As Serenity flew through the black, Bethany began to relax. She didn’t know how to put her feelings into words, and wouldn’t tell anyone if she could. But every second that the Firefly moved further away from Lazarus, she became convinced something bad had been averted. Something to do with Auntie ‘Nara.

She sighed and shifted in bed, Fiddler laying on her feet. Walls. Feeling the walls that Auntie Frey and Auntie River had built to keep her out, she understood how they’d done it, and in understanding could copy it. They wouldn’t know she was worried. It would make them unhappy, and she didn’t want that. Besides, it was going away now.

Fiddler stirred, snuffling in his sleep, his little legs twitching as he chased imaginary rabbits.

She was going to miss Giselle. Uncle Jayne had got her ‘specially, but Auntie ‘Nara would be happier with a girl puppy. Someone to look after her. Someone to keep her safe.

Bethany wanted Daddy. He’d make things right. Put a weave on it and make it all better.

Wriggling out of bed, she slid the door open then turned back, picking up Fiddler in her good arm, hugging him close.

---

“Daddy?”

She saw movement in the bed and a tousled head appeared. “Sweetheart, you’re supposed to be asleep.”

“Couldn’t.”

“Bad dreams?”

She nodded. “C’n I come in with you?”

“Honey?” Kaylee surfaced. “Wha’s goin’ on?”

“Bethany’s having bad dreams,” Simon said softly.

“Oh, sweetie.” Kaylee managed to pry her eyes open and looked at the little girl standing inside the doorway, her nightie rucked up where she had hold of her puppy.

“Come on,” Simon said, lifting the sheet.

Bethany dropped Fiddler on the foot of the bed and scrambled up, holding her cast against her chest as she snuggled between her parents.

“What were you dreaming about, sweetie?” Kaylee asked.

“Bad things.”

“If you talk about them, they’ll maybe go away quicker.”

“Don’t remember.”

“Well, you can stay with us for a while until you can get back to sleep.” Simon put