21) Tracks Will Fade In the Snow

Riddick gave a one shouldered shrug in answer to Inara's question and shook his head, "What do you want me to say Inara?" He asked bluntly. "Do I like the idea of River's feet bleedin'? No. Do I get the urge to wrap her up in cotton wool and protect her from everything in the 'verse that's bad, includin' me? Now and then but it goes away."

"How do you make it go away?" Inara asked gently.

Riddick frowned, there was a strange scent coming from Inara. It was nothing like her usual scent of incense, tea or perfume, almost astringent to his nose. He endeavored to put it out of his mind after he sent River a glance and received a minute nod in return, "That's mostly the man has the urge." He spoke slowly, "The animal, the part that recognized her as mine the minute I saw her, that part of me won't tolerate its mate being anything less than equal. Can't stand to see her in pain, hate when she cries, when she's afraid, but I been figurin' out, that urge to protect her, do whatever she wants so's she's not afraid when we're doin' our therapy…that's the man. I thought it was the animal for the longest. But it ain't. The animal needs a strong mate. It's the man that's weak, wants to put my wants before what's best for her."

"It's not a weakness, the urge to protect the woman you love," Inara's objection was mild. "But I agree it is a very human thing to do. As I understand it, animals don't tolerate sickness or weakness well."

"No," River shook her head. "Is that why you took an extra dose of medicine today?"

Inara's composed mask cracked just a bit, a tightening around her mouth and eyes, "I don't believe that's any of your business River."

"It is when my friend is in pain and will not let me help," River eyed the older woman stubbornly. "You haven't even told Simon yet and Simon could help you."

"I won't discuss this with you now River," Inara's voice held the firmness of iron in it. "At some other time perhaps, but now is not the time."

River subsided but not without a look at Riddick who nodded calmly in return, like it or not, they owed Inara a debt. And that debt would be repaid.

When they exited Inara's shuttle River felt hyper-sensitized, as if she'd borrowed all five of Riddick's senses and added her own extra one in. Words drifted towards her, down the hall from the bridge as she fixed tea for she and Riddick in the galley.

"For folks who're so wound up in each other, those two spend a lotta time in Inara's shuttle," Zoe's voice was speculative though not overly curious.

"Maybe they like Inara's tea and conversation," Wash suggested. River smiled to herself, the pilot liked she and her man, didn't want anyone prying into their business.

"Riddick don't strike me as a man overly patient with rituals an' suchlike," Zoe retorted her voice still mild. "You heard what he considers a marriage ceremony."

"Don't mean he can't enjoy River and Inara talking," Wash's voice was just as mild. "He isn't Jayne you know…these days Jayne isn't even Jayne."

"Hmm? How do you mean," Zoe must be sitting in her husband lap again, River decided, that was the only time she sounded so relaxed.

"Just that for all that Jayne mutters and grumbles about Simon and River he don't do much about 'em. I mean he played that prank on Simon but he doesn't do much more than sneer in the doc's direction and even that's halfhearted," Wash had a shrug in his voice. "I hafta spend quite a bit of time with Rick you know, an' River comes up here to use the cortex. Rick might be the stone cold killer he makes himself out to be but he's a lot more than that."

"I just think its odd is all; Cap'n ain't said word one about it, and normally he'd be talkin' about Inara and crew and all that lè sè," Zoe pressed slightly and River could hear Wash's sigh.

"Lamby toes, fun as it is to speculate on how oblivious Simon is to Kaylee's crush and whether or not Jayne was hatched from an egg or born live, I really…and I mean really, don't feel comfortable talking about River and Rick like this," Wash's voice was affectionate but with a thread of steel in it.

"Are either of them making you uncomfortable," Zoe's voice sharpened slightly, alert to any threat to the man around which her life revolved.

