(Note: As part of my return-for however long the muse lasts-here is a longer chapter)

Incense. That was why River entered the shop. It reminded her of Inara, what with the Oriental Ornaments and tapestries that hung in the windows. Inara had always been nice to River. As time passed River had come to see her as a surrogate mother. Kaylee could never be mother-that would have made Simon 'Father'.

River slipped into the back room and tilted her head. Several people were posing with lifted legs and angled arms. She slipped into place beside them, following the moves. It was peaceful-tai chi maybe? They were following the lead of someone she hadn't looked at yet. Most of them wore sweatpants, everyone except River and the instructor. It was only when she spoke that River looked up.

"Focus all your energy to the tips of your fingers and let it fall, slide down to your toes..."

The woman was less formal then River was used to. Her black hair was cut short and she wore a red leotard. But her face was unmistakable.
"Inara." River gasped.

"It's Mona, but pleased to meet you."

She had that same comforting smile River was used to. She'd addressed her after the exercise.

"So why are you alone?" Mona inquired as they walked down the sidewalk. She'd invited River for dinner-insisting she looked starved-and that she was attending some kind of party.
"I came here with some friends." River explained. "See...I'm looking for my soul mate."
"Aren't we all." Mona chuckled as she buzzed the button at door. "I think that's why Todd hosts these things. He wanted to play match maker something fierce, ever since he met his wife here." She added, opening the door as it unlocked.
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Mona laughed. "She was Military. He was Air Force. They met at a bar, got in a fight, and-well, you know." Obviously she wouldn't say it, but River heard it anyway. Had sex, decided it was good, got married in a 24 hour. "They've been extremely happy ever since."
"Mona!"

River turned and gasped as the girl in overalls and hair buns charged Mona in a hug.
"Kaylee?"
"Uh, Crystal." She smiled at her. "Mona bring you?"
"Yes?" River tilted her head.
"Todd said we could bring people. I found her wandering and insisted she join us for dinner." Mona explained.
"I see." Crystal laughed as she led them into an apartment.

River was sure she was hallucinating. In the Kitchen was Zoe-with a tag that read 'Jenna, the Host's wife'. Talking to her was Mal, with a tag that read 'Philip'. Stuffing his face with finger food was Jayne-'Alex'. And coming out to greet them all was Todd, unmistakably Wash.

River never wanted to leave that room as he hugged each of them. She felt at home as Mona called Philip an inconsiderate thief (he was in real estate, River learned). It was natural when Jenna threatened to hurt Alex for sticking his finger in the cake mix. Crystal chattered with River about cars (she was green with envy when she mentioned the Impala). It was...Serenity.

"So, you got a boy?"

When they had found out she didn't have anywhere to stay, they began bickering over who she'd stay with. Now River was walking with Crystal back to her apartment-over a garage she worked in with her brothers, owned by her dad.

"Well...it's complicated. You?" River replied.
"None yet." Crystal sighed. "Complicated, huh?"
"Extremely."
"Another girl?"

River paused, contemplating this thought as Crystal led her inside.
"Kind of. Got him involved with the wrong crowd." River explained. "I'm trying to help him get away." She added.
"Right." Crystal nodded as they walked. One of her brother's called and she ran over to help him with a car.

"River."

She turned to face the voice owner and blinked. It was Wash, the one from her time. He was in white clothing-a tunic with a golden rope and leggings. She could make out the outline of wings on the wall behind him.
"Wash?" River blinked as she approached him.
"You forgot me." Wash whispered, looking sad.
"No! Never!" River cried out.
"You forgot the reason you came here then." Wash exhaled. "I understand. You fell in love. I'm still in love with Zoe, do I know the feeling."
"Zoe..." River's face fell. She was forgetting. Her love for Sam had clouded her mind.

Memories of Wash and Book filled her mind as she stood in the driveway, trembling.
"I came back to save everyone. To change our future. For Miranda!" River cried out, tear rolling down her cheeks. "But I don't want to lose him!"
"River, mei-mei. If you succeed in saving the future-"
"River, look out!"

River turned as Crystal cried our. The car they'd been working on had broken free. The last thing River saw before blacking out was the Hunmer hitting her.