not going to change his mind. Kostova shrugged before handing over the wallet of money that Dedham had asked for. He opened it, did a swift count, and then put it neatly inside his jacket, patting it into place. “Always a pleasure, Koz.” And just as briefly he left, along with the Alliance pilot who had brought in Serenity. As soon as the shuttle was away Koz and his foreman, Spike, went inside the ship. They had been on Serenity before, but it had never felt like this. Working with ships and shuttles all his life, each had a feel to them that was as individual as a fingerprint. Serenity was dead and it chilled him more than Koz would admit to anyone. “What do you want to do with it, boss?” “I dunno, Spike,” said Koz sadly. “I need some time to think – I can’t believe Mal is dead.” “And all his crew? Even little Kaylee?” Spike had not known Reynolds as long as his boss, but he had known their crew. They both sighed sadly in unison, turned around and headed towards the door. “Hey – wait!” came a voice. Kostova drew the gun he always kept in a holster under his arm, swinging around. “Who’s there? Show yourself!” Simon kicked out the smuggling panel which drew their eyes to him, it was dark on the ship and difficult to make out faces. Simon had heard the gun cock though, so he made his movements slow and deliberate. “Please, don’t shoot! Mal is alive – and the crew – at least I hope they still are.” Kostova could not see a thing. He reached for Simon and dragged him out of the door with Spike running behind. In the light of the main warehouse he let go of Simon’s collar. “Talk,” he said harshly. Simon was a little shocked by his treatment, as he thought this man had been a friend of Mal’s. He straightened his vest and then explained. “We were hijacked when we landed on Kerry. They took me prisoner, but I’d no medicine to treat them and they all died.” Both Spike and Kostova took a comical step back from Simon and he spoke quickly to reassure the two of them. “They had not had their shots – it was Fingal’s Plague,” stated Simon. Kostova breathed a huge sigh of relief. “So Mal’s not dead?” he asked. Simon paused, he was pretty sure that Mal had not been up to date with his boosters, as well as Kaylee. “As long as he’s had his shots recently, he should be. What vaccine I had I threw down the ramp when they took me.” Kostova scratched his thinning pate and briefly looked across at Spike. “I would go get him, but it’ll cost me a parcel of platinum to get to Kerry.” Simon was more than a little desperate to get back to Kaylee and River and he was thinking fast, unaware that he was good at it. “How about a trade?” “Another ship?” Koz said, definitely interested. “On Kerry. It was the one that belonged to the crew who hijacked us. It looked okay,” assured Simon. “Maybe they had a bit of engine trouble,” he added, trying to sound more confident about it. Kostova looked at Spike to confirm. Spike, in true form, shrugged one shoulder, it made no difference to him, but he could see that his boss wanted to help out, so Spike helped him make a decision. “Is the other ship bigger than Serenity?” he asked Simon. Simon blew out a little air of relief and became animated in his eagerness. “Yes, much bigger. I would say twice the size at least. It –“ “Alright, alright,” said Kostova, knowing exactly what his first mate was up to. “No sense putting pink bows on it. We’ll go.” He turned around and was about to bark several orders to the waiting workmen, when he turned back again to Simon. “I presume you’re coming too.” Simon grinned, nodded his head vigorously, more than a little relieved that his ordeal was over and that he was not on his own anymore. * * * * * * * * When the first thing Mal saw was the inside of a cargo bay, for a few bittersweet moments he thought he was back on Serenity. Sheer happiness and relief was followed quickly by sour disappointment. Even the smell of this ship was different, sickeningly different. All he had ever tried to do was to keep them all together and keep the ship going, and it disappeared in the space of a few short minutes. That was why he had walked off - if he was going to die, he wanted it on his terms, and alone. So why was he not dead now? Mal turned his head and saw Kaylee, his heart soaring when he could see she was awake and sitting up, talking to Jayne. He could not sit up, his limbs were so heavy. Kaylee turned at the sound of his frustrated snorts and smiled that wonderful calming smile, she was going to be alright, maybe they all were. “Good to see you awake, Cap’n,” she said brightly. Jayne dipped his head past Kaylee’s to look at him as well. “Moonbrain found the antidote,” he said. “Think they’re getting some shut-eye at the moment on account