“I'm leaving, Mal.” Jayne stood in the doorway to the bridge, his bulk filling the space.

“Figured you might.”

“You give me what you owe me, and I’ll be gone next planetfall.”

“Shiny.”

“Ain't gonna get talked out of this.”

Mal turned to look at him. “Wasn't gonna try. But you’re gonna say goodbye to that little girl. Not gonna let you just walk out of her life without you doing this right.”

For a moment there was hesitation on the big man’s face, then he nodded. “Yeah. Do it right.” He turned and strode down the steps and along the corridor, dropping into his bunk.

--

Persephone was huge in the bridge window.

“You’re really going to let him go, sir?” Zoe asked, watching her captain make a correction.

“Not my choice. He’s decided.”

“You could order him to stay.”

“I could. Not sure he’d take much notice, nor be any good to us if he did.”

“He loves her.”

“Does he.”

“You know that’s why he’s going.”

Mal shook his head. “Shipboard romances, Zoe. Don’t end well.”

“Just because of you and Inara –“

“And you and Wash. And that little girl’s gonna get over him.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Give it time.”

Zoe stared at him, wondering when he’d got so stupid.

--

The ramp lowered and the smell of the Eavesdown Docks slammed into the cargo bay. Zoe looked out at the passing population, and shook her head. Some planets felt better than others, but Persephone always seemed like the bottom of the pile.

Mal walked down the stairs. “Got to see Badger, get paid.”

“Yes sir.”

“Jayne ready to go?”

“His stuff’s been waiting here for two days.” She nodded down to a large holdall and a bigger green canvas sack.

“Best tell him to move it. Want to be gone from here before nightfall, and I ain't waiting on him to drag his sorry ass off my boat.”

“He knows.” She waited for him to speak again, but there was nothing more forthcoming. With a sigh she headed up the steps to her bunk and her gun.

“Seeing me off?” Jayne said from the other side, wa