"Right now sweetheart the only thing making me uncomfortable is the topic of conversation," Wash said finally. River got the sense that there had a been a long heavily weighted look between the married couple. "Fine, no, I've never gotten the sense that Rick or River would hurt me, unless I did something to one of them. Which I wouldn't, liking my fingers and eyes where they are. I like both of them believe it or not." Zoe must have given Wash a disbelieving look because the pilot nearly squawked, "What, I do like them. Rick is a damn good pilot, River's a cortex genius and they're both gorram smart, funny as hell too when they're jabbering back and forth at each other."

"Then what's the problem? If they're so good humored they won't take a little gossip as a deathly insult," Zoe sounded a little hurt and confused.

"Honey, I adore you, but you fought your way through the war," Wash told her quietly. "You weren't ever captured. You weren't held by the enemy. And if you were ever tortured…you've never made mention of it to me and I've never seen that part of you. And I thought you had shown me all of your parts."

"I have," Zoe's voice was low, intimate. "You know I have."

"That's what I thought," Wash's voice was warm with affection for his wife. "From the story of how they met and escaped with Simon and things they've let drop…I don't think Rick or River had it as easy." He spoke quickly as if to forestall a protest, "Not that the war was easy lamby toes, but…it might have been in comparison to what was done to the two of them."

"After the Alliance boat left us, Mal was pokin' at River and Riddick," Zoe said slowly. "An' there was mention of torture when Riddick wouldn't fight River."

"I told River once I didn't think she was crazy," Wash said quietly. "I did say I thought she had a touch of post traumatic stress disorder, but who on the boat didn't really. She…didn't agree or disagree, just smiled in that way she has…which is an answer all by itself."

"You think she was raped," Zoe said softly as if saying the word would make it happen again. "And you didn't speak up to keep her from moving in with Riddick?"

"Have you watched those two together," Wash asked his wife, incredulity in his tone. "Really watched them? The girl fell asleep in his arms the other day. She purrs like a kitten when he touches her. I walked into the mess a week ago and he was brushing her hair while she read him a story. And Jayne was sitting there smiling and cleaning his girls like he was happier than a clam. I'd say there are only a few men on this boat she doesn't feel safe with. One of them's the captain and the other one's the Shepherd." He shook his head, "With Mal I think it's mostly that he don't trust her and hey who'd wanna be around that attitude. Not sure what's up with Book." Wash's sigh was almost audible in the galley, "If I thought Riddick was harming that girl I'd move worlds to keep it from happening. As it stands, River is the one person in the world I think Rick would never harm. He was tortured because he wouldn't do it and he doesn't strike me as a man to tolerate that over someone he don't care about."

"So this time with Inara," Zoe said slowly, "You think it's therapy or something like that?"

"I think Companions are more than the whores Mal calls them," Wash said quietly. "We had a neighbor, a woman who got caught walking alone, she was brutalized. She couldn't leave her house, couldn't stand to have the lights off. My mother sent me to the local guild House. When I left one of the Companions came with me and walked right up to that woman's house. She came every day for six months and every week for two years after that. And eventually the woman's life…returned to an approximation of what it was."

River looked at Riddick and smiled, "Pilot is a good man."

"He is that," Riddick agreed. "Guess we're comin' up on Persephone pretty soon here."

"Looking forward to visiting," River smiled happily at the thought of seeing Shazza again.

"Well better go give Wash a hand with the landing," Riddick finished his tea and put his mug and River's in the cleaner. Scooping her up he threw River over his shoulder making her shriek with laughter and playfully call him a Neanderthal as he carted her down the hall towards the bridge. "Yeah but I'm your Neanderthal," Riddick laughed as he pulled her back into his arms and sank down into the co-pilot's chair.

"He is much more evolved than he behaves," River giggled and began to bring up the cortex screens on Riddick's side of the controls. "Wash and Zoe have been enjoying alone time on the bridge," She slanted a teasing glance at the pilot. "Should she tell the captain his ship has been besmirched?"

"Not unless you wanna hear him squawkin' for days afterward," Wash retorted as he flipped a few switches to give Riddick partial control. Zoe had gotten out of his lap when Riddick entered the bridge and was looking out the front port as her husband worked. Wash slanted a wicked glance over at Riddick and remarked to his wife, "Seem to you we cleared out of Santo in a hurry?"