of them bein’ tendin’ to us non stop.” “They left us any water?” Mal’s mouth was drier than a sand trap. Jayne picked up the water bottle which was by his side and passed it over via Kaylee. Kaylee leaned over and poured a little in his mouth and he drank thirstily. They all heard a door slam and then footsteps, it was Bane muttering curses under her breath. She stopped when she saw they were all awake and a big grin appeared on her very dirty face. “Glad to see you’re all shiny again.” Mal lifted his head a little and saw she was doing a fair impression of Kaylee, covered in engine oil and grease. She looked down at herself still smiling and explained. “I’ve been seeing if I could get a little power going, but I reckon I need you, Kaylee, can’t make head nor tail of it. Engines are definitely not my thing.” She used the dirty rag she carried to unsuccessfully wipe her hands. Through a combination of sand, sweat and oil, Bane looked like she had not bathed for months. At least she was not the only one, for a change, Kaylee looked one of the cleanest among them. “I can come an’ have a look if you want,” said Kaylee getting up. She swayed and then dropped onto the floor again, not realising how weak she still was – or perhaps realising how close she had come to dying. Bane ran forward and helped her back to a sitting position. “You jus’ concentrate on gettin’ better. We’ll have a look later together. Can I get you any food?” “Hell, yeh – I’m starvin’,” said Jayne. “Well that’s a surprise,” Bane said sarcastically. She dropped the rag onto the back of the mule on her way upstairs to the galley of the Walden. On searching the ship they had found plenty of food, mostly protein though. Zoe had mercilessly raided the crew quarters, which were quite spacious, for blankets and pillows for the three invalids. None of them could quite bring themselves to sleep in other peoples’ quarters though, knowing that Karl had found a comfy chair in the cockpit and Zoe was on a couch somewhere. Before going to the engine room she had set up some chunks of protein to soak in a stock mix, to try and take away some of the bland taste and now she cooked up some rice to go with it. The others may be used to that go se, but she was not going to put up with it – unless it was the one and only option. She now fried it up and it smelled more reassuringly of pork or maybe chicken, and she added it to the rice mix. She also opened up a tin of peaches and put it on the tray as well. A big yawn escaped and it her mouth opened so wide that her jaw cracked. They had agreed between the three of them to do sleeping in shifts so that one of them was always awake in case Mal, Kaylee or Jayne needed anything. And in case the settlers decided to oust them from their makeshift home. They had a couple of visits, mainly from a man called Alexis, who was their self-appointed leader. He wanted to know that the others were still living and was considerably friendlier now that the baby amongst their group was better as well. It made Bane a little angry that Serenity had bought the settlers to this new world and the first thing they wanted to do was disown them. The tray was ready to take down to the others, but first she went to wake Karl, as it was his turn on watch and she was not going to be able to stay awake much longer. He stirred as she clumped into the cockpit in her heavy boots. The sight from the window of the cockpit did not hold much of a view other than a clear night sky. She touched him gently on the shoulder. “You’re turn on watch, Karl, I’m beat.” Karl took a deep waking breath and then let it out, eyes opening slowly. The chair looked comfortable, but several bones cracked when he stood up and stretched. She laughed softly as he growled like a bear at the same time as rubbing his head. “No problem,” he said yawning loudly and scratching his belly absently. “Kept the seat warm for you.” “I’ll leave you to wake up proper. They’re all awake now an’ I was about to take them all some food. I left a bowl for you on the table as well.” Karl’s yawning was contagious and she began to yawn again. Karl looked at the clock in the cockpit, Bane had left him sleeping for a good eight hours and she had been up for a whole day before that. “I’m fine. You settle in here – I’ll take the food down.” He paused as he took in her grubby appearance. “Didn’t get the engine working then?” he chuckled. Bane rubbed her eyes sleepily, far beyond caring about how she looked or smelt and just shook her head. Karl patted her shoulder briefly and left the room attractively scratching his ass, leaving Bane to flop down in the chair which was still warm. She curled up and fell asleep instantly. “This is just shiny,” said Kaylee eating the