Serenity dropped down into a patch of long grass that had once been a meadow, setting her supports onto the soft soil before the ramp dropped and the cargo bay doors opened.

“Oh, smell that,” Kaylee said, taking a deep breath, Bethany captivated in her arms. She gazed out towards dark smudges of hills on the horizon, gentle undulations that made it look like it was a sea frozen in motion.

“Smells like horseshit,” Jayne said. River thumped him on the arm on her way past and he grinned.

“Thanks,” Kaylee said.

“You’re welcome.” The young woman stepped down into the grass and wriggled her toes. “I like this.” She began to run, her hair whipping out behind her, trying to outpace the sadness in her heart.

Simon, a step behind his wife, said, “River –“

“She’s okay, honey,” Kaylee said, turning and smiling at him as he watched her disappear.

“Ain't no trouble she can get into around here,” Mal said, walking down to the ground himself, Ethan sat on his hip. “Nearest town’s over a hundred klicks from here, and I doubt even she could keep going that far. ‘N’ if she meets anything at all that’s a threat … well, I’d lay good money on her being the one to come back.”

“But still …”

“Stop worrying about her, and start figuring on having a good time.” He looked back over his shoulder. “And that’s an order.”

Freya moved up behind the young doctor and put her arm around his shoulders. “Or else,” she added softly.

Simon smiled. “Well, if it’s an order …” He still wanted to chase his sister, help her, make things better, but the sun was warm, and no matter what Jayne said, the smell reminded him of summers when he was a child.

“Momma, play with me,” Bethany said, trying desperately to get down.

“I gotta coupla things to do first,” her mother said. “Then we’ll play.”

“No, it’s okay,” Simon said unexpectedly. He looked out into the hot morning air. “It’s too nice to stay inside. We’ll go, give you time to finish, then you can join us.”

“Daddy come with me?” Bethany asked, h