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

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“So, where are you all headed from here?”

Alex directed her question at Kaylee, who was helping gather her belongings as they prepared for arrival on Boros.

“Got Badger’s job to finish,” Kaylee said as she folded Alex’s robe and stuffed it into her duffel bag, “then I think we might be droppin’ off the preacher.”

“Dropping him off? Where?” Alex was surprised.

“I heard him and Cap’n talking—said he might spend some time back on Haven with the miners.” Kaylee smiled, a little sadly.

“Haven—that’s where you took me for treatment?”

Kaylee nodded. “Shepherd said he got on real good with the miners; they took to him.”

“I imagine he’ll be missed here,” Alex said.

“Yeah, he’s real nice to have around...handy, too. But he’s been talkin’ ‘bout gettin’ off the ship for awhile now, findin’ a world to call home.”

Alex chuckled. “Maybe he’s had all the excitement a man of God can handle!”

Kaylee nodded her agreement. “Prob’ly tired of shootin’ and gettin’ shot at.”

Alex packed the last of her clothes and pulled the drawstring on her bag.

“Speaking of getting shot...I’m worried about your job,” she said. “I hope Mal doesn’t get shot in the other cheek this time—or worse.”

Kaylee patted her hand.

“Oh sweetie, if you start worryin’ on what happens to us out here, you’ll never sleep again,” she said. “Best put it out of your mind. ‘Sides, you got enough to think about now.”

“Yeah,” Alex agreed. “Still...I’ve got reason to concern myself with your safety.” She put on hand on her stomach as she said it.

Kaylee smiled knowingly. “You mean his safety?”

Alex nodded. “Yeah, okay, his safety. But you’re all his crew and my friends, so I’ll worry about you all. It’s a package deal.”

They fell silent for a time before Alex spoke again.

“Kaylee, there’s something I need to know—why’d Inara leave?”

Kaylee looked