Author’s Note:

A lot happens in this one, folks, so I hope you’re all caught up to date.

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With a notable bump, Serenity landed at Eavesdown on Persephone, belying the calm weather conditions. Bane shut the engine down and let go of the controls, breathing heavily. She was glad Mal was not there in the cockpit, as she held up her hands in front of her, viewing them as they still trembled. I can’t keep doing this , she thought, as she could not longer see well enough to pilot a ship. That really was putting people’s lives in danger . She had tried to get out of it, but Mal had ordered her to take a turn, broking no argument and she could not bring herself to tell him about her failing vision.

“Can’t hide it from me now,” stated River. Bane swivelled around to see River in the cockpit, looking decidedly angry. River had been standing there during the whole landing phase, finally able to read Bane’s mind while it was occupied with a distracting task.

“Hide what?” Bane tried. River gave her an irate look.

“Didn’t trust me to help you, but thought you’d try and kill us all instead?” Bane opened her mouth, but did not know what to say. River searched her thoughts, feeling Bane’s terror, and softened, feeling the old guilt resurface. “It’s my fault this has happened to you, Bane, and I’ll fly this ship from now on.” Bane shook her head to disagree.

“It’s not your fault. It was those two agents and whoever sent them. I would stand beside you tomorrow, even knowing the consequences. You know that – you can tell.” River knew, but she still could not understand why Bane did not blame her. As Bane had once done to her, River rested her forehead against Bane’s and willed her reassurances that things would be alright. Bane felt soothed, like cold cream on a stinging cut, and tears of relief forming in her eyes. She knew River would not tell Mal until she was ready, but would keep her secret. River smiled and took charge, mocking Bane’s own s