Third chapter in my series. Thanks to Arcadia, Tayeatra, and Joy for beta-testing.

-------------------------

It was just after lunch, and Zoe was on the bridge, scanning the cortex for any and all information she could find. She was occupying the co-pilot’s seat, since River was still perched in Wash’s chair.

Zoe shook her head. It wasn’t his chair anymore. River had every right to it since she was the new pilot.

Eight months. It’d been eight months, but it still felt like it was yesterday. Every night, she saw him in her dreams, felt his arms wrap around her, tasted his lips as they kissed. Sometimes she could swear he was still here, standing next to her, ready to talk.

“He is.”

Wiping the unshed tears from her eyes, Zoe turned to see River staring at her. “You say something sweetie?”

“Never left. Can’t leave.” River turned back towards the nose of the ship. Softly, she said, “He cares too much.”

“Who cares too much?” Mal asked as he entered the bridge.

As Zoe turned back to the screens, she answered, “Nobody.”

Glancing at the backs of both women’s heads, Mal decided to drop it and ask another question instead. “Zoe, any luck?”

“Nothing yet. Harold Fyren called a few hours back, but he hadn’t been able to turn anything up.” She turned her head to look in his direction. “It would help if we knew what we were supposed to be looking for.”

“I wish I knew myself, Zo. But River here’s the only one who knows, and she doesn’t seem to be in a talkin’ sort of mood.” They both turned to stare in River’s direction.

When no answer was forth coming, Mal looked at Zoe and just shrugged his shoulders. Walking over to Zoe’s position, he asked, “Any idea on when exactly we’re supposed to reach Beylix?”

As Zoe pulled up the navigation, she replied, “Normally, it would have taken a few more days. But due to the course River plotted, we should be there sometime tomorrow afternoon."

Looking at the navigation screen, Mal nodded his head, then took a step back. “Alrigh