Zoe chuckled slightly, "Seems we do that a lot." She looked over at River, "Someone mentioned you made a nice soft lift and then you took part in a brawl?"

River smiled slightly, "No liking for slavers. As one sold, felt justified in taking their money." She shrugged, "Brawl was just for fun and so my Richard could have a good fight."

"You got in a brawl so Rick could have some fun?" Wash shook his head, "River you're supposed to be the sane one in the relationship, that's the female's job. The men are supposed to be the idiots."

"Take that real serious do you Wash?" Riddick asked slyly.

"I'm surrounded by jesters," Wash rolled his eyes. "And you, big strong he man type, you didn't mind your girl getting in a brawl?"

"Wasn't anyone there besides me who had a chance against her," The escaped convict shrugged and flicked a switch up and then down with a frown. "This damn switch is tetchy again."

"Hit it hard on the right side," Wash advised. "We'll have to have Kaylee look at it." Riddick did as the pilot suggested and nodded when the switch came on correctly. "You mean you'd put River up against any man in that bar and back her to win?"

"Well yeah," Riddick shrugged again. "My woman's the most dangerous person on this boat 'sides me. Jayne's a close second." He looked at Zoe, "I know you're Mal's right hand an' all, an' that's fine. But you're a soldier Zoe. You ain't like us."

"First time I've ever heard someone apologize for not calling me a stone cold killer," Zoe said mildly. "I'm not sure if I'm insulted or not."

River shook her head, a smile teasing at her lips, "Jayne and Rick, like the sun and moon, night and day, they hunt and track and kill across worlds. I am trained... to exceed my mate. He has me beat at brute strength, as does Jayne. But I am faster than Jayne and more graceful that Richard. My training is more...all-encompassing. Richard could beat me, but he'd have to kill me to do it because I don't stop until I'm done. Same with Jayne; he couldn't beat me unless I was already injured and even then the odds are against him."

Riddick nodded, "Bein' a soldier ain't the same as bein' trained killers Zoe. Me an' Jayne...an' River... you don' wanna be what we are. Bein' a soldier suits you."

"Well I suppose I'll have to live with that," Zoe shook her head. "Hope you two don't mind a little boredom though. Heard tell, we're going to stay a while on Persephone."

"Shiny," Wash grinned and looked over at River and Riddick. Riddick flashed a smile at the pilot and River was grinning ear to ear.

"Must find goods only available on the border or core," River nodded. "Work to do." She kissed Riddick's cheek, "Simon will be pleased too." She looked at Wash thoughtfully, "Dirt won't bother you?"

Zoe chuckled her agreement, "Yeah. Thought you'd get land crazy that long in port."

"Probably," Wash agreed with a whimsical smile, "but I've been sane a long while now, and change is good."

River looked over her shoulder as Mal entered the bridge and returned her gaze to the window, the sun rising over Persephone. "Apollo bids the goddess of Spring good night," She murmured softly.

"Well, ain't that a joyful sight?" Mal nodded at the display of light.

"Gotta love a sunset," Wash agreed as he began the preparations for their final approach.

"Starting to get familiar too," Zoe commented, "Like a second home."

River giggled into Riddick's ear and whispered something unintelligible to the rest of the crew while Mal took exception to Zoe's words, "Persephone ain't home. Too many people we got to avoid. Re-supply, look for work, move along. Sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt."

Zoe's voice was mildly amused at her captain's histrionics, "Wasn't planning on the dirt-kissing, sir."

"Besides, I wouldn't stand for it anyway," Wash interjected, "Captain, jealous man like me." He looked down slightly as something on the console sounded the alarm. "Closing in."

River smiled as Zoe's voice never even registered alarm, "Planet's coming up a mite fast."

"That's just cause, I'm going down too quick," Wash shook his head. "Rick, a little help balancing her out? Likely crash and kill us all."

