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In the forgotten crevasses far below New Dunsmuir’s distinctive silver spires, darkened city streets swelled with life. The writhing carpet of humanity wound its way through a world of noise and neon Chinese signs. Shadowy figures met and parted, and from every corner a new temptation beckoned.

"Ooh, is that a toy store?" Wash asked, peering into an alcove.

"Of a sort," Zoe replied, ushering him onward through the crowd with a hand in his back. "Sir, where exactly are we going?"

Mal didn’t answer because he didn’t know. Not only was tracking himself an unsettling experience, it wasn’t altogether easy. Over the years he had cultivated a low profile and a selective memory, and both were working against him now. This time he had even kept the identity of the buyer to himself. But the corner ahead looked familiar, as did the dark passage beyond. Images like glimpses from a dream guided each step. "Just stay close," he said.

The trio ducked into the alleyway, which led to a wall.

"Dead end?" Zoe sighed.

"That sounds so... final," Wash grimaced.

Mal pointed to the wall. "No, there’s a-" He cut himself off and turned to Wash. "Wait, why in hell are you here again? I mean, I’m lookin’ around and I don’t see much to fly down here."

Wash smiled reassuringly. "Well, I - I’d never leave my lovely wife to fend for herself in the streets of..."

Zoe crossed her arms and looked unamused.

Wash turned back to Mal and shrugged. "Okay it’s mostly to laugh at you," he admitted in a rush. "There was already the whole thing with Inara-" He fought back a smile and hastily continued. "-which I’m told was very solemn and not funny in the least... but you know it can only get better from there."

His eyes bounced between two stone faces.

"I’ll laugh quietly," Wash said.

"That’d be a good idea," Mal said, looking back to the wall. "Last thing we wanna do is draw attention to ourselves."

His hands found a latch, a passageway opened, and he stepped inside with the other two close behind.

Mal