When Zoë first received word from Mal that they would be at the hospital longer than anticipated, she ran through the locations of all the public baths in town, and the reveled in the prospect of a warm soak. This world even had natural hot springs! But when she found out why Mal would be delayed, she quickly swallowed her vacation plans and shifted her thoughts to preparing Serenity. She could tell by the tone of Mal’s voice that he didn’t want to stay at the hospital waiting, but also that he wouldn’t leave.

Her heart laden with new burdens, Zoë went back to the boutique where she and Hawk had been finding work clothes for Inara, so she wouldn’t have to keep borrowing Zoë’s. Zoë didn’t like the boutique or the clothes that Hawk kept pulling off the rack, because they lacked the rugged, durability needed for labor, but Hawk insisted.

“She’s an ex-Companion. Give her time to adjust. Something practical, but not pedestrian.”

Zoë had just shaken her head and gone along with it, only a small part of her admitting that he was right. When she came back into the shop after talking to Mal, Hawk was at the counter purchasing their items.

“Captain ready for us?” Hawk asked her, noting the weight of her expression and hoping to diffuse it.

“We need to get back to the ship.”

“Not the hospital?”

“Jayne’s in surgery. The others are waiting there.”

“Oh,” Hawk said, gathering the shopping bags and thanking the lady behind the register before heading out to the mule. He was silent for about half a block, before turning to Zoë. “Did you want to wait there too?”

Zoë shook her head, her mind singly focused. “We need to get to Serenity. Set up the ship to fly similar to the shuttle.”

“Any reason why?”

Zoë rubbed her forehead, not wanting to be questioned as she was still piecing the plan together. “So Inara can fly the ship. We’ll need you taking third gun on the next job.”

“Inara’s a sharp shooter.”

“But weak in hand-to-hand combat. She can fly well enough to get us out, and presuming you’re not shot, yo