Mal shook his head as he left the bridge, "Well, that happens, let me know."

Wash nodded and held the controls mostly steady, "Okay. Whoa," He muttered as if to a horse. "No, we're good, we're good. It's okay."

Riddick chuckled as he held his side of the controls easily, "Who're you tryin' to convince Wash? Me or you? I don't see anyone here worried. Cap'n sure wasn't."

River nodded her agreement, "No smell of worry from Mal, amusement from him, trust in his pilot." She shrugged as the planet came up at them, "Persephone is eager to see us."

"A mite too eager to suit me," Wash shook his head, "Rick can you hit the button to your left there."

"Does it do anything?" Riddick obligingly hit the button. "Other than turn green?"

"Let's Kaylee know that a little extra power would be helpful," Wash muttered as he argued with his ship. "River I don't suppose you'd like to run back and give Kaylee a hand?"

"Jayne's in the mess River, take him with you for the heavy lifting," Riddick told her what she already knew.

"She is aware of the big man's whereabouts Richard, thank you," River patted his shoulder absently as she climbed out of his lap. "Zoe should sit down," She advised as she left the bridge.

One thankfully uneventful landing later River stood with her brother and mate watching the crew leave. "You told them we had business right?" Simon asked quietly, "They know we're leaving too?"

"I told 'em we weren't hangin' around," Riddick nodded. "We ain't needed to guard the ship. An' if Serenity needs a babysitter Book's here."

"I imagine you'll enjoy stretching your legs," Book nodded at them from where he was sitting on Jayne's weight bench. "I'll stay with Serenity."

"Doc, get your hat on," Riddick murmured. "River's done her work an' we both know how good she is but there's no point temptin' purple bellies." He watched as Simon donned a wide brimmed hat and a rough jacket, covering up the dress shirt. The doctor had already borrowed back his smoked glass spectacles and wore them. Simon's work boots didn't clash too terribly with his pants and he wasn't wearing a vest so he wouldn't look too out of place. He could even use the gun he wore on a belt around his hips.

River pointed her toes one at a time as if limbering up for a performance before she wrapped a gauzy scarf around her hair and face as if to keep out the dust and wind. She pulled a ladies version of Simon's hat on over the scarf holding it in place. Her denim jacket and pants covered her arms and legs so she was protected from the sun as well. "Richard should cover his head as well," She looked up at her big man expectantly.

"Yeah, I'm figuring a cap an' my goggles along with my coat should keep anyone from lookin' too hard," Riddick agreed as he pulled the articles of clothing on. "You got your cash tucked away safe an' your databook too," He checked with her.

"Yes," River agreed. "Simon, must consider what you would like for the infirmary." She suggested, "Shazza will know where to get it."

"Well she has been here a couple of months so I suppose she would have the lay of the land," Simon nodded. "I'll put some thought into it," He turned and regarded the Shepherd, "I don't think we'll be gone much past nightfall. Coming back at dusk will be easier on Riddick's eyes and we'll be harder to see."

"Won't expect you 'til then," Book nodded. River could feel his gaze on their backs as they walked off the ship and shivered slightly.

"River," Simon's voice held a question a slight trace of nerves.

"Shadow man's gaze upon us, speculating, believes we will bring violence down upon the ship," River murmured. "Too much experience with lies and strife for him to easily accept that they mean no harm to Serenity."

"Yeah, the man reeks of lies and old sins," Riddick agreed. "My guess is he's had a full life of crime and other things make it easy for him to see that I'm trouble. An' I don't like how his gaze rests on River much either." He looked at Simon as they made their way through Eavesdown docks, "You don't seem to bug him much, maybe because he thinks he understands you."

"He doesn't pay much attention then," Simon shrugged his tone grim, "Kaylee's wasn't the first wound I bargained over. And you'd be amazed at how much information you can get if you withhold a little pain medication." When River looked at him sadly he shook his head, "It didn't interfere with my oath to do no harm, the pain wasn't debilitating, and they weren't done any further injury. Just a little discomfort that was quickly relieved once I had what I needed."

