Part five
Summary: She needs him, he needs her

****

Chapter 1- One time
Summary: If his crew needs him, he's there

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She listened to Serenity breathe while she stargazed on the bridge. She shut her eyes and took in the creaking and groaning of the metal walls around her. Her room was too lonely. She didn't come home just to be alone again. A grin crept across her face when she felt him walking up the steps.

"What are you doin' up?" Mal asked sleepily as he sank onto the pilot's chair.

"Couldn't sleep. I didn't want to be alone…"

He looked over at her with a lump rising in his throat. If any of my crew needs me, I'm there.

She looked at him with big pleading eyes, the question swirling silently beneath them.

"Okay. I'll stay with you, but just for tonight. Do we have an understandin'?"

Her heart stopped. "Yes Captain."

"Let's get you to your room then."

They wandered down to her room. She frowned when he took a blanket and settled down on the floor beside the bed. He was too tired to notice.

"G'night River."

"Goodnight Captain."

She turned the light off and shut her eyes.

"They won't find you."

"We've missed working with you."

"Deeper."

"I was just doing my job."

She sat up with a scream. Her entire body was trembling. Mal jolted away and scrambled to her side.

"River-"

She fell into his arms, desperately attempting to push the memories away. He held her close, soothingly rubbing her back.

"You're home now," he murmured into her hair. "It's okay, sweetheart."

She nuzzled into his neck, inhaling his scent. "Don't make me sleep again. Don't want to be back there. I want to stay here…" she paused, unable to decide if she should take it any further. "…with you."

"You don't have to sleep."

"Will you stay up with me?"

He looked at the little witch's eyes and gave in. "Yes."

He leaned against the bulkhead with her still in his arms and on his lap. She readjusted so she could be holding onto him too.

He looked at the tiny holes all over her forehead and got a sick feeling in his gut.

"What the hell did they do to you?" he whispered, lightly running his thumb over one of the holes in her temple.

She winced when he touched the wound, recalling the needle that was once placed there.

"Sorry…you don't have to talk 'bout it…" he amended quietly.

She shook her head no and took a shaky breath. "Took needles and put them in my head. Tried to make me their weapon. Their toy. I wouldn't let them. I'm not as broken as before. They said no one would ever find me. Said I'd break. I knew you found me. I broke out and I-I killed them. Needle to the throat. Needle to the head. Crack. Blood everywhere…"

He felt her tears pouring down his neck. His arms tightened around her and he set his chin on the top of her head.

"You did what you had to do. You're home now and they're gone."

She heard his voice rumble in his chest. A flash of the dead blue hands crossed from his mind to hers.

"You killed them?" River asked.

"They won't be botherin' you anymore."

She held onto the front of his shirt with one hand, shielding herself with the other. Her eyes closed and she listened to his breathing. In and out. In and out. Up and down. Up and down.

They didn't talk, but they didn't sleep either. He'd occasionally run his hand down her shivering arms to try to ease her painful memories or the chills that gripped her. He would have reached for the sheets, a blanket, something, but neither one of them wanted to move an inch.

For the first time since she got back on the ship, she felt like she was truly home. He was more than glad that she was safe, but he wouldn't say it. He wasn't like that. She could see right through him. His actions spoke louder than words.

"I should get goin'," he sighed when he checked the time.

"Thank you for staying, Captain."

"It was just this once."

"I know. Thanks again."

She pressed a quick kiss to his check before he left. He nodded to her before slipping out of her room. He felt like fire had surged down his face from her soft lips. He shook his head and walked away.

****

The day had been uneventful. They were on their way out of the system to look for some work. River spent the day with Simon and Kaylee and Mal spent the day working.

He was in his bunk that night lying awake. Something was missing. He punched his pillow and readjusted. The room felt empty. Cold. Lifeless. He sighed and stood up. After slipping a shirt on, he went up his ladder. Honestly he wasn't sure where his feet were taking him until he was standing outside of her room.

She hadn't been able to get to sleep either for the same reasons. When she felt him outside of her door, she smiled to herself and then faked a little scream so he'd just come in already. He had been standing there for at least five minutes just listening in.

The door opened and he bolted in, sinking beside her on her bed.

"Couldn't sleep," she mumbled.

"Me either. Nightmares?"

"Bad memories."

He put his arms around her, tucking her between his side and under his chin.

"Try to get some sleep, darlin'."

"I thought that you said you'd only stay for one night."

"Yeah well, this is the last time."

She grinned. He liked staying with her as much as she liked being with him. He just didn't know it yet.

Simon opened the door the next morning to find his mei mei wrapped around the captain. They were intertwined and sleeping soundly. They didn't even move when he called to them.

"What's goin' on?" Kaylee asked. He pointed to them. She grinned.

"Let them sleep in, honey. They're too cute to wake up…" she silently slid the door shut.

"What is he doing in there with her in the first place?" Simon asked.

"Shhh, don't wake them!" she whispered.

"Do you think that they……you know?"

"Cap'in is a gentleman. He wouldn't do nothin' 'less they were together."

"Do you think that they are?"

"Let's go get some breakfast…"

"Is that a yes?"

She started walking away.

"Kaylee, is that a yes? Kaylee!" he asked as he chased after her.

****

River opened her eyes and looked up at Mal. She smiled and moved into a more comfortable position so she could watch him sleep. Her movement was enough to wake him up.

"Mornin' little one," he yawned.

"Good morning."

"I should get goin'. That was-"

"The last time, I know."

He nodded and rolled out of bed. She smiled after he left. He'd be back.

****

She heard the soft padding of his feet down the steps that night. She slipped out of bed and slid the door open. He leapt when he saw her.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Captain."

"No it's okay. I couldn't sleep and I was just…walkin' around…" he fumbled.

"I can't sleep either."

"Do you…you know…need me to…do you need…how 'bout some tea?"

She smirked. He could be so awkward. "Sure. Tea would be nice."

They walked up to the kitchen and had a few cups of tea in silence.

"We should…it's late," he said quietly.

"It is. I should get some sleep."

"Yeah. Me too."

"Can you walk me to my room?"

"Yeah sure."

He walked her down to her room and hovered in the doorway.

"If you…I could…if you needed me to…just in case…nightmares or…" he offered. She smiled and pulled the blanket back. He climbed in beside her.

"G'night sweetheart."

"Goodnight Captain."

"By the way this is-"

"The last time. I know."

"Right."

She cuddled up against his side with a smile. That couldn't be the last time. She wouldn't let it be.