The world belongs to Joss. I have enjoyed spending time with his characters but they are certainly not mine.

This fanfic surprised me. It isn't something I would have thought I'd write. Hope you like it!

Mal looked up as Jayne came into the cockpit. The big merc rubbed sleep from his eyes and pulled his blanket tight around him as he settled into the pilot’s seat for his watch.

“’Night, Jayne“ “’Night, Mal”

He moved to leave but paused for a moment by the door. He loved the black. Flying, just flying. A motion by the control panel caught his eye. Oblivious to Mal’s presence, Jayne righted the stegosaurus and turned the little herbivore to face its nemesis. “There you go, little man. All’s right now.”

Mal turned with a light smile and walked away; if he had been of a musical bent, he might have hummed something. But he wasn’t, so he didn’t. He just walked on.

In the dining area, he poured himself a cup of tea and moved to the table. A bible lay on the table, more like, a book of many pieces. Paragraphs cut, passages scratched out... rewritten in gibberish or Chinese, whole pages glued on top of others – what would Book say?

Hell, he’d probably find some good in it. Mal shook his head but could not shake the smile that came with thinking on the Preacher.

Back at his bunk, he took off his boots and lowered himself silently. He unbuttoned his shirt and folded it, placing it by the boots. He pulled off the tight pants and pulled on the loose ones for sleeping.

The bunk was lit only by a few innocuous panel displays. He didn’t need the light; he knew where it was.

To buy some time, he sat before his desk and with his sightless hands found the familiar capture. By the pale green light of the com, he watched the soundless images flit across the screen. He smiled at her wistful smile. It was time.

He reached into the back of the drawer, his fingers curling around the small leather pouch. He hesitated. Did he truly want to go down that road again?

In one motion, he pulled out the pouch and poured its contents into his cupped palm.

He judged the familiar weight in his hand. Enemy or friend?

He thought of Jayne in the cockpit, Zoe in her bunk, Kaylee’s smile,....and Inara. In the darkness, he looked at his hand. Enemy or friend?

In the end, it surprised him how easy it was, how natural it felt around his neck. He lifted the blanket gently and softly lay down on the bed. With his right hand, he found hers. With his left, he reached for His.

He closed his eyes with a smile and a sigh. Peace. Rest. Blessed serenity.