Kaylee was getting Colter's produce for the store, previously that meant the feds would simply take his purchase order, fill it, and send him Alliance stamped boxes. However since that was no longer the case, she had to take the list and buy everything in bulk from the vendors using his purchase card that had been enclosed with the coin. Determined to do a good job, she had picked through the skyplex bazaar and found the best vendors that sampled the finest produce with a decent price. She enjoyed haggling, and the vendors had taken to her sweet but firm manner when it came to business. The most recent vendor, Mr. Fu, was a stout fellow in his customary robes and top knot. As he shooed a son off to gather the goods and send it over to the ship, he had a way about him that made all know he wasn't done with business yet.

"So, dare anyting else Miss. Kaylee?" He asked in a broken accent that came from lower class Sihnon, trying his best not to stare at the glassy eyed girl with the siamese cat on her shoulder.

"I don't think so." Turning to a seemingly dazed River Tam, it caused her to pause. She was simply standing there, wide eyed and clearly overwhelmed at the skyplex. It was a vast place, packed with people and vendors. The larger vendors and shipments were off in a different docking bay, the bay where Serenity was stationed. That was key as Mal had to go around and have larger more expensive supplies for Pryor bought and loaded up. However they were in the more public gathering space, where the bazaar was run by families. The vendors were crammed along the wall and in rows down the middle of the room, all small stalls with ratted awnings regardless of the obvious roof. The mass of humanity was churning, shouting, buying and pandering wears.

And River was like a statue to it all.

"You know," Mr. Fu began, breaking her concentration on the reader "you come back to me next trip, I give better discount. We form... contract? Yes? I always get orders, you get best product and best price. Everyone happy." He enticed with a smile riddled of shiny metal teeth. "Happy 'verse."

Kaylee leaned against his stall and gave a face of hesitation. "Well.... That other fella...."

"Give you free family basket." He pointed to one of his best products, a basket loaded with a cornicopia of produce grown from Shadow's last surviving agrarian moon Gansu. "Feeds family of four for month. Beans, rice, potatoes, apples, carrots, melon, pepper, herbs. Best product, very delicious. You come every month, you get one of these boxes, free. Free box for favorite big customer Miss Kaylee.

"You got yourself a deal." Kaylee jumped at it, shaking his hand pleasantly. "I'll see ya next month, Mr. Fu."

"Thank you, have very good day."

"You too." As he hollered to another son to take a family basket, the mechanic focused her attention on her friend. "Sweetie?" She gently nudged the reader, who was carrying the cat. When River whipped her head around, Kaylee leapt back, fearing a complete meltdown.

She blinked.

"You ok?"

River narrowed her eyes, blinking again, taking control and nodding her head. "Just too many voices.... Too many voices, too many bodies, too many souls, too many memories, motives, demeanors. All jumbled and pressed together. Melding, twisting, colors of glass melting into one. Nothing definite, nothing clear. Nothing clearly processed." Finished rambling, she appeared embarrassed, for she hated being so idiosyncratic.

"You wanna go back to the ship?" Kaylee rubbed her shoulder, not wanting to be too overprotective yet still cautionary. She understood what was going on, River was used to the relative tranquillity of New Haven and Pryor. There were possibly four times the amount of people in the skyplex then in the population of their county, so it had to be overwhelming.

River shook her head, raven hair flying in a circle. "I'm alright. Have a job we have to finish." Walking off, Kaylee followed as she weaved through the narrow path between vendors. Getting to a row that was wider, they slowed and walked side by side.

"I think we're done." Kaylee pulled out the list as the duo stopped in front of a stall that looked like a small zoo. Chickens, lizards, dogs, cats, parrots and monkeys in bamboo cages; guinea pigs in a box that had once housed a cortex network cube with a 'tasty barbeque' sign taped onto the side; snakes in an aquarium; siamese fighting fish in little bowls; lucky crickets in emptied match boxes and a donkey with a pair of goats tied to a post that held up the cloth awning. To top it off, the man had a macaw on his shoulder as he shouted his sales pitch to everyone whilst his wife sold the fat guinea pigs like hot cakes. She also was able to get someone to buy a monkey, which came with a word of mouth recipe.

Boston puffed himself up and hissed at a capuchin that reached through the bamboo bars in attempt to grab his tail. With ears flat, the little cat gave the simian a cross eyed stink eye.

River read the list, as she felt restricted and unable to process everything. Something was nagging her, yet she did her best to supress it. With her amygdala gone, it was near impossible, but doable if she worked hard.

"We got the meat, clothing, groceries... that and that... we're done." Kaylee announced, though still worried she refrained from asking if River was alright. "You wanna window shop some? We got the time."

