As Serenity broke atmo, Jayne finally managed to track River down, but to his chagrin only with help from Freya. He’d exhausted all possibilities, and finally gone to her for assistance as she finished moved a few things in the cargo bay. She hadn’t waited for him to speak, merely pointing upwards. For a moment he wondered if she meant his wife was outside on the hull, then he realised. He nodded his thanks and climbed up the various ladders to the small maintenance platform high over the bay.

“Thought it was only Frey sat up here when she was mad with Mal,” he commented, managing to squeeze his bulk onto the metal grid next to River.

“She lets me,” the young woman said, hugging her arms around her knees.

“So does that mean you’re angry with me?” he asked, nonchalantly examining his fingernails.

She could read his concern, and was sorry for causing it. “Not you, Jayne. Me.”

“What’re you angry with yourself over?” He shifted closer. “’Cause if you let me know, I can tell you off for making you cross.”

“You can’t make me feel better with a circular argument,” she said, but she smiled a little, nonetheless.

His heart lightened. “Then why’re you hiding?”

“She saw me.”

Jayne stared at her. “Who, Riv?”

“Mara.” If anything she hugged herself tighter.

“You wanna explain that to me?”

In answer she scuttled closer so he could put his arm around her. “I built a wall, but it wasn’t quick enough. She knows I’m here.”

“She know why we’re coming?”

“No.” River was sure about that. “But it was like looking in a mirror in a carnival funhouse. All warped and twisted.”

Now he understood. “Ain’t you, moonbrain,” he promised, holding her tightly.

“I could have been.”

He looked down into her deep eyes. “You mean they might’ve –“

“If I hadn’t been put down for defence work. And if Mara hadn’t been suitable. Or if she –“

“Lotta if’s there, girl.”

“Then there’s another. If Simon hadn’t come for me.”

He placed a gentle kiss on the tip of her no