Bo lay quietly in his bunk, his thoughts swimming in all different directions of the black. He knew something had to be done. He had made it out of that hell hole, now he had an even bigger problem. He rolled off the bed and wandered out into the hall. His eyes wandered into River's room. The room was empty. He wasn't surprised, she lived throughout the ship nowadays. He wandered up the stairs, keeping his mind to himself. He couldn't let the beast know his friends thoughts and feelings. It growled within him, Bo grit his teeth and fought down the wolf inside him. River's mind brushed his gently. He grinned and moved through the kitchen towards the bridge. He stopped at the door and watched her for what seemed like forever. Her fingers glided gently over the keypads, her hands masterfully steered the huge vesel through the black. "It's not polite to stare," She said, grinning over her shoulder at him. "Then forgive me. I'm sort of lacking in the manners department, never could help but stare when a beautiful woman came along." He said as he stepped over the threshold. He felt her hide the blush, and leaned on the console next to her. "So this is what keeps you up at all hours of the night? What makes you wander into peoples minds?" He asked, staring around at the glinting lights and switches. "She needs constant monitoring." River responded, still trying not to make eye-contact. He reached one curled finger under her chin, making her look him in the eyes. She gave in and looked up. His blue eyes engulfed her. He felt her welcoming his touch, wanting him to explore her mind, but he resisted. He could genuinely care for this girl. He knew they had raped more than her mind in their disgusting processes. He brushed the hair that hung in her face to set behind her ear. She took his hand and sat her cheek in it. Bo felt her exhiliration, the quick pulse of her heart. Her brown eyes harnassed him, enthralled him. He leaned into her, brushing his lips lightly to hers. He felt his mind try and dive into hers. He stopped himself. The beast growled inside him. It bekoned him to bite into the tender flesh of her neck. Bo fought it, he felt his teeth sharpen. The beast growled in his ear. 'Feed me, this child has seen enough pain. End it for her, do her this favor.' It growled enticingly. 'Bo?' Her voice echoed softly in his head. He blinked and looked at her. His thumb ran softly over the side of her face. His teeth dulled again as he looked at her beauty in the lights from the console. She smiled again. 'I liked that, we should do it again.' She thought, with a glint in her eye. 'Yeah?' He laughed, 'Your brother wouldn't like to find me here, kissin you and such.' Someone stumbled outside, making both their eyes jump to the door. Bo grinned wildly and a smile danced at the edges of River's mouth. 'Jayne', they both thought. Their eyes locked again and Bo felt again her mind invite him inside. He leaned in and kissed her softly before pulling away. "Bao-bei," He said softly as he pulled her to him and enfolded her in his arms. She closed her eyes and savored everything about him. His warmth, his lean muscles tensing at her touch, even his smell. He smelled like the forest still, soothing and calm, like the wind blowing through a pine. Her fingers brushed the boot laces that were tied around his arm. She smiled into his short hair as he breathed in her scent as well.

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The hatch hissed open, letting the sand filled wind gust in. Mal held his hand up to block the sand that almost flooded the ship. The new mule that Bo had bought them for replacement of the one left on Sierra Lezine. He apparently had accounts under names the Alliance couldn't trace to him. Mal remembered some, in case he ever needed to know them, under Bo's permission. They rode out on the mule, Mal, Bo, Jayne, and River who had insisted on going. Mal flew low and fast. He had to drop this parcel off and get the money back to Dover in 24 hours. He was aggitated, Dover had sprung this on them at the last possible minute. Mal hated complications. Bo pulled the goggles up off his eyes and looked at the girl to his right. Her hair blew back in the sun, flashing like raven feathers. She heard the thought and smiled, flashing her eyes with the smile. Bo grinned himself and turned back, seeing the town approach quickly. They pulled up to the market and Bo felt the people's minds as they passed. Some questioned the travelers, some hardly cared, others still wondered if they brought coin. Bo shifted in his seat, the handle of the knife at his belt flashing in the light of the harsh sun. Jayne's own weapons almost glowed from the heat. They stopped at an alleyway that was topped with the sides of metal cargo containers. They all stepped from the vehicle, and were met with the muzzles of automatic weapons. Bo's hand went to his chest where the .357 was housed. Jayne's own gun came up, pointed at the nearest gunman. "Jayne! Put the gun away. You too Bo." Mal said. Both men responded slowly. Bo's hand coming reluctantly away from the pistolgrip. Jayne didn't lower the rifle for a second or two, then just dropped his hands from the weapon. "Good, good, mon. Now we work." Said a man from the alleyway. He stepped out, slowly and deliberately. He was a tall black man, with dread-locks that hung nearly to his waist. His eyes were hidden by huge black sunglasses. His hands rested on the cane he had placed in the dirt before him. "Is that Ace? How you been brudda?" The man said as he strolled foward and took Bo's hand. He ran