Conscious Thought

Author: Kryptonite

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly. Though I wish I could kick Fox executives in the ass.

Summary: What if River wasn't always totally insane? Third person following River mostly.

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" We have a job on a core planet. One hundred percent legal, before you ask Inara. But it only requires two people, me and Jayne. The rest of y'all can take a break. We'll be here for a couple of days and if all goes smoothly, for once, we should have a half-way decent paying job."

" Sounds good cap'n." Kaylee said grinning as always, her round face lighted up in a smile.

" Kaylee, you're gonna try and see if we can't get us a few passengers together."

" Shiny."

" As for the rest of you, just… try to stay out of trouble." Mal exited after making his announcement, Inara following quickly after him.

" Which planet Mal?" Mal turned on the Companion quickly.

" What do you care? You aren't staying long enough anyway." Mal continued to walk away, Inara following behind him, anger clear as day on her face.

" Gorramnit Mal. I am not gone yet."

" Yet being the key word." He went down the stairs to the next floor to get to his quarters.

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" So what are you two going to do with your break?" Simon asked after Mal left, smiles lighting up his face at the prospect of being on a core planet.

" Probably spend the entire time locked away in a room somewhere together." Wash stated, wrapping his arms around his wife. The group laughed as Inara came silently back into the room, seating herself at the table.

" What about you doc? Not much you can do." Simon nodded his head in agreement but it was River who spoke up.

" Water. Falling and cleansing, keeping everyone right. Mind controlled by sparkling drops of liquid crystal." River's face was one of joy, as she stared at something no one else could see.

" Doesn't that ruttin' sister of yours ever shut up?" Jayne muttered from where he was still hunched over his plate.

" Yes, just like you can't comprehend how to be polite." Simon shot back quietly, before turning to face his sister and smiling as his hand rested on her jet-black hair.

" What about water sweet heart?" Kaylee asked, looking at her friend and Simon evenly.

" River loves water. I'll see if we can't arrange for a bath or a shower or something, okay?"

" You know you two probably shouldn't leave the ship." Book intoned from across the table as he turned a page in his bible. It was silent for a few minutes as the crew stared at Book.

" I can get you a room in a hotel. It wouldn't be any trouble before you say anything." Inara offered, a smile gracing her lips.

" That would be… real nice. Thank you. Say thank you River." River turned her eyes on Inara, seeming to Inara to see straight into her.

" A good-bye gift." She whispered, head tilting to the side.

" What was that River?" Simon asked, bringing his head closer to her. She shook her head, eyes coming to focus on Simon's slicked back brown hair. Pushing his face back she looked over at Inara with sad eyes.

" Thank you." River settled back into her chair, her hands in her lap and her eyes focused beyond the empty plate she was staring at.

" You're welcome." Inara stared down into her lap, having been one of the few to actually hear River, the other had been the resident ape Jayne.

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A/N: Alright, second chapter up, I'm liking the way this is going but you might not and if you don't please don't yell in your review (EXCESSIVE CAPS IS YELLING) and please try to make sure you spell. Like my other firefly story I just recently put up, if you yell and misspell words (bobbobbobbobbob's review: STUPID STUBID STUPID. I HATE YOU THE ONY GOOD FICS ARE TT AND YGO AND A COUPLE OTHERS. YOU SUCK) will be ignored.

Now that that is over, thanks for reading and tell me what's going on it that head of yours. Have a nice life in the 'verse.