Chapter 8. In which Mal, Jayne and Zoe return to Serenity with Simon and await the success of Kaylee and River’s mission, which is not going entirely smoothly... This is a short completed segment which I've decided to post because it's taking me so gorram long to get this chapter done, and folks are champing at the bit for more! The rest should follow once I've edited it some more.

8

Mal clicked the seals on his helmet, lifted it clear and breathed in, long and deep. Serenity ’s good air rushed into his lungs, a fine wine compared to the suit respirator’s bland water, and it was the best, sweetest thing in the world.

A man could become inured to his surroundings; only by spending some time away from them could he appreciate them anew. He savoured it momentarily and then stepped away from the ladder, whereupon he was immediately enveloped by Inara’s small frame.

She clung to him, light as a bird, as though daring him to make her let go. After a few moments, Mal had to admit that Serenity ’s air ran a close second to her scent.

“I prayed for you,” she told him, softly.

Flustered by her familiarity, he was about to attempt a suitably deep and meaningful response, but then found his fluster compounded when she broke away to throw her arms around the emerging Simon, and then of all people, Jayne. The big man lent him an unclean grin; Mal scowled.

Inara embraced Zoe rather more decorously. “I’m overjoyed to see you all safe again,” she said, smiling.

“Thanks, ‘Nara,” Zoe said, “but we ain’t safe yet. Not ‘til we’re free of this gos-se freighter and halfway 'cross the system.”

“Has there been any word from River and Kaylee?” Simon asked anxiously, as he unshouldered Lola and handed it to Jayne.

“No,” Inara said, shaking her head as they left the narrow corridor and trooped through to the dining area. “They’ve been out of radio range for a long time. But if they’re on schedule, they should be reaching that tug fairly soon.”

Mal set his helmet and Ossie Chen’s handh