"What's wrong dear?" Zoe asked looking at the puzzled and confused expression on her husband's face.

"Oh, nothing dear," Wash said flipping a switch on his control panel.

"Sure? You look like you lost something," Zoe said.

"Yeah? No. I'm fine."

"Okay," Zoe said as Wash flipped another switch into the on position. She left the bridge.

"Your husband still going squirrely on my bridge?" Mal asked when he saw his second.

"It would seem so sir," Zoe said as they left the bridge area heading for the galley.

"Any idea on what he's so head up about?" Mal asked.

"No sir," Zoe said just as they got to the galley.

Jayne had heard Zoe's answer and said, " Any man that won't tell his wife what he's doing is up to something. That's what my ma always says."

"Not necessarily Jayne," Book countered as Mal and Zoe came into the galley proper.

"Maybe it's presents," Kaylee said then looked at Simon who shrugged.

"Not a present," River said quietly. "But something special."

Wash had his receiver turned all the way up. He knew that they were in the right area for the signal. He'd been listening to this signal for at least 6 years. Hearing the laughter, the heated political debates, word games that he liked to play along with even though he didn't know the rules. People chasing something they called the "Last". He didn't quite get that one but it sure sounded fun to him.

Late in the ship's night, Wash was laying in his and Zoe's bunk staring at the ceiling.

"What's bothering you so much?" Zoe finally asked.

"This signal," Wash said. "or rather the lack of this signal."