Blue Sun. Even as Mal stood talking to River on the Cortex link in his bunk, his mind kept playing that corpse wearing the uniform of a Blue Sun employee. Hand in hand with the Alliance, Blue Sun always seemed to have the money and the influence to do whatever it wanted. And now those hwoon dahns had been experimenting with something out in the black. His black. And it galled him somewhat.

Still, it wasn’t something he could discuss over an open wave.

“Be just a day or so more,” he said instead. “Then I can tell you all about our adventures.”

“Are they that good?” River asked, smiling, even though he could read in her eyes that she was aware of his reticence.

“Well, let’s just say they’re … interesting.”

“The kind of interesting we experience a lot?”

“That’s the kind.”

“Then I’ll look forward to hearing about it.”

“How’s Jayne? Any better?”

River’s smile faded. “Since the funeral he’s been very subdued. He’s spent a lot of time with Mr Gilford and Matty. Talking about his Ma.”

“To be expected, xiao nu .”

“I know. I just feel …” She stopped, biting her lip.

“Excluded?” he suggested gently.

“I know I shouldn’t. Jayne is my husband. But -”

“It doesn’t help.”

“No.”

“No need to feel guilty about it, albatross,” Mal said. “Felt the same way myself when Ethan was born, then Jesse. Frey spent so much time with them, feeding and the like, I kinda felt left out, even though I knew she wasn’t doing it deliberate. And she managed to find ways to bring me back in.”

“Bath time?”

“And diaper changing.” He had to grin. “Just glad Jesse’s growing out of them now.”

“Jayne’s good at that,” River said, her smile returning as she stroked her hand down her belly.

“So I’ve heard.”

“I’ll try not to do it with him. Leave Jayne out.”

“Doubt he’s gonna let you, little one.” He leaned forward a little, as if imparting a confidence. “And tell the big guy that if he’s good, there might be something for him from Achaeon.”

River‘s eyes wi