large spoonfuls of rice hungrily. Jayne looked more dubious, but he was hungry and not inclined to moan, still feeling very weak. All he remembered of being unconscious was the terrible nightmares and he was a little feared of falling asleep again. Mal was not so hungry, but he ate anyway, never passing up food when it was offered – it was not a soldiers’ way. Kaylee kept looking across at him, worried because he was not saying much. “Don’t worry, Cap’n, soon as I feel better I’ll go an’ take a look at the engine. Should have her runnin’ in no time.” “Doesn’t matter, mei mei. They’ll be too far away by now,” he replied, putting his empty bowl down on the floor. Karl picked it up and put it back on the tray, like most of them, not understanding Mal’s behaviour. He was always on the next idea, the next job, the next plan. Zoe had now woken and came down the stairs to join them all. “Glad to see you’re awake, Cap’n,” she said freshly, taking in the scene. Karl shook his head and chuckled at her and Zoe, unamused, waited for him to explain, arms folded. “Sorry – it’s just whenever we get caught up in a job, or stranded on some desert planet, you always seem to look like you’ve just stepped out of the shower. Was just curious as to how you did it, is all, when the rest of us look like we haven’t bathed in weeks.” Zoe smiled widely but refrained from answering. ~ * ~ “Hand me that one there, Bane,” said Kaylee. She was underneath the engine, so Bane followed her pointing arm. They had been both been working on the engine since Bane had woken up from a brief sleep, six hours ago. At least they had some electrics up now, so they could see what they were doing, but getting the engine running was much harder. Bane crawled in again beside her and looked up. It was clear to them both that the crew of the Walden had never had a decent mechanic. There were years of grime build up, and when they had serviced it, there had been a vast skill range in the quality of the jobs. “Pull that lead through,” Kaylee said. She was in her element, but would have enjoyed it more in the knowledge that she could just jump back on Serenity. As soon as one task was completed, Kaylee seamlessly moved on to another one, like a dancer with different partners. Bane could hardly keep up, pulling through the cable as instructed and fastening it to the plug. A low hum started and both of them scrabbled out from underneath the turbine. They stood up and watched as the engine came to life. Kaylee and Bane grinned at each other from ear to oily ear and then hugged each other. “Wish I had something to drink a toast with,” said Bane. “Let’s go to the cockpit and see if we can get her started up proper.” They did not pass any of the others on their way, presuming they were now outside enjoying the sunshine. They found River in the cockpit. She was rocking in the chair her arms around her knees. “I’m lost,” she said. “What is it, honey?” said Kaylee, putting her arm around her. “I want Simon. He’s gone.” Kaylee bit her lip, as she was missing Simon as well. She hoped he was alright. He had saved her, Mal and Jayne and he had not even been present. She ached to see him again, worried that he would be killed and hoped the crew of the Walden had not hurt him. “You’ll see him again. We all will, but for now we need to see if we can get this bird in the air.” River shrugged off Kaylee’s arm and leaned forward. She pressed a few buttons and some levers and the SS Walden fired up. They felt the ship lurch with life and moments later the others came rushing into the cockpit – all except Mal. “All right,” said Jayne. “Reckon you can get us out of here, girlie?” “She’ll fly soon, but she’s not home,” replied River. “We all need to get home.” There was no one who could disagree with her. They all felt the loss, all except Karl and Bane, who were too new to know that feeling, that belonging. But new as they were, they could see what Serenity meant to the others. Mal was the last one to arrive in the cockpit, he could see no reason to hurry. This was a big ‘verse and Serenity was lost to him now. ~ * ~ Zoe watched Mal walk off again, still worried about him. He would not speak to her or anyone now and it was like he had given up. Over the last few days all of them had tried to talk to him and been met with a stony or angry response. All except River. And once Zoe hit on that idea she could not let it go, so she went to find River. River had to walk some way out to go speak to the Captain. She could feel his hurt all the way from the ship, which was one of the reasons she had kept herself apart from the rest of the crew. They were all hurt. Serenity was more than just a ship to all of them and she felt the loss as well. She knew Simon