This is a little filler chapter that I think is necessary before we get to the big stuff... Enjoy!

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The next day, Josephine paced slowly down the corridor that housed the other wives with mild trepidation. She had no idea if Serenity's young pilot had yet to make good on her promise, and was surprised at her own reluctance to see Mira again. What had happened yesterday couldn't have been the young mute's fault and Jo knew she was being silly with her fear. Mira had just been along for the ride. Or so her brain kept trying to tell her. But just behind that reason was a nagging doubt that kept pressing to the front of her mind and slowing her steps.

She stopped entirely, about ten feet from the door, unsure suddenly if she really wished to enter the room. Her decision was momentarily stymied however, as the door sprung open and River emerged, shutting the door softly behind her. Josephine regarded her silently, her face an odd blend of anxiety and unasked questions but her expression flittered to surprise and a frown creased her mouth as the younger woman simply smiled and glided quickly past her.

Josephine blinked twice in shock, her head volleying from the door River had just exited to the young pilot's retreating back, as she became torn between actually being on time for a meeting and going after River.

Shaking her head rapidly, Josephine turned from the door and hurried to catch up with River. She came up alongside the young psychic and slowed her pace but still found herself struggling to keep up.

Jo's breathing was labored as she cocked her head towards River. "Well?"

"Well?"

Forcing herself not to roll her eyes at River's innocent evasiveness, she pressed on. "I assume that seeing you come out of that room means you've done what I've asked..."

"I have."

"Which brings me back to... well?"

River turned a corner suddenly, forcing Josephine to check her steps and follow. Throwing an arm out, she lightly grasped the young woman's shoulder. "River please... could you stop for a moment."

River complied and turned wide eyes towards Josephine.

Josephine stared at the young woman. "Well?" She felt silly repeating that one word, but for some reason all other questions seemed to escape her.

"Mira's sensitive," River stated plainly.

"Sensitive?" Josephine's brow furrowed in confusion, though she was fairly certain River hadn't used the word for its literal meaning.

"Like me, only different."

Jo's eyes widened as she regarded River. "How can you know that?"

River shrugged effortlessly, all fluid and boneless grace. "I just do."

"So...," Josephine paused, trying to wrap her inexperienced mind around what River was saying. "When I thought of... Rawley... because Mira was so close to me, touching me, she could see him to?"

River shook her head from side to side quickly, startling Jo somewhat. "Yes and no."

"What?"

"Reverse it." River didn't fight the child like roll of her eyes at Josephine's confused expression. "Because she was seeing him, and you were touching her..." River trailed off as she saw comprehension in Jo's eyes.

Josephine let River's words drift over her, mulling over each of them carefully. She felt torn again. Part of her was relieved and proud that she hadn't been the one initially haunted by Rawley. The other part, she was ashamed to admit, was afraid. Not of Rawley, he was well and truly dead, but of Mira. A tiny, mute, slip of a girl and she was afraid of her suddenly. She shook her head and her eyes seemed to refocus on River as another fear fell upon her.

"Does that mean that I'm... sensitive too, because I felt what she did?"

River laughed suddenly, a soft melodious sound that surprised Josephine. "No, no. Not a bit. You were just a blank screen that she could project on. I don't think it would have happened if you hadn't been touching, that usually strengthens it." River paused a moment before continuing, her words coming faster and faster. "She's afraid. She used to hear peoples thoughts so she shut herself down completely, no more talking, no more thinking..."

"She can speak?"

River shook her head and pressed on quickly. "She forgot how. Forgot how to be." The young woman hugged her arms closely to her chest as though she were cold. "Thinks she's wicked."

Jo blinked a few times, awed by the young woman's unusual bluntness, but she couldn't stop the selfish words from leaving her throat. "So there's no chance that I... that I'm...?"

River shook her head in response and frowned. "You needn't sound so relieved."

Josephine sighed quickly. "I'm sorry River, it's just... I thought there was something wrong with me."

"It's not wrong," River spat suddenly, causing Jo to recoil at her foreign behavior. "I thought you asked me to help because you were worried for Mira..."

Jo felt the unspoken accusation drift across her skin, making her cold, only to be followed by the harsh weight of her own guilt as she realized it was true.

"River..."

"The Captain's a bit sensitive too," River interrupted, "it's why his skin creeps sometimes when I'm close by." The young psychic turned on her heel and began to float away with the unusual grace Josephine had come to associate with her. She was glad, at least, that River couldn't see the shock her words had caused, though Jo was almost certain she could sense it.

