River, unsurprisingly, failed to show up for dinner again that night. After the last plates were taken away and everyone's glasses refilled, Josephine excused herself from her seat next to the Captain and moved to River's empty seat across from Simon and Kaylee. As soon as she sat down, however, Jo felt as though she were intruding. The young mechanic was so close to Simon that she was all but sitting in his lap, their heads inclined towards each other as they whispered quietly.
Josephine opened her mouth to interrupt them but quickly decided against it. She began to push herself away from the table when both Kaylee and Simon's heads turned to regard her, and she froze awkwardly, her arms and back bent as though she were attempting to do a half push-up on the table.
"Hey," Kaylee smiled, her eyes shining brightly.
"Hello." Josephine returned her smile and sat back down quickly. "How have you two been? I haven't seen much of you lately."
Simon and Kaylee shared a quick glance and the mechanic's grin widened. "No I guess not. Everything's shiny... just been... busy I guess." Kaylee glanced down the table to where the others were sitting for a moment. "We haven't seen you either... guess someone's been keeping you busy too." Kaylee's grin changed to a knowing smile and a sudden burst of laughter from the other end of the table got their attention.
It seemed Mal had been telling the others about Jayne's misadventures with the colt earlier that day and the large man had crossed his arms over his chest, a noticeable pout on his face.
"That ain't how it happened at all," Jayne said loudly as their laughter slowed to chuckles. "That horse was raised by gorram reavers if you ask me," he muttered.
Josephine smiled as her gaze fell on Mal, who was laughing so hard it looked as though he might cry. As though he could feel her eyes, he turned his head quickly, giving her a sly smile, and winked at her playfully before turning back to the others. She could feel her cheeks begin to burn before she had even turned back around and found Kaylee grinning at her mischievously. The Doctor simply smiled softly and Josephine had the sneaking suspicion he'd been on the receiving end of many Kaylee-induced blushes before.
Jo willed the blush to go away and tried to get back to her original point. "I haven't seen River either. Where has she been?"
"Oh she's wandering around here somewhere," Simon answered.
"But she's missing meals?"
Simon shook his head. "No we've seen her, her room is right next to ours. She's eating and she's happy, but she won't tell me where she goes. Apparently it's a secret," he said, a strange mixture of annoyance and admiration in his voice.
Jo leaned back in her chair and regarded Simon for a moment. It seemed she was going to have to camp out by the door to the young pilot's room if she wished to speak with her. Kaylee coughed softly and Josephine shifted her attention from Simon. The mechanic had leaned back as well, keeping her head out of Simon's peripheral vision, and was making wide eyes at Jo and jerking her head slightly to the side. Josephine just looked at her, clearly confused, and Kaylee continued to shake her head unnaturally, imploring Jo to understand with her eyes.
Jo shook her head slightly from side to side. "I'm sorry Kaylee, but..."
"Oh gorramit!" Kaylee jumped up suddenly, startling both Simon and Josephine, and jogged around the table. Placing her hand on Jo's shoulder, she leaned down and whispered quietly in her ear. "I know where she goes. I can take you there later, if you like."
"That would be wonderful Kaylee, thank you."
Kaylee smiled and began to make her way back around the table.
"And apparently," Simon began, "I'm the only one who isn't allowed to know where my sister is." Kaylee stuck her tongue out at him as she sat back down. "You know you could have just asked me to leave for a moment and saved yourself a lot of trouble." Kaylee ignored him and instead pressed her lips to his cheek in a loud smacking kiss.
Jo smiled and made to leave but as she was getting up she heard Kaylee whisper something to Simon that gave her pause.
"Lets tell them."
"What... Now?"
Kaylee nodded and smiled again when she caught Josephine staring at them curiously. "Yes, now," she replied, turning back to Simon.
"But River's not here... are you sure?" Simon, Jo noticed, had suddenly paled and minuscule beads of sweat had begun to form on his forehead.
"We can tell River later, come on Simon." Kaylee gripped his upper arm and started to stand, taking him with her. "Hey everyone, we have an announcement," she said loudly, getting everyone's attention and causing the Doctor to pale even more. "Right," she patted Simon on the back. "You're up xin gan."
"I... uh...," Simon stuttered as everyone's gaze shifted from Kaylee to himself. "Well... I, I asked her and she... uh... she..."
"Me and Simon are gettin' hitched," Kaylee interrupted, bouncing excitedly.