The feline, was ignoring the monkey, who to anyone who was sympathetic to animals appeared to be pleading to the cat to free him lest he became an entree. Instead, Boston fixated on the guinea pigs while they squealed and waddled about in their cardboard housing. They were fascinating, and he crouched low on River's shoulder to get a better look. Swishing his tail all the while.

River gently snapped the leash to get him to stop. She may have been impaired because of the crowds, however he was inches away from her head, and she wasn't dense when picking up on her friend's morbidly curious thoughts. "Sure. Browsing is fun."

"It is." Kaylee took the lead, directing River over to another booth that sold rugs.

Boston reached out with his paw and swatted the air vexingly as the fuzzy squeakies were quickly out of sight.

"It's even more fun 'cause Christmas ain't too far." She further talked, green eyes taking in the tapestry. "Few months away, and after some more cargo runs hopefully we can have a proper Christmas." handling the work for a moment, she wandered off to another stall that was draped in shawls and dresses woven from silks and cottons. "Nothin' much, but it sure would be shiny ta have a traditional dinner, the tree and a few presents ya know?" Mulling it over, she turned to her compatriot who was toyed with the fringe of a shawl. "Did you guys ever celebrate Christmas?"

"Parents are Buddhist, don't believe in the facet regarding Christianity. Regardless always wanted Simon and I to have a traditional Christmas." She explained. "Tree, presents, dinner, trip to the ballet to see the Nutcracker." Smiling she went over to a blue dress and inspected it. "Feels soft." Her breathe whispered.

"Funny how you two ran away but you don't speak ill of yer folks." Kaylee commented. "Must be good people."

River's face sobered, as she was caught up with emotion. "They are. Loved us dearly. Wanted us to be good people. Just naive to the underlying evil that is the government they support. Makes Simon sad the most."

Pushing the hair out of her face, she turned with furrowed brows to River.

"Father and son." River emphasized. "Father and son trips, father and son talks, much bonding. I'm wa gu-niang, gong-zhu chong, regardless Simon is the son. Son rises up in the east when the father dies in the west, carries the name on." With lithe hands idly feeling the fabric, she watched as Kaylee's body language responded.

"It's sorta sweet and sad he got along so well with his daddy." She commented. "I mean I was like you, baby of the family so I was daddy's baby girl. I love him tons but we never went places together." They moved on to another vendor that was selling jewelry. "He tells that stuff all wistful.... come to think of it I don't think he's even talked about your folks since he gave up his watch."

"Hurts him. One of the last things he had to remind him of home." Passing Kaylee she fingered a cut stone and immediately knew it was a knock-off. "Few captures, few certificates, all that's left."

"Wish he was happy."

"You make him happy."

Kaylee blushed to the declaration. "You know what I mean." Holding up a piece of jewelry that wasn't too fake but simply more organic, a plain leather tie with a small wooden fleur-de-lis, she kept talking. "At least I hope you do, seein' you're the all knowing reader." She teased, setting the necklace down before moving on.

River dismissed the comment and eyed a much larger vendor stall. Prowling over, her head tilted back to study the violins hanging. There was more, ceramic flutes on the table, ouds and guitars propped up against said table. Tablas, bongos, a gamelan, a banjo, and to the back was a piano that had obviously seen better days. River took it all in nostalgically.

Trying to cheer up the moment, Kaylee gave a baiting grin. "Don't tell me you two are musical. Part of that well rounded core thing..."

"Round as a circle." River quipped back, able to feed off of her friend's sunniness to leave the confusion of the bazaar. There was something still nagging her, regardless she did her best to put it aside, a difficult task. But Kaylee was a cheery enough mask to absorb in for the moment.

Kaylee's fingers idly touched a flute. "So, what was Simon...."

"Pianist." River chirped proudly, for she remembered his talent. "Good for surgical coordination, builds strong hands....."

"Well I know those are strong for a fact." She breathed out with an impish chuckle.

Rolling her eyes at the mechanic's comment, and thoroughly surprised it didn't come with a dirty memory, she continued. "Classical, very fond of Gershwin, Debussy, Chopin and Beethoven." Picking up that Kaylee only vaguely knew one of those composers, she added something she knew the mechanic would pick up. "Also knows 'Somebody To Love', 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Piano Man', picked those up at Medacad. Evils of saki, still can't sing like Freddie Mercury."

Her brother's sweetie started cracking up. Earth-that-was music was one of the rare last remaining arts that still influenced the culture system. Songs whether they were rock, blues, pop, country and everything else in between floated around on the cortex. All anyone needed was a cortex transmitter and keyboard if they wanted to find a song, download it and listen. Being the mechanical whiz she was Kaywinnet Lee Frye had been a music lover for a long time. It was the same thing with old movies and TV shows, nevertheless most rim folk were too poor to pitch in for a screen, much like the Frye household."He knows those? That's so swai. Never saw him as a fan of that ilk 'a music." Turning the conversation she bit her lip. "So, what' do you play?"

