Mal Reynolds walked onto the bridge of his ship, running his hand over the cool metal panelling. He paused when he saw his young co-pilot sitting at the cockpit, expertly flying his vessel, and he smiled to himself. She wasn't the same girl they first met a year ago. Her progression had been slow, but since the Miranda incident, she was much more coherent. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing deeply. Believing she was asleep, he took the opportunity to examine her more closely. She was curled up in the pilot's chair, with her arms hugging her legs. Her long dark hair draped over her shoulders, and Mal tamped down the itch to run his fingers through it. It had been a few months since Inara had left the ship permanently, but long before she left, Mal had stopped noticing her. Since the incident at Miranda, he had begun to view his co-pilot as more than a lost little girl. She was a woman. A beautiful deadly woman matched by no other.
"She's telling me a story," River whispered quietly. Mal jumped at her sudden statement, realizing she had probably heard every thought. She had, although she would never tell him so. Thoughts were private and she worked hard to keep out of others minds. But Serenity had been talking to her and Mal's thoughts sprang upon her before she could block them out. She lifted her head and smiled at her captain, motioning for him to sit beside her. He wasn't ready to confront his feelings, so she wouldn't force his hand. She still had trouble distinguishing what were her own feelings and what feelings she picked up from others.
"I reckon she is, little albatross," replied Mal as he sat down in the co-pilot's chair, ignoring his previous thoughts. "What's she telling you?"
"Secret," River said "One of many."
"Don't reckon I like secrets much, River. Cause all sorts of problems." Mal smiled and looked over at her. He reached out his hand and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Anyways," he continued "Don't reckon there's many secrets I don't know bout my ship." River smiled, blushing slightly at the feel of his hand brushing her face.
"You don't know everything, cap'n," she replied. "There's still a few secrets your girl hasn't told you."
For a moment, Mal was didn't know which girl River could be talking about. Fact was, more often then not, she'd been on his mind. His pilot. His assassin. His crazy mind reading genius. His girl. As quickly as that thought sprung up, he tamped it down. Wouldn't do to have a crazy mind reading assassin pilot pick up on those thoughts.
"Don't worry, cap'n." River said quietly, smiling as she rose from her chair. "She'll tell you her secrets soon." She leaned down and gave him a light kiss on his cheek and walked off the bridge. Mal brushed his fingers against the spot where her lips had just been a moment ago.
"Huh."
Mal was still lost in his thoughts when a light began flashed on the console in front, indicating an incoming wave. Thoughts interrupted, Mal pulled up the screen to answer. A young man's face came into view.
"I need to speak with Dr. Simon Tam." The man stated brusquely. Malcolm looked at the man and sized him up. He appeared to be in his early thirties. Dark hair, dark eyes. There was nothing of note unless you looked closely. He saw what appeared to be a pendant in the shape of a chinese symbol hanging from a chain around his neck. But in the lighting, he couldn't quite make it out.
"I'm sorry, but what did you say your name was?" Mal asked, cocking one eyebrow.
"I didn't," the man replied. "Captain Reynolds, I know Simon Tam is onboard your ship. It's important that I speak with him immediately."
Mal didn't like the way this man was speaking to him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something didn't feel right about this guy.
"Seeing as this is my ship, I get to decide who speaks with who. And right now, I ain't likin your tone of voice, boy." Mal was getting annoyed. He didn't know who this kid was, or what his business with the good ole doc was, but right now he didn't care. For all he knew, this kid was an alliance operative.
"My business with the 'good ole doc' is none of your business, captain Reynolds. Neither is my identity. I'm not an Alliance operative, that much I can tell you. If you don't believe me, you can ask your Reader. She's standing right outside the door listening in." Mal looked at him in surprise. So this man was a reader, was he? Mal quickly got up and opened the door to the bridge. Sure enough, River was standing there with a suprised look on her face. Mal turned around and muted the screen.
"She is sorry Captain. She heard Simon's name and needed to investigate." River looked down apologetically.
"Never mind that, River. You gettin anything from him?" Mal leaned in and whispered. River looked up at him, then over at the man on the vid screen. She tried to focus in on him, but came up against a brick wall. He was blocking her out. She focused harder and found bits of sand that had creeped through the wall.
"He speaks the truth captain. He's not alliance. But she can't read him well. He's blocking her out. Only letting her see bits and pieces. But he does know Simon. It is fruitless to try convince him Simon isn't here." Mal nodded at her in understanding.
"Go get your brother, albatross. I'll deal with this guy." River nodded and left quickly to get her brother, feeling slightly guilty that she neglected to tell Mal that she knew who this man was. He was Serenity's secret. Her story and Her muse, even if he wouldn't tell her so himself. Serenity had told her. River clamored down the ladder to go find Simon and felt certain that something larger than anything any of them could imagine was about to happen.
Mal turned the sound back on and sat down.
"Listen, it seems pointless to argue with you, as you seem to know a great deal more than a man oughta. Just tell me what you want from my doc."
The man shook his head. "I'd rather have to explain this only once captain..."
He was interrupted by Simon entering the bridge, followed closely by River. Kaylee wasn't far behind, neither was Zoe. Jayne soon joined them, curious to see what had captured everyone's attention. Simon looked at the screen and chuckled.
"Peter Petrelli."