11. Birthday

Drawn to the mess by the smell of dinner, Jayne was surprised to see a cupcake with a single burning candle on his plate. There were no other crew members to be seen, not even River, who had cooked that night.

Approaching the table, he quickly blew out the candle and ate the cupcake before anyone else came in.

Throughout the meal, everyone kept asking River why she had spent the money on real vegetables and meat for the stir fry.

Her only answer was a smile and the enigmatic, "I wanted to celebrate." Celebrate what, she wouldn't tell them.

12. Blessing

Standing next to River, Jayne remembered how Book had discovered their secret relationship days before his death. It had been late during the night cycle, and Jayne had been down working out because he couldn't sleep.

The resident crazy girl had come down and sat with him, interrupting his workout to cuddle up against him, grounding herself with his steadiness. He had just held her close, gently stroking her back and arms.

More time had passed than he'd realized, and when he opened his eyes, Sheppard Book had been standing there with a small smile and silent nod of blessing.

13. Biased

"You're just biased!" River screamed at Simon, her eyes filled with anger and hurt. "Just because he's not some wealthy businessman from the Core doesn't mean he's not good enough for me!"

"But he's not!" Simon insisted. "He's un-educated Rim trash that spends all his money on alcohol and whores! He doesn't deserve you!"

"Shut up, Simon!" River's small frame shook with anger. "He's the only one who sees me for what I am. He loves me even though I'm just a broken, semi-crazy weapon. If anything, I'm not good enough for him!"

"Mei mei, you're too good for him!"

14. Burning

His fingers left a trail of fire as they danced across the smooth expanse of her stomach, sending a heat and want she had never experienced straight to her core.

Everywhere he touched her was like fire, filling her with an overwhelming desire and need. Running her hands over the firm planes of his back, she wondered if he felt the same way, the burning need filling him until he was drowning in it.

Pulling him down for another searing kiss, River felt as if her entire being was burning and he was the water that would extinguish the flame.

15. Breathing

"Baby doll, I need you to listen to me," he told her softly, holding her close with her ear against his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. "I need you to breathe with me, alright?" He took several deep breaths, hoping she would follow his lead.

"Just breathe with me," he whispered, rubbing soothing circles into her lower back. "Breathe with me, River-girl."

Her erratic breathing slowed until it was in sync with his, her tense frame finally relaxing into his. Even as her breathing evened out and she drifted off to sleep, he held her close, soothing her.