"Several instruments. Piano, cello, flute, guitar...." River knew that Kaylee wasn't surprised. "However I favor the violin and would find it fascinating to study the border world use of the violin as a fiddle. Played classical, many pieces, yet wish to venture into unknown territory. Learn more and more till I become omnipotent, take over the verse as River: Demigod of Shadow." With that dead panned delivery, the girls burst into laughter.

"Good one." Kaylee side hugged her friend, her guffawing loud and beautiful.

The seller looked at River and saw a chance. "Would you try?" Taking a violin down, he handed it to her and watched as the brown eyes became impossibly larger.

Seeing the price, she shook her head. "Expensive, cannot produce enough legal tender to purchase."

"I'll make you a deal...."

River shook her head and gave it back. "Sorry, cannot buy such frippery." Turning, she left, Kaylee catching up. "There's an upright piano in the barn."

The mechanic's face was rather shocked. "Really?"

"In the last stall where all of the junk has congregated, can't see it. Perchance I may learn how to fix pianos on the cortex and mend that one." Looking to Kaylee, her mouth curled into a warm, hopeful smile. "Would you assist me so it may become a benefaction for him during the close at hand holiday originally used to celebrate the birth of a savior but is now chiefly a commercialized event?"

"You mean give it to Simon for Christmas?"

River nodded her head.

"Sure, that sounds shiny." Going to a booth that had nothing but figurines carved out of jade, she skimmed all of the miniature horses, pigs, fudogs, pandas, well fed buddhas and dragons. "Hopefully it'll help make up for his watch... plus I'm curious ta hear him sing the Bohemian Rhapsody chorus."

"He'd have to be decently intoxicated."

Kaylee chuckled, picking up a fudog she admired the handiwork.

"Welcome to Lady Perdita's House of Jade." The woman in a well worn kimono and equally weathered pale face paint. "We have a two hour special, buy one get one free."

"We're just browsing." Kaylee replied, though she turned to River to ask her opinion on the fudog.

"Looks like the captain." River made a face to reflect the dragon dog's snarling expression, sending the mechanic into a fit of laughter.

"I was thinkin' it looked like Jayne." She bubbled, giving the statue a serious inspection. "Though I have seen the Cap'n on a bad day look that surly."

"Should get Inara the swan." Selecting the jade swan, she studied it carefully.

Boston leaned forward and sniffed the figurine. Coming to the conclusion the fuzzy squeakies were much more compelling, he twisted a large ear back and made a chuffing noise as his own opinion.

"They make an awfully sweet couple when they ain't fightin'." The mechanic sighed. "Half the time I just wish they'd jump the broom and become that old married couple already."

"Wary creatures take time." River pointed out. "Once bitten, twice shy."

That sentiment perked Kaylee up. "You sayin' they've both been in previously bad relationships?"

"We all have, haven't we?" She responded vaguely.

"So does that mean you've been in a relationship that was bad?"

"Knew someone once." River divulged, slipping out of Kaylee's demeanor to grasp her own sense. "Told me he was my friend, cut open my brain, played with it like clay. Molded me, hard to break the mold." Her words were eerie and sincere as she gave a grave expression. "Everyone has bad relationships."

It was at that moment that Kaylee produced a subdued look, for River's metaphor was far more deep than what she was dreaming up.

On the turn of a dime, the little reader beamed. Back into Kaylee's joy. "When we get back, I shall ride out with no human and shout to the void of sky, cleansing myself of all of these minds."

"Sounds like the right thing ta do." Setting the fudog down she further changed the subject. "What do you want for Christmas?"

"A sword, a brown coat, and a cunning hat.... and a violin."

It was announced with such conviction that Kaylee did not doubt for a second that it was indeed River's list. However before she could receive the detail of the items, the youngest Tam reverted to her glassy eyed, distant behavior. It was Kaylee's cue to look around quickly, for someone had to have set her off. Seeing no one, she felt nervous.

River snapped out of it, her head swiveling back and forth briskly. What was nagging her had finally clicked, sending her out of the safe mind cacoon.

"What's wrong?"

"In the dark." River shuddered, plowing through a crowd of people she hurried as quickly as possible. The rambling full force. "Hungry, barely enough energy, fighting. Struggling. Struggling to cry. Cold. Not much left."

"Shen-me shi ni tan-lun?" Losing sight, she began to panic. "River!" Pushing through, like a fish going upstream, she came up her friend standing in front of the dumpster that was behind the jade vendor. The skyplex wasn't up to date, so workers every four hours came, rolled the dumpsters into the incineration room, and brought them back fresh. River Tam was standing in the way, refusing to move.

