He woke up, as he always did, before the alarm went. He’d always known when it was time to wake up, ever since he was a kid, and had to go help with the cattle. He could guarantee to be lying there, staring into the dark, two minutes before his mother yelled at him.

He rolled over, putting his hand out to touch his wife, but there was nothing but empty space and cold sheets. Opening his eyes he looked around the small bunk but it was conspicuous for its emptiness.

With a sigh he swung his legs out of bed and grabbed his pants.

“Morning, captain,” Zoe said as he climbed out of the hatch.

“Morning. You seen Frey?”

“Not yet.” She looked him up and down, wearing only his pants and nothing else. “She running away from you again, sir?”

“Your turn to make breakfast, isn’t it?” he asked in turn, ignoring her comment.

“Just on my way now.”

“Good.” Mal turned down the side corridor and headed for the cargo bay.

Zoe smiled and shook her head. Since he’d gone and gotten himself hitched he’d changed. For the better, she considered, but it was sometimes a shock to see him so … caring.

Jayne was in the cargo bay, working out. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked as Mal came down the stairs. “Me neither.”

“Looking for Frey.”

“She run off again?” Jayne exhaled and pushed the weights above his head. “Musta been seeing you in just your pants.”

“Have you seen her?” Mal asked, trying to maintain his dignity.

“Nope. Been here a while, too.”

“Captain,” River said, startling him.

He looked up to the top of the crates where she sat, Jayne’s ever-present shadow. “Doesn’t anyone sleep on this boat?”

“She’s in there,” the girl said, pointing towards the common area.

“Thank you.” He marched off, hitching his suspenders over his shoulders.

Jayne dropped the weights back into their stand and looked at River. “They okay?” he asked.

“They’re shiny. And they will be even better. Soon.” She smiled enigmatically.

---

He found her outside the nursery, just looking inside at B