It had been several weeks since the Miranda incident and the ensuing turmoil, not to mention the death of Serenity's pilot, Wash, as well as Book Sheppard and many others. Kali had watched Zoe's heartache in the weeks since she had lost Wash and wondered whether she would ever feel that strongly about somebody that it would tear her apart if she lost them. She grimaced at that thought and pushed back another long sip of whisky, the cheap liquor biting as it slid down her throat. Kali was alone in the bar. They had stopped at Niang for a few days to gather food and supplies before they went in search of their next job. Each of the crew seemed to want their own space away from the ship, except for River and Simon who stayed aboard to keep an eye on things.

It was a time of reflection for them all, a time to dwell on the Alliance's dwindling hold over the 'verse and the damage that had been done to get there and the people they had lost in doing so. But the world had had a right to know. And they had to spread the message. The face of the woman on the recording still haunted Kali, her screams as the Reavers began eating her, making her shiver in fear.

To think that an organisation as large as the Alliance had created something so malicious, was worrying in itself. The fact they had done so much damage to River for their own gain, made Kali sick to the stomach. She was just a girl and she hadn't deserved it. Any of it. Thankfully she had Simon and was recovering more and more each day. River would never be the same, everyone knew that deep down but she could at least stop being afraid.

Kali set back another shot, her eyes scanning the tables around her as some patrons sat in silence like she did, others playing card games and a couple talking business quietly between themselves. She lifted the bottle to pour herself another drinking and grimaced when only a trickle of amber filled her glass. Kali let it slide down her throat before getting up from the table, her head spinning slightly as she did so before making her way into the street.

Kali didn't know what to do. She wasn't ready to head back to the ship just yet and knew Mal was staying in one of the inns down the street for the night, wanting some privacy. She felt bad going to him, the events of Miranda had really had an effect on him. He was the Captain and he couldn't seem weak even when she knew he must be hurting. She decided then and there that she would go and see him anyway, even if he didn't want her company, she knew they'd end up in one of their classic bickering matches and that would distract him for a small while at least.

Kali continued up the street and into the crowded inn, sauntering up the nearby stairs before locating the room at the end of the hall. She knocked steadily before adding, "Mal, it's Kali." There was no answer and Kali couldn't help but roll her eyes. He was probably ignoring her and drinking himself into a stupor.

"Damnit, Malcolm Reynolds, I ain't gonna stand out here all night." Kali said, opening the door, the light from the hall shining steadily into the room and across the bed, illuminating the forms of two people, naked and rutting beneath the sheets.

"Oh." Was all Kali could manage to say.

"Damnit, Kali!" Mal growled angrily, the woman on top of him turning and smiling though it was smug and Kali could tell she was irritated by the blunt interruption of her expertise. Mal sat up in bed with the blond woman still wrapped tightly around him, noticing the hurt expression flash across Kali's face before she stuttered, "Sorry, Cap'n, I'll just..." She said in a small, trembling voice before turning and leaving the room, slamming the door behind her.

Kali stumbled back down the hall, her vision blurred by tears as she raced quickly down the stairs and fumbled her way through the crowded bar. Once outside the inn, Kali let the tears stream down her cheeks as small sobs escaped her mouth. What the hell was wrong with her? As far as Kali was concerned, her Captain's private affairs were none of her gorram business, nor did she care what he did with any droxy he pleased. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, Kali knew the truth. She cared, she gorram cared about that irritating tah mah duh and as the months went on her feelings had changed for him dramatically. She had been kidding herself to think he could ever feel the same so she had buried her emotions, pretended they didn't exist and that he meant nothing to her, until tonight.

Kali wiped the tears from her eyes, keeping her face downward as she headed for the ship. There was no where left to go now but back to her bunk to sleep away the tonic and the pain. She yelped suddenly when she crashed into someone, looking up at the darkened figure before he moved into the light of a street lamp and Kali's breath hitched in her throat.

"Ello poppet."