When the shuttle got back River was almost struck down by the negativity. There was anger, betrayal, hurt, confusion, loss. She hadn't felt that in a long time. Something had gone wrong. No one talked as they got off the shuttle and all went their separate ways. Mal went to his bunk, Jia went to her room, Zoe went to the bridge and Jayne went to the galley. She had to find out what had happened.

She was on her way to listen to Jia when she heard her brother approach Mal on the way to his bunk. As usual her brother had chosen the worst time for a request.

"I was wondering, Captain, when we would get to Kaylee's home planet? We were kind of wondering what to tell her parents about a date."

"This ain't a pleasure cruise and I ain't a wedding cruise. You wanna get married you do it on your own time not mine."

He pushed past Simon and continued on his way to his bunk. Simon sat there both stunned and angry. River was grateful her brother was not one for confrontations. He just went in the direction of the infirmary. River sighed in frustration. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. She needed guidance. She needed to talk to the one person who was not emotionally involved in this, Shepherd Book.

She found the shepherd in his room reading his contradictions book. She approached and he looked up.

"What can I help you with River?"

"Need conversational help."

"You mean guidance?"

She nodded. "Not a good day. She will try to make clear her articulation."

"I understand. Come sit." He had come to be able to translate her better than most.

She sat down in the chair he had in his room and he sat on the bed, "What troubles you River?"

She slowly chose her words. "Emotions not right. Plans not forming into reality. Reality not...pleasant."

"Did something happen River?"

"Not her, others. Family crisis." She seemed to brighten as she found a way to describe her problem. "Emotions interfering with plans. Emotions not the expected. Family not reacting to stimuli like projected."

"People don't always react like you think they should River."

"Does not quantify."

"They don't react like you think because things get in the way. Things like pasts, expectations, negativity. They all have to be included in the way a person reacts to things, so it's not the same from person to person."

"That does not quantify. Same species, same setting, same variables. Different ending is on account of unknowns?"

"I guess you could put it that way. People are not perfect. They have hangups and flaws. That's what makes people who they are. Is there something specific that is confusing? Like an example?"

"Daddy attacks those not involved."

He thought a moment, "You mean the Captain and his propensity to lash out when he is threatened?"

She nodded.

"That is hard to understand. I don't really get it myself sometimes."

"He must stop or risk destroying entire order. Risk alone. Risk...everything. He is a keystone in success of... Serenity. She needs his permission to be ...everything."

"Don't rush River. Just think about it and then tell me what you mean."

She took a deep breath. "Brother and new sister need Daddy to be happy. Expectations are different from archangel to protector. And each other's needs are different but the same. Expectations are different but needs are same. Don't know the reality."

"What reality River?"

She paused, "They don't really know each other. The reality is what they need. The expectation is wrong." She sighed. She had finally gotten out what she wanted.

Book thought a moment. "Maybe... I don't know River. How does one tell someone that they shouldn't pay attention to the surface and should look deeper? I don't know the answer River. I wish I did."

River sighed, "She wishes too."

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River couldn't sleep that night. She tossed and turned, that wasn't unusual for her. What was unusual was the fact she was thinking about the present, not the future or past. She was thinking about the things she had done all in the spirit of good intentions. She wondered if the road to hell really was paved with them. The way she felt right now it wasn't that big of a stretch. She may have made a huge mistake and now had to fix it without looking like she was interfering again. Mal still was suspicious of her after her little adventure into his mind. Jia was now her only chance to fix her mistake.

River knew the cook would be open to talking to her, but she also knew it might not be possible for her to say what she needed to. River had no way of knowing if tomorrow would be one of her good days or not. If it was, it would be easy to say what she needed. If not, it would be impossible.

With her mind made up she fell into a fitful sleep. All through the night her mind raced with ideas and solutions, all dismissed. Her path was unfortunately clear. She had to talk to both of them.

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River didn't get a chance. She was headed towards the galley when she heard Zoe talking to Jia.

"I don't want to talk about it Zoe."

"All I want to know is what happened yesterday."

"It's not important."

"It is important!" She sighed, " I guess it doesn't matter. I ...I want to know something though. Do you care for him?"

"What?"

"Do you care for him?"

"I ...don't know. Maybe."

"If only he would just apologize."

Jia scoffed, "Men like him don't apologize Zoe."

River heard Zoe coming towards her. She waited until she walked past and followed her down the stairs. River stopped Zoe right outside the infirmary.

"Zoe, may I talk to you?"

"I'm kinda busy right now River."

"Can she make Captain happy?"

Zoe paused, "I don't know River, but I hope so."

With that she stormed into the cargo bay and towards her captain. He was sorting cargo that didn't need to be sorted

"Sir, what do you think you are doing?"

He looked up, "I'm working."

"No, I mean with Jia."

Mal stiffened, "None of your business, Zoe."

He turned his back and started to walk away. Zoe caught up with him and stepped in his way, "I stood by and watched you push Inara away at every turn. I won't let you do the same thing to the best thing that could ever possibly happen to you. Why can't you see it?"

"What are you talking about Zoe?"

"All she ever did was like you, maybe even love you, and all you can do is yell at her and insult her. You embarrassed her for no reason and you know it. Go in there and apologize right now."

"Since when do you order me..."

"Sir, she is perfect for you. Don't screw this up."

Zoe turned from him and left the room. He still stood where he was and watched her leave. From her spot on the catwalk River smiled. Things would soon be back on track.

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An hour later Mal walked into the galley to find Jia by herself. She ignored him which was just fine for what he had planned. He went behind her and put one hand on each side of her on the counter in front of her. She froze and stiffened. He put his mouth next to her ear.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said."

She turned her head to face him.

"I should never have said it. I care about you too much."

She put her hand on his arm and he took them off the counter and surrounded her. Jia leaned back into his embrace and put her head on his shoulder.

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River poked her head into Simon's room, "Ask him now."

"Ask who what meimei?"

She rolled her eyes, "Ask Daddy about the union."

Simon was still confused as she skipped away, but he followed her advice and went to find the captain. He found him in the galley. He was standing very close to the chef talking to her. As Simon walked in he stepped back.

"Captain, could I talk to you?"

"Oh, yeah, I wanted to talk to you too Simon. Talk to Kaylee and figure out a time you want to go to get married and we'll be there."

Simon was shocked, "Thank you sir."

Mal nodded and went back to his whispered conversation with Jia. If Simon hadn't been so occupied, he might have found that strange.