DISCLAIMER: go to the first and you'll find it.

River woke up in Mal's warm embrace. He was still asleep, so she silently crept out of the bed. Quickly but quietly, she dressed and went up the ladder and out into the hallway. It was silent so she knew no one was awake. She crept into her room and changed. She found her nicest sundress and put it on. It was Mal's favorite; she could tell because he would stare at her.

Upon exiting her room, she knew someone else was awake and in the bridge. Mal was looking at the job offers that Zoë had already gone though and drinking some coffee. River stopped, leaned on the doorway, and said with a smile, "How was your night, Mr. Reynolds?"

Mal turned around, looking the girl up and down, "Well I had a wonderful night with a beautiful, young woman." He got up and put his arms around her waist. They stood there, trying to decide whether or not what they felt was true. But before they would do anything, they heard a noise from the kitchen and assumed someone else was awake.

They walked out together, with a good distance between them. Simon and Zoe were at the table, talking. When Mal and River walked in, Simon got up and hugged his sister. "Good morning mei-mei, how was your night?"

"It was great. Thank you Simon. I'll also need to thank Inara." River said, as if nothing had happened between her and Mal. She exited in the direction of Inara's shuttle. Mal watched as she left; her dress billowing in an invisible wind. He thought back to their night before…


Flashback…

After removing their clothes, they were immediately one on his bed. She seemed to be reading his mind. There were no secrets hidden by Mal that she didn't know. Despite his feelings he had, Mal had to stop in order to see if it was really their intentions. He pulled himself off her and stared down at the girl. A young girl he was taking advantage of. He noticed her eyes dart back and forth as if reading his thoughts.

She sat up in a sitting position and stared at him "You don't want me." It was a simple statement yet it crushed Mal to his core. "But yet you do. Why are you scared?" She slid off his bed with ease and let the blanket fall, revealing her small naked form.

"Capt'n?"


Zoë was staring at him oddly. Simon must have left the room because they were the only ones in there.

"Yeah Zoë?" He said, walking to the coffee machine. He poured himself a cup and faced her.

"Be careful about what you're doing." She continued to look at him oddly.

Mal kept his cool under her gage, "Be careful about what?" He took a sip from his cup, surprised to see it was still piping hot. She walked to him and stopped until they were very close.

She spoke in a whisper, "About what you were doing with River last night in your bunk." Mal was shocked enough to spit out the coffee in his mouth into the cup. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. "Don't worry. I'm the only one who knows."

"Only one who knows what?" Jayne said, coming into the galley with everyone else.

Zoë was quick to react, "That the Captain burnt his tongue with his coffee."

Mal knew this game well, "I didn't burn it. It was just very hot." He gave a sheepish smile and continued, "I saw this morning that we have a job from Badger. We'll be heading out now. Any questions?" There was silence until Simon spoke.

"Are you going to take River?" His angry face was on, but then again it didn't look any different from his scared face.

"She could help us out but we need someone to ready the engines if we come in hot." Mal was leaving the decision to Simon, maybe the girl. "River, we need to get off the ground. Everyone else you busy yourself with something." His albatross obediently trekked her way to the bridge. Zoë gave Mal another look, but it was gone when Inara noticed it. The Companion followed River to the bridge, possibly to talk more with River. Jayne went to the hangar to work out. Kaylee and Simon went somewhere together. Once again, it was only Mal and Zoë together.

"Zoe, I don't want to talk about it." Mal followed River and Inara's path.

"Captain, I'm just making sure you know what you're getting yourself into." Zoe said with concern.

"Of course I know I'm getting' into. Or at least I suspect I do." Mal proceeded to the bridge.