The Black was calling.

It had taken him a long while to feel the pull of the sky this time – almost a week, which was an eternity by his standards – but he definitely felt it now. And once again it was because he was running.

This place had lulled his senses, brought him an inner peace he hadn't had for years, and when that cocoon eventually shattered the results had been even more devastating. Grief and death and destruction seemed to follow him around wherever he went in the 'verse, and he should have known he would bring it to beautiful little havens like this as well. And let it rain down over innocent people.

He had wanted to leave since Obadiah's funeral, but knew he couldn't take off without at least trying to clean up some of the mess he'd created, and so he and the ship had stayed for another couple of days. But now the repairs to the house was well underway and a new barn was beginning to rise from the ashes, and so he had finally ordered Kaylee to heat up the engines and Wash to plot the course for their next destination.

Mal hadn't been of much use himself, on account of his busted shoulder, and he felt useless even now as his people were loading Serenity without his help. He was watching them from a distance, from a small hill in the meadow, feeling the need for isolation.

She still found him, and of course she would. She knew her way around here. He sensed her approach and knew it was her, even before she spoke. "You been avoidin' me," she said.

He glanced at her over his shoulder. There was still kindness in her eyes, and he found it impossible, not to mention unnecessary, to lie to her. "Yes, Radiant, I have."

She stepped closer, studying him intently. "You blame yourself."

He looked away. He didn't have to confirm her suspicions. She waited a decent amount of time for a reply though, before she rightfully concluded that she wasn't going to get one, and continued, "If it matters to you at all, I don'