PART 2:

The crew was all lined up like sardines in a can, trying to steal warmth from each other as they slept. Zoë, River, Simon, Kaylee, Inara, and Jayne. Mal had taken first shift to watch over them. There was no fire, but every now and then, Mal would furtively rub twigs together to attempt one. They’d built their line around Kaylee who seemed to have no intention of moving until absolutely necessary. She and Jayne were the only ones sleeping soundly at the moment. Mal knew Zoë was too light a sleeper to not stir every time River jerked awake. Simon sat up with his sister, getting her to the edge of the woods every time she was sick, getting her water after, and keeping her as warm as possible. Kaylee treated his coming and going as commonplace, and Mal wondered how common it was. Each time Simon returned, Kaylee lifted and arm and snuggled instinctively closer to him.

Inara, Mal could tell, was not sleeping at all. He’d been watching her for awhile now, and never once had her breathing fallen into a restful rhythm. Every now and then, she’d open her eyes and gaze skyward. She’d been quiet all day – even when Mal left himself open to some fairly good burns.

Jayne had his arm slung around both Inara and Kaylee, resting in such a way that Mal vowed to come between them as soon as his shift ended. Inara didn’t seem to mind, though. In fact, she nestled a little closer to Jayne than Mal would’ve expected.

Mal rubbed his hands together, trying to restore circulation to his fingers. His shift was nearly over, but he was holding off waking Zoë, because his first mate had been disturbed enough by Simon and River moving about. Standing and circling his crew, Mal knelt by Inara and placed a hand on her cheek. Her eyes opened immediately, not at all tired or disturbed. Just surprised.

“You need to sleep,” he whispered. “There’s plenty of time for thinkin’ when we’re walking tomorrow.”

Her face suddenly scrunched like she was trying not to cry, and her icy hand fell over his. Gently, soothingly, he grazed