Mal wandered back to the bridge. His mind racing with theories as to what was going on with River.

He was staring out at the stars when Zoe relieved him early that morning.

Biding her goodnight, he made his way to his bunk to catch at least a few hours sleep. Little did he know his slumber would be interrupted by dreams of River, himself and her new toy engaging in erotic play.

* * * * * Jayne awoke especially early the next day. He was determined to find out what River’s package contained and planned on spendin’ the day in the cargo bay working out in order to catch her opening the box.

Grabbing a spare towel and throwing it over his shoulders, he whistled the tune of an old ditty he’d learned at his pa’s knee as he made his way to his weight bench.

He was so pleased with himself for his cunning plan, he didn’t notice the opened crate until he was upon it.

“Gorrammit,” he shouted as he kicked the side in frustration.

Jayne glared at the packing material in annoyance, when he realized that she’d obviously claimed her prize whilst they slept and had probably stowed it in her room.

A crafty smile graced his face as he headed toward the dorms.

With a stealthy grace, uncommon for a man his size and weight, he snuck cautiously toward her room.

Sliding the door open carefully, he peered anxiously into the darkened room. To his disappointment, he spied nothing that looked like it was big enough to have come from the box.

Sighing in resignation, he turned and made his way toward the kitchen. He might as well have breakfast as there weren’t a reason to hand in the cargo bay all day.

Lying in her bunk, River smiled smugly as she felt Jayne leave. Her hiding place would only hold out for so long, so she hastily dressed and moved her toy to a more secure location in her room.

River grinned as she entered the kitchen after stopping by the bridge to ensure that the course was set. She could tell by the frowns and disgruntled expressions on everyone’s face that Jayne had informed everyone that she’d opened the package without them.

“River, what was in the package?” Kaylee asked inquisitively. She was sure River would tell them what it was.

“Private. Not for all the boys and girls to play with.”

“That it is. It’s your property and you don’t have to share it ifn you don’t want to.” Mal voice said from behind her.

River cast a look of pure delight at him over her shoulder. When he placed his warm, strong hand on her shoulder in affection, her breathing hitched and her skin tingled in awareness of how near he was.

Mal’s shrewd eyes took in her reaction and he crowed internally with confirmation of his theory.

“Come on, lil’ albatross. We’ve got work to be doin’ today, so you best eat up.” Mal smiled as he guided River over to the chair next to his.

River glowed with pride at having been placed at Mal’s side. He rarely showed her such attention and she reveled in it, no matter how long it lasted.

* * * * * The job had gone off without a hitch as far as Mal was concerned and that was all that matter. No one had been shot or cut up, so it had gone smooth. The fact that River had kept that from happening with her deadly talents had not gone unnoticed.

River sat curled up on her bed, her back against Serenity as she ruminated late into the night about Mal’s doting manner that day. It was most unlike him to fawn on her the way he had and even Zoë had been shooting him odd looks all day. Jayne had just assumed that Mal was trying to butter her up to find out what her package was.

Just then, a knock sounded at her door.

“Qing jin.”

Mal opened the door and walked in. “How you doing?”

“I’m good.”

“You know I’m right proud of how you handled yourself today.”

“Yeah.”

Mal took a seat next to her on the bed.

“I’ve been thinking about a few things.”

River just gave him an inquisitive look from behind her long hair.

“Well, I’ve been noticing lately that you’re not such a little girl any more. We just celebrated your 18th birthday not so long ago and I…”

Mal stared at the floor as he tried to figure out what to say next.

River waited impatiently for a few moments but felt she would implode if he didn’t say it.

“You what?”

“I…aw hell.” Mal leaned over and kissed her.

River wasn’t surprised and quickly responded to the kiss.

Mal, feeling her participate, began to kiss her in earnest. His tongue slide across the smooth expanse of her lips and then gentled plundered into the secrets of her mouth.

River willingly opened herself to his invasion. Her body hummed with desire and she took the initiative by straddling his lap and grabbing his head and pulling him closer.

Mal groaned into her mouth and his hands began to run them up and down her sides before grasping her hips and grinding her against his hardness.

River gasped in terror as these new and alien sensations washed over her.

Pushing hard on his shoulders, she levered herself away from him.

“Sweetheart?” Mal’s face was clouded in confusion.

“Too much. Drowning.” River’s eyes reflected her terror.

“Shush. It’s all right. We’ll take things slow. I’ll just head back to my bunk now.” Mal went to lift her off him, when she clutched desperately at him.

“Stay,” she whispered.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, River.”

“Please. Monsters come at night to eat. Ravage the mind, bring the terror that can’t be seen.” River pleaded as tears fell down her cheeks.

Sighing with resignation, Mal laid down on the bed and motioned for River join him.

River sniffled as she snuggled up next to Mal and drifted off to sleep.

Mal smiled as he drew the blanket up over them and followed her in slumber.

* * * * The next morning Simon had risen early. He wanted to check on River. Ever since she had gotten the package she’d been behaving oddly and he wanted to make sure everything was okay.

Opening the door to her room, he was greeted with the image of Mal wrapped suggestively around his mei-mei. In her bed no less.

He stood trembling in rage, his hand on the door, trying to decide what to do. Finally, he closed the door and stalked to the infirmary.

Once inside his sanctuary, he proceeded to vehemently reorganize and clean everything. Instead he made a mess worthy of Jayne.

His temper increased with every minute as images of his sweet, innocent little sister being sexually taken advantage of by their hun dan of a captain.

Turning to go confront them, he was surprised to see Mal coming in the door.

“Doc, we’re gonna…”

Mal’s question was cut short by Simon’s fist connecting to his face and knocking him on his ass.

“Ni zhao si ma? Ni yao wo kai qiang?" Mal snarled as he started to stand.

“How could you take advantage like that?” Simon screamed.

“Huh?”