Malcolm Reynolds stood on Serenity’s deck and stared out into the black of space. It was late, he knew that very well. Yet, he couldn’t find the will to drift into slumber and that frustrating fact had led him on an after-midnight stroll that ended here. Or, in a way, began.

He sat down on the chair and sighed. He and his crew were utterly alone in deep space, between no and where, as he liked to put it. Flying under the radar, illusion of non-existence. Sometimes he liked it, and then sometimes…

Again he sighed and succumbed to the inevitable soul- searching that accompanied these midnight wanderings. He thought back to the previous missions and shook his head with a wry smile. The good and the bad. Always side by side yet were sworn enemies. Somehow, things never went according to the grand plan.

He heard a low clunk! Of falling metal and grinned. Kaylee was up. God, this girl lived for nothing else but engine grease. He didn’t care, hell she could bathe in damn thing. All that was important to him was that she keep Serenity in the atmo, keep her flying. Anyway, he loved Kaylee, she was the…light on the ship. Always seeing the bright side of things, always with the ready smile. Where would serenity be without the brilliant, spunky mechanic?

Mal looked around at the ships controls. Wash was an excellent flier, no denying the obvious. He had got them out of more than a few tight spots before. Cheery, lively and full of hope. And very methodical when it came to flyin’, concentrated and calm. Mal was lucky to get him aboard Serenity. He found a pilot and Zoe found a husband.

Zoe, long time friend from the war, and first crew member. Zoe he respected very much. She had a no-nonsense attitude and had a unique tranquillity in any situation, good, bad or ugly. Yet, her sense of humour was plain as day. She knew of love, too. He would never say it out loud, but she and Wash made a good couple, regardless of the splitting of loyalties issue. Mal laughed softly.

Then there was Jayne. Ohh boy, he was a handful.