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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" Well I am very happy to have those people off of my ship." Mal spoke once the doors to Serenity's hold had been shut.
" That makes two of us." Kaylee muttered, having had to deal with Ms. Lawrence's snide comments about her for the past week.
" On to our next job." Zoë responded, following her husband up to the cockpit.
" Couple'a rules for our next job." Mal said, addressing the rest of the crewmembers. He looked up as River's body came to rest on the rail. " One, me and Zoë go alone. No Jayne." Jayne grumbled, sitting down on the steps. " Two, Jayne is to keep an eye on those of you who want to leave the ship. Word has it that people are allowed to swim at the beach close to where we're meeting our employer."
" We can go swimming?" Kaylee asked, looking like it was Christmas.
" Yes, if you promise not to get into any trouble."
" May I take River?" River's eyes had also lit up but only Jayne had registered the change in the girl as it was dimmed instantly. Jayne just shook his head as her eyes glazed over.
" Promise me you can keep her in check."
" I'll… do my best. River's always… better around water."
" Why do I get stuck baby-sittin'?" Jayne growled.
" Because I would rather have Zoë helping me with this than you. You almost blew us getting the job in the first place." Jayne refrained from his usual grumbling, hearing the truth in Mal's words.
" Now, we're flying maybe two towns over. Jayne will take Simon, River and Kaylee to the beach and will make sure nothing happens. Preacher are you going to stay on the ship?"
" I believe some quiet would be much appreciated."
" Don't know how much of that you'll be getting with Wash staying on board but good luck tryin'."
" Captain," Zoë called, standing at the top of the stairs.
" Right there." Mal answered, already moving towards the nose of the ship.
" You want to go swimming Inara?" Simon asked, looking up to see Inara standing behind River. She smiled and Jayne's interest peaked, already feeling better about the day's events.
" I'll find something for River to wear." Inara smiled, motioning for Kaylee to join them.
" Be back here in an hour." Mal spoke, letting them know when they'd reach their destination.
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A/N: Seventh chapter, took me long enough to get it up, didn't it? Sorry about that. So they're getting to go for a day out. Now if you don't know by now, it will not be the perfect day at the beach. I wouldn't be me if I did that.