"You're comin' along pretty well with a gun too," Riddick observed quietly. "That Slugger's settin' nice on your hip. You gonna be able to use it in a pinch?"

"To protect my family?" Simon's gaze flickered over both of them, "You might be surprised at what I can do Rick."

"No Doc, I doubt that I would," Riddick's smile colored his voice and River's lips tilted humorously in reaction. Simon had no idea how much Riddick valued her brother, not only for his medical expertise but for his strong sense of right and wrong.

"Shazza is near," River whispered happily and her hand slipped into Riddick's elbow while Simon looked around, eager to see their friend.

"Well in the wave she said to meet her where you dropped her off," Simon recalled. "Is this close by?" He looked around, "These buildings are a regular warren."

"We like it that way," Shazza's distinctive voice called. River found her first, her eyes going unerringly to Shazza's location as her reader abilities found Shazza's mind. Riddick had caught Shazza's distinctive scent while Simon simply followed the gaze of the other two. Shazza was leaning in a doorway halfway down the alley a huge grin on her face as she beckoned them forward.

River laughed and ran for her friend, the men trailing behind her as Shazza's arms closed around the girl in a warm hug. "You're lookin' good, no limp or nothin'," Shazza exclaimed drawing back to look River over. "How're you doin'?"

"Well," River said simply and laughed as Riddick's arms wrapped around both women in a solid hug before withdrawing again wordlessly.

Simon smiled slightly as he reached their friend and looked at her eyes, finally reaching for her hand and kissing it in the manner he'd been taught. "I'm so pleased to see you're doing well Shazza," He said quietly. "We've missed you. Waves haven't been enough," He chuckled when Shazza grabbed him and pulled him into a hug.

"Simon all the nights we spent wrapped up in quilts and you just held me, and now you go and get polite?" Shazza laughed, "C'mon in, don' wanna get ya'll in trouble talkin' in the alley." She led them down a hallway familiar to Riddick and down into a lower level room with sunlight streaming in but enough shadows to make Riddick comfortable. "Hey Badger, they're here."

"Oi, be right there Shazz," A masculine voice with the same Dyton colony accent called from a room further in. "Wanna meet these folks what kept you alive."

Shazza grinned at the look on Simon's face, "My cousin, the one as keeps me in work," She explained. "Told 'im 'bout our time on planet," Her voice lowered cautiously, "Not about River's...ability, but everythin' else. He's been dyin' to meet alla you. Only met Riddick the once an' that was in a hurry."

"Did they bring the woman?" Badger was asking as he came closer to the door, "Gotta real int'rest in meetin' the skirt what got the most dangerous man in the 'verse tangled up."

River giggled at Shazza's resigned expression, "Men are notorious for foot in mouth disease," She whispered to Shazza and got an amused look in return. The little man who entered the room without knocking matched Shazza's warm mental picture of him and River grinned, "Riddick did bring the woman, and her brother. All survivors of the world with three suns are present and accounted for Mr. Badger." She began to unwind her scarf and removed her hat to expose her face. Simon had removed his hat upon entered the building and now took off his spectacles, hooking them to his shirt pocket while Riddick pushed up his goggles and shoved back his hood.

"Folks, this is my cousin Badger," Shazza grinned. "He's a bit of a big wig in these parts, got ties in the community an' all so if you want a line on crime he's the man to see." River grinned at the idea and nodded pleasantly at Badger drawing a smile from the little man. "Badger, you've met him but you ain't been introduced," Shazza started with Riddick, indicating him with one hand, "This is Richard B. Riddick."

"It's a pleasure," Badger nodded and cautiously kept his hand where it was showing an uncommon amount of good sense.

"This is Simon, he's a doc, made sure all of us kept our limbs an' all," Shazza patted Simon's shoulder. "Also kept me from goin' mad with grief on our way back. Knows a thing or two other than doctorin' too."

