They’d had no choice but to leave him behind when the Reavers hit. River had been incoherent with rage but with the application of copious amounts of smoothers, could resume piloting duties. She consoled herself with the thought that he likely put his gun to his head when he found them gone but she couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal.

Months later, Serenity was boarded but even River’s best did nothing to keep them out. She slammed against the wall, the Reaver’s body weight holding her off the ground. Her head snapped up to meet her attacker’s wild eyes.

“Jayne?”