"They all mean something."

Her voice was certain and firm as she sat against him. It was getting dark quickly as the sun had raced to be behind the horizon, and the pair had used the entire day to play hooky. large dark eyes closed as his fingers ran through her hair with the recklessness they had been giving one another the entire weekend.

"I know." He agreed.

"Bad is the past, present, feels like the old." She explained, fingers curling as if they clutched the dreams themselves. "Good feels like the tomorrow. Distant, new, hopeful. Purpose. Feel the purpose, but don't know it."

"Beaumonde bean can factory, you deciphered that from your dreams." He said in a hushed way, as if what they were speaking of was taboo "That last one had Osiris, and they had the same kind of thing happening in them. I think that those places are one in the same. Except... the one at Osiris did something to you."

Eyes snapped open, and her head tilted back to look at him. "Academy." She took his hand and gripped it with the strength of someone three times her size. "Shattered my brain, tried to eat it, consume it, make it theirs, steal my soul, make me grey...." She shuddered with the realization. "More than one." It was finally known, finally realized what the nightmares of soulless children and brain eating monsters were about, and the thought that the academy she had been to was merely one head of a multi headed beast, made her feel sick and overwhelmingly pained. There was no thought that could ease the suffering she suddenly felt, the suffering of scores of readers who had been trapped and manipulated just like she. Her dreams were their reality, their day to day torture. She heaved, tears pouring from her eyes as the knowledge didn't cause closure.

He hated seeing her in pain, holding her close, he gave her a kiss and wished he could take it away. He wasn't powerful enough to do so, his abilities were not that strong, nor honed enough to take away pain.

He prayed for nothing but good dreams from then on.

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

Simon had promptly made his instant oatmeal and left.

Zoe had gone back outside after having a quick hat with Inara.

So it was just Mal and his little family, Inara draped a blanket on the floor and took to playing with a very stubborn and hard to please Meilin whilst the captain hovered of the stove.

Meilin was not in the mood for laughing, silly songs in mandarin and arabic or the usual playtime fare. She was on the gruff, demanding side from waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Sitting up on her own in a soft green dress, she was sitting with her toy keys in her stubby hands, face scrunched in though as she watched York groom himself by the fireplace. Somehow, there was a way to stand on those things called legs and get to the little kitty, she just didn't know how.

York felt as if he was being watched. Seeing the staring infant, he blinked, then slunk off to take refuge next to Shan-shan who was chewing on a small tire that was her toy. He just didn't trust that little human.

Inara watched her child, somewhat disappointed Meilin wasn't her cheery self as she was nearly every morning. Meilin was normally so happy she refused to stop smiling. "What are you thinking about, hm little one?" She hoisted her daughter up by her armpits and carefully set her so her feet touched the floor. Meilin, being held up so, seemed a tad surprised, however her feet instinctively pressed against the floor and her small head tilted down as she furrowed her brow to study her own fat legs. Inara smiled proudly, as she and Meilin had been practicing standing. Little feet used to just curl under when they felt the blanketed surface, now they planted themselves. "What am I going to do when you can stand on your own? There'll be no stopping you once you take your first steps." She gently tickled the child's armpits, which made Meilin crack a smile from her concentration.

Mal watched them as he carefully plated his omelet, they were quite a pair. "Chow's done." He called, pulling a chair out he waited and when Inara came over, he took Meilin out of her arms.

"Thank you." Inara smiled grateful,

"Bon appetite." reaching into his pocket, Mal pulled out a folded letter and set it next to the plate as Meilin was situated against his hip.

Inara arched a brow at the letter, and carefully plucked it off of the table. For several weeks she had been under the assumption that Mal was completely forgetting Valentine's Day. That notion hadn't been taken too well by her, seeing as Companion's were never allowed to celebrate it (most didn't even take clients on that date) and she herself had never even had a Valentine since she had been Companion trained at such an early age and resided at an all girls private school before that. She was glad though that Mal was covering up his near mistake, all of his little gestures were very sweet as she opened the card.

Handprints.

