Simon had been very firm: she had to go for a long walk at least once a day, twice if she could manage it. He was still medicating her for the effects of the Naxom, but he insisted the exercise would help eliminate the cravings. He was right, as usual, and in fact she had begun to look forward to them.

Mal had been very supportive, making sure that they were within easy reach of planetfall most days, even if it meant turning down jobs, and she really appreciated it. He asked her occasionally how she felt, mostly at night when he was getting undressed, as if he was afraid his sexual advances would be unwelcome. In fact it was just the opposite. In the throes of passion, on the crest of orgasm, she was at her freest, the need for the drug at its lowest, and every time they made love it was a little better afterwards, a little less pain.

Simon had been perfectly clear. “Naxom is highly addictive. When it is used it’s under strict supervision, and never for more than thirty six hours. They gave you large doses, Freya, over several days. It can take as little as one dose for the body to suffer withdrawal symptoms, so you’re lucky. Your system is strong, and you’re throwing it off faster than I would have imagined. But don’t try and force it. Take things easy, dong mah?”

She understood, and the only help she took, apart from Simon’s little grey pills, was the pleasure of Mal in bed and his making her feel whole and complete once more. Oh, and the walks.

She rounded the corner of an old Hyperion, no longer spaceworthy from the gaping holes in its hull, and saw Serenity sitting in her berth. As usual the sight of the Firefly lifted her spirits and she smiled. She walked up the cargo bay ramp and stepped inside.

Jayne was just putting his weights back on their stand. “Good walk?” he asked, glancing at her.

“Shiny,” she said, heading for the stairs.

“Wanna do a set?” he asked. “I’ll spotcha.”

She was surprised – he’d never offered before. “Maybe later,” she said. “Got some stuff