Inara joined River on the catwalk overlooking the cargo bay. The scene below was controlled chaos. Kaylee was speaking with Wash while she closed the floor loading bay. Shepherd Book and Zoe were heading down the ramp with big can heaters. Simon was skittering about a stack of boxes while Jayne, both shoulders balancing scaffolding, pointed at a particular one. When Simon finally settled on the one Jayne had instructed the big merc reached out and slapped him on the back of the head as he headed down the ramp.

“What’s going on sweetie?” Inara asked.

River turned, her eyes wide with wonder. She pointed out the bay door “Snow.”

Inara smiled “Yes it’s really coming down. Do you know where the Captain is?”

River straightened, looking up she tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes. She opened them and matter of factly replied “Flatfooting” She then crossed her arms on the railing and rested her chin on her arms “Snow.” She whispered.

Inara abandoned any hope of getting an answer from her and returned to her shuttle for a warm coat. She came back with a blanket for River but she was gone. The bay was empty, the bay doors shut. She ventured out into the cold. Night was falling and the temperature with it. She pulled on the fur lined parka hood and followed the sounds. Zoe, coming back for more supplies filled her in on the situation and Mal’s disappearance. Downplaying the dangers involved. That man never seems to be without problems Inara thought. She offered her assistance and Zoe suggested keeping an eye on River.

She found her under the wing with the rest of the crew. Wash and Kaylee were both on their backs high above the ground on the scaffolding. Both had cutting torches and were sparks lit up the sky as they worked.

Jayne, wearing that ridiculous hat his mother had sent, was erecting another scaffold with Shepherd Book. “Doc, hand me the spanner” Simon still looking confused handed him the wrong tool. “Gorramit.” Jayne exclaimed throwing it back to the ground “The spanner, the bi