The Psychic's New Clothes Part II

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The café that Ruth had recommended was exactly what Mal had asked for, good food, manners, place settings and tablecloths. Best of all, River was enjoying the treat. Even Zoë had loosened up, telling stories that even Kaylee didn't know.

"… so there we were in a petting zoo, Wash trying to juggle those goslings when it happened – this he goat rammed him in the…" Zoë noticed the other diners looking at her, "… Let's just say we defiantly overpaid for that hotel room"

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Lunch was over and the rickshaws were loaded when River's eyes got big, she grabbed Kaylee's Comm. Unit from Kaylee's pocket and handed it to her as it flashed.

"Kaylee." It was Mal?

"What's wrong?" A very young mother asked.

"Kaylee…" Kaylee could hear her daughter in the background. "…Rill has an ear infection and some fever."

"Oh God!"

"Simon says it's nothing to worry about. Frankly he's more worried about not telling you than how sick Rill is."

"We'll be there as quick as we cam. Kaylee out."

During the conversation River had a far away look in her eyes. "Simon's not worried about Rill."

"Kaylee," Inara suggested, "I can take over with River this afternoon."

"That would be shiny 'Nara." Kaylee sounded a little less worried. "Zoë and I can take the bundles we've already bought to the ship. If that's Ok with you Zoë?"

"I've been gone from the ship longer than I had planned anyway." Zoë responded, "Thank you for including me on this lunch."

"You're welcome." Kaylee said in unison with River.

"Besides," Zoë began, "I wouldn't miss the Captain squirming for anything."

River starts laughing.

"Squirming about what?" A puzzled Kaylee asks.

"About," Inara interjects. "who River is lingerie shopping with."

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"'Nara, what is love?"

Inara's stomach dropped, it had been pleasant walking from the café to the shops with River. The young woman's child like view of the world was refreshing. "I honestly do not know."

"Yes you do."

"Honestly River, if love bit me right now… Ouch!" River playfully bit Inara on her arm. "What was that for?"

"Had to see. Daddy didn't like it either."

"You bit Mal too?"

"Same story, different cover. Taste the same."

"River…"

"Dance too long, get tired, listen to the heart."

"Mei mei, Mal and I will get together in our own time."

"Need is now!" She said hugging Inara. As if a switch had been pulled River changed. "Time for girlie things." River said pulling Inara into a store.

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Inara was tired. For three hours she and River had argued about undergarments. River hates feeling constricted.

Inara had bought her a few items, some lacy and some utilitarian. She believed River might use the exercise shorts and bra. Oh yes and a big bag of thick socks, so Rivers feet wouldn't get cold.

The nextstop was short. Mal wanted River to have pants to work in. She opted for brown coveralls like Kayleee's even buying a star shaped patch for the knee.

When it cam to buying a coat River found a white calf-length fur lined heavy coat, coated so dirt wouldn't stain. With mstching gloves and scarf River looked regal. Her haggling skills impressed Inara, even though she got very low prices, Inara knew the store still made a profit.

Heading back to the ship they stopped at a resale shop to look for a nice dress, finding one on blue that had a loose skirt for dancing River also found a brown coat like Mal's. River is dancing with glee!!!

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Meeting the two women at the ramp, Mal grouched, "Was fixin' to start a search… Like the coat River."

Grabbing Mal in a hug, River announces with a smile, "Safe!"

"Trouble?" Mal asks, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.

Instinctively, Inara moves into the ship and looks out.

"Safe!"

Mal looks worried; Inara however, could see River grinning at her.

"Safe!"

Catching on, Inara puts her hands on her hips and pretends to glare at River, "YOU CORE PLANET HARPY, LET GO OF MY MAN!"

An annoyed Mal watches River laugh herself silly, seeing Inara smiling out of the corner of his eye he asks, "What is going on?"

"Earlier today River bit me."

"River, aren't you too old to be biting?"

"You asked, didn't know what to do." River sang.

"Mal, I think she's matchmaking."

"Mat… Wha? Little one, I don't need…"

"Fast draw too slow, got shot, won't fall."

Like a good commander facing ever changing battle situations, Mal switches to a tactic he learned from his mother. "Behave, or you don't get your surprise."

Looking up at Mal with big saucer shaped eyes, River humbly smiles. "Being nice."

