Mal wandered around Serenity for a while, he loved these quiet moments, just him and Serenity. Later he moved on to doing those unknown ‘Captainy things’ and was found by Inara sitting at the table drinking some of Kaylee’s engine-made wine. “Hello” she said warily “where is everybody?” “Kaylee and River have taken Simon to the fair, Zoe is elsewhere and I don’ even wanna think ‘bout where Jayne is.” Inara smiled and poured herself a glass of the wine. “Should we really be drinking this?” She asked. “They ain’t here this time.” He said smiling. “No tricks.”

*****

A few hours later River sat on an old ride from Earth-that-was. She was surrounded by bright lights, happy faces and dancing voices. Yet. She was separate from them. Different.

River knew what it was to feel alone in a crowd.

Simon and Kaylee’s happy voices followed her from the seats behind. Their voices faded slowly and became rough and grating.

“Where are they?” Said the first voice, a man. “Shut-up.” Said the second man, his words an order. Mal’s sleeping face floated before River’s eyes. His expression showed a rare moment of peace and contentment. “MAL!” A woman’s voice rent the air, screaming his name as she was pulled from his sleeping arms before it was cut off. His eyes snapped open. He threw a punch at someone River couldn’t see and everything went black.

River leapt from her seat and landing catlike on the ground she moved like a whirlwind to the control box and switched off the ride. Ignoring the protesting voices she turned and pulled Kaylee and Simon bodily from their seats. “What’s wrong sweetie?” Kaylee asked as she and Simon began running after River. She didn’t answer. “ I don’t know but I think something’s gone wrong. We’re heading for Serenity.“ Simon answered as they ran. Kaylee’s heart skipped a beat as they exchanged worried glances and ran faster. They pushed people out of their way, mumbling apologies as they went. They turned a corner and saw River’s waif like figure almost gliding up Serenity’s gangplank towards the open door. They followed straight to the crew’s bunks. Once again she made a catlike leap down into Mal’s bunk, completely bypassing the ladder. By the time Simon and Kaylee had climbed down River was knelt on the floor by the empty bed holding a blanket. Inara’s robe was still draped over the chair that had been knocked to the floor.

Kaylee touched the pillow where a small amount of warmth and a trace of Inara’s scent still lingered.

_________________________________ Sorry it took so long, busy busy busy! Also sorry it's short, again!