"Girl, you better move or we're calling the..." Before one of the garbage men could say anything, she cleared the side of the dumpster and dove in, Boston flying off and landing on the floor. "Shen-me di-yu!"

"RIVER!" Kaylee shrieked.

"Get the feds." One of them ordered in frustration.

"No, no!" There would be no end to Mal's ranting if they were picked up by the feds. Picking the cat up, Kaylee rushed in. "No, I'll.. I'll get her out. Don't worry."

"It's a health code violation!"

River's head popped up, grimy. Getting out, she cradled a rice sack and darted away.

The garbage men growled some choice words and resumed their work. Kaylee took up the chase and found River crouched in a corner, fumbling with the ties of the sack. "Sweetie what was that all about?! We can't attract..."

Ripping the bag open she gently took out one very tiny, dirty, weak newborn. The abandoned babe squirmed, breathing shallow with a wide mouth and eliciting a feeble cry.

River looked up into Kaylee's horrified eyes. "Barely enough energy. She was crying but there was too much, couldn't hear until the last effort."

Taking off her coat, she handed it to River to wrap the delicate victim up in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mal directed the delivery crew into his cargo bay.

It was packed to the gills with all sorts of stuff. Bags of feed, bales of hay, medical supplies, vet supplies, crates of produce, bags of flour, rice, beans, cases of canned goods, bolts of fabric, and so much more. Including a set of blue tick hound puppies a fella by the name of Boss Tig had apparently ordered via catalog. As the last of the cargo was loaded down, he pondered the thought of calling his mechanic and pilot in. Serenity had a full tank thanks to fifty credits, and it was looking to be time to mosey on home. The moseying to conserve fuel of course.

"CAP'N!"

Hearing Kaylee so desperate, he thrust his hand down upon his gun and whirled around, ready for whatever hell they had stirred up. However there was no one else, just his girls, Kaylee clutching something wrapped in her jacket close to her chest. "What's the fuss?" Walking briskly to meet them, Kaylee flew right past him, with River following. The cat was dumped on top of some crates, and River abandoning her furry mate meant something was gravely amiss. Following quickly, he bore witness to River seemingly become her brother. It was very abnormal, but as she rushed around the infirmary she knew exactly what she was doing. The pilot turned on some lights, retrieved an IV and some emergency blankets, pulled out a butterfly kit, and set up a tray.

"Kaylee, under the light." She instructed. "Keep warm."

Cautiously moving into the space, he suddenly saw what ballyhoo was regarding and his face slackened to the sight. "What in god's green.... wha..." He fumbled for words, growing agitated. "Where'd ya'll get a baby?!"

"Cap'n she's fadin'." Kaylee rubbed the tiny back, stimulating the child like she had once seen the family doctor do when her sister's baby had come out weak.

"But..."

"Go get some formula!" The mechanic snapped, hefting the bundle into one arm she dug the coin purse out of her pocket and chucked it at him. "Diapers, bottle, formula... a little hat and somethin' warm! CI-SHI!"

Seeing her mien, he stepping in and took the baby, glancing down to note that it was in fact weak. "Now see here, you're gettin' worked up and that ain't good." He announced to her tearing eyes. "You go walk this off, collect yourself and buy those things. She's gonna be fine."

Kaylee looked ready to melt into tears, on the rink of a breakdown because of the ugliness of the moment. Holding the baby had actually be keeping her together. "She's so little... why..."

"All she needs is some food and a warm place." Mal explained. "So run off, go get those things and come back." Watching her take the coin purse and leave, he shifted the bundle in his arms and turned to River who was ready. "Where.."

"Dumpster." She took the baby's arm and swabbed it for the IV.

"You know how you're channelin' your brother?"

"One of life's current mysteries." Pulling the small needle out, she held the miniature hand to stretch the arm and find a vein, which didn't take much as her very first patient was too exhausted to fight back.

Mal shut his eyes and exhaled deeply. "Hao bu-shi zhe ri zhi chong-man shi-chi-jing."

*** *** *** TRANSLATIONS/DEFINITIONS

Gansu: Respectful; also a province in the former Northewestern China

wa gu-niang, gong-zhu chong: Baby girl, princess to spoil

Swai: Cute

Jump the broom: Cowboy slang; get married

Shen-me shi ni tan-lun?: What are you talking about?

Shen-me di-yu!: What the hell!

CI-SHI: NOW

Hao bu-shi zhe ri zhi chong-man shi-chi-jing: Well isn't this day just full of suprises.

*** Can't you see a plastered, medacad Simon stumbling through playing and crooning out Somebody to Love? He sang the national anthem whilst naked on the statue of Hippocrates... **As always, the writer appreciates all comments whether they be positive, negative, or suggestions.**