Athens, a mixture of farmland and industry, was said to look the most like Earth-that-was, away from the Core, but right now it just looked dirty, with smog sitting above the cities. Not that they were in the city.

“Are you sure about this?” Mal asked, staring out of the bridge window at the expanse of manicured lawn in front of him, and the large house at the end of the drive.

“That’s what the listing says. Medori Sati resides here.” Hank shook his head. “Pretty.”

“Expensive.”

“Yeah, pretty tends to be.”

“No it don’t.” Mal straightened up. “Get the others into the cargo bay.”

---

“You look pretty,” Freya said, standing back and admiring the effect.

Grace was wearing a pair of loose pants in a gold colour and a soft red top donated by Inara, which she had managed, with Freya’s help, to get on over the casts. Her hair was clean and combed, falling in straight waves down her back.

“I feel odd,” Grace said.

“That’ll be the effects of the Heretofen,” Simon said, standing back and watching her.

“No, I don’t mean there,” Grace insisted, touching her head. “Here.” She touched the area over her heart.

Freya smiled. “Don’t worry. I'm here.”

---

Mal pushed the button and the cargo bay doors opened, the ramp dropping down to the ground. A faint smell of some perfume filtered in, making the normal recycled air taste stale.

“Ready?” he asked Inara, standing next to him.

“No. But let’s do this.”

They walked out into the sunlight.

---

“Inara?” Medori Donato stepped out of the front door and hurried across the lawn. “Inara Serra!” She smiled widely and hugged the other woman. “How did you find me?”

“Medori.” Inara closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the feeling for a moment, then disengaged. “How are you?”

Medori laughed. “So formal. And still a Companion, I can tell.”

Inara nodded. “Still a Companion.”

“And who’s this?” She turned to the tall, dark-haired man at Inara’s side.

“This is Captain Reynolds. He owns that ship.” She nodded t