"Doc," Badger nodded and was surprised when Simon extended his hand, his smile of pleasure stretched his slightly grimy face as he shook the doctor's hand.

"Mr. Badger," Simon returned gravely. "As you are Shazza's relation and we have a vested interest in her well-being, I hope you'll come to me if you have any medical concerns. As you might have guessed I'm not exactly free to practice publicly but when I'm on Persephone I'll be happy to extend my expertise. For a fee." He added with a grin that made him look positively saturnine.

River giggled, "Gē ge learns fast." She moved forward slightly and her smile widened as Badger gave her a little bow.

"And this is Simon's younger sister, River," Shazza smiled affectionately. "She's Rick's woman Badger, so don't get too attached."

"Like all my body parts where they are," Badger chuckled. "But that don't mean I can't appreciate his fine taste." He tilted his head slightly, "Not quite what I was expectin', just from havin' met your man the once't."

"Big man, slender woman," River agreed. "Contrasts can be appealing but surprising." She leaned into Riddick's side and his arm wrapped around her affectionately. "Deceitful appearances can be most helpful when planning and accomplishing crime," She added with a little nod at Badger.

"You mean this really is the deadly woman you said was his equal," Badger looked at his cousin in surprise. "I wasn't sure if you were jokin' or not Shazz." He shook his head, "Of course with the alert that went out to every purple belly around before you arrived with the big man, maybe I shouldn't be surprised." His eyes were shrewd but somehow without malice as he regarded the three people standing with his cousin, "Simon and River Tam, brother and sister fugitives. Richard B. Riddick, escaped convict, wanted for multiple murders."

Simon's back went poker straight, Shazza stiffened slightly but River and Riddick's posture didn't change as their eyes remained on Badger, "Might want to rethink whether or not you saw those alerts." Riddick said slowly, "Among other things, my woman is a genius with a cortex."

"I 'spect you could stroll down the street in the Core and you wouldn't get picked up," Badger nodded agreeably. "I told Shazza once that I 'ad no intent to collect on any bounty placed on your 'ead," He looked at Riddick and then at the siblings. "That still applies. Weren't for you my cuz'd be dead. She's sworn that to me a 'undred times over an' from what she told a that planet, its a gorram miracle you're alive." He took off his derby and ran a hand over his head thoughtfully, "If ya'll need it, you got a place to run whilst you're on Persephone. For a price." He added with a wink.

Riddick chuckled and nodded, "Comes to that I'm guessin' we'll be glad of the bolt hole."

Badger grinned, "I'll leave ya'll to your visit, I got some business." He looked concerned for a moment, "I gotta bring these fellas back here, so shut the door an' if you hear me talkin' an' keep your voices low."

"Problem Badge?" Shazza had a hand on her sidearm and was frowning.

"Not as such," Her shorter cousin shook his head. "One of 'em's pretty straightforward. It's his boss I don' like. Think's he's better'n everybody 'round 'im."

"This the one tried to offload them marked goods on you?" Shazza asked curiously.

"The very same," Badger shrugged. "He's always 'urtin' for coin an' iffen he knew the potential reward we've got under our roof right now...well let's not tempt the man."

"I'll take 'em to my quarters," Shazza suggested and Badger nodded gratefully. "That's far enough away from the meetin' space that we won't be heard or seen."

"Right, then I'll be on my merry," Badger grinned and bowed slightly before he took his leave.

"So what have you three been up to?" Shazza asked as she brought over mugs of tea and handed them around. "You haven't been on Persephone."

"Nah, put River in cryo for a bit, shipped out on a transport vessel," Riddick explained. "An' then got followed by a Fed. Tried to take Simon an' River. Didn' even realize I was on the ruttin' boat."

"Don't guess that went too well for him," Shazza chuckled as she put a plate of sandwiches on the table. "How long'd he last?"

"Well I guess that'd be about two or three days?" Riddick looked at Simon for confirmation and the doctor nodded with a half-smile. "Old buddy a mine sails on the boat, 'tween he an' I...well we figured out the Fed didn't know much, an' really hadn't gotten much chance to talk to the rest of 'em after he'd got on the boat."

