Disclaimers: Everything belongs to Joss, except for one character of my creation.

**Mousing over the Chinese should reveal the English translations on most browsers. If not, translations follow the story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Mal?” Wash was attempting to simultaneously stage a battle with his dinosaurs and summon the captain over the ‘com—and so far T. Rex was having far better luck kicking brontosaurus butt than Wash was having locating Mal. It was the afternoon after the stop on Beylix, and the crew was back to business on the ship, on the final leg of the journey to Zargon. Wash finally put down the dinosaurs and went looking. He was truly hopeful he would locate Mal before a knock on the door of the nurse’s room became necessary. He found Mal in the infirmary, being tended to by Simon. He had finally gone to get the antibiotic injection Alex had recommended, although he was starting to feel better on his own. Wouldn’t hurt to play it safe, though. “Got a ‘wave back from the prison,” Wash told him. He had alerted the prison they would arrive in the morning and were requesting permission to dock. The prison, as expected, was heavily guarded and extremely restricted as to who was allowed in. Mal knew they would be under intense scrutiny once they arrived, and wanted to make certain they were cleared well in advance. “They need proof of Alex’s identity and credentials, and we will be scanned on approach.” “Okay,” Mal said, getting off the table and buttoning his shirt. “Doc, you and River will disappear before we get scanned. I want you in the storage lockers, and I will definitely need River quiet, no matter what. Also, it might be a good idea to take your personal effects with you, in case we get boarded. Don’t need ‘em findin’ stuff in the rooms and askin’ questions.” Simon nodded, used to the drill. Alex came down the stairs. “Alex, I need you to get your i-dent in hand and come up to the bridge; we need to ‘wave your credentials to the prison,” Mal said to her. He was all business back on the ship, with no sign of the laid-back Mal from Beylix anywhere in sight. The entire crew noticed the transformation right away, and Zoë had remarked that his defensive walls were going back up. “I think he’s worried about the prison and the chance of running into feds,” Wash offered. “Maybe he’s worried about her going to the prison,” Kaylee had suggested, looking at the more romantic possibility. Alex accompanied Mal and Wash to the bridge, where Wash ‘waved the prison once again, sending Alex’s information and a capture of her sitting in the cockpit. Her info would be compared to what they already had on her. If everything matched up, and the scan of the ship was clear, they would be allowed to dock. Alex gave them what they needed, and then turned to leave. River was standing in the corridor just outside. No one had heard her approach or knew how long she had been there. Alex nearly ran into her as she stepped out. River looked at her with the same intense look she had given her in times past; but now the vacant smile she usually wore was absent, and her brows were knit in a look of consternation. She startled Alex by touching her face as Alex squeezed by. “Hot,” she said. Her anxious eyes followed Alex. “She thinks it’s cold...but it’s really hot. Too hot.” Her hand slipped from Alex’s face as Alex moved away, but she continued to stare after her, becoming agitated as Alex widened the distance between them. “Too much heat...” she went on. “There’s too many...they’re everywhere...it’s all burning!” She lunged toward Alex, who was backing down the corridor, staring back at her in alarm. “Burning...and—and—chaos!” River’s voice was rising in pitch, and she sank to her knees, clutching her head, her eyes huge and black. “Too much—burning. Hot...and cold...too much...too many. They can’t get away... they’re everywhere!” She was rocking and sobbing now, her voice escalating in panic. “Help them! Daddy! Help them!” “SIMON!!” Mal bawled into the ‘com, as Alex turned and fled in terror. She dove through the entrance to the galley, and collided with Simon on his way up the steps. Zoë, Kaylee and Jayne, who were in the lounge, came running. “Alex—” Simon began, grabbing her shoulders to keep her from tumbling down the stairs. River was still screaming and crying behind her. Simon released Alex and ran toward his sister, as Mal bellowed for him again. Jayne pulled his gun and Zoë put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t think you’ll be needin’ that,” she said coolly. The corner of Jayne’s mouth curled. He looked disappointed as Simon reached River and she began to settle down. “What happened?” Kaylee asked. She knelt beside Simon. He was holding River, who looked spent, the faraway, frightened look still in her eyes. Kaylee stroked her hair. “Not rightly sure,” Mal answered. He was staring in the direction Alex had gone, his eyes full of worry. “Little sister just went bugshit again,” Jayne grumbled, reluctantly stowing his gun. “What else is new?” “Simon,” Mal said. Simon stood, letting Kaylee take River. Mal pulled him aside, gripping his arm tightly. “This can’t happen tomorrow.” Simon nodded. “She stays in her room the rest of the day,” Mal continued. “I don’t want her near Alex again. Tomorrow morning, she goes in the locker. If she ain’t quiet, you dope her. Dong ma? ” When he was satisfied that Simon understood he let him go. “Wash, wait for that ‘wave,” he commanded. Then he hurried down the corridor after Alex. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHINESE: Dong ma? = Understand? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to Chapter 21.

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