(Disclaimers with Part 1, song credits at end of story)

"Where I Cannot Stand" Part 2 by HawkMoth

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It didn't surprise Mal to hear snatches of the Soldier's Song being hummed on the return to the heart of the base. It was a powerful piece of music, and it reminded him of the prayer he always said before a battle. The verses were running through his mind as well, conjuring up all sorts of visions--what the far-off hills looked like at daybreak from the back door of the ranch house. How Shadow appeared from space, receding in the distance. The way a battlefield looked when the fighting was done, silently choked with debris and bodies. The sight of the enemy in retreat.

He was distracted from further reflection when he heard Ashby start to count out a cadence. The unit had been moving in a mighty casual fashion toward the main compound, befitting their off-duty status. But it only took a second for them to respond as one to Ashby's chant, not needing orders barked at them to form up in straight lines, to fall into the rifleman's pace--a few steps walked, a few steps jogged.

So they looked fairly smart and competent as they passed through the inner gate, tossing haphazard salutes at Lieutenant Baker, who gave a careless one in return. Mal grinned, knowing the sight would have given an Alliance officer a heart attack.

He left Ashby and Zoe in charge of getting the unit settled in and ready for their turn at scheduled maintenance around the base the next day, to attend a briefing over dinner with the other non-coms and junior officers. No definite orders had come through yet, although a departure for points unknown in ten days had been given confirmation.

Before he returned to his cubicle at the end of the barracks opposite from the lieutenant's quarters, he stopped outside the door to the bunk room. Zoe was there, watching the moons rise.

He stood by her side for a minute, taking in the sight. "You miss being in space, don't you?" he asked, scarcely able to imag