River smiled wickedly, "Tried to take me and put me back in the box." She leaned back against Riddick and rubbed her cheek against his neck. "Found out the girl isn't as easy to fold up and take away as a toy."

"Yeah, River had the man at gunpoint when me an' our Cap'n got back to the boat," Riddick chuckled. "Left him for the crows."

Simon shook his head, "We've been in the Black since we left Persephone, except for a few brief stops here and there." He explained quietly. "We're hoping to accomplish a few things while we're here. I need medical supplies, equipment, River needs to find a black box terminal as well as mundane portable dedicated sourceboxes and printers."

"An' what're you lookin' for Rick?" Shazza grinned at the big man cradling his tiny woman.

"Like a few more good blades," Riddick shook his head. "Need more ammunition, an' I wouldn't mind findin' a coupla swords for River an' me. Few more books," He shrugged, "Always lookin' for more to read."

"So medical supplies, cortex equipment, weaponry an' books," Shazza shook her head as she laughed. "Well I cain't ever say ya'll are borin'."

River smiled, "What have you been doing Shazza? Do you like your new job?"

"Keeps me on my toes," Shazza grinned at the girl. "An' it's good to get to know Badger again. Forgot how funny he is...an' he's got some manners too...don't like people yellin' from room to room. An' the man's near paranoid 'bout security."

"Could help some with that," Riddick rubbed a finger over River's cheek. "B'tween the three of us, pretty good at figurin' angles."

"Well if I can get you all a line on the things you need, can you have a look 'round," Shazza suggested, "See if there's anything we can change for the better?"

"Sight lines," River said promptly and was given a bewildered look by Shazza and Simon.

"She means your halls are too straight, narrow's good but you gotta curve or angle 'em," Riddick explained.

"The other thing you can do is have someone do some cortex work, change the records," Simon offered with a half smile. "As I understand it, much of law enforcements work is done by remote cameras, off of facial recognition programs. A good husker can change the way you appear in the records, adjust the height of your ears or the width of your nose so that to human eyes your face is the same but to the cortex, you're a different person."

"That somethin' you had done?" Shazza asked shrewdly, "Seems it'd be right handy for a trio of fugitives."

"Hence the equipment I need," River smiled.

"Well lets see what we can do about that," Their friend smiled.

Their return to the ship was fairly quiet. Even carrying their purchases they weren't delayed too long, Shazza and her cousin's connections had found what they'd needed in short order. Book was waiting for them along with Jayne, both of them using the weight bench as the absent trio walked in.

"Productive trip I see," Book greeted them with a smile.

Jayne pushed his barbell up onto the rack and sat up, "Damn, ya'll buy out the shops?" He shook his head and rose to give them a hand taking one of the cases Riddick carried, "Where'd you want this?"

"Will set up in the lounge for now," River said quietly. "Need Simon's input for some things," She took a package from her brother and moved towards the infirmary. "Where is everyone else?"

"Zoe an' Wash went to their bunk," Jayne told her as he set down the case on the coffee table in the lounge. "An' Mal went an' took Kaylee off somewheres I dunno, dressed all fancy-like." He shook his head at Simon, "Talkin' 'bout a job with contact a ours, gotta make the connection at some big to do."

Riddick chuckled, "So he's gotta go make nice?"

"Yeah," Jayne laughed and put the other case down. "What in the wide world have you got in here?" He watched as Riddick put another case down.

"Stuff River needs to work," His old friend told him as River came out of the infirmary. "But not tonight."

Simon nodded his agreement, "How about a game of tall card?" He suggested with a smile, "River won't play, cards bore her, but we could."

"Usually play for chores around here," Jayne told him with a smirk. "An' I ain't sure if I wanna play 'gainst Rick."

"Damn," Riddick chuckled. "Was hopin' your memory'd developed a few holes."

"What's the problem?" Book asked as he entered the lounge.