was still alive – she did not know how she knew that, but she just knew. River also knew that both Zoe and Jayne expected her to go moonbrain on them at any moment. She laughed out loud and the Captain turned around on hearing her. “Somethin’ funny I don’t know ‘bout?” he said harshly. River’s smile disappeared, Mal’s pain spiked into her just like the wooden stakes had gone into Wash. She flinched, tempted to run away, but she straightened her back and sat down beside him, looking at the same view he did – empty desert. Mal was taking all his effort to hide his feelings from River, but he was still not fully fit from whatever disease they had contracted. “Won’t do you no good,” said River, and Mal knew exactly what she was talking about. “Leave me be,” he replied roughly. “We’ll be ready to get off the ground soon,” she said. Although Kaylee and Bane had got the engine up and running, it had been harder to actually get the Walden off the ground. It seemed the ship suffered from years of bad maintenance and was having a bit of a strike as a result. “Doesn’t matter. It was just too easy.” “Too easy for them to rip out your heart,” finished River. Mal did not look at her and was ashamed that he felt tears forming in his eyes. He breathed in deeply, but kept his eyes firmly on the view. River gasped and exclaimed, “Simon!” and looked up at the sky. She could see nothing yet, but she could feel him getting near. Soon. Don’t tell him yet, she said to herself. “I know you miss your brother,” Mal said guiltily, misreading River’s cry. “We’ll find him, I promise you. Maybe they’ve dropped him off on some planet, or have kept him on as a medic. He’ll find a way of gettin’ us a message.” “We’ll get back Serenity as well,” said River with new confidence. She could see Mal was not willing to contemplate anything anymore, despair had already set in. But River knew, she felt a warm glow inside her and tears of happiness filled her eyes. She put an arm around her Captain. “Look up,” she whispered. And Mal dared to believe her. At first a small dot in the blue sky, looking like a black star, and then it got bigger. It was Serenity – there was no mistaking her. River felt the tension dissipate from Mal’s body and he moved his hand across to clasp hers tightly and before standing up. River now looked up as well and it was a glorious sight. Whoever was flying Serenity had a sense of the dramatic and they came down fast like a bird – or a firefly, she mused – swooping in and then up again before coming down to land beside the SS Walden. Although River wanted to run and welcome her brother, Mal was walking back at a normal pace, so she stayed beside him. He was savouring the view of his beloved ship and the sight of it getting larger as he got closer. He did not care who was piloting her as he knew, like River knew, that it would not be anyone from the Walden. Kaylee was in Simon’s arms before he stepped off the ramp. The force was so hard that he struggled to keep his balance. “You came back! We were so worried.” Simon was overwhelmed by his welcome, even Jayne made some suitably inane, but positive, greeting. He had to admit he was pleased to see everyone. If his solitary journey had taught him anything it was that Serenity was a home, however unstable, and whatever doubts he had about staying on board, were nothing to do with the people around him. Behind Simon, Kostova and Spike walked out into the sunlight. They had both taken in the size of the Walden on landing and had agreed it would be no good to sell on because of its age, but it would make a mint for them in parts. No one had any idea who had been flying Serenity until the two of them stepped out, confident in the knowledge that Simon could not even fly a skiff. Zoe, feeling a little warm and fuzzy herself, gave Kostova a big hug, but she ended up being the one engulfed on account of his size. Outside of the institutional glow of the shipyard Koz looked a lot healthier. Mal and River reached the rest of them, both grinning broadly. River left his side to hug her brother, or at least try to as Kaylee had glued herself to him. “Should’ve taken the hot merchandise, Mal,” said Kostova ruefully. Mal avoided his hug, but held out his hand, there would be a time when he would pay Kostova back for this debt he now owed him, but it would not be today. “I guess I was wrong, Koz. Thanks for bringing Serenity back.” “And Simon,” piped in Kaylee. “And Simon,” repeated Mal, wanting to know exactly how he had managed it. “This’s bin my first holiday since U-Day,” explained Kostova in a jolly voice. “Now I want to see this trade that this young man offered me,” he continued, answering one of the questions that had been in Mal (and Zoe’s) head. Simon