Disclaimer thingy: Firefly/Serenity are owned by other folks and not by me, though I appreciate being able to write some stuff purely for fun inspired by the Firefly 'Verse.

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Second instalment, encouraged by some real shiny feedback from you great folks who read my first fanfic posting. Hope you enjoy Part Two… If so, there’ll be more.

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Mal stepped off the rungs of the ladder onto the floor of his cabin. He slid his braces slowly off one shoulder, then the other; shucked his shirt up over his head and tossed it aside. Running water into the small metal basin, he washed his face then straightened up, towelling himself dry. His reflection in the mirror above the basin caught his eye: for a moment he looked at himself, expression impassive. That’s the problem with mirrors. They can only reflect back what’s put in front of them. And if what’s standing there is a mei yong-duh captain, the view ain’t gonna be an inspirational one. He gazed into his own eyes, noting the frown drawing down his brows. Didn’t mean to say what I did, how I did, to Kaylee. Didn’t mean to say as much as I did to Inara. Bad enough what happened, without I go spreading my discontent around to add to everyone’s load. He took a deep breath and turned away from the mirror. Quit whining, you sha gua, and do what needs to be done. Keep Serenity flying. Keep this crew together. Get some work organised and get folks busy. Don’t keep thinking about those we’ve left behind.

Mal stripped off his trousers and lay down on his bunk, switching off the light. His eyes were still open, looking up into the darkness. The coffee he’d drunk had left him wakeful, as he’d known it would. He lay for a long time listening to the sound of the ship: the low pulsing hum of Serenity’s engines as she cruised through space. He was tired, but sleep didn’t hold much allure. Too many times since Miranda, he’d woken f