The colonists were somewhat confused by the explanation that was given to them, but eventually they understood that there never had been a colonial destination for them, not really; they had been betrayed early on in their process. River explained about the newly terraformed world; about waiting a few months until enough of the planet was habitable to set down on, and about paying their fees and considerations to Mal Reynolds, acting as an agent for the terraformers. Seeing that they had relatively little in the way of options, they accepted the deal that was offered, and readily turned over the ship's crew, and Frank, to the custody of the Alliance battlecruiser that happened to be in the area. From their own numbers they found men and women with skills enough to run the ship for the time they needed.

When they had concluded their business, and turned over the slaver's crew to the Alliance, they docked with Serenity. Their colonial governor paid a handsome sum over to Mal -- it included money that the slavers had paid Frank, in advance, for their betrayal, and it was well more than Mal had been expecting to receive. As Mal was exchanging pleasantries with the colonial governor, his crew slowly fell silent around him.

When Mal realized he was the only person talking, and the only person not looking off in the direction of the bay doors, he broke off midsentence and followed his crew's gaze.

River stood there, waiflike and distant-eyed.

At her shoulder stood Darriell Book.

Kaylee said, "Shepherd?"

Book regarded her with mild surprise.

River turned her head, and looked surprised when she saw Book standing there. She looked at Kaylee, her expression quizzical and confused. "You mean, you can see him, too?"

"Well, yeah I can see him, he's standing right there," Kaylee said.

River turned back to Book. "But I was only hallucinating you. You're not real," she said. "I thought when I came home, you would go."

Book's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, I assure