Chapter 4- You shouldn't have ran
Summary: River's visions finally make sense

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"Mal," Inara said very softly the next morning. So far, they were the only two people up.

"I don't got a hangover. Jayne got us tossed out early. We spent the rest of the night runnin' from an angry boyfriend and his crew. What's this about?"

"I'm worried about River."

"River? Why?" he hid his concern relatively well.

"Well, we had a long talk last night. I think that she might have a crush on one of the crew."

"Please say it ain't Jayne."

"It isn't. I think it's Wash."

"Wash?" Why do I feel jealous? "Why Wash?"

"She kept saying that she couldn't be with whoever it is that she likes. I got the impression that he was taken. Since the only people on this ship that are in a relationship are Simon and Wash. It has to be Wash. She has been spending an awful lot of her time on the bridge with him."

Mal folded his arms. "Why is this my problem? You should be talkin' to her brother not me. I don't give a good gorram who she likes and who she doesn't." Then why does it feel like I do?

"I'm concerned that she'll get hurt. I'm afraid that Simon will only make it worse. Is there some way that you could do something to help the situation?"

"It ain't my place."

"This is your crew! What about the no shipboard romance rule?"

"My mechanic and the doc shot that to hell."

"But-"

"She explained the time on the bridge. She was teachin' him the waltz for his anniversary. I doubt she'd like him. She's just a girl-"

"She's turning eighteen soon. Simon hasn't let her out much since she's been here. She really doesn't have a large dating pool."

"See this face? It means this is not my problem."

"I don't understand you! One second you're…never mind."

"I'm what?"

"You're caring and…human. Then you act as if she doesn't matter at all! You do the same thing with me!"

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. I have clients to screen."

She left the room gracefully. He sighed with a small frown. She stormed out on him and she suspected River had a thing for Wash. Inara was schooled in picking up on those type things. River had been spending a lot of time with him. She was always smiling when she was around. She likes Wash. Gorramit. Why do I feel rejected?

****

"Mei mei?" Simon asked as he entered her room. She quickly hid the picture she drew under her pillow.

"Hello Simon."

"You weren't at breakfast."

"Didn't sleep well."

"It's time for your medication."

She nodded.

"Are you alright?"

"Dreams."

He gave her her medication and took her hand.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," she assured him.

"I'm your brother. It's my job to worry."

She smiled. He hugged her and let her be alone for a little while. She curled up on the pillow, waiting for the aftermath of the nightmares to pass.

****

"Gorramit!" Jayne hissed as the ball bounced off of the circular metal goal hanging from the ceiling.

Zoe caught it and threw it to Mal. He made the shot. Everyone cheered.

River walked across the catwalk to Simon. He was watching the game.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Better."

"Hey River," Kaylee grinned. She waved. "Do you wanna sub in for me?"

"I'm not sure," River replied.

"Ah come on!" Wash insisted. "You can play for our team."

She gave him a tiny smile. "Alright."

Kaylee went up the steps. River was on her way down, but she stopped when the ball was hurled at her. She caught it with ease. Wash darted over to the steps and picked her up at the waist. She started laughing as he carried her over to the goal. She put it through.

"Nice shot fly girl."

Wash sat her down carefully. "Thanks for the ride, blonde."

Mal scowled at them. Everyone was too focused on the game to notice. He didn't much like the way there were acting towards each other. He was letting her ride on his back to reach the goal and they were laughing.

She shouldn't be on him like that, he thought bitterly. 'Nara was right. She likes him.

River laughed as Wash passed her to Jayne. Jayne put her down quickly like she was infected with some deadly disease. She glared at him and got back to the game.

Zoe was going to take a shot. Wash ran over and took her in his arms so she'd miss. She did, but she didn't mind it. He started dancing while Shepherd retrieved the ball.

"Stop distractin' my team," Mal snapped.

"Ah, we're just having fun Mal!" Wash laughed.

River took the opportunity to grab the ball from Shepherd while he watched the dancing. She threw it to Jayne. He made a goal and cheered.

"Nice work, moonbrain."

"Thanks, girl's name."

"I told you enough with that!"

She stuck her tongue out and made another shot. Mal blocked it and tossed it through.

"When are you two gonna quit dancin' and start playin' again?" Jayne asked.

"I don't know," Zoe laughed at Wash as he started humming.

"Well the game-"

-Squeak…Squeak…Squeak-

River looked around. Everyone was still moving. Shepherd was still talking, but she couldn't hear him. She couldn't hear anything except squeaking and a gentle hissing. A breeze swept through and caught her hair.

The cargo bay floor suddenly felt squishy and cool. She looked down and wiggled her toes on the grass and dirt that now covered the ground. She looked up and everyone was gone. There was a tree and a swing. A little girl walked across the field and sat lightly on the swing. She started moving back and forth.

"River Tam."

The girl looked behind her. River followed her eyes to the two figures in blue gloves.

"River Tam…come home…"

The girl shook her head. "No. I'm not going."

"Come home. We came a long way to get you. Come home."

"No. That isn't home."

"It will be."

They started walking towards her. She got up and started to run. They easily followed and caught her arm.

"You shouldn't have ran, River Tam."

"We were going to find you eventually."

"And now that we have-"

"You'll be coming with us-"

"Home."

The girl screamed. River backed up until she felt something stop her. She sank to the ground shaking all over with tears pouring out of her eyes.

She was back in the cargo bay, tucked against the wall. Everyone was surrounding her. Simon was edging towards her.

"Mei mei," he said calmly. "Sh, it's okay."

"No no no no no!"

"I'm here-"

"Get away!"

He stepped forward, pushing Simon out of the way. He didn't know why he did. It was just a reflex. The last few times he had been the one to comfort her. Maybe he was getting used to it. In any case, he crouched in front of her.

"Darlin'," was all he said. She raised her eyes to his as he put his hands on her tiny trembling shoulders.

She clawed at him desperately wanting him to hang on and never let go. He held her, soothingly rubbing her back.

They all watched what was unfolding before them. Simon felt an odd sense of rejection. He knew that he hadn't been there for her in the last few months. She was growing up. She didn't need him as much as she did. Still, that didn't explain why she chose Mal over him.

Wash looked at Zoe. He had told her his theory about River's crush on the captain. At first she didn't agree, but witnessing what just occurred she nodded to her husband. There was something there alright, and it didn't appear to be one-sided.

"What's got you upset today?" Mal asked tenderly, gently easing his hand up to calmingly stroke her silky hair.

"Come home. I don't want to. It's not home," she sobbed into his shoulder.

"You don't have to go no place you don't want to."

"No, you don't understand!"

"I rarely do," he attempted a weak joke.

She gripped the back of his shirt and whispered so only he could hear, "They're coming."

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