Author's Note: Here's another foray into River's troubled psychosis, while trying to tie in her behavior in all eleven episodes. I know that I didn't do my best with my last attempt at this kind of fic, so I'm a little wary of how it'll turn out. I would **really** appreciate feedback, if only to tell me what I can improve.

To make it easier to understand, you, the reader, must realize that each time she remembers Simon telling her something, it lines up with things that happened in the episodes (in the order they were aired).

Mixed Commands

By Trisana McGraw

Following the leader, the leader, the leader. Following the leader, wherever he may go.

It's like a simple child's game. The helpless little girl needs someone to guide her through the black. But who will take the task?

She stands alone on the playground, with no one to play with.

Suddenly, a crowd of children surrounds her; a mass of hands reaching toward her, and she shrinks away in fright.

A solitary figure shoves his way through the crowd: her brother. She reaches toward his outstretched hands, but the other children block him from view.

Her brother wants to help, but sometimes he doesn't help at all. She should listen to him, because he knows best.

But . . . sometimes the voices in her head are right, and her ears open to them instead. But the voices are a bad influence, she knows that deep down.

She has to do what Simon says, or else she'll lose the game.

Simon says: you're okay, and we're safe now.

Simon says: make yourself at home on the ship.

Simon says: go into the infirmary, because it's the only place where I can heal you.

The voices say: an infirmary on Serenity is still a place of terror. Needles aren't used for good; they're used to poke and prod and torture the victim into saying what they want you to say.

Simon says: hide from the bad men.

Simon says: sit in the corner and rest quietly.

Lie in wait, learn all you can about the enemy.

Simon says: sit and eat dinner with the new family.

Old parents didn't want to keep you, how will the new ones be any different?

Simon says: eat the food even though it tastes awful.

The light shines on metal in the perfect way. Pick up the knife and protect your brother from the large one teasing him.

Simon says: be nicer to Jayne.

Simon says: "It's time to wake up."

You'll always be sleeping.

Walk and talk like a girl, but underneath you're just a box of mixed nuts.

Push all the medicine up out of your body, it'll never rouse you from the sleep.

Simon says: stay away from the danger, mei-mei.

Pick up the gun and target your victims. Bang, bang, bang -- all dead.

Simon says: "I would be there right now if it weren't for her."

Get under their skin and into their minds. Make them doubt and make them scared.

Simon says: put the gun down.

Hold it tighter. Know the feel, and love it.

Kill them all, one by one. With bullets and sharp edges, flesh will tear and blood will spill. Kill them in the night, when they least expect it from the innocent fugitive. When they face the death, their eyes will fill with fear, and their hearts will fill with grief. And then, after that, they won't have to worry anymore.

Bang, bang, bang. Slash, slash, slash – a few simple strokes and they're gone.

Oops. Simon didn't say.