Silence fell over the room for about five seconds, and everyone sat there dumbly, unable to process what had just been said. Inara was the first to react and after she blinked rapidly a few times her face lit up in a beautiful smile.
"Oh mei mei, that's wonderful!" The companion rose to her feet gracefully and threw her arms around the younger woman.
Inara's movement seemed to awaken the others and they all got up at once to offer their congratulations. All but one. Josephine turned her head, looking for Mal, only to find him still seated at the table. His eyes were on the drink still clutched loosely in his hand and the expression on his face was one of pure shock. She stared at him a moment, trying to get his attention, but was soon forced to turn away as Kaylee bounded up to her. Jo's couldn't help but smile at the joy on the young mechanic's face and brought her arms quickly around her.
"Oh Kaylee, I'm so happy for you... about time to!"
"Yeah," Kaylee responded as she returned the hug. "Had to make an honest man out of him!"
Josephine laughed and looked over Kaylee's shoulder to find Simon standing close by. Pulling away from the yong woman, Jo stepped in front of him.
"Congratulations Doctor."
Simon smiled and nodded his head in thanks. His eyes widened in surprise, however, when she stepped in close and gave him the same hug she'd given Kaylee. His arms wrapped around her tentatively and his eyes sought out the Captain, wondering if this simple embrace was going to merit him a punch. But Mal was still sitting at the table, paying them little heed, and Simon frowned over Jo's head at his lack of response to their announcement.
"Come on Doctor, you fixed me up great. A little hug's not going to make me fall apart."
Simon looked back down at her and smiled as he returned the hug and quickly stepped away. Josephine watched the young couple rejoin the others before walking over to Mal and placing a hand hesitantly on his shoulder.
"Mal?"
The Captain jumped slightly at her touch and looked up at her. She watched as he forced a tightlipped smile to his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. When he didn't say anything Josephine slipped into the chair next to him, moving her hand to his knee as she did.
"What's wrong?" Jo's voice was soft and she waited patiently for him to answer her, but he never got the chance.
The sound of someone clearing their throat from across the table made Mal and Josephine look up suddenly. Kaylee and Simon stood in front of them and while the mechanic looked anxious, Simon was beginning to look angry. They were flanked quietly by Zoe, Jayne and Inara who all stared at Mal.
"Captain?" Kaylee's voice was soft and on the verge of breaking as she addressed him and Josephine swung her head back around to look at Mal, silently willing him not to say what he was thinking, whatever that may be.
Mal blinked a few times but said nothing and Jo flexed her hand around his knee, squeezing slightly. This seemed to get his attention and he glanced down at her hand for a split second before looking back up at Kaylee. He smiled brightly then, though Jo was close enough to see that it still didn't reach his eyes, and raised his almost empty glass towards Simon and Kaylee.
"Congratulations you two," he began softly. "You better take good care of her Doctor."
Simon nodded at Mal's only half-teasing tone and put his arms protectively around Kaylee's shoulders. Mal's words seemed to be enough for the young mechanic and she beamed at him before turning back to the others.
The Captain's smile left his face as soon as the others weren't looking and his gaze fell back to the table top. Josephine pressed his knee lightly again to get his attention.
"Mal, what is it?"
He turned to look at her but once again he didn't get the chance to respond. Inara had moved towards the center of the group and was now motioning for everyone's attention.
"I have an announcement too," the companion began. "At the end of every year the Training House hosts a ball in honor of those students who have completed their training and will be leaving to pursue their trade. It's to be held at the end of next week and preparations have already begun. I was going to ask you all to come if you were still going to be here. I see no reason why our annual tradition shouldn't double as an engagement party."
Kaylee squealed loudly at the end of Inara's speech but she was the only one who appeared excited. Simon cleared his throat and turned to the companion. "Will there be anyone else present, other than ourselves and your students?"
"Of course, society from all over come to welcome our girls... oh." Inara's eyes widened as comprehension dawned on her but she recovered quickly and shook her head. "But they aren't looking for you anymore Simon." She turned to regard Josephine. "And they aren't looking for you either, besides no one will be forced to mingle with anyone they don't want to."
"Simon." Kaylee raised her eyes to the Doctor's face. "I'll get to wear my dress."
Simon's face broke out into a grin at Kaylee's unflappable excitement. "Alright bao bei," he spoke and then almost toppled over as the mechanic threw her arms around his neck.
