A/N: Sorry for the wait guys, life's been hectic and my muses are being evil and not giving me ideas. Also this song is called Touched by Vast everyone should hear it it's really cool. But here, a new chapter enjoy.

Chapter 28: Smells, Sounds, and Songs

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Oz was in his room with his leg propped up. His guitar was on his lap and he was just letting his fingers run over the strings. Kaylee had left and the werewolf could smell River coming closer to his room. She smelled of mischief.

River banged on Oz's door to open it and quickly shut the door behind her. Oz quirked an eyebrow at her but she just held a finger to her lips. Heavy footsteps past the door, along with Jayne's yell of "River!"

"Terrorizing the animals?" Oz asked.

River walked over to Oz and sat on his bed, "He looks good in red. He wears it all the time as mask. I helped it show."

"You cut him?" Oz stopped playing his guitar.

"His nose met my fist. Twice, it wasn't properly introduced the first time." River answered playing with the frayed end of Oz's jeans.

"Any reason why?" Oz asked.

River frowned, "He… hurt you. He has a reason, it's a good one. But he had forgotten it till you played the wolf card. I can't tell what it was, what happened. It doesn't say in the cards. But still if he would just tell you. It would be okay, I think." River shrugged, "But then again alphas rarely get along."

"Really?" Oz tried not to smile.

"Well betas who think they're alphas." River smiled.

"Does that mean I'm the alpha?" Oz asked. River nodded. "You were really able to beat Jayne up?"

"Alpha female." River said while giving him a look that clearly said 'duh'.

"Because he hurt me?" Oz asked. River gave him the same look again. Oz smiled and started strumming his guitar again.

"Play me something. Let the wolves' chorus ring through the ship." River smiled.

"All right." Oz put his hands over the strings for a moment. Then he started playing a song from old that River couldn't have possibly known.

Yet she started singing the words,

"Touched, you say that I am too

so much, of what you say is true.
I'll never find someone quite like you again.
I'll never find someone quite like you, like you.
The razors and the dying roses
plead I don't leave you alone.
The demi-gods and hungry ghosts
oh god, god knows I'm not at home.
I'll never find someone quite like you again.
I'll never find someone quite like you again."

River stopped singing as Oz's voice took up the song,

"I, I looked into your eyes and saw
a world that does not exist.
I looked into your eyes and saw
a world I wish I was in."

Then they were both singing the last part.

"I'll never find someone quite as touched as you.
I'll never love someone quite the way
that I loved you."

"Awww, ain't you two sweet." They turned to the doorway to see Kaylee standing in the doorway with two plates of food. "I've never heard that song before. Where's it from?" Kaylee asked setting a plate in front of Oz and one in front of River.

"Home. It's an old song." Oz answered then he looked at River, "Looking behind closed doors?"

"Looking through the windows, cracks in the walls." River shot back before digging into her food, "Thanks Kaylee."

"Yea thanks." Oz added.

Kaylee smiled and shrugged, "Well you two didn't come to dinner so I figured I'd bring you some. It's probably a good thing neither of you came. Jayne was grumbling about both of you till the Captain told him to shut it." Kaylee watched the two of them exchanging looks while they were eating. She smiled, "River your brother was looking for you too. I think I'll go stall him for a while." Then she winked and left the room.

Oz opened his mouth to say something but River held up a hand, "Food first. Hungry." Oz rolled his eyes and continued to eat.