The bridge of Serenity is silent. Through the windows the stars shimmer through a misty haze. Buttons and lights on the control panel flash and glow, making the bridge look like the sky outside. Wash is sat in the pilot seat, his hand is resting lazily on the yolk, hanging limply. He's leaning forward a little, fast asleep. Rem walks up behind him, looking at the starry night sky. She's wearing a thick dressing gown and her hair is messed up. She's obviously just woken up. She carries two mugs of coffee in her hands. She quietly puts one of the mugs down near the co-pilot seat, careful not to spill it on any of the buttons. She takes the other over to Wash, who she shakes gently. Wash wakes with a start, his hand slipping off the yolk. He looks up blearily at Rem who smiles warmly. She offers him the mug.

"I brought you coffee." she smiles.

Wash takes the mug off her and takes a small sip.

"Dash of milk, three sugars." she smiles.

Wash sits back in his seat contentedly. Rem seats herself in the co-pilots seat, drawing her knees up to her chest. Wash rubs his eye vigorously with the palm of his hand.

"What time is it?" he asks yawing widely.

"Half past four… I couldn't sleep." Rem says quietly.

They fall silent and Wash stares out of the window up at the stars. There's a long, poignant silence between them. It's a comfortable silence between two old friends. Rem looks over to Wash, her head resting on the back of the seat.

"You wanna get back out there already, huh? What are you running from anyway?" Rem asks.

Wash looks at her puzzled by her question.

"I'm not running from anything." he replies defensively.

The silence falls again. Its not as comfortable, but still pleasant. They sip their coffee quietly. Wash is the one who breaks the silence this time.

"So nervous about the job then?" he asks cheerily.

Rem's head snaps round and she stares at him wide eyed.

"Oh, tomorrow… I- I wasn't really thinking about it to be honest." she lies looking back out of the window.

She throws a shifty look at Wash to check if he's still looking at her, but his eyes have returned to the stars. Silence creeps up on them again, but this time there is a definite awkwardness between them.

"I'm sorry…" Rem mutters quietly.

"What for," Wash asks laughing "Nothin' to be sorry about." he smiles at her.

Rem smiles but doesn't join in with his laughter. She still doesn't look at him.

"Yeah…" she replies, her face is pained.

She gets up from her seat and smiles coldly.

"I should go… get some sleep… or something." She says quietly.

Wash nods and Rem leaves without another word. Wash sips his coffee and checks a read out on the scanner. River walks quietly up behind him and peers over his shoulder. Wash turns to check something else and comes face to face with her. He pulls back in shock.

"Everyone's trying to give me a heart attack." he says clutching his chest.

"You should be careful." River says quietly.

Wash gives her a funny look, half smiling, half very confused.

"Head injuries can be dangerous." she continues, unblinkingly serious.

She nods agreeing with herself. Wash gets up and stretches. River watches him and bites her lip.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" Wash asks his brow furrowing in irritation.

"Shouldn't you?" River replies cheekily.

She doesn't smile, she just stands there looking deeply into his eyes. Wash smiles at her ruefully. There is absolutely no point trying to lie to a mind reading genius and her knows it.

"Yeah… yes I should." he replies putting his hands on his head, post-stretch.

River peers at him through slightly narrowed eyes.

"Bad luck… we're going to need a rabbits foot." she says quietly to herself, thinking out loud.

She skips off back to her room. Wash stares after her for a second and then follows. He descends into his bunk. Zoe is still awake.

"Hi, honey." he mutters.

Kaylee is sat in Shuttle One, she's already dressed in her companion outfit and she looks radiant in the afternoon sunlight. River is sat on the bed, she's already wearing the veil across her face. She's playing with a tassel on the corner of a cushion. Mal is stood over Kaylee, giving her some last minute flying lessons. Its painfully obvious that Kaylee is nervous and she's hanging onto Mal's every word as he explains which switches do what an when. Most she already knows, but has no idea what they could do in mid-flight.

"Whatever you do, while your in the air DON'T pull this," Mal puts his hand on a large leaver, "It retracts the wings, don't want you fallin' outta the sky."

Kaylee nods and rolls her eyes. He's told her not to touch the leaver a dozen times. Mal looks at the controls and smiles.

"That's 'bout it little Kaylee. No you be careful… don't want this thing crashin' or it comes outta your wage." he says patting her on the shoulder.

Kaylee nods looking even more nervous at the prospect of the end of the lesson. Wash's voice booms out of the comm into the shuttle, making Kaylee jump.

"Mal, we've got a big sandstorm coming in. Looks like things could get a bit… bumpy." he says, light heartedly.

River walks up behind Mal.

"Bad luck, I told you so. I couldn't find a rabbits foot." she mutters.

Mal throws her a 'shut-the-hell-up' look and hit's the comm to reply.

"What do you think? Put it off?" he asks, Kaylee brightens.

"People are dying, Mal," Rem replies "We do this now, or we don't do this at all."

Mal sighs and nods. He knew she'd say that, Kaylee sags a little looking disappointed.

"Okay, lets get this boat in the air, we've got an our 'til we drop in, people. Lets move like we gotta reason." he hit's the comm again and it falls silent.

The engines of Serenity start up with a dull hum. Mal goes to leave, but turns to give Kaylee a reassuring smile. She doesn't return it, rather, she looks like she's about to throw up. River catches Mal's eye and they share a look. Mal nods and River smiles.

Serenity lifts off from the landing pad. Dust and sand swirls around her once more, hiding her from view. Instead of heading straight up to break atmo, she heads towards the drop point, her engines twisting to propel her forward.