Chapter II

It had been another long night. It always was, ever since Wash was gone. The space beside her while she slept was eerily empty, and nothing seemed to feel right about it. Sometimes she could swear she saw him here or there.

But, like anyone else, the crew had moved on fairly quickly and gotten back to doing their jobs. As she had to also, if she wanted to make a living on this boat. She was walking through the corridors when she bumped into Inara. She never had a good feeling about that woman, since day one.

"Hello," Inara said in a gracious manner, like always. A little too gracious for a hooker.

"Hello," Zoe nodded back.

"Do you know where Malcom may be?"

Zoe stopped to think about this for a second. She was about to say Mal was out dealing with Mina, when Serenity began to make a lift off.

A few moments later, from the dining room, she heard Malcom say, "I believe you've got some explaining to do."

"I think I have an idea," Zoe said, and both of them moved to the dining room, observed the guest, and then watched the scene roll out.

****

Mal wondered if he had asked the question too loudly, because Kaylee, Simon, Zoe and Inara had all taken the time to join them.

"I don't know what you mean?" the man half said, half asked.

"Well, first of all, what're y'doin' on our ship?" Jayne inquired, but was waved off by Mal.

"I can handle this," Mal said, and sat down at the table, across from where the guest had seated himself. "What're you doing on my ship?"

"I followed you."

"Obviously."

There was silence in the room. They had all seated themselves, or found a comfortable place to watch from, as if it were a skit they had prepared.

"I was a client of Mina's. She's dead, my crew's dead, my ship's destroyed, and more than likely whoever shot her in the head saved your asses from destruction. Most call me Drifter, but my real name is Archalyas if you must know."

"Saved us?" Simon asked, suddenly interested in the newcomer and what he had to say.

Archalyas sighed,