Chapter 7

After River landed the ship, she informed her brother and her captain that she would remain onboard with Kaylee. Simon protested and adamantly stated that she should meet the man that helped rescue her.

"I expect your sister has the right to make her own decision regarding this matter, Simon," the Captain intervened. River looked at him gratefully. He understood, even if Simon could not, that her decision to remain on board had little to do with her desire to meet this man. Fact was, the Maidenhead held too many bad memories for her. Memories of loss of control. Death and destruction. She had worked so hard to get to where she was and she didn't want to risk losing her mind again. It was fragile enough to begin with. River watched as Mal and Simon left the ship. She felt a wave of unease wash over her as she watched Mal descend the ramp. She tried to focus on what was bothering her, but couldn't. All she knew was that she didn't want Mal to leave. She wanted him to stay here and talk to her, comfort her. She wanted him to tell her it was going to be alright. It was very strange and unusual. She didn't know what to make of her feelings anymore. Something was going to happen, that much she knew. She had a big part in it, as did Peter. She could feel that Mal had a part to play too, although she couldn't yet tell what it was. Silently, she drifted out of the cargo bay and headed back to the bridge, running her fingers along the bulkhead panelling as she went.. Sighing, she crawled onto the bridge and took her seat in the pilot's chair.

I miss him. She felt the ship say to her.

Who? She replied silently.

My Muse. My secret. River smiled.

"Yes, but he's returning soon," she said aloud. "Very, very soon."

Mal and Simon walked down the bustling street toward the Maidenhead. Simon was silent, and Mal could tell he was angry at his interference earlier.

"Care to tell me what's got your panties in a twist, doc," he asked.

"River deserves to meet this man, Captain. He saved her life," was the angry reply. Mal sighed and looked over at the doc.

"Reckon she does deserve to meet him. But I 'spect she'll meet him when she feels the time is right, and not before. You gonna force her into something she's clearly not comfortable with?" Mal asked, before adding, "She's a grown woman, Simon. She can make her own decisions." His tone brooked no further argument and they continued on to the bar in silence.

Peter followed closely behind them, invisible to the naked eye, listening in to their discussion. The captain was an interesting fellow and Peter felt he would be useful in what he had planned. He honed in on Malcolm's thoughts.

Don't rightly know what the doc's problem is. Why's he gotta push her to do stuff she's not ready for. Gorram it! Damn Alliance hun dans. Could kill them for what they did to her.

Yes, thought Peter, he would definitely be useful.

Back on the ship, Kaylee joined River on the bridge. She didn't have to be a reader to know something was bothering their resident genius.

"You okay, mei mei?" she asked with some concern. "Been awful quiet these past few days. Got me awful worried. And you're brother, too." River smiled at the sunny mechanic. Kaylee was a sweet girl and River couldn't have picked a better one for her brother. Kaylee was light and airy. She balanced out Simon's stuffiness.

"Mind is whirling and twirling and she can't make top or bottom of it," River replied, trying to speak clearly. When her mind was busy, she found it harder to speak clearer, but Kaylee seemed to understand.

"Maybe if you shared what has your mind whirling, it might help some," Kaylee replied as she took the seat next to River. River sighed and looked over at the mechanic.

"Mal," was the heavy answer.

"The captain? Why's he got your mind to whirling…oh! I see." A look of understanding crossed Kaylee's face. "Don't s'pose the reason the capn's got your mind whirling is the same reason Simon got my mind whirling a few months back, is it?" River buried her face in her arms and nodded silently.

"Tell me what to do Kaylee. This is strange, new, and unprecedented. No point of reference from which to work. Thoughts are twirling and tumbling and mixed up. She is unable to tell which are her own true feelings and which are his." It all came out in a jumbled mess. Seeing that her friend was starting to become upset, Kaylee went over and gave her a hug.

"Now listen here, River," she said as she crouched down next to River. "It'll happen if it's meant to happen. That's what my momma always used to tell me. As for what the captain's thinking, well, I can't rightly say. But I know our captain, River, and if'n he's feeling the way you think he is, then he'll let you know eventually. Just gotta be patient is all. Man like him was raised proper-like. Once he knows what he wants, he'll go after it, you'll see." River looked down at her friend and sighed.

"Didn't go after Inara," she said. Kaylee tilted her head and gave some thought to that.

"Reckon you're right bout that, mei mei," she replied. "But looking back on it, I don't think the cap'n really wanted 'Nara. Not truly anyways, else he woulda fought harder for her. Like he fights for everything he believes in. Now, I'm hungry. Let's go rustle up some food, then I'll brush your hair out." River stood up and straightened out her dress as she followed Kaylee off the bridge and into the mess hall.

Meanwhile, Mal and Simon had reached the Maidenhead and were scanning the crowd for Peter Petrelli.

"Sure we got the time right, doc?" the Captain asked Simon.

"You did," came the reply as Peter stepped up beside him. Mal looked around in surprise.

"Where the hell'd you come from?" he asked. Peter just smirked and led them to a private booth behind some curtains.

"Can't ask a magician to give up all his secrets, now can you, Captain," Peter replied as he took a seat. Mal warily sat down across from him, followed by Simon, who was excited to see his old friend.

"Peter, it's been such a long time," Simon exclaimed. "How have you been?" Peter smiled at his exuberance. Although it had been over a year since they parted and three years since they first met, Simon still hadn't lost any of his boyish charm.

"I've been well, Simon," he replied. "I've been travelling around the Core. Gathering some more intel on the Academy. That's why I asked you to meet me here." Mal leaned forward, interested in what this man had to say. Peter continued speaking, "I'm close, Simon. Closer than I ever have been. I have a plan. A plan to take down the Company once and for all. But I need your help."

Behind a closed curtain, Peter Petrelli outlined his plan to Simon Tam and Mal Reynolds. He told them how he planned to destroy Blue Sun Corporation and what would be required to do this. Back on Serenity, River gasped as Kaylee ran the brush through her hair.

"I'm sorry, mei mei," Kaylee said. "Did I catch a tangle?" River shook her head.

"Something's happening. Something big. Something that will change the universe forever."