Inara smiled and clapped her hands crisply together. "Excellent. And don't worry about clothes everyone. We've plenty of gowns and suits here." She turned pointedly to Mal. "And don't try to get out of it, I happen to know that you already own a fine suit, even if it is a little tight," she teased innocently.
Josephine turned back to him, her eyes wide in surprise, to see him scowl. She could see that Mal clearly had no interest in attending the party, but she hoped, for Kaylee's sake, that he would go. She found herself growing oddly excited at the prospect of a ball. It would be her first and she was a bit ashamed to admit that the idea of wearing fine clothes, even if only for a night, greatly appealed to her. It was almost like the life she thought she was going to have when she decided to marry the wealthy Bryce Rawley. She sighed then, as unpleasant memories of exactly how different her life had turned out washed over her.
"Ready?"
Jo looked up to her right to see Kaylee standing next to her chair, still vibrating with enthusiasm. "Huh?"
"You wanted to see River right?" Kaylee waited for Josephine to nod. "Well lets go, I want to hurry and get back to my... fiancé."
Jo smiled as Kaylee's face suddenly glowed brighter as she said the word aloud for the first time and turned to tell Mal where she was going, but he was no longer seated next to her. Her eyes scanned the room and finally found him by the door, but before she could even get out of her seat, he had gone through it quietly. She sat there a moment, torn between going after Mal and following Kaylee, but soon her decision was made for her as the impatient mechanic began tugging gently on her arm. Throwing one last glace behind her at the main door, Josephine allowed herself to be led through a smaller door at the other end of the dining room.
Kaylee expertly guided Josephine through a series of smaller corridors, each turn and twist confusing her more and more, until they finally spilled out into a large hallway that reminded her of the one that contained the guest rooms.
"I don't know how I shall find my way back," Jo said, her eyes roaming over their new surroundings as she hurried to catch up with the young mechanic.
"I don't suppose you've got some bread crumbs in your pocket," Kaylee muttered quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing... just an old story Simon told me." She continued walking briskly and Josephine noticed that her manner had become much more subdued.
They continued walking in silence and Jo realized that the Training House must have been even larger than she originally thought because in her three weeks there she had absolutely no idea this portion even existed.
"Where are we exactly?" Her eyes fell on the large elegant doors. Too large, she thought, to be more class rooms.
"This is where Inara lives. Where all the companion teachers live." Kaylee stopped walking suddenly and Josephine, who had gotten a few paces ahead, turned to regard her curiously. "Why isn't the Captain happy for me?"
Josephine blanched and her eyes widened at the sudden sadness she heard in the young woman's voice. She had been certain that Kaylee had been fooled by Mal's ruse.
Kaylee raised a hand to her eyes, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped and Jo felt her chest tighten as she stepped closer to her.
"I don't know why he's upset Kaylee, but I know he's happy for you, deep down."
"I don't think so," Kaylee sniffled. "And I don't want to do this without him."
Stepping up next to her, Jo hooked their arms together and gently coaxed Kaylee to continue walking. "You won't have to, I promise. I'll talk to him." I'll strangle him, she added silently, for making you fret.
Kaylee nodded and they continued on their way down the large corridor until it came to an end. Standing before them were the largest most ornate pair of double doors Josephine had ever seen. Her eyes looked up towards their top which stretched a good four feet above her head.
"Here we are. River should be in there." Kaylee forced a smile to her face as she turned towards her friend.
"Thank you Kaylee." The young mechanic nodded and turned to head back, but Jo stopped her with a hand on her arm. "And please don't worry too much. Everything will work out for the best, you'll see."
Kaylee smiled again, and this time it seemed more genuine. Josephine watched her walk away, trusting that Simon would help take her mind off of this, before turning back to the door again. She placed her hands on it lightly, silently wondering if it was as heavy as it was large, and began to push.
The cool wood of the doors moved easily under her palms, not even emitting a creak as they opened. When her view was no longer obstructed by the ample doors, Jo's jaw dropped open in surprise. The room that spread out before her was without a doubt the largest she'd ever seen, and she had to glance again to be sure, but it appeared to be completely round. She took a few staggering steps forward, overwhelmed by the sheer size and beauty of the room. Circular tables covered in glittering cloth graced the edges of the rounded walls and several feet in the floor dropped off, protected by a silver railing that curved all around it's edges. Directly across from the doors, however, the railing ended, revealing wide stone steps that led down. Josephine moved forward towards the steps, her eyes widening as she took in the large shining chandelier that hung proudly over the very center of the lowered floor.
