The point where it ends exists in a world far beyond your imagining. But you never imagined the end would be like this.

They're closin' in...River, gorramn it, get us outta here!

You aren't aware of danger--not in the way he is. He is a war-torn soldier, valiant and shrewd. He has seen death where you have only dreamt of it. He is your captain, your shadow, your strength. And you would follow him forever.

River, c'mon girl I said move!

I can do it--

Well, it ain't enough. It ain't enough.

It is. You will always do enough--more, in fact. But here is the moment when fear runs unchecked, and it blinds you both like the darkness outside.

Please, Mal.

You didn't see it.

You didn't see it. That is what you cannot understand, why you and he have come to this point, why the end is so very near. Yes, it happened fast, but you are River Tam and you should have known they were there.

Mal is swinging around in his seat, using his eyes instead of the monitor. He probably thinks he is doing more this way, but you know the reasons, can both see and hear and smell the panic, the sweet rush of adrenaline, and the remarkable, terrible fear. The shuttle turns; too fast--too fast!--and the g-forces flatten you both until you are aching and trembling and crying inside.

I see them--

But it is not fast enough. They pursue and pursue again because you are human, Mal is human, and because they are Reavers, and do not know or care either way. It is what they do.

The air is heavy with tension, and when you hit the comm switch by accident and their screams fill the tiny cabin, Mal turns his whole body and stares you down, the look in his eyes a clear, unequivocal turn it OFF. You cannot know the blessed relief of silence as he can, but you think...you think it's a lost cause, that his reaction is small and petty. So you stare back, pull hard on the throttle and listen to the shuttle groan.

Not enough, it's not enough, we can't get away. Mal, I can