They lay there silently. Her head on his chest, slowly rising with his every breath. His hand resting on her head, playing with her curls. “Okay.. So, you can charm the ladies..” She joked. “Oh, wow…” She touched one of the scars on his chest. “Your business really is high risk..” “Yeah.. ‘spose it’s all worth it though..” She leaned her chin on the back of her hand and looked up at him. “’Spose it is… So, could a gal get used to this kinda life?” “What do you mean?” “Havin’ her charming captain by her side, ‘to have and to hold’ and the like..” The minute the words were spoken she regretted saying them, which showed on her face. “That didn’t come out right.. I mean-” “-I ain’t that guy.. I mean… I ain’t the settlin’ down type, least not at this point.. Or any time for all I know..” “Then why...” “ I’m sorry.. I do feel that way ‘bout you.. But I ain’t what you want.. I can’t give you what you need.” Her eyes began to water as she sat up. “You couldn’t have had this talk before-” “I wanted to.. I really did, but you was tellin’ me.. Well, what you were tellin’ me and I..” “Took advantage?” She growled, putting on her dress. “No! Don’t you think that! I care ‘bout you.. I’m savin’ you more pain this way.” “Don’t feel that way..” She wiped away a few tears as she pulled on her boots and hurried out of her own room. “Mina!..” He called after her but she didn’t answer. She knocked on Eleonora’s door and luckily she was in her room. Mina sat down with her and told her what had happened. “..So I’m gonna leave.” She concluded. “You’re what?! Where are you gonna go? And with what money?” “Next place we land and with the cut I got from the last job.” “That’s hardly enough to live on.. And what ‘bout me?” “You stay here. You’re happy here, and you sure make Jayne happy. I’ll be fine on my own.” She reassured. “And I can’t change your mind?” “Nope.. I’m leavin’..” Her voice was more confident than before. “I.. I’m going with you then.” “You don’t have to. Please, stay.” “No, we’ve been together through too much for our path to split here..” This was the thing they were the most sure of in their lives but they didn’t want to be. They wanted a small window of hope, the tiniest bit of doubt, but they knew the truth. They would leave Serenity. Not because they were forced to, or because they’d found a better life on land. But because of love. A week later they flew to Paquin for a job. Mal though it would be as good a place as any to leave them, it was a civilized planet. He didn’t enter into this arrangement happily. He didn’t wish to see them go, even though he knew it would be better for Mina. Jayne was depressed for some time after, which anyone could have guessed after their emotional goodbye.

One year later…..

Mal and Inara were walking around a small shopping town on Paquin while Kaylee worked on the engine. The two stopped and began looking in a shop window. “Now, that’s how you paint a mug!” Mal joked. “And I gather you could do a better job of it?” “I don’t think I like you today..” He squinted at her and she hit his arm. As the two laughed a women walked out through the door next to Mal. “Mal?..” She stared at him. He and Inara turned towards her. “Mina? What are you doin’ here? Well I know why you’re here. But.. Uh,.. How are ya?” Inara looked between the two of them, confused. “I’ll give you two a moment.” She smiled then looked in another shop window. Normally she would have stayed and chatted, but the atmosphere told her to run. “So, how’ve you been?..” Mina glanced at Inara. “She’s really beautiful, Mal.” “What?.. No, we’re not.. That’s Inara you heard ‘bout, she’s back on Serenity now..” “Inara.. Wow.. At least now I know why you couldn’t let me in, you had her in your heart already..” She smiled weakly. “Mina-” “-I heard ‘bout what you done on Miranda. That was.. I couldn’t believe it..” Now it was his turn to change the subject, “So, how’s Eleonora?” “You can ask her yourself, she should be out in a minute.” Just as she said it the door opened and Eleonora emerged holding a bundle. “Buy somethin’ nice?” he gestured towards it just as it started to cry. “Captain Reynolds?!” She gasped. “Woah.. Okay, my head’s startin’ to hurt.. And I don’t think I’ve gotten one answer to a question yet!” “What are you looking’ for? Yes, I’ve been fine. Things are good. How are you?” Mina snapped. “How’s Jayne?” Eleonora asked. “Is he okay?” He was still staring at what she was holding. “Did you… have a baby?..” She gently handed it to Mina, who replied, “No, I did” Mal quickly did the math in his head of how long ago she was on Serenity. “You recovered fast. Who’s the lucky guy? Husba-” “-I don’t remember.. After you dropped us off there was just so many..” “Okay.. I get it..” She looked down and soothed the baby, “Shh.. It’s okay S-” She looked up at Mal for a second. “S.. Sally…” Mal took a look at her, wrapped up in blankets. “She’s beautiful.” “Speaking of beautiful..” She nodded towards Mal just as Inara appeared next to him. “I’m so sorry, but we should be getting back to the ship.” “’Course.. Mina, until next time, I guess.” She smiled warily and turned to leave. Mina gently took Inara’s wrist before she left and whispered, “Please, take care of him.” Inara smiled and nodded before following him. The baby began to cry again. “Shh.. Shh.. Serenity. You’re okay..” She watched them go. “..We’re okay..”