River sat up suddenly with a gasp. She looked around her purposefully and over the sleeping bodies; Kaylee cuddled up to Simon, Bane sandwiched between Karl and Jayne, then Zoe, and finally the person she needed – Mal. She got up and stepped over the bodies without making a sound. She knelt beside Mal and starred at him. She had been about to reach out and touch his shoulder when he came awake abruptly, making her jump. Mal started himself when he realised River was hovering over him. He rubbed an eye sleepily and looked at her expectantly.

“Inara’s in the snow,” she said in a normal voice. It was all she needed to say to make Mal react. Now he understood why he had that funny feeling in his gut all night, he did not know how, but she was out there and she needed help. He unravelled himself from the furs and got up, pulling up his braces. Zoe opened her eyes, she always slept lightly.

“What is it?” she asked.

“River conjures Inara is one of those out in the snow,” explained Mal. Zoe did not question him or doubt River’s abilities, but she thought it was very remote that Inara would still be alive. It had been at least eight or nine hours since they had first been informed of the distress call. But she also knew Mal’s irrational and complicated feelings about the woman and was not about to stop him looking for her.

“ Serenity would be too big to navigate these mountains – better take the shuttles,” she suggested in a confident voice. Mal was relieved that Zoe was in his corner on this one, as he had expected her to object. The others were already starting to stir. Mal kindly shoved another couple of logs onto the fire for the Smiths and then turned around to speak to the crew, who were in various states of grogginess.

“Seems there may be someone alive on that downed ship and we’re going looking for them. We’re taking both shuttles. Bane, you pilot shuttle two. Karl, you and Jayne go with her. Simon, you likely need to get the Med Bay prepped and Kaylee, you need to help us dock