Night-time. A time of rest. Not in Kaylee's room. Simon and Kaylee, lying there, naked under the covers of her bed. Kaylee lying there, in his arms. Exhausted, but loving. Kissing. Lying there, copulating. He loved her. She loved him. Kiss. Miranda and David, in their room, fast asleep. Mal, lying awake, pondering the amazing. Thinking about Inara. She had lost her voice for a time, a nasty bug she said. So she hadn't said anything at the table last night, but he could see it in her eyes. Fear of this thing. Of the Traveller. Of Jack. Jayne, lying awake, thinking, primarily, about the gun Jack had. Awesome. Zoe, asleep with Hoban next to her. She hugged him tighter. She felt a part of her husband in him. Stretching beyond the grave. River felt everything. She tried harder. Jack. Jack's mind was like a vault. Amazing. She managed to sneak a glance. Hmm. Atlas. Implants. Evolution. Orca. Paladin cannon. Spectre. Dark Legion. ATLAS. Wife…Team. Love. Something was wrong, though. These were just scrapings of emotions, left behind. No. River squirmed. He wasn't in his room. Where was he?
Jack stroked the engine cover. He admired it. It felt old, but new. Not as good as an Orca, but good none-the-less. She had a certain elegance about her.
'She's a beauty, ain't she just?' Jack turned. Kaylee was in the doorway, dressed up in her flowery dressing gown. 'She's lasted me over ten years, now. Beautiful thing.' She told him, running her hand over the machine. Jack looked at her and wondered. Maybe. Just maybe.
'You really like ships, don't you?' Kaylee nodded.
'Since I was little, always loving these ships. Beautiful ships. Serenity's old, but that don't mean she ain't pretty.' She said with longing.
'You know, ATLAS had some fine ships.' Kaylee looked over at him.
'Really?' She said.
'Oh, yes.' He said. He told her. He told her of the Orca Mercury, the Pegasus battleship, the Radiant, the Core. She stared at him in adoration.
'Wow. Will we ever see them?'
'Sure you will, kid. Now, go see your husband. I believe he's getting up around now.' As Kaylee ran off, Jack felt River probing his mind. He decided enough was enough.
'River. You have enough information. Revert.'
River woke up. The world was the same again. Her dream…nine years into the future…it was strange. She couldn't really remember anything, but it seemed important. Oh well. It might be useful later.
It was morning. Kaylee and Simon came to the kitchen in dressing gowns, looking flushed and holding hands. Zoe watched them enter.
'Long night?' Zoe asked. Kaylee chuckled.
'You could, ah, say that.' Simon replied, looking embarrassed. Jayne was staring at the two of them, a knowing smirk on his face. River saw him staring at them.
'Theirs was better than anything you've had.' She told him. There was a silence.
'Gorram reader.' Jayne said before storming out as Inara walked in.
'I take it you two had a wonderful night?' She asked the lovebird duo.
'It was definitely that.' Kaylee said, before kissing Simon. Zoe cleared her throat, looking over at the doorway. Mal was walking down from the bridge, with an air of importance. He stopped in the doorway, staring bug-eyed at Simon and Kaylee making out.
'Do you MIND!' He shouted at them. They quickly broke out of each others embrace, looking embarrassed.
'Oh, leave them alone, Mal. They're in love. Deal with it.' Inara scolded the Captain. The Captain opened and closed his mouth for a few seconds like a goldfish before he spoke.
'Anyway, important news, people. We're picking up a new crew member.' Everyone turned round to him. Jayne popped his head round the side of the door.
'We're doing what now?' He asked, dumbfounded.
'We're picking up a new guy.' Mal said. 'I've heard little about him, but what I've heard comes from the best, saying he's the best.' Zoe interrupted.
'That's it? That's his reference?' She asked incredulously.
'Like you wouldn't believe.' Mal said.
'Sir, that's because I don't. You're hiring this guy on what grounds exactly?' Zoe asked him.
'I have three reasons: A - He's new, so if we deal with any of our regulars, they won't know what to expect; B - Because those who do know him or of him are dead scared of him, and that would be valuable in bargaining; C - Because I'm Captain, and I say so.' Mal told her. Zoe still didn't look persuaded. 'Look, it'll be fine. Trust me.'
'When are we picking him up?' Simon asked.
'In eight hours.' Mal replied.
'Oh, good.' Kaylee said, before turning to Simon. 'Hey, come on, we have to get dressed,' She said, tugging on Simon's arm, before they both ran off down to Kaylee's room. Jayne stared after them both, a hungry expression in his eyes.
'I'll be in my bunk.' He said, before going off to fulfil his statement.
Zoe sighed. When the Captain wanted something, he got it.
'Do you at least know what his name is?' She asked. Mal thought for a second.
'Yeah. He said it was…Jack.'
Jack stepped off the train. He was carrying a large, black bag, a suitcase full of clothes, and a head full of duties. He was an indescribable man. He was someone who's features you wouldn't easily remember. He wore a crest on his jacket, had the impression of power. An aroma of death. He pulled a picture from his jacket pocket. It was a picture of a seventeen year-old girl. Below it, written in block capitals were the words
RIVER TAM
PSYCHIC
DO NOT ENGAGE
