There had been long moments of ponderous silence in the common area. “I’d have to say, hands down, from 1972 to 1983,” Gabriel muttered under his breath. “Look at the standing records.”

Across the foot table from him in the lounging area, Inara and Kaylee turned to stare at the young man in questioning shock.

“Pay no attention,” Gabriel directed offhandedly. “Just talkin’ to myself.”

“Talk to me, instead,” River interjected from her seat nearby. “I’m cuter.”

“I’ll attest to that,” Jayne called from beyond, in the kitchen area where he was foraging for nourishment.

Inara leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees. “Gabriel… How are you feeling?”

Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “Been better; been worse; need a haircut,” he replied. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

“Um,” Inara started, flustered. “Well, I mean, after what happened yesterday…”

“Well, you see,” Gabriel explained, “the thing is this. Somethin’ like that happens, it’s kinda embarrassin’ for me, so I just tend to pretend like it never happened. Seems easiest on me.”

“Simon’s working on it,” River explained, despite anything that Gabriel had just said.

As Simon and Zoe entered the common area, Inara and Kaylee came to their feet. “How is he?” Inara inquired, referring to Mal.

“Resting comfortably,” Simon informed. “I gave him a sedative.”

“Stubborn bastard kept tryin’ to sit up,” Zoe expanded.

“So bein’ the good doctor that you are,” Gabriel ventured, “you pumped him full of drugs.” River smacked him on the chest, and Gabriel insisted, “I was just jokin’!”

“Future plans?” Kaylee inquired of her captain.

Zoe shrugged. “We got plenty of gas, an’ no definite destination. The list of off-limits planets right now are a damn tad longer than our list of friendly planets.”

“Well, we can’t float ‘till we rot,” Jayne butted in. “Then again, hidin’ on Hera wasn’t too fun, neither.” He paused. “Forget me. I’m jus’ naggin’ cuz I ain’t gettin’ paid, is all.”

“We still got plenty of money stashed onboard from the gun sale,” Kaylee re