INT. SERENITY – INARA’S SHUTTLE – NIGHT

Inara packs, ostensibly with the help of Kaylee (who is busy pointing her CAPTURE at everything) and River (who wanders around the room like a cat). Inara looks up from the box she’s putting candles into.

INARA

Kaylee, are you ever going to put that capture down?

KAYLEE

We gotta have records of everything. A bona fide Companion entertained clients on this very ship! In this very bed!

Kaylee aims the capture at the bed, which River is bending over and sniffing curiously.

KAYLEE (cont’d)

For one sweet second, we was almost classy.

INARA

You promised to help me pack.

KAYLEE

Honest, Inara, why do you have to leave?

Inara looks at Kaylee uncertainly, signals that she should shut the capture off. Kaylee deactivates the device and puts it down.

INARA

It’s complicated.

KAYLEE

No, it ain’t, ‘Nara. Captain can be a real {piece of work} sometimes, but he really—

INARA

What makes you think the Captain has anything to do with this?

Kaylee just looks at her.

RIVER

Gone already. Left so long ago. Heart of metal. An iron shield.

KAYLEE

(to Inara)

Just talk to him.

Inara walks to the door.

INARA

I…

She puts one hand on the door, as if getting ready to open it, but doesn’t move.

INT. CARGO BAY NEAR INARA’S SHUTTLE – SAME TIME

Mal stands on the other side of the door, his fist raised to knock. After a beat, he turns and walks away, heading toward the galley. Wash comes onto the upper catwalk, headed toward him.

MAL

Had your chance to whine, Wash—

Mal tries to keep going, but Wash leans an arm against the railing, casually blocking him. Mal stares at the arm.

WASH

I coulda took a lotta jobs, Mal. Could be piloting a cruiser. Full benefits, vacations… Plus, not so often with the death-defying.

MAL

Must not be very fond of that arm.

WASH

But I got this woman nearby, makes me do all manner of stupid things. Got me piloting this little rust heap and ducking pretty much ever