Inara watched Serenity take off, her thrusters tilting as Hank smoothly eased her into the sky. For a moment she seemed to hang, facing the house, and then dipped forward into an obvious bow. Inara laughed and waved, convincing herself she could see Hank through the bridge window, grinning widely, Mal standing in his usual place, Zoe just behind him, in hers …

Then she was gone, hauled up into the blue become black, until she was just a pinpoint of light that disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Inara sighed. She was truly on her own now, and it scared her a little. She’s said as much to Zoe.

“You? Scared?” Zoe looked at her, as if she’d just admitted she was an alien.

“I’ve never been on my own like this before.” She picked up the cushion from the sofa and held it in front of her. “When I left home it was to go to the Training House. Out here, on this ship, all of you around me … I was still a Companion, under their protection.” She went on quickly, seeing the look on the other woman’s face, “Yes, I know, as misguided as that was. But now it’s just me. Here.” She dropped the cushion. “All on my own.”

“On your own?” Zoe smiled. “You’ve got that Mrs Boden and her husband, and at least three other people I’ve seen. Hardly counts as being on your own.”

“You know what I mean.”

Zoe nodded. “No family.”

“Yes.”

“’Nara, we’re still out there. Just ‘cause we ain’t gonna be in each other’s back pockets don’t mean we’re not family.”

“I’m just going to miss you.” There was a catch in her throat.

The first mate stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the ex-Companion. “And I’ll miss you too.”

Kaylee had been more honest. “Who’ll I talk to now?” she wailed softly.

“I thought you respected why I’m doing this,” Inara pointed out gently, watching the young mechanic sitting under Serenity’s gently turning engine.

“I do! ‘N’ I’m being selfish here, and I don’t care.” Kaylee stuck out her chin. “But who’s gonna brush my hair and tell me I’m pretty if you ain’t aro