The walk to Hoban was fairly silent, until Zoe had spoken up as they entered the Docks.

“Boat’s name is Hoban” She said, pausing in her tracks. “I’m Hoban’s widow”

Ben stood there, thinking. Trying to assimilate this new information. “What are you saying, Cap’n?”

“He died, just before the Miranda Broadcast. Killed by Reavers.” She said, as calm as possible. Then, she started up, walking towards her beloved new boat. “I’ll understand if you don’t want the job no-more Ben.” “Wait up, you just told me my Brother is dead, in the middle of the docks. You crazy 该死的母狗! Don’t walk away from me now!” Ben said; he had more balls than his Brother ever did.

“You wanna join my crew, you are welcome. You wanna talk about my Husband, you can wait. Dong Ma?” Tears were threatening to fall from the Warrior Woman now, so she sped up, and boarded her Boat. She softened up, contemplating her next words,“We are all just leaves on the wind, we all fall at some-point.”

Ben looked at her, he paused, and nodded. He walked up the gang-way, and shook her hand. “I’d be glad to fly with you, Zoe.” He said, all his anger and grief locked away knowing he did not want to lose the chance to find out more. He knew he would need to be patient. ************************************************************************** The hunt for a Mechanic came to an end when a wave came thro from a young lad named Mikie Zheng. He’d had some experience, having been on-board a Firefly all his life, his Pa was the ships Mechanic, and he never knew his Ma, died when he was a baby.

The Merc was harder to recruit, and neither Ben nor Mikie had any experience with a gun, so for the first few weeks they relied on ferrying passengers around the outer rim. The money was ok, and Zoe built up a few contacts. She did a few small smuggling runs, but only with people she could trust.

Mal waved her, and she was glad to see his face. “Captain Alleyne, How do You do?” he said, in a cheeky manner.

“Sir, it’s good to hear from you. How’s Serenity?” Zoe said, warmly.

“She’s good, but our Companion has decided to take leave of my Boat. Dropping her on Osiris in next day or two, she’s heading for Sihnon. Looking for passage last I heard.”

“Might have to drop in and see if she’s needing a lift, Sir. My crew could sure use the Coin.” Replied Zoe.

“I hear you’re dealing with Patience, wanna be a middle-man for me?”

“What’re you off-loadin Sir?”

“Some meds that got forgot by a bunch of the military’s finest. Just a bit of Plasma, and the likes.” Replied Mal, in a nonchalant manner.

“Meet on Osiris then, say a Day from now?”

“It’s a Date, Cap’n Alleyne.” ************************************************************************** Inara was packing her things, again. She couldn’t believe the attitude Mal had taken to her since Zoe left. She had initially thought it was grief at losing Zoe after all this time, but he had become so withdrawn, so reclusive, in the 8 months since her departure. Inara had decided to take her leave, once and for all. It had felt like an impossible choice, and it had broken Kaylee’s heart.

She scanned the room for the last of her things, and turned her attention to the Cortex. A quick scan was all that was required, she found a client on Osiris, looking for a week with her. ************************************************************************* Freddie was the love-child of a very wealthy and powerful Director inside the Blue-Sun Corporation, and had never wanted for anything. Freddie was also a very out-spoken Browncoat. And, there was a lot of money on the table for a week’s work. Furthermore, due to Freddie’s Father’s occupation, Freddie was looking for Inara’s Service onboard a Boat, and with Zoe taking a round trip to Whitefall, before taking Inara back to Sihnon, the whole venture seemed perfect. Zoe had no objections, and wasn’t even charging for use of the Shuttle on Hoban.

Inara arrived a day to set up before Freddie appeared for the week ‘Holiday’ they had planned. She set to work while Mal and Zoe talked shop, and swapped a few stories. River sat in the corner of the shuttle, watching, as Ben and Mikie insisted on giving the bona-fide Companion a hand.

With Mal getting ready for his farewells again, Inara stood a respectable distance, and extended her hand in a gesture of goodbye.

Then, Mal turned and embraced Zoe, and whispered in her ear “If you ever need anything, just wave.”

Zoe nodded, and shook his hand. Mal nodded his good-bye to Inara, and turned back to Serenity. Zoe dried her eyes, before turning back to her crew, and walked up to Inara. “When is your client arriving?” Asked Zoe.