The Vanguard class vessel, named Columbine by the owner’s mother, cut through the emptiness of space, hurrying on towards Whitefall.

Regan Tam sat back in the comfortable armchair, and wondered again at the luxury she found herself in. Admittedly, it wasn't as if she had ever lived in squalor, but this was something else. When they’d first been shown to their cabin she’d taken off her shoes just so she could walk barefoot through the apparently ankle-deep carpet. Gabriel had watched, an indulgent smile on his lips, then done the same, just to keep her company.

Not that he let himself have too much fun. He’d been locked up with the others for hours after they’d taken off, and their faces when they’d come out told her all she needed to know.

At the moment he was standing at the window, looking out into the black, and she could tell by his back that he was willing the ship to travel faster.

She took the opportunity to slip the capture from her pocket and press play again, making sure the sound was still turned off, and she had to smile. Inara had given it to her, and it made her heart warm to see the children, all of them, playing in the orchard. As the capture centred on Bethie, the little girl grinned widely, showing all her teeth, and the sunlight caught on the silver teddy bear hanging on a chain around her neck.

“You shouldn’t have that,” Gabriel said softly.

She looked up guiltily. “I … I thought you were …”

“Preoccupied?” he supplied, then smiled. “You do know, if anyone finds that, they could make the connection.”

“That these are our grandchildren?”

“Yes.” Gabriel wasn't going to say it again, that they weren’t. Regan needed something to hold onto, at least until Simon made it perfectly clear they were never allowed to see the children again. And he knew that was going to happen, deep in his very soul. He wasn't even going to hold it against the young man.

“Then I won’t let anyone find it.” She touched the screen with the tip of one finger, almost as if she c