responded to their open-mouthed stares with a small shrug of one shoulder. Kaylee immediately came in on his side and addressed Koz professionally. “We’ve got the engine runnin’ – took us a coupla days – but I’m sure she’ll fly. Crew dint have a decent mechanic for years.” Kostova had not expected to collect the ship in working order. He nodded to Spike to go do his usual job and check it out. The last to arrive on the scene was Karl who had been sleeping off his night shift. “Never met all your crew before, Mal – seems to me you keep ‘em hidden.” “No need to now,” answered Mal, still grinning, “You’ve met Simon, well this is his sister, River. Newest ones, Karl and Bane. The rest you already know.” Bane was glad the introductions were finally over. All she could think about was having a shower and going back to her quarters to sleep. She stepped forward and then Zoe’s hand came down on her shoulder stopping her. She looked around at her, confused. Zoe shook her head imperceptibly and then looked back at Mal. Bane did not get it, but when she tried to move Zoe’s grip tightened and she was wise enough to know not to test further. Kostova walked away from Serenity with Spike and towards the SS Walden. Mal finally took the opportunity he had been waiting for and walked up the ramp of his ship. The brightness of the sun outside made the cargo bay of Serenity seem very dark. Inside, Mal put his hand on the railing of the stairs, glad to touch her again. He kept hold of the railing as he ascended the steps and at that same moment Zoe took her hand off Bane’s shoulder. The spell broke and the rest of them walked up into the cargo bay leaving Kostova to wander over to his new ship with his foreman. Kaylee virtually dragged Simon to their quarters, realising that until they had been separated like this, she had never fathomed how seriously she loved him. River and Zoe followed Mal up the steps, but while River went straight to the cockpit, Zoe headed to her quarters and shut the hatch behind her. They all had some re-acquainting to do. Karl and Jayne went to the galley and sat in the small seating area, relaxing and chatting, and Bane, predictably, went to the shower. River sat quietly in her chair after entering the cockpit, shortly after Mal. “Heart’s back, Cap’n,” said River bringing her knees up to her chin. “It’s a good feeling, Albatross,” he answered quietly. “Yes, it’s a good feeling.” They remained there in silence. River could feel the energy and life returning to Serenity. Mal was trying to block her out, but he was grinning from ear to ear. She could feel Zoe reconnecting with Wash, the slightly yucky love connection that Simon was at the moment giving Kaylee, or was it the other way around? Jayne and Karl were back sharing the same jokes, there would be no hugging there, but maybe some manly spotting on the weights later. She could even feel Bane thinking about how much she had missed being on Serenity and not being used to being so attached to a home before. She bathed in their glorious feelings and let them wash over her in waves, glad to be home herself. Much later, before the sun set, they had all gathered into the galley from their own private hideaways. Bane knew this was an occasion for her to cook up a storm and she bullied Karl and Jayne into helping her. Fortunately the crew of the Walden had not used many of their rations, but they had ransacked all their quarters looking for valuables. Anything they had found Simon had returned after their deaths. The table was brimming with food, but before Jayne could reach out for anything to fill his plate, Mal stood up, his cup raised. “A toast. To Koz – and Simon – for bringing us back to Serenity.” ~ * ~ Mal ordered River to take the scenic route to Persephone. They needed the coin, but Mal needed time with Serenity again and time to adjust and reflect. He realised there had been a number of times in the last few days when he wished he could have talked to Inara. Arguments or no arguments, she was the one who he thought about on his walkabout into the desert. She was a part of Serenity too. He may not approve of her trade and she may think the same of him, but he realised he needed her. Or maybe, he thought ruefully, he was just lonely. With Wash, Book and Inara gone there was now Karl and Bane to replace them and they all put their own light on things. Whatever it had been, the dynamics of Serenity had now changed. Karl was muscle like Jayne, but easier to get on with, or was it that he just took orders better? In truth he did not know all that much about him, but at the time Mal hired Karl, he had proved himself more than capable. Zoe had told him that there was something she did not like about him, but then she said