“You know, I’m sure your Commander intended to tell you to let me loose,” Mal said conversationally. “If he’s having to chase Reavers, there’s no way he wants Columbine hanging onto his skirt tails.”

One of the guards gestured with his rifle. “He said no such thing. And you just … sit still.”

“Hey, I wasn’t going nowhere. Although I’d kinda like to get back to my boat ‘fore everyone gets eaten.”

“There’s no such thing as Reavers.” Nevertheless, the soldiers had both paled.

“Yeah, right. You keep telling yourself that. It’ll make it less painful when they’re chewing on your insides.” He knew he shouldn’t take pleasure in their discomfort, that there was a long name for such a thing (and that River would not only know the word but could spell it for him if he asked), but his inner captain had sneaked out to play a little.

There was the distinct sound of a safety being disengaged. “You just keep quiet.”

Mal held up his hands and half-smiled. “No problem.”

-

“I can’t tell if he’s right or not,” Hank said, disgusted with his inability to confirm or deny anything that Freya had picked from Mal‘s mind. “Our sensors just don’t have the range.”

“I can feel them,” River said softly. “Being called. Invited.”

Simon turned to look at her. “You mean Mara’s …” He stopped, feeling a tremble through his body before looking at Hank. “How long?”

“If they’re outside our sensor range, maybe … an hour. It depends on how fast they’re travelling.”

“Not fast. Fighting it, but unable to break the call.” River shuddered. “She’s … content.”

“Riv, maybe you’d better be thinking of that stuff your bro suggested,” Jayne said, holding her to him.

“No. No time. I need to be focused, and I can’t if my mind is blunted.” She pulled free. “I have work to do,” she said, taking to her heels and running towards the galley.

“Jayne.” Freya didn’t need to say anything else.

“Not lettin’ her outta my sight,” the big man said, already following his wife.

Freya exhaled slowly, starin