Reaching into his coat pocket, Mal retrieves a bag of hair ribbons. "I bought these for you."

The smile on River's face brought light into Mal's heart.

"And this," Mal pulls a silver hair clip, shaped like a bird in flight, from his shirt pocket. "is also for you."

Squeeling, River takes the clip and beging to dance around the cargo bay.

"Kaylee bought them?" Inara asked.

"She didn't have time."

"You chose the bird?"

"Freest animal there is."

"Mal, that's, sweet." She looks at Mal watching River dance. The look confuses her.

"You're missing it." Mal states with a wry smile.

"Missing what?"

"The fruits of your labors."

Inara turned and watched River; every fluid movement radiated glee. "Why did youdopt her?"

Mal just stood there.

"How did she get to you?"

Mal just stood there.

"She was part of your crew, family."

Mal just stood there.

"You care deeply for everyone on Serenity. Mal, what makes River different?"

Turning, he looks at her, "We come from the same place."

A look of confusion crosses her face as Mal walks off.

"Free." River chirped from behind Inara.

"What sweetie?"

"You asked, comprehension is paramount, understanding is useless so."

"I don't comprehend or understand."

Stepping forward, River cups her left hand over Inara's right ear, "Don't listen…" and her right hand over Inara's heart, "…hear."

Leaning forward, Inara touches her forehead to River's, "I'll try."

"Promise?"

"Promise!"

Stepping back, River holds the bag of hair ribbons out,"Can you show…"

"Of course. In fact, why don't we go to your cabin and decide which new dress you want ot wear tonight? Then I'll show you a few tricks with hair ribbons."

"Kin I watch?" Jayne leared from the weight bench.

"Lemonade is sweet." River said tapping her forehead.

Inara's surprise at Jayne's hasty retreat was answered by River. "Told him, could kill him with my brain – he understands, doesn't comprehend."

Stifling the laugh she wanted to give at Jayne's misunderstanding, she turns to River and say's, "All action starts with the brain, right."

"For most people…" River says with a beaming smile, "… some doubt about Jayne though."

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Dinner that night was special. Coin in the pockets and a good harvest on the planet kept Book in the kiychen all afternoon.

"Smells good preacher." Zoe said inhaling.

"Hands back!" He snapped, slapping Jayne's hand with a wooden spoon.

"How's Rill, Simon?" Wash asked.

"Her fever broke before Kaylee got back to the ship."

"Why didn't you tell Kaylee so she could enjoy the rest of the afternoon." Wash inquired.

"Because he's not the 'boob' River say's he is." Kaylee answered, walking in with Rill on her hip.

Mal and Inara walk in "… she will be herre in a moment Mal. She wants to show off her new dress."

"Which one? She returned with a whole wardrobe!"

"And coin in her pocket."

"How did she do that? I didn't give her that much coin."

"Sales, bargaining; she a sales persons worse nightmare."

"I may have to let her in on more of our jobs."

"No! Captain she's too young…"

Rill lets out a scream, drawing alls attention. Suddenly River is standing at the table. "Thank you Rill." She says smiling shyly, dressed in a blue gingham sun dress with matching hair ribbons woven into her hair and a red ribbon holding her hair back, watching everyone staring at her.

"Still barefoot little one?" Mal asks, looking at her bare feet.

Looking down, she wiggles her toes, "Dogs bark when pent."

"River," Simon began, "you look pretty."

"Simon!" Kaylee chided, "Rill and I think she's beautiful."

"I'll say." Wash added.

"Very pretty." Zoe stated while giving Wash a look that told everyone that he had commented to quickly.

"Let'z eat." Jayne barked.

"You look lovely." Book commented.

"I think she looks amazing." Inara began, "what do you think Mal?"

Mal looked at River and she smiled brightly, "She looks nice."

"Mal…" Inara begins warningly.

River squeals and hugs Mal, "Mal. Bad. In the Latin."

"Mal?" Inara questions, volumes of worry echoed with Just his name said aloud.

"Private." River states to Inara. "Not how he sees you."

"River…" Mal growls.

Mussing Mal's hair River laughs, "Secrets aren't secret if everyone knows. Prayers answered sometimes no, sometimes yes, always answered." Looking at Book, she adds, "Sometimes answer not heard."

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TBC…