Author's Note: This was something I wrote that didn't fit in anywhere - not least of which is that Freya and Mal have not been arguing since the birth of Ethan. But it's something I explored differently in a couple of stories, and I wanted to get this out so I can stop thinking about it!

Guys (and girls) ... SALVAGE is coming, only it's taking its time as I currently have something of a writer's block, but bear with me.

In the meantime, try this for size, and don't blame me if ... well, actually you can blame me if you don't like it, because I wrote it, but please let me know!

The hatch above their bunk opened and Freya climbed out, her feet slamming onto the floor. “You think more about her than me!” she shouted.

“That ain’t true,” Mal said, following her, standing with his hands on his hips.

“Don’t lie to me!” She waved her hand in his face. “The moment she stopped being a Companion you wanted her!”

“Frey –”

“Were you waiting for my permission?” She glared into his blue eyes, anger consuming her. “Fine! Go! Be with her!”

“She’s my friend, Frey!” he managed to get in. “What, would you rather I was sly?”

“At least then I‘d know where I stood!” She turned away and ran down the stairs into the cargo bay.

“Frey …” His voice followed her but she didn’t stop. She carried on out into the air, running away from the Firefly as fast as she could. She was out of breath when she finally stopped, and let the sobs break out. She collapsed down to the ground, her knees giving out, and she hugged herself tightly, trying to control the tears.

How could he do this to her? They seemed to be fighting all the time, ever since Ethan was born. In the whole two months they’d hardly had a good word to say to each other, and now she felt like she was losing him … she let the sorrow flow.

Eventually her breathing eased, and she looked up. The light was yellow, and dark clouds were crowding across from the horizon. The air tasted tinny. The memory of Hank saying that th