She realized immediately that this must be the ballroom that Inara had spoken of earlier, and the lowered portion was actually the dance floor. Her eyes traveled down from the chandelier and came to rest upon River, who appeared oblivious to her presence. The young woman was moving over the dance floor so gracefully that it almost appeared as though she were floating and Josephine found herself smiling as she descended the few steps. So this is where River's been running off to, she thought. She watched Serenity's pilot in awe as she danced, making large sweeping motions with her arms, as though guided by some music only she could hear.
River finally looked up as Jo's feet left the last step and hit the dance floor. Josephine found herself at a loss for words as the beautiful young woman smiled and glided over to her effortlessly. River grasped Jo's hands loosely in her own and began pulling her gently to the center of the floor.
"Come dance with me Stubborn," she spoke in her usual ethereal voice and Jo frowned and finally found her own voice.
"River, you do know that my name isn't actually Stubborn, right?"
River jutted out her bottom lip in a mock pout before answering. "Come dance with me Josephine," she responded, over-enunciating the name.
"I don't know how."
"Nonsense, it's easy."
"For you perhaps, but there isn't any music."
River shook her head softly from side to side. "There is, you're just not listening properly." They reached the center and River began to lead Jo into an elaborate dance, twirling and dipping in time to the music in her head. Josephine was surprised to find her original awkward movements improving with each step under River's tutelage, and she looked around, eyes wide, when she actually thought she began to hear music, albeit very softly.
Soon, River's childlike nature took over and the dancing transformed into frantic spinning, each holding the other at arms length as they continued to turn round and round. Dizziness over took them and they let go of each others hands as they collapsed, laughing and panting, to the floor. They sprawled out in companionable silence for a few moments until Josephine's breath became even again and she sat up, the young pilot following suit.
"Why do you come here River?"
"I'm practicing."
"What do you mean?"
"For the wedding," River answered simply.
Josephine gasped slightly in surprise and she raised her eyebrows at the young woman. "How did you know?"
River simply smiled serenely, as though Josephine hadn't spoken and echoed the older woman's earlier question. "And why do you come here Josephine?"
"Oh right," Jo said quickly, suddenly remembering her reason for seeking River out. "I wanted your help."
It seemed to be River's turn to raise her eyebrows and she waited patiently for Jo to continue.
"With Mira... something odd happened earlier today, and well... I can't talk to her about it."
"But you think I can," River stated simply.
"Well yes. I heard how you helped Simon with her on Serenity and I was hoping you could... communicate with her for me."
River tilted her head to the side, as though appraising Jo's request. "When?"
"Tomorrow," Jo said quickly, "I could find you tomorrow and we'll go together."
"What do you want me to talk to her about?"
Josephine sighed and recounted the unusual events of that days session with Ivani, not surprised when River acted as though nothing were amiss. She summed it up as best and as quickly as she could. "Will you help me?"
The young pilot paused a moment, and looked at the floor before answering. "I will, but I'll see her alone."
"What? No, I should..."
"I'll see her alone," River repeated more forcefully, surprising Josephine by cutting her off.
She frowned at the young woman a long moment before speaking again. "Will you tell me what Mira... er... says?"
"If she wants me too," River stated frankly.
Jo frowned again, but astutely realized that there was no point in arguing with the young pilot. She got to her feet as quickly as she could and nodded her goodbyes, fearing that if she opened her mouth to speak she would only be able to yell in frustration. Taking one final look at River, still seated calmly on the floor, Josephine all but ran to the large doors of the ballroom, no longer caring for the outstanding beauty of the round room.
She was still fuming at River's obstinance as she left. And she calls me stubborn, she thought as the doors swung shut behind her. Getting lost several times, with no one around to ask for directions, did not help her mood in the least. When she finally found her way back to the main corridor and her room an hour later she nearly collapsed in relief. She rested her head against the cool wood of the door a moment, willing herself to calm down, before entering.
The room was dim, the only light emanating from the small lamp on the bedside table, and she shut the door softly behind her. Her gaze fell on Mal where he laid still dressed and sprawled on his back above the covers of the bed. She stepped closer and seeing that his eyes were closed, sat at the small desk in the corner and bent down to take off her shoes before resting her elbows on the top, her head cradled in her hands.
"Where were you?"
The Captain's soft voice startled her so much that her elbows slipped from their perch and she just barely stopped her head from colliding with the top of the desk. Jo swung her head around and glared at Mal, her skin warming as anger washed over her. She wasn't sure if the anger were actually meant for him, or misdirected from River. She wasn't sure if she even cared.
