CHAPTER 5

The couch was cozy and far from the buzzing noise of the party still going outside despite the lateness of the hour. Zoë lifted Mal and Inara’s wedding picture off the coffee table as Jackson curled up on her lap to sleep. Sunset crater on Deadwood, party of ten. It was the first time Zoë had ever been at Mal’s side without a pistol strapped to her hip – and probably the last.

The warm breeze mixed with desert dust hit her like a gentle memory. Kaylee as maid of honor. Zoë as ‘Best Woman’ because Mal wouldn’t name anyone else to stand by his side. Jackson had been two then, bouncing like a kangaroo in Mama Reynold’s lap through the whole ceremony. No traditions, no rituals, just family – and only the closest members at that. When Inara had left Serenity after Miranda, Zoë never thought she’d see this day; but after Jayne’s funeral, something in Mal snapped. He took to chasing Inara like she was the last breath of oxygen in all the black. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Nearly sold Serenity, just to prove he’d stop at nothing to have her. Fortunately for the both of them, she loved Serenity as much as he did. Zoë brushed a bit of dust from the picture frame. If she squinted her eyes just so, she could see Serenity’s silhouette in the background, outlining the space between the Mal and Inara, joining them together. She smiled at the memory.

Jackson’s breathing slowed as he fell to dreams, exhausted from a day spent exploring the Reynold’s ranch. Zoë fingered her Mare’s Leg, then Jackson’s Mateba, wondering again about the life she had thrust her son into. After the first Tao Wu attack, she’d had a serious talk with him. He’d handled the second assault well, but Jackson was always in his element when planet-side.

“There’s another bed upstairs,” Inara whispered, tip-toeing into the living room.

“You really think we have the night?”

Inara shook her head, sitting on the couch next to Zoë as she tangled her fingers in her son’s hair, letting his peaceful expression drive out thoughts of the comi