A/N Interesting bit of trivia, Joss Wedon originally wanted Nicholas Brendon, the actor who played Xander Harris, to have the role of Captain Malcolm Reynolds. His schedule meant he had to turn the offer down.

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Simon Tam watched his sister, River, dance across the cargo bay. He smiled softly. The recent trip to Ariel had been helpful. The scan he'd been able to do of her brain had given him a fairly good idea of what the people at the 'Academy' had done in their experiments on her. The medications he had her on now seem to be helping to keep her more stable. But most importantly, she seemed happier.

"Is it my imagination, Doc or is she doing better?" Captain Malcolm Reynolds asked his ship's Doctor, Simon Tam. Not that he cared, he assured himself. Refusing to admit, even to himself, he knew he was lying about that. Caring hurt, after all.

"I was just thinking that myself. The new medications seem to be helping. At least she's calmer."

"She was playing with Kaylee earlier." Zoe Washbourn, First Officer of Serenity said, referring to the ship's engineer. "It's nice to see them both relaxing, things have been rough lately." She thought of her and Wash's recent conversation about children. They both wanted them, but Zoe was afraid, this life of theirs was dangerous. How would they handle a child?

"You ask me, she's still as bird brained as ever." Jayne, Serenity's sort of security chief, said sourly, remembering her telling him, 'she could kill him with her brain'. He wondered if she really could.

Suddenly River stopped dancing and cocked her head. Everyone immediately went on alert. For all River's mental problems, it couldn't be denied that she was a Reader, that rare human who could see so much more then the rest of them. They were never sure just how to define her abilities, was she a telepath or did she get glimpses of the future or some combination of both? Given the state of her mind, they might never know for sure. Still, when River did what she did, the rest paid attention. Her words might seem nonsensical until after the something had happened, but they were never wrong.

"What is it mei mei {Chinese for little sister}?" Simon asked.

"Someone new, two new. I can't see them."

"What?!" Simon exclaimed. "What do you mean you can't see them?"

"Their minds are closed. Like a door slammed shut. What will they See in me?"

"If River can't see them, does that mean they're like her?" Zoe asked. "And able to keep her out?"

"Possibly." Simon agreed. "Rare as her ability is, there are others with abilities."

"Does that mean they've been experimented on too?" Kaylee asked as she came up beside them.

"I hope not, we don't need no more crazies around here." Jayne said, still feeling sour.

Mal frowned at him, remembering Jayne's recent betrayal, trying to sell out River and Simon to the authorities who wanted to continue their experiments on River. Mal wasn't sure he could trust him anymore, even after threatening him.

"Mal." Hoban Washbourn, Wash to everyone, because it was better then Hoban, said over the intercom. "I can see two people approaching Serenity. We may get some new passengers."

"Well, let's go see what they want." Mal suggested and headed out of the cargo bay, followed by everyone else. They watched as two young people, probably in their late teens approached them.

"Something we can help you with?" Mal asked, wondering if they could even pay.

"Just curious." The young man. "Never seen a Firefly class ship up close and personal." His gaze swept over them. It lingered for a moment on River. He looked sad. Was their theory right? Did these two have abilities like River's?

"Well, looking doesn't cost you anything." Mal said. "We're about to head into town ourselves. We're here to pick up a shipment, so unfortunately I can't give you a tour. Maybe later."

"Not a problem. My curiosity has been satisfied. I'm Alexander McCleod, this is my girlfriend, Cordelia Chase. It's nice to meet you all."

"I'm Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of Serenity. If you want a ride that's going to cost you."

"Protector of Man." River said, looking at Xander.

"Yes, that's what my name means."

"I'm River."

"River is a pretty name."

"What do you See in me?"

"You really want me to answer that?"

"Yes. What do you See in me?"

"A broken doll." Now the others weren't just tense, their hands were hovering near their weapons. He looked at them. "We're not a threat to you and yours, Captain. We will not betray you." His gaze went to Jayne for a moment.

"Broken dolls can be fixed." Xander said softly. "But you still see the cracks."

"I can't go back?"

"You know you can't. You can't undo what you've become. Neither can we. But we've each gained as well."

"What have I gained?" River asked.

"A family." Xander answered. "Captain, I'm sure you realize by now, River and I have something in common."

"You're both Readers. What else do you have to say?"

"Tell Hoban Washbourn, being a leaf on the wind is fine and dandy, except when he's in the middle of a storm."

"What does that mean?!" Zoe demanded, suddenly afraid for her husband.

"That if he zigs instead of zags, he may survive his encounter with the Reavers." Xander answered. "That's all I can say. Time to go, Cordy."

The two turned and walked away.

"Why didn't you say more?" Cordelia asked softly, once she was sure they were out of earshot.

"Because I have no idea if they will actually have to deal with the Reavers. Just because they made a movie about it doesn't mean it'll actually happen. But if it does, if he flies differently, he may survive. He has two different ways of flying, calm and peaceful and wild and crazy. Calm and peaceful will get him killed if the thing with the Reavers actually happens."

"What are the Reavers?"

"Totally insane humans."

"Gods."