River was shaking her head with a smile as she picked up the bag of books and began to walk towards the stairs only to have Riddick scoop her and the books up in his arms and carry her up the stairs. Simon laughed and followed them, Jayne and Book bringing up the rear.

"Well?" Book entered the galley to find River and Riddick standing near the cabinetry while Simon and Jayne grabbed coffee and the cards respectively. "What is the problem with Rick playing?"

"My sister calls him Lù duān ," Simon shrugged as he took his seat. "The man can smell a lie. I have no doubt that he'll be able to tell if we're bluffing."

Jayne chuckled his agreement, "Yeah, we all learned, ya don' play cards with Rick less you wanna lose your money fast."

River giggled as she and Riddick sorted through their books, "Still fun to watch the game." She picked up a book and ran her finger down the spine. "Something to eat?" She offered looking at a crate of canned goods.

"Yeah," Riddick watched, keeping half an eye on the game, "Whadda we got?"

River was vaguely aware of Simon dealing, of the tall card being called, of the ante, bets being made, chores thrown in the pot, cards requested. Her eyes were glued to the cans, the labels, and she couldn't help the shudder that crawled across her skin. Jayne was speculating on what Kaylee and Mal were doing, Book was winning the hand and she couldn't stand it. "Richard," She started pulling at the labels on the cans. "Can't..." She shuddered again and Riddick's hands came onto her shoulders. "Simon, Richard...can't let them get him, please..."

"River, 's'all right," Riddick took the cans out of her hand and scooted her away from the Blue Sun labels, "We won't let them get Simon. I promise, we'll keep him safe."

"River," Simon left the game and came to look in her eyes, "I'm right here mèi mei, I'm safe." He looked at the Blue Sun label clutched in her fingers.

"Is she hurt?" Book's voice was concerned and River shuddered again as the Shepherd rose and came to look at what she'd done.

Jayne was blustering as he played with the scraps of paper on the table, River could hear him thinking that he hoped she was all right, that she looked like a ghost had come after her. All that came out of his mouth was what the crew might expect of their merc, "You better see to her. Bad habit for a fugitive. She's going to do that in public and get herself hauled off."

River shuddered "...everywhere... and the hands go everywhere..." She sobbed into Riddick's shoulder, "Two by two, hands of blue, everywhere..."

"I know," Riddick was rubbing her back and surrounding her in his warmth, "I know bǎo bǎo. But we're safe here. Cap'n will never let Alliance on this boat."

River took a deep breath and almost sobbed but got herself under control finally, "God...god I wish I were a stone, tiě shí xīn cháng.

"No zhì 'ài," Riddick whispered. "Just be mine...I won't let them get you. Won't let them hurt you again. I won't let them hurt Simon."

"Well she didn't do much harm," Book looked at the two cans and the labels Simon held. "A mystery meal or two won't hurt us."

Jayne looked over his shoulder and River saw the concerned look he gave her before he winked and made his usual crass remark, "So we gonna play cards, or screw around?"

Author's Note: So what do you guys think? I'm seriously interested because I'm worried I'm making Mal too much of an ass. We're only seeing him from River and Riddick's POV and they're admittedly a little biased. Should I show him being a little more protective and concerned or keep on with the way we are going?

Mal's character hasn't really changed much from the show, its just perspective at this point. But do you guys still like him well enough? He's going to be a little irritating soon and I don't want to lose you all completely here. If we didn't have any idea as to his history would we be as sympathetic to him?

I need some conflict and it can't all come from external sources but I don't want a straight sāo lǘ captain either.

Chinese Translations:

lè sè - garbage

Gē ge - big brother

mèi mei - little sister

bǎo bǎo - darling/baby

tiě shí xīn cháng - to have a heart of stone / hard-hearted / unfeeling safe and cold.

zhì 'ài - most beloved

Lù duān Luduan, mythical Chinese beast able to detect the truth

sāo lǘ - jackass

Quote Sources:

No quotes this chapter… I must be slipping. Maybe next time folks.