A/N: This is the second to last chapter in this story. Hope you like!

“We’re in orbit around Paquin, Cap’n.” Wash had his boot-clad feet on the controls because his hands were cushioning his head. If he were any more relaxed, he’d be asleep. The view visible through the glass was breathtaking. Paquin was a large planet distinguished by colorful bands of rock and dust. It had one smallish ocean that shone like a turquoise jewel in the equatorial regions.

“Shiny. Set down near the water. But not too close to town. Don’t need no civilization.”

Civilization was a nice word for the loosely organized collection of little towns scraping out a living on this hot, dry planet. The Alliance largely ignored this remote system; hence the reason Mal had chosen to set down here. That, and the fact that he had been able to get work here on more than one occasion. The warm equatorial ocean surrounded by white sand beaches had also played into his decision to park Serenity here for a week or two, at least until they’d picked up a few supplies, done some overdue maintenance on their ship and smelled out any jobs that might bring in income.

Kaylee was the first one outside when the hatch was fully opened, but River and Simon were close behind. Wash had set them down a few hundred yards from the edge of the sea. Kaylee ran barefoot through the sand and into the waves up to her knees. Her whoop of delight blew back to Serenity on a brisk breeze.

“Nice choice, Cap’n,” Zoe said.

“I’m inclined to agree,” Mal answered. He followed his second down to the water’s edge and watched his crew playing like delighted children. Simon looked over Mal’s head back at the ship and nodded to Mal. Mal turned and saw Inara standing in the shadow of the hold, still inside the ship as if she couldn’t make up her mind whether to chance coming out or not.

“Is she well enough to walk around, Simon?”

“For a short while, yes; I think it would be good for her.”

Slowly and casually, Mal walked up to her with