Disclaimers : Everything belongs to Joss, except for one character of my creation.

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

“Look under the bed.” the note said. So, that night after the rest of the crew had gone to sleep, Mal did just that.

He let down the stretcher and pried open the wall panel that concealed Alex’s cubby. Inside was her stack of notes, and behind that was a small package. He pulled it out and opened it. The package contained a folded letter and a flowery recipe card Mal recognized as one of Kaylee’s from the galley. Along with the card there was a handful of tea bags and several small white pills. On the card was written:

Alex’s Special Tea

Ingredients: 1 cup water

1 teabag

1 tablet

Boil water, add teabag and steep to desired consistency.

Dissolve tablet in tea and drink.

Go to bed. Sooner rather than later. It works fast!

Wake up rested and refreshed in the morning.

Mal smiled and unfolded the letter. He sat back on the exam table and began to read.

Dear Captain Mal,

Thank you for providing me with transport when no one else would touch the job. I will never forget the time I spent with you and yours on Serenity. It was wonderful to discover my old friend is still flying – and to know that she is in the hands of those who love her.

Speaking of love... don’t chain Kaylee up in the engine room when she nags you...she just loves her captain is all!

The enclosed recipe is for my “special tea” - to be taken only on those nights when you just can’t sleep any other way. (I believe I made it for you once....).

Be well - try to stay out of trouble! And relax sometimes - it suits you!

Most of all, keep flyin’, Captain. And think of me once in awhile. I know I’ll think of you.

Yours,

Alex

Mal folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He put the wall panel back in place and strapped up the stretch