that about a lot of people, including her own husband. Then there was Bane, almost the opposite of Karl, with an amazing array of skills, but a history and record that could come back to bite them all. Mal held her in the same respect bracket as Zoe. She could do the job and could do it well, but he could not quite forgive her yet for letting the Walden crew take Serenity. He would never admit to anyone but himself how much he missed Shepherd Book either, but the man had been a calming influence on him. Haven had been truly named when Book moved there, and now it was just another settlers planet with people going about digging themselves a life with their bare hands. With Book he had allowed himself to contemplate the future and think about things. Would he still be piloting Serenity in twenty years time with the same crew, or would he be an old man on a ship full of strangers? That was what scared him most of all – that he would still be doing this hand to mouth stuff in twenty or thirty years time, if he lived that long. Miranda had made him take stock. He had never been a saver, but that incident combined with losing Serenity recently had started him thinking seriously about the future. He wanted a nest egg – a just-in-case plan from which he may be able to retire one day and live out his days. Kaylee came into the cockpit, interrupting his reverie and he sat up and put on his boots. Time for the capture session that she and Bane had been harping on about all day. He shrugged off his musings and put a happier face on. Once in the galley he was handed a cup of cider by Jayne and he joined them all at the table. “Bring it on then, Kaylee, before you burst,” said Mal good naturedly. Kaylee grinned at Bane and Bane opened the box in front of her. They had agreed between them that everyone needed cheering up and the captures were just the thing. She brought out the first one – of a table full of food and people laughing. Kaylee, always impatient, reached her hand in and grabbed a few more. She had got the one of Mal, Tony and Zoe and their drinking game which she passed to Mal. They had a capture of Simon trying to carry Kaylee and Karl, getting impatient, eyed the one he hoped was in there and then snatched it before Bane could get it. Jayne leaned across and almost spat the cider out of his mouth. “So that’s who painted your hair pink and put itty bows in,” said Jayne laughing. Karl had his evidence and it clearly showed Kaylee and Bane painting his beard and hair pink. He looked at them both grinning at him. “What’s wrong, Karl, don’t like it when the prank’s on you?” laughed Bane. Karl was laughing as well, the capture showed he was seriously drunk and the girls were giggling hysterically, their own hands covered. And then there was the pink ribbons, taken from Kaylee’s ball dress and tied into his hair and beard. “So what I want to know,” attempting a stern face at both of them, “Whose idea was it?” Jayne snatched the capture out of his hand and passed it to the others. Zoe laughed out loud. “Whoa Karl, you make a fetchin’ girl. Here, Cap’n,” she said handing Mal the capture. “Reckon Karl would look better in that dress than you did.” Mal realised his memories of that party were seriously vague, as he could not remember most of the what he saw in the captures. “Need to shave off that beard before I start handin’ out dresses,” he replied with a grin. “I love this beard,” retorted Karl. He had even started plaiting it like the girls had done, just without the bows. “Had me this beard for years.” “Probl’y whole estates of lice in there too, building their own little planet,” stated Kaylee. Simon smiled with love and happiness when he saw the one of River dancing. He loved to watch his sister dance, she was so graceful. Kaylee passed him the one of them and he laughed out loud. River looked it over and called him a boob. When Bane handed him the capture of him drinking with one hand and grabbing her cousin in a most inappropriate place with the other, Jayne’s face actually flushed. “Shall I send this one to Corren?” she added, wickedly. Jayne did not answer. Karl pulled the box towards him and fished out another one. “Shall I send this one to your brother?” he turned it around so everyone could see. It was Bane’s turn to blush. Whoever took the capture was very wobbly themselves, but it clearly showed Bane attempting to get undressed in front of everyone, but unable to make her hands work properly, and then passing out backwards onto the couch. “Hell, no,” said Jayne, “I think we should pin this one up here in the galley.” They passed a very noisy evening in merriment. All was at peace again. * * * * * * * * Author’s Note: Edited in August 2007 (Always looking to improve!).