Her body was on fire. She could feel blood pulsing through her veins. Lips were attacking her neck, leaving a trail of heated skin. She writhed beneath him, eyes closed to the pleasure. He entered into her, causing her to gasp in surprise. She bit down on her bottom lip as he thrust gently.

"River!"

The noise was harsher than expected, and she opened her eyes. Simon stood over her, a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright?" he asked, looking down at his sister. "Were you having a bad dream? You were making noises."

River frowned. She was lying in her bed, most definitely alone, she could feel the sweat dribble down between her breasts. "Yes, I'm fine," she managed, moving to get up. She scowled. It had been some dream, why had Simon gone and woken her up like that? Simon, satisfied that his sister was fine, went into his room, closing the door behind him.

River stood, combing her hair in front of her dirty mirror. She examined her body critically. Small breasts, she conceded, but from an objective third-person standpoint, her face was quite pleasing. She decided that today was a day that she wanted to feel pretty, so she selected the dress that Inara had bought for her on her last birthday. It was a slinky navy garment, not flashy, but cut to fit her body just right. She pulled a brush through her hair one last time, before making her way to the kitchen.

Breakfast was usually an every man for themselves deal, but Shepard Book had decided to cook for everyone. Though only protein enhanced food, everyone appreciated a meal they didn't have to make. River sat down at the dining table next to Kaylee, who raised her eyebrows.

"Wow, River, you look really nice." she said, surprised.

"Thank you," River replied, accepting the plate of food handed to her. Simon entered the room not long after; sitting down on Kaylee's other side. Soon, Mal and Jayne showed up, completing the crew. Zoë and Wash sat together, arguing over something quietly.

"Well, good morning!" Mal said cheerfully, so cheerfully, that everyone stopped talking. The Captain grinned. "Yea, I know. I shouldn't go scarin' you folk like that." he paused shoving some of his breakfast into his mouth. "Inara's decided that a visit is in order, and we have been instructed by our dear Ambassador to go to her planet straight away."

"Where is she now?" Wash inquired. Mal shrugged in response.

"I dunno. The Wave was fairly fuzzy."

"Well, how're we supposed to get there then?" The pilot asked, exasperated. Mal shrugged again, apparently unconcerned.

"Hey, crazy, pass me the apples," Jayne instructed. He sat across from River, and he held out his hand expectantly. River looked and found the apples sitting on her left side. She passed them to Jayne, without looking up at the mercenary. Only Kaylee saw the blush creeping up over River's face. She grinned to herself and leaned over to Simon.

"Simon, I think your baby sister's got a crush on Jayne!" she whispered gleefully. The doctor frowned.

"That's not funny," he whispered back. "She does not." He frowned in Jayne's direction, but the large man was not paying attention. He was telling a joke to Shepard, who had sat down beside him. Simon could tell by the look on his face as Jayne's joke got more and more crude, that Book was regretting choosing the spot he did

Mal was eating quietly, his eyes flicking over the faces of his crew. Zoë and Wash were quiet now, Wash looked sullen, and Zoë was glowering at her plate. Mal was surprised she didn't burn a hole into it. He looked over at Kaylee. Her face bore a huge grin while she chatted with Simon, who was responding actively. The Captain rolled his eyes. Nothing annoyed him more than the love saga of Kaylee and Simon.

His eyes moved to River, who was hiding behind her hair, the food on her plate finished. He frowned. Why was she so dressed up? Had he forgotten a birthday? He wracked his brain, trying to find what had been forgotten. River turned her head towards him.

"You forgot nothing," she said loudly. "Nothing special."

Everyone turned to look at her. Mal shook his head in disbelief. "Stay out of my head, little girl." He told her.

River smiled. "But Captain, you were thinking so loud." She laughed lightly at this. The crew just stared at her. It was Kaylee who broke the silence, saying something to Simon. The rest of the crew resumed their individual endeavours, and River went quiet. She did not retreat behind her hair, however. Mal continued to watch her. Her eyes focused on the table's members one at a time, finally coming to rest on Jayne. Her cheeks got slightly pink again, and she looked away.

Mal caught her eye, and raised his eyebrows, his mind asking questions. River stood up. "Now it is you who must say out of my head!" she gasped, her face red. She spun away and stalked from the room. Jayne looked at Mal.

"What was that about?" he asked, his face full of confusion.

"I just figured out something very unsettling." Mal replied, going back to his breakfast. He would say nothing more, despite several questions.

---

River stalked through Serenity's halls, her body hot with embarrassment. She hated the feeling. Mal had seen right through her; who had given him permission to be so perceptive? She made her way to the cargo hold, wedging herself between two plastic crates. She closed her eyes, willing her heartbeat to slow.

The frantic pulsing quieted and her breathing slowed. She let her head rest against Serenity's serene wall. Her mind traveled. Mostly, she thought of Jayne. His slow, easy smile, the look on his face when he learned something new, and the eager love he showed his guns. And his whores. River sighed. She would never be his type: blonde, curvy and experienced.

River sighed again is disgust, letting herself drift off to sleep. Her dreams were basically the same as before. She could feel her fingers run through his hair, kneading the muscles on his back. His lips were hot and sweet, his breath a whorl of warmth in her ear. The dream was just getting good when River was woken up again.

"Oi, moonbrain, move your ass, these crates gotta go."

River's eyes snapped open at the sound of Jayne's voice. He was leaning against one of the boxes she was sitting between. She jumped to her feet, feeling caught in the act. "Why don't you ever say my name?" she blurted out. As soon as she heard herself, she cursed her impulsive brain.

"Don't see that it matters much," Jayne replied slowly. He grabbed the handle of the smaller crate and began dragging it across the cargo hold. River skilfully blocked his path. Her heart was pounding at their closeness. She could feel Jayne's warmth from where she stood, only a few inches away. The big man looked uncomfortable, but did not try to move past her.

River tilted her head, looking up into Jayne's brown eyes. "Jayne…" she whispered. Her hand traveled up his arm.

"What're you doin'?" Jayne asked, his voice breathy. River stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. On contact, it was like a spark catching fire. Jayne seemed to disregard his reservations and pulled River closer.

His kisses were better than she had imagined. His lips were firm and hot, he tasted of spices. Their kiss was passionate, their tongues locked in an intricate battle. Jayne's hands started to travel, lifting her small body up once they found her hips. River responded by wrapping her legs around his torso. She pulled her face away and looked at him.

Jayne's pupils were dilated with desire, and he pushed River against the wall behind her. His mouth latched onto hers again. River's hands tangled themselves in his dark hair. His hands explored her; he seemed to know all her most sensitive spots. He was massaging her breast when a large clank overhead made them both freeze. Kaylee was on the walkway above them, she had dropped her wrench over the side. She had not seen them, but she was on her way down the stairs.

Jayne and River untangled themselves and when Kaylee saw them, they were leaning against the wall, with a large space between them. Kaylee noted River's flushed face and Jayne's strained look, but said nothing. "Hey guys," she chirped instead. "The Captain wants those boxes right quick." She told Jayne, a stern look on her face. He nodded and grabbed the handles of one and carted it up the stairs without looking back.