Disclaimer: As usual, the little verse in which I loiter is not mine. It, and all therein, belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, et al. I am eternally grateful for it.

Again, apologies for the length of this fic. It is more or less out of my control. I am just putting down what is in my head. Hope you're enjoying it.

Wash vaulted up the stairs to the bridge. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“You needed the sleep.” Head tilted down and eyebrows raised, Zoe gave him a look that said don’t ask yúchûn questions.

“But eight hours?” He relaxed, rubbing his chin. He didn’t mention the guilt he felt for having so much sleep in safety and comfort while he knew others were cold and in great danger. No, he wouldn’t mention that. “No arguments, Bao Bei, I was beginning to feel like a zombie. What would it be on Harmony now, morning?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

He checked the gauges on the console and scrunched up his face in calculations. “We’ll be there tomorrow evening, their time, an hour or so before sunset. We’re about thirty hours out.”

Zoe nodded, frowning. Wash thought it best not to try to reassure her again. She wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw Mal with her own eyes.

*****

For the first time, the toddler began to cry. Jeff had grizzled a few times at the cold and discomfort, but, like most children raised in a harsh land, he reflected his family’s stoicism and tolerance of a difficult life. The noise of the passing ship frightened him, though, and he sensed fear in the others. His Mother stooped to pick him up and console him.

“I’ll fetch ‘em back. Now you start packin’ up the food and water.” The Captain took his holster from Inara and strapped it on. He looked up at Phil. “Tell me about that back door. Where’s it end up?”

“Well, the river’s about five miles west, if you was flyin’ straight. The path winds through the hills about twice that. There’s a few trails that dead end in hillsides or cliffs and a couple others that come out further north, so’s you gott