"I was talking with River," she spat quickly. "And you behaved horribly to Kaylee and Simon."
Mal's eyes widened at her tone and he sat up in the bed. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said, turning away from him. "I can't believe the way you acted."
"I congratulated them," he retorted, his voice raising in defense.
"Oh sure!" She stood up and moved to the edge of his bed, her hands balling into fists as she glowered down at him. "After you sulked and ignored them and pretty much let them know exactly how unhappy you were!"
"I'm allowed to be unhappy," Mal retorted, his own temper starting to rise.
"And why should you be! Why should the idea of their getting married make you so unhappy?"
"Why shouldn't it," Mal answered petulantly, causing Josephine to cry out in frustration and begin pacing the room.
"Because Kaylee is out there, on what should be one of the happiest nights of her life, worried that you," she stabbed her finger in his direction for emphasis, "a man she trusts and respects, just doesn't... care!" Josephine finished her tirade and stopped in the middle of the room, her chest rising and falling in aggravation.
Her outburst in Kaylee's defense had softened him somewhat and he stared at her a moment before speaking.
"I do care..."
Josephine snorted in derision and resumed her pacing which only made him grow angry again. "I just don't fancy losing my mechanic and my doctor all at once!"
Jo stopped so quickly that she almost stumbled and turned to look at him, suddenly realizing why he was so upset. She rubbed her eyes wearily and walked back to where Mal still sat on the bed, his hand picking at a loose thread in the cover.
"Mal..."
"What?" He snapped at her again and she fought with herself to not respond to it.
"Just because they're getting married doesn't mean you're going to lose them," she said softly.
It was his turn to snort, though not as forcefully as she had. "Maybe not now, but what about later, when they decide to have children. Can't raise a family on a spaceship."
Mal looked up at her then, the sorrow in his eyes making her heart ache, and she no longer knew what to say. She sat down lightly on the bed and took his hand in hers, stopping his slow destruction of the cover.
"Things change Mal..." As soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to take them back, knowing how silly they must sound.
"Yeah, usually for the worst."
She pulled him to her and threw her arms around him at the sound of his defeated voice. Sighing, he rested his head in the crook of her neck and allowed her to draw him down until they were both laying. They stayed that way for a long while, neither one speaking. Josephine began to rub soothing circles into the small of Mal's back while he clung to her, as though if he lessened his grip she would slip away from him too.
Finally, Mal mumbled something against her neck that she couldn't hear but tickled her skin.
"Hmm?"
Mal pulled his head back and raised it up so he could see her face. "Do you ever think about gettin' married?"
"NO," she answered so quickly and so forcefully that it surprised her.
"Thank goodness," Mal laughed just as quickly and rolled them over so that she was now resting on him.
Josephine chuckled as she looked down at his blithe smirk, but then suddenly grew serious. Mal's smirk faltered and he raised a finger to her forehead, tracing the lines he now found there.
"I've already been married," she spoke softly. "And it was the worst seven years of my life. I feel more married now than I ever was to Bryce Rawley... does that make sense?"
He stared at her a moment, his expression flittering between surprise and awe before he could find his voice.
"Perfectly." Lifting his head from the bed, Mal covered her mouth with his own and eagerly slipped his tongue between the warmth of her lips as she sighed against him. They embraced in abandonment for a prolonged moment, neither willing to break apart until the need for air burned their lungs and they pulled away. Mal closed his eyes and laid back again, still able to feel Josephine's gaze, even through his eyelids.
"You don't really want to go to this ball do you?"
"Hmm." Josephine paused as though to consider his question and brought her finger to his chest, tracing the small patterns on his shirt. "I'll admit I'm curious... very curious."
"About what?"
"About seeing you all dressed up in tight fancy clothes." Mal opened his eyes to see her grinning down at him and feigned confusion.
"Now that's funny," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Here I thought you preferred me in nothing at all."
Her eyes darted to the space below his neck where his shirt gaped slightly over his chest and even though she felt the blush spread across her cheeks, she looked back up at him quickly, her tongue coming out to wet her bottom lip. Before he could react she moved her mouth to the gap in his shirt and poked her tongue between the fabric, sliding it back and forth over his exposed skin.
Her actions surprised Mal and a moan escaped his lips, but it turned to a moan of annoyance as she pulled away to look at his face.
"You know, I think you might be right."