On one side of the paper was Mal's larger handprint right alongside of Meilin's miniature one. On the other side were the words to a poem, which she read quietly, but with adoration in her heart towards his choice of poem.

She looked up, tears in her eyes, and smiled at the thoughtfulness of his gift.

"I know a few poems that aren't about albatrosses." He gave her kiss to the side of the head, glad he hadn't chosen Sonnet 55. "I was gonna change wool to leather, and the sheep to cows but I felt it ruined the poem."

"I appreciate your sparing of the poem." She laughed lightly. "It's good to know why her hand's black too." Inara mused, gazing at Meilin's off color palm and digits.

"Do you know how hard it is ta wash a half asleep baby's hand?" With Meilin held on his hip by one hand he used the other to rest itself on Inara's shoulder before leaning in and dropping a kiss on her head. "Happy Valentine's Day." He finally announced in a rather hushed manner.

Inara reached up and caught his hand in her own, smiling.

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

She could not dream after the revelation.

Night came quickly, and for the longest time she simply stared out into the middle distance, horrified by her new knowledge. Eventually her lover and her cat roused her, and they headed back to the temple grounds.

They never felt it.

They were too caught up in the thought of the Academies, the anguish of the truth, to feel the change in the atmosphere. The presence of a new reader's mind that was stronger than any other that could be sensed. Though when the pair hiked back down to the terra cotta roofs and misty little valley beneath the mountain they knew something was horribly amiss. For there were monks, the leaders of the temple, gathered at the grove they were slipping out of. Their faces were grave, some furious at him as he stood by her.

She took a step back, surprised and having to collect her surroundings. Hair hung in her face as senses pulled in information, and her stance tightened defensively. "What's going on?"

"Seize the boy." Someone announced.

She took a step in front of him, her eyes blazing like wildfire as betrayal ripped through her. Barefeet twisted against the earth to dig in, refusing to move as her body told them there was no way she would let them lay a hand on her lover.

"River." He breathed.

The Siamese cat fluffed his fur as he clung to her shoulders. Flattening his ears, there was a paranoid growl deep from his chest.

"Stop this foolishness!" The Grand Master burst through them, furious at his fellow abbots and their lack of faith. "What is with you all? You will not lay a hand on him, he has done nothing wrong." Turning his old face to his pupil, he saw the confused miens, and the rage building in his shao long's eyes that was deadly, and he extended is arms to them. "Don't heed them my children..."

Her fists were clenched.

"What's going on." The boy, who had almost been seized asked firmly. "All we did was miss a day...."

"She cannot miss a day, there is no leisure for a person with her gift." Someone hissed from behind.

"She's just a regular student." He replied protectively.

"You're distracting her! A bad influence!"

"COMPOSE YOURSELVES." The Grand Master boomed. "Look at you, all of you, men who do not need to speak with their tongues spewing foolish accusations at a boy? I shame you all, and I wonder what has become of our traditions." He gestured them to leave him and the youngsters alone, yet they would not, for they felt he only fueled the problem. "Fiyero, Shao Long, come."

He led them away from the mob.

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

"Oh Simon."

A smile caught the creases of his mouth as he took delight in the way she gathered the flowers in her hands and studied each little petal. Kaylee grinned up at him. She scooted closer and caught his lips for a kiss, and he chuckled at her enthusiasm and love for his gift.

Kaywinnet Lee Frye (soon to be Tam, she reminded herself) treasured them dearly as she smooched his lips. Pulling back, she could see that small twinge of disappointment in himself. No matter where he was and what he had gone through, he was such a core boy sometimes, always wanting to do better, shower her with gifts and the like. "They're better than real flowers." She patted his chest. "'Cause ya made 'em yourself."

"I'm glad you like them," He kissed the crown of her head so and sighed deeply.Having a fiance on Valentine's beat spending Valentine's at a core hospital by a longshot. "Do you want your delicious, gourmet breakfast?" He nudged the neglected bowl of oatmeal her way and watched in amusement at how she gazed at it like it carried ebola. Granted the feeling of having his attempt at breakfast rejected felt a tad stinging, the blow was softened by the holiday itself.

"I'm