She paced restlessly upon the deck, a little outside of the engine room. A frown split her normaly cheery face in two. Her eyes were red; it was obvious that she had been crying for a few hours, but the reality was a few days. Her hands nervously clasped and unclasped behind her. "I still can't believe he's gone," she said to the empty, silent hallway.

Is it really so hard for you? She tried to drown out that annoying, all too truthful voice that made itself in the everpresent, and growwing back of her mind. It continued onwards, oblivious to her greatest try at sequestering it for good. Can you honostely say that you can't go on? .

She didn't answer, as answering a voice in her head was not considered entirely sane by the folk in the 'Verse. Instead, she unconciously started rubbing her arm, in the false hope that the friction between her skin and the fabric of her coveralls would give her some extra warmth. Serenity was awfully cold now, with... him gone. She didn't look up when Inara poked her head in.

The Companion had seen better times, for sure. Her eyes, while not as bad as Kaylee's, were obviously all dried up now, some inflamed red making itself past the makeup that she so cautiously and stubbornly applied every morning. "Mei-mei, you can come in now."

Kaylee tried to smile, but could only go so far as to wipe most of the frown off her face, giving her a thoughtful expression. "Thanks, 'Nara, but I think that I'll wait a litte longer. Don' wanna hurt 'im none just cuz I'm so sad."

Inara nodded sagely. "Of course. Remember, mei-mei: Me, Mal, and Zoe are always here to help you. I know it hurts, but it will all be okay in the end." She pulled her back.

"Yeah, it hurts, 'Nara," whispered Kaylee to the cold, empty hallway. "Too much for you ta know."

Ah, but doesn't the pain recede every moment you dwell on it? Does it not get easier to bear? She went back down the hall, not bothering to go to her room. Th