his fingers along the palm, not looking at Bo's face, nor at anything in particular. "It's me Joseph." Bo said as his other hand took the man's hand. "Aye, that be my brudda." Joseph said as he wrapped his arms around Bo. Bo returned the hug as Mal watched in confusion. River looked at all the men with guns as they moved the muzzles to point into the air. Jayne's confusion was evident on his face. Bo turned to them all and grinned. "This is Joseph, King Joseph. He's been a contact of mine here for years. I didn't realize we'd be comin here Mal or I'd have had him meet us in the air." Bo said. "So you got that parcel then Ace?" Joseph asked. "Wait, so you're a king?" Jayne asked. "Aye, brudda. King of da black market here on Deishang. I run this little bit of rock dat floats out here in da black." Joseph said with a gold-toothed smile. He had his men run back to the alley, they brought forth money and supplies. Two tossed them in the mule, the others stepped back into the shadows. Mal handed Joseph the dagger, which he inspected with a jewlers eye. "Ah, the real deal. I didn't know that anyone could get it from that place, that's why I sent it out to da lot of them thieves. Had I known dat Ace here was gonna be pullin dat job I'd have only sent him the wave." Joseph smiled and handed Bo a bottle of amber liquid. Bo grinned from ear to ear and clapped his friend on the shoulder. Mal nodded, Joseph returned the nod then walked back into the alley. "You wanted smooth right?" Bo asked as he moved by Mal to the mule. The other three piled into the mule, silently observing the veritable treasure that had been dropped in their vehicle. Money in burlap bags, vegitables and fruits, and what looked like medical supplies sat at their feet. Bo smiled and drove the mule back through the scorching desert towards the ship. Dust and dirt billowed into their eyes as they all remained silent back to the ship. They floated easily back into the ship, still in silence. "We get paid?" Zoe asked. "Yes," Mal said it as more of a question. They all piled out of the mule, grabbing whatever they could carry. Bo hefted two large sacks of money and food and took them to the kitchen. River followed him closely, her mind trying to breech his. Bo dropped the bags and turned to her, grabbing her. She smiled and their lips met again. The question seemed to burst into his mind. 'Why did you hold back last night?' He pulled away. He couldn't meet her eyes, but she had huddled into his chest. Simon came in, his eyes started burning at the sight of his sister huddled with the man. Bo looked up and their eyes met. His eyes coldly dared Simon to say something. The doctor blinked and moved slowly by them. The ship rocked slightly as it took off. Mal came into the room and placed his hand on River's shoulder. "Darlin, I need to be speakin with him. You can have him back in a bit." River nodded and left, casting a look of appology to her brother on her way out. "So, when were you going to tell me?" Mal asked. Bo's eyes flashed. He drove his mind into Mal's to find out what the man meant. He sighed when he realized it was about Joseph, and about River. "Mal, I told you I didn't know about Joseph. Had I and I would have called him earlier and had him meet us elsewhere." Bo said as he started removing vegetables from the first sack. "And the girl?" Mal asked. "That just happened Mal, not something I can control. She felt drawn to me and I to her. I mean -" "The girls touched in the head-" Bo's eye's flashed in anger. The ship rumbled as it broke atmosphere. Flames danced across the window, shadowed by the black behind it. "Touched in the head?" Bo growled. Mal backpedaled quickly. "That's not what I meant. I- I just meant that-" "I know what you meant Mal. Remember, I'm touched in the head too." Bo slammed down a head of lettuce and pushed by Mal. He stopped at the top of the stairs and turned his head to Mal. "Mal, it's time I get off this boat. It- It's just time." He walked around the corner and down the stairs to his room. His fingernails shadowed over and his teeth sharpened. He hid the teeth as Jayne came around the corner. "Mal said this is your cut." Jayne said as he tossed the pile of bills on Bo's bed. "Yeah, thanks." "Hey, you ok?" Jayne asked as he looked into the room, eyeing Bo. "Fine. Just a little motion sick." Jayne gave a questioning look as he walked away from the room. Bo gripped the pistol at his chest, pulling it from the holster. He wrapped his fingers tightly around the weapon as he brought the barrel to his chin. A growl grew from deep within him. 'You're not going to do that, boy.' It snarled in his head. 'And why not? It'll end you won't it.' Bo snarled back. The beast just laughed as the pistol dropped to the floor. His heart pumped faster as his claws disappeared, his fangs dulled. He just wondered when the beast would take hold again. He holstered the pistol and grabbed the duffel bag he had come on with. His rifle was inside, as were his cloths and other things he needed. He turned the light off in the room as he left, wondering if he'd ever see it again. An alarm sounded upstairs as a voice came over the loudspeakers. "Firefly Transport Serenity. You are ordered to prepare for boarding. If you do not we will fire on you. This is your only warning." The voice cut out and Bo dropped his bag, running to the bridge. X-----------------------------------------------X

((So I know this one was kindof short but I only had some information to get across here. I hope I got it across ok. Feedback is welcome and encouraged. Enjoy the ride))