River stopped a few yards away and turned her head to the side. "Is their something wrong with him?"

Josephine's mouth gapped open and she found she had no response as River continued on her way, leaving Jo alone in the silent hallway.

It wasn't what she meant. River had mistaken her, she had to. Josephine hugged her arms to her chest as she stood in the corridor. The young woman's words hovered menacingly around her and she found she couldn't escape them. She hadn't meant to offend River, but she had somehow. She was relieved to find that it was Mira who had the problem, and it shamed her. Problem? Surely that wasn't the right word. Mira just needed help. Help...

"Oh diyu."

Waves of guilt mingled with River's words that pressed against her skin and she suddenly felt as though she couldn't breathe. She was supposed to be helping these women and instead she was late for every meeting. Even when she finally arrived she was listless and bored, counting the minutes until she might beat a hasty retreat. Inara had even asked for her help with them their first day at the training house but these thoughts only aided the tightening in her chest and she began to feel sick to her stomach. The meeting, there was one in progress right now, but even as her thoughts turned back to the room her feet began moving swiftly in the opposite direction.

Josephine all but ran back to the main corridor and the front doors of the large building. She had to get out. The air had suddenly become stifling inside and she longed to feel the crisp mountain air on her face.

She was happy to see that one of the large ornate doors was propped open and she slipped through it quickly, the stark late morning sun beating down upon her face. Pausing only to breathe in deep lungfuls of air that burned harshly down her throat, she continued down the stone steps of the entrance and turned to her right, not really knowing where her feet were leading her.

It must have rained earlier because the earth was soft and slick beneath her feet and she forced herself to slow down as the grand stables of the training house came into view. The stables were the largest she'd ever seen, the ones on Sydney paling in comparison, and unlike everything else here they weren't flashy in the least. Just a simple wooden structure built to serve its purpose and not to impress.

She hesitated in the entrance, suddenly realizing why her feet had led her here. Mal could usually be found near the stables at this time of day and her eyes scanned the length of the stalls for any sign of him. The only occupants, other than the rows and rows of horses, however, seemed to be a few young stable hands who smiled and bowed their heads in her direction as she entered.

She returned their smiles out of politeness but hurried quickly down the center of the stalls. Many of the horses neighed and tapped their hooves against the soft ground as though enticing her to ride. She ignored them and walked on to one of the last stalls where Mal's favorite horse, an old stallion called Arrow, was kept. The wooden enclosure was empty and Josephine could only assume the Captain was still out riding with Zoe or Jayne.

She turned and began to walk slowly back to the main entrance of the stables. Her hurried escape of the training house had calmed her down a bit and she thought it best to head back inside and wait for Mal in their room.

"Josephine?"

She had just walked into the warm sun when a soft feminine voice called out to her. Jo turned abruptly to find Inara gliding briskly towards her, a sweet smile etched upon her face.

"Good morning," Inara said as she stepped up to her. "Thinking of going for a ride?"

"Hello," Jo responded, forcing herself to return the companion's smile. "No I was just taking some air."

"I see. You're meeting with Ivani must have gotten out quite early today."

Josephine flinched at Inara's words, a gesture that wasn't entirely lost on the perceptive companion, and Jo searched her face for any sign of malice from the older woman. But if Inara had meant any unkindness by her comment, Josephine couldn't tell by her expression.

"At any rate," Inara continued, "I'm glad you're here. I was wondering if you might join me for awhile?"

Jo paused for a moment and Inara's smile faded slightly at her hesitation. "Of course if you have other things to do..."

"No of course I'd be happy to, thank you."

Inara's smile returned brightly and she ushered Jo back towards the training house and up the stone steps. Soon Josephine found herself being led through the unfamiliar part of the compound Kaylee had taken her to yesterday. She remembered the young mechanic had said that Inara and the other teachers lived on this side of the training house and soon they were in the large corridor that so greatly resembled the one her own room was on. She half expected Inara to lead her to the large doors at the end of the hallway that she knew led into the ballroom and was surprised when the companion turned into another small archway.

"Inara, where are we going?"

Inara turned back and smiled, her eyes twinkling. "You'll see, we're nearly there."

Inara's words proved true as moments later the companion stopped in front of an average sized door. She smiled once more at Josephine before turning the knob and entering.

