DISCLAIMER: please go to chapter 1

A/N: Sorry about the fast updates but i don't know when the next time ill update so i took the chance.

Each girl was announced without any interruptions, then they were loose. River, with Mal in tow, found Simon, Kaylee, and Inara, who were talking about something that stopped abruptly when the two approached. River's arm was still looped through Mal's. Simon was the first to noticed by how he shifted his weight uncomfortably.

Kaylee was the first to speak, "Now don't you two look nice."

"You look really beautiful Kaylee." River said with an interesting smile on her face.

"Yes she does. So do you River." Simon said, giving his sister a hug.

Inara spoke up now, "It's customary for the girl and her escort to have a dance together." River could tell what her motives were, even without the wink she received.

Mal lifted his arm, "Shall we?" River took the invitation and on their way to the dance floor, she realized it wasn't a fast dance. When they reached the center, Mal spun her outwards, brought her back, and embraced her closely. She was shocked that he knew the correct dancing position. "Bet you didn't see that?"

"I've become more and more surprised by you Cap- Mal." River caught herself but Mal heard her mistake.

The rest of the night continued with all of them switching partners. River met several new people. All of them seemed very nervous around her. She would outsmart them easily and they didn't understand and anything she said. Getting annoyed, she went to find Mal. He always made her feel better.

He was by himself, outside, leaning against a pillar. River searched the room and saw Simon and Kaylee dancing Inara looked as if talking to a potential client. The girl glided outside to her escort and stood next to him, looking absentminded.

"Are you already done with all the dainty men?" Mal asked looking at the girl.

River let out a sigh, "They're boring. No adventure, just books." Unexpectedly, she put her arms around his waist, so that her arms were shielded from the non-existent wind. She started humming a tune.

Mal wrapped his arms around her. He tried to not think of the unpure thoughts that would guarantee a one-way trip to the Special Hell. His counsel had once told him about that type of hell. River's warmth brought him back to reality. Here he was in a very interesting embrace with a deadly eighteen-year-old assassin. "Yeah. Well what do you expect when it is your brother's plan." Then he thought back to the incidents on Ariel. "He does make good plans when it concerns you."

River looked up and Mal felt extremely nervous. He wasn't drunk, and the only time he saw River drink was her birthday. So their being drunk was out of the question. But Mal wasn't able to finish his thoughts. Next thing he knew he was being led back to Serenity and his bunk by the girl. Not a second after the door closed, they were in a passionate embrace. Mal handled her with care as they began to help each other out of their clothing.


Zoë noticed the Captain and River come back and go to his bunk. It wasn't that late but Jayne was already asleep. But Zoë was on the bridge, going though job offers. She had known the Captain long enough to have faith that he wouldn't break one of his own rules. It didn't seem like him. Especially taking advantage of a fragile girl like river. She had faith in the Captain.