Mal stepped onto the bridge and looked out of the window as Hank brought Serenity in to land. Argus was supposed to be one of the prettier of the Rim moons, all blue oceans and white-topped mountains fringing the large icecaps, with just a few outcrops of large rocky islands and archipelagos in the temperate zone. From space it looked idyllic: it was only down on the ground that it was obvious people were struggling to survive.

Not that it looked all that wonderful closer up, either, as Hank tilted the Firefly’s thrusters to drop through thick clouds.

“Whoa, did you see that?” he asked, leaning back in his seat.

“What?”

“I just thought I saw … never mind.” The pilot adjusted their trajectory a little.

“If it’s something I need to know –“

“Just thought I saw a house, is all.” Hank looked slightly embarrassed.

“Well, the winds they way they are up here, wouldn’t be at all surprised.” Mal hitched his thumbs into his belt. “Are we going to have trouble landing?”

“Well, Port Control weren’t too keen on it, but I told them I'm a damn good pilot and I’d get us down in one piece.” He patted the console. “Hear me, baby? One piece.”

“Always a good plan,” Mal agreed.

“Frey having breakfast?” Hank asked, fighting the yoke a little as they passed through the topmost of the winds.

“I conjure.”

“Only you were both late up this morning. Not like you to be late. Not at all.” He flashed a grin over his shoulder.

“Keep your eyes on the road and your mind outta the gutter,” Mal advised.

“Out of gutter. Right.”

Mal hid the smile that threatened to show. In fact, they had been late, and it was more than just not hearing the alarm clock.

He’d been shaving, staring at himself in the small mirror and concentrating as he removed the stubble that had pressed through his skin. He didn’t know she was awake, and after the experiences of the previous night he was inclined to let her sleep, getting ready for the day as quietly as possible. It was only when he felt a hand snake arou