It was a strange thing, the captain heading off to do business without her. Zoë watched him go with a surge of…

Was it sadness?

She guessed one could call it that. A feeling of emptiness, like she didn't really know what to do or where to go. Back when Wash had been alive she'd loved the rare day off, when the two of them could slip off to somewhere or maybe just lock themselves away in their room. But now when he was gone, she had no idea what to do with her time. And she knew she would have a lot of it in the months to come.

Well, there was always the shopping. There had to be something they needed to stock up on, and she turned to head back inside the ship to find out what. She stopped when Inara called for her. "Zoë, where are you going?"

"Thought I might do some resupplin'."

Inara's smile was mild and friendly as she stepped up to her, but when she grabbed her arm it was quite firmly. "The captain said shore leave," she said, emphasizing the word. "There'll be time enough for chores later. Come walk with us."

Zoë was about to protest, but a part of her didn't really want to, and maybe spending time alone wasn't the wisest thing to do right now, so in the end she relented and allowed herself to be led along.

Kaylee and the Tams were already far ahead. She spotted them further up the road leading into town. The mechanic seemed to heartily and happily greet every other person they met, and Simon looked a little lost, even at this distance, as he tried to keep up with her while at the same time keeping an eye on his sister.

Zoë and Inara were in no hurry to catch up with them. It was Friday morning and the town was buzzing with life. There were roadside stands and little shops to investigate, and colors and sounds enough to look at and experience.

"I love Border worlds," Inara sighed happily as she stopped by a shop to rummage through a basket full of scarves, and when Z