“My Jayne is angry.” River lifted the shuttle smoothly into the air, heading out over the hills away from town to take a wide detour, but she still glanced over her shoulder at her husband.

The big man, leaning against the wall watching Indigo as he lounged on the bench along the bulkhead, grunted. “No.”

“Jayne.”

He sighed heavily. “Yeah, well, maybe I am.”

“He isn’t who you thought he was.”

“Well, he ain’t dead for a start.”

“Would you prefer he was?”

Jayne looked down at the Sharps rifle still nestled in his arms. “Might be easier. I’d gotten myself all ready for making the man who killed him pay, and it turns out that hole in the churchyard is empty.”

“Do you want to put him in it?”

“No,” Jayne grudgingly admitted. “And I’m kinda glad he’s still alive, too.” He peered at her. “Does that make me sound crazy?”

“Jayne, you’re forgetting who you’re talking to. The wind is southerly, and I know a hawk from a handsaw, but that isn’t always the case.”

He sighed. “Moonbrain, if it’s one o’ them days, maybe I should be flying.”

“I won’t crash us. At least, not on purpose.” She flashed him a bright smile.

“You’re winding me up.”

“Just a little.” She could feel Indigo behind her, listening in to their conversation, even though he had his eyes closed pretending he was dozing. “There’s more to this than meets the eye.”

“Yeah, I reckon you’re right.” Jayne chuckled deep in his chest. “And to tell the truth, I might not have to worry too long ‘bout Indigo’s rising from the grave, not once Zoe knows he’s coming.”

“She does,” River said, curving the shuttle’s flight around so that they came up on Serenity at the right angle.

“Then stand back and wait for the fireworks,” Jayne commented as his wife touched the small vehicle down on the extender arm and cut the engine.

---

Mal got to the shuttle door at the same moment as Zoe.

“No,” he said firmly, putting his arm out to stop her.

She gazed at him, her beautiful face apparently without expression, alth