Serenity barreled toward Niska’s space station like a huge, glowing bullet. The station was still in orbit around Persephone, but as Mal drew the ship closer, River placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.

“He’s not there,” she said distantly, staring into oblivion. “They’re still on the planet.”

“Gotcha,” Mal replied. He didn’t think he could ever bring himself to second-guess the girl’s intuition again. It seemed that their bond grew stronger and stronger by the day, and recent events were turning out to be the biggest kicker.

Mal was still beating himself up inside for what had occurred earlier. *Should’ve stayed, made sure he was actually dead. Never thought the kid would live through that, but should've made sure...*

“It’s okay,” River assured him. “We’re going back now, and that’s what’s important.”

“No,” Mal argued calmly, “saving the kid is what’s important.”

“Don’t worry,” River explained, moving to sit in the copilot’s chair. She drew her bare knees to her chin and hugged her legs to herself. “Just let me go first, and nobody will get hurt.”

Mal eyed her apprehensively, but didn’t argue. Even if they could save the young man, Mal feared for his sanity. He hadn’t been entirely stable when they’d been reunited, and Mal feared what they would find when they reached him. *If we can’t pull Gabriel outta this mess, I promise that he won’t remain alive in Niska’s hands. If we can get him outta there, though, I swear to God for the first time in years, I’ll make him an honorary member of the crew. I swear it...* He sighed deeply. *I won’t lose another one; I just won’t.*

Mal was fairly confident that River had heard what he thought, but to his gratitude, she said nothing.

“You sure you want to be on point for this operation?” he inquired, looking in her direction.

River stared at the captain. “I love him,” she confided. “I honestly do. And he saved you. Now, I’m going to save him.”

Mal was taken aback. “Well, that was quick,” he blurted. Then, more sarcastically, he added, “Just make sure y