“Where’s Mal?” Zoe asked, coming up behind Hank with a mug of coffee.

“I told him to go and lie down.”

“And he didn’t kill you?

“I think he considered it. But I said he was making me nervous and that Ethan needed his father.” He took the coffee and sipped it. “You are a lifesaver.”

She stood behind him and put her hands on his shoulders, massaging them. “You okay?” she asked. “Perhaps you should take a rest too.”

“I’ll sleep when Frey’s home.”

Her hands tightened. “You know she’s probably dead.”

Hank put the mug down and turned to look at the woman he loved. “Do you really think that?” he asked.

“I’ve heard of Xavier Wing. Rich and powerful. One of those men who think they can do what they like. And they pretty much can. And Mal did kill his son.”

“He’d poisoned Inara!”

“You think that means anything to Wing?”

Hank got up from the chair, pacing. “Then if it’s an eye for an eye … why give Ethan back?”

“It kinda wracks up the pain. Take his son. Give him back but take Freya. His wife.”

“But why not kill Mal instead? Why do this?”

“It makes it worse. If Mal dies then it’s over. But if he lives, knowing what’s happened …”

“The man’s insane.”

“Oh, I agree with you there.” She sighed. “And men like that can do anything.”

Hank stopped and stared at her. “How can you know this? How can you even begin to imagine -”

She put her hands on his arms. “I’ve seen men who you’d think were the gentlest souls imaginable kill without even thinking. Pump bullets into a body until there was nothing but torn flesh left then go and eat. I know what people are capable of.”

“But to know what he’s thinking -”

“I don’t.” She stepped closer to him. “If I did maybe we could have got to Freya before …”

“You think she’s dead.”

“With what River was picking up, I can’t see what else it could be.”

“But Mal …”

“Has to believe.”

“Zoe …”

She took him into her arms and held him close, just sharing the warmth.

The vid buzzed and Hank immediately let her go, sliding back into his seat. “It’s Patience. Better get Mal.”

“I’m here,” said the man himself, his face pale as he stepped onto the bridge. He’d heard most of what they’d been saying, and it had eaten into him. “Put her on the screen.”

“Sir …” Zoe began, but he waved her down.

“Let me talk to Patience.”

Hank nodded and the vid sprang to life.

“Malcolm,” the old lady said, her frizzled grey hair standing out around her head like a halo.

“Patience.”

“Said I’d get back to you if I heard anything.”

“And?”

“Much as I ain’t hating the idea of seeing you bleed, this is …” She paused. “’Specially since I’d one day like the pleasure of making it happen again myself.”

“I’ll bear that in mind,” Mal said, then leaned forward, his grip tight on the console. “Patience, what’ve you got?”

She understood. “Heard tell of a fancy ship stopping half a day back about a century outside’a town. I’m uploading the co-ordinates now. Only here about an hour, then it was gone again. But as there ain’t nothing in that vicinity but scrub and snakes, there’s no reason for a ship to land at all.”

“Thanks, Patience.”

“So you owe me. And when you find her, tell her from me … well …” She stopped, aware she’d just been about to show some emotion. “You need any men? My boys’d be keen to help.”

“No, we got this. But thanks.”

“You remember that next time I shoot yah. Dong mah?” She broke the connection.

“How long?” Mal asked.

“An hour.”

“Floor it.”

“Fast as we can.”

---

The Firefly had barely landed before the cargo bay doors opened and her crew hurried out.

“River?” Mal asked, looking at the young psychic.

“I … nothing.” She shook her head, her hair moving in the slight breeze.

Mal’s face tightened. “Then we search.” He looked around. “Zoe, you and the doc go west. Jethro and River east. Kaylee and Inara south. Me and Jayne’ll take the north.”

“What about me?” Hank asked.

“Stay put. Make sure we ain’t gonna be disturbed.”

“Mal -”

“Just do it!” Without another word he strode off, Jayne a pace behind.

“Come on,” Zoe said, tapping the doctor gently on the arm.

*

“Was she sure about this?” Simon asked as they strode towards a rocky outcrop.

“Only place she’d heard a ship’d landed,” the first mate said.

“How long ago?”

“Half a day.”

“That’s …”

“Yes.”

**

“What happens if we don’t find her?” Kaylee asked.

“I don’t know,” Inara admitted.

“But the Cap’ll …”

“Yes.”

***

“You really can’t feel anything?” Jethro asked.

“Nothing,” River replied unhappily. “It’s just …” She stopped.

“What is it?”

***

Suddenly Jayne stopped. “Mal,” he said softly, pointing up into the sky ahead. Buzzards were circling.

Mal began to run, his coat flapping around him, hearing the big mercenary shout for the others. As he rounded a boulder he skidded to a halt and stared down at something on the ground.

A tarpaulin, wrapped around … something.

He felt Simon and Zoe stop beside him, but he couldn’t move, couldn’t take his eyes off the heavy green cotton, couldn’t bring himself to look, to have his life ended here under the high sun.

Simon moved slowly past him and leaned over, pulling one corner away to reveal what lay inside. “Run-tse duh fuo-tsoo,” he whispered.

It was a travesty. She looked like she was asleep, one hand resting on her breast. But that hand was blackened, swollen, her face bruised and bloody. At least her eyes were closed, not staring at them accusingly.

“It’s not her,” Mal whispered, going down onto his knees next to the body. “It can’t be her.”

“Mal …” Simon took hold of his shoulders, trying to pull him back.

“Let go.” Serenity’s captain spoke with such quiet venom that Simon took a step away. He glanced at Zoe.

“Sir,” she began, her own pain showing on her face. “You have to let us –”

Mal ignored her, reaching out to barely touch Freya’s face, his hand beginning to tremble. “She’s warm,” he breathed.

“The sun …” Simon said, wanting to help, wanting to say something that would make a difference, make it stop hurting, but there was nothing. “Mal, we have to … to get her back to Serenity.”

“Take her home,” came the faint words as Mal stared at the woman he loved, who meant everything to him.

Running footsteps behind had Zoe turning as Kaylee, River, Inara and Jethro rushed up.

“River said you’d found –“ Kaylee began as Zoe put out her arm to stop them, but the young mechanic pulled up of her own accord. “Oh, my God,” she said, covering her mouth, her eyes wide in horror.

“Go back,” the first mate ordered. “Tell Hank to bring the stretcher.”

“Cap‘n?” the mechanic said, staring at the sight in front of her. “Cap’n?”

“Kaylee,” Zoe said firmly. “Please.”

The young woman looked up, tears running freely down her cheeks. “Why?” she asked. “Why’d they do this?”

“I don’t know,” Zoe admitted. “We’ll find out.” She pushed her gently. “Go. Get Hank.”

Kaylee nodded and walked away, backwards at first, then turning to run towards the Firefly. Jethro was muttering, a prayer for the lost, his hands pressed together as tightly as his eyes were closed.

River stood still, gazing at the still form on the ground. Now she said, “Why doesn’t she get up?”

Simon glanced sharply at her. “River,” he said quickly, appalled at her insensitivity.

“She should get up. Come home.”

“River …” Inara’s voice broke.

“Get her out of here,” Mal said, dark, violent.

Simon turned to his sister, putting his hands on her shoulders. “River, go back. You can’t do anything. Freya’s … Freya’s dead.”

to be continued