Angelle's mine...all the rest belongs to Joss. ---------------------------------------------

Stars...balls of hot gases that burn at extremely high temperatures and emit heat and light, not far from some people I know. My daddy, who our people refer to as the Swamp King on occasion, will tell you that if I ever turn up missing, you will find me on the highest point I can get, looking up at those said stars. Though I might not be a big space traveler, the stars have always held my heart.

It was night again, but this time as I wandered around the ship, life seemed to have gone to sleep. I could feel the purr of the engine under my feet, a grumble every once in awhile suggesting there might be a bubble in one of the lines. Might not know a whole lot about the engines of a transport ship, but certain aspects were not any different than Old Bet at home.

I ran my fingers along the bulkheads feeling her cold inner shell as she hummed at my touch, Serenity nothing more than what we humans were, muscle and shell with the most important part being our heart. This ship had a big one. A few mutters here and there as I passed by the crew quarters, mostly coming from Kaylee's room. I could only imagine what might be conversing down there. Thankfully, I didn't think about it long.

My feet stopped me in front of Mal's room, fingers brushing against the handle as I willed myself not to knock. As much as the woman in me wanted to know, my heart wasn't ready. Alone was so much easier and so much safer. Instead, I kissed my fingers gently and placed them on the handle before making my way to one of the best places on Serenity to see stars, the Bridge.

The hum of the autopilot greeted me at the foot of the stairs and I knew the cock pit would be empty. It would give me a place to think and right now, that's what I needed. Just had to make sure I didn't fall asleep. Be quite a shock to anyone coming up tomorrow.

Stars filled the windows like a sea of fireflies all congregated around a single point, the males twinkling in hopes of finding that one female to call their own. I walked in and went to reach for the pilot's chair only to brush against the shoulder of someone sleeping in it. My hand went to my mouth to silence the gasp, but it was too late. I had already awoken the sleeping...angel.

“Zoe, I am so sorry.” She smiled at me and shook her head.

“Seems I'm not the only one who couldn't sleep in their room.” The dark skinned woman stifled a yawn before sitting up in the small leather chair.

“Insomnia. Gift from my mom.” I laughed and took the navigator's chair. “So what's you story?”

“Restless. Been that way since...our pilot died.” I could tell there was something more she wanted to say.

“You must have been pretty close.”

“He was my husband.” She said it almost matter of fact, not insensitive, but as if she used more emotion, she would break down and cry.

“I don't know what that's like, but it hurt when my mom died. I can only imagine how losing a lover would feel.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Not trying to say you understand or belittling his memory by comparing his death to that of a pet.”

“People do that. Wow, and they're still breathing.”

“Barely. How's your old man...seriously? Mal said there were problems you all needed help with.”

“He's okay. I'm worried about him. Like your Mal's voice of reason, I am my father's.”

“I guess he didn't skip on his info about us.” She smiled looking at the stars. “Sam was more like a dad to me than even my own.”

“He told me you were his war daughter. Said you reminded him of me and he misses you like he does me when I'm gone. You really meant a lot to him, Zoe. More than you might have figured.”

“I've missed him, too.” She smiled at me. “I was a bit jealous of you. My father never quite accepted me. He wanted me to get married and be just like my mom. Hell, half the reason I joined the war effort was to spite him.”

“Is he still alive?”

Zoe was silent for a few seconds before looking at me. “Honestly, I don't know and really, not caring too much. The war changed me enough that even if I ever did find out, the man wouldn't recognize me.” Her statement made me think of my mom. As much as I wanted her to accept me, nothing I could do would meet her approval. As I stared at Zoe, I felt a tear slip down my eye and with a single movement, I wrapped by arms around her.

At first, I truly think I shocked her because she stiffened and I thought she'd pull away from me. It took a few moments before I felt her arms behind me and her head rest on my shoulder. We sat there, my knees shivering from the cold floor, and Zoe shaking as she sobbed. Had any of the crew been present, this moment would have gone completely different, but with me, maybe she felt a kindred spirit. We were sisters, both with a parent who couldn't accept us as the women we were. Her tears had soaked through my shirt and I could hear her sniffle. “So you're my sister.”

She chuckled before letting me go and wiping her nose on her sleeve. “Guess I am. You ever tell anybody about what just happened and I'll kill you.” Her brown eyes sparkled as she smiled at me winking. “Thanks.”

“Please. What are sisters for?” I grabbed for the chair and looked at her. “So, about Mal... you think he like likes me?” I giggled as we began to chat about everything and nothing at all.