Jo followed her inside and her mouth dropped open in surprise. The room was larger than it appeared from the size of the door and it appeared to be a cross between a wardrobe and fitting room. Rows and rows of gowns in varying shades, designs and fabrics were hanging neatly throughout the room.

"The ball is only a few days away," Inara spoke softly from next to Jo, "I thought you might need something to wear."

Josephine only nodded and stepped forward, finally seeing Serenity's other women among the multitude of clothes. River was pacing back and forth, an ethereal expression on her face as she ran her hands other the soft fabrics. The young psychic gave her no notice and Josephine thought it best, given their disagreement earlier. Zoe was standing on a small stool near the center of the room, a tiny older woman flittering around her. Josephine gasped to see that Mal's first mate was wearing a slinky gray dress. Zoe appeared to be studying herself in a mirror, her expression torn between mutiny and admiration at her appearance.

Kaylee suddenly flounced in front of Josephine and grabbed her hand. "Oh Jo, look at all the pretties!" Jo let herself be led over to the nearest rack. "Have you ever seen so many beautiful clothes? Of course I already got a dress, but 'Nara said I could come look with the others and maybe pick something out as an engagement present," Kaylee babbled eagerly, leaving no gaps for Jo to respond. "But we need to find something for you now..."

"Yes," Inara said, stepping up next to them. "Did you have anything in mind dear?"

"No," Josephine began, still a little taken aback. "I haven't even thought about it."

Inara smiled and patted her shoulder. "We'll find you something grand, something befitting a princess."

Josephine shook her head. "No, please, I'd much rather prefer something simple."

"Oh come on Jo," Kaylee admonished. "How often do we get to be all fancy like!"

Jo let herself be led from rack to rack by Inara and Kaylee as though she were helpless. Some more women like the one that had been altering Zoe's dress trailed after them and Jo could only assume they were maids of some kind. Inara and Kaylee pushed dress after dress into the arms of these women until they came to the last rack towards the back of the room where a large silken screen sat.

She turned to face them when they tried to usher her behind it. "You expect me to try all of these on?"

"Of course, it'll be fun!"

"Only if you want to."

Kaylee and Inara spoke at exactly the same time and Josephine couldn't help but smile as they glanced at each other.

Josephine stepped behind the screen and was helped into gown after gown by one of the short maids. Once each dress was on her she was forced out in front of the others and after getting over her initial embarrassment she found that Kaylee was right, it was fun somehow. She'd never had cause to do anything like this and although she felt a bit like Kaylee and Inara's doll, she enjoyed seeing herself in fine clothes.

"Alright, this is one of the last," Josephine said as she stepped out from behind the screen almost an hour later. The gown she wore was an off white color, only a few shades lighter than her skin. It was sleeveless and tight at the top with a loose skirt that seemed to fan out of its own accord at her every movement. The neckline was lower than she liked and when she looked down she could actually see the soft pink scar tissue above her breast. She had to admit it felt wonderful for her arms to be bare for once, even if it did show off every scar that lay there. Her eyes traveled back up to see that the awkward shape of her collar bone was more than visible, almost accentuated by the soft fabric. A thin silver weave graced the edges of the material and she traced it absently as she stared into the mirror.

The others weren't quick with their comments as they were the previous times and Jo glanced towards them in question.

River was paying them little heed as she continued to fondle the various fabrics but Kaylee and Zoe were staring at Josephine, their mouths agape. They soon recovered and Kaylee beamed at her. Her gaze fell on Inara who she was surprised to see looked astonished, though pleasantly so.

"You look beautiful," Inara rose from her seat and walked over to her. Stepping up close to her, Inara placed a hand on her shoulder to guide her in a circle. Josephine became embarrassed once more at the companion looked her over, flushing under her close scrutiny. Inara's gaze finally came to rest on Josephine's.

"Just lovely, Mal will be speechless," she spoke softly to Jo. "This has to be it," she said much louder as she turned to rejoin the others.

"But Madame," one of the maid's spoke up. "Surely she should wear something better suited to hide her... blemishes... she'll draw attention from the girls."

"Nonsense," Inara snapped forcefully, turning her head in the old woman's direction. "She should do no such thing. Besides," she continued turning back towards Josephine with a smile. "If she draws attention from our girls, it won't be because of the scars."

Josephine blushed and hurried back behind the screen to change, decidedly more apprehensive of the ball than she thought possible.