DISCLAIMER: I do not own Firefly or anything affiliated with it. The idea, however, is MINE!
Mal was in his dorm lying down about to go to sleep when he heard the door open. He quietly got up and walked to the bottom of the ladder. He looked up to see nothing there, except for the little light that was being used. He knew someone was also in the room. He inched towards his weapon but a slight noise came from his bed. In a quick motion, he turned the light on and drew his weapon.
River was sitting cross-legged on his bed in the dead center. Her eyes were wide as if she were looking at her death. He put the weapon back in its holster and looked at her.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you." Walking over to his bed, he sat down but close to the edge, as not to touch River. "What are you doing in here?"
"I read your thoughts. It's something you have imagined in your dreams and whenever I come by. You don't have to sit so far away. I'm not a walking disease." Mal moved a bit closer to the young girl.
She started to cry softly, barely noticeable. Lying down on side of the bed, she touched his arm signaling he could lie down also. Sliding down to reach where her head was, Mal kissed her forehead and put a blanket over her. Within minutes both of them were asleep and quite comfortable.
Mal woke up to find himself alone. Changing quickly, he climbed up the ladder and went to River's room. Jayne met him halfway.
"I hear we're going to be in Osiris. What do we do with the doc and his sister?"
Mal was getting frustrated, "You know what we're going to do. They're goin' to stay on the boat." He swept past Jayne, who turned with an astonished look on his face.
"Where you going?"
"Jayne, go see if Wash needs help or something."
"He's probably goin' to go grapple someone." Jayne mumbled under his breath while walking towards the engine room.
Mal made it to the room and quietly knocked as to not wake the girl just in case she was sleeping. To his surprise, Simon opened the door.
"Yes?" The doctor asked inquiringly. Mal had to think right on the spot. This would be easier in front of a bunch of thieves like himself, but in front of the doctor it was a bit harder. River came into view behind her brother.
"He wants to make sure we know that the Serenity's course is for Osiris." River said with happiness. "We get to see mother and father."
"So you plan for us to stay on the ship?" Simon asked.
"Only if you want to." Mal said.
"We are going to stay on the ship." Simon said in a tone that he had never used before- a that's-the-way-it's-gonna-be-because-I-wanna-protect-River sort of tone.
It seemed unusual to Mal as he walked away. Usually, Simon would want for them to get off the boat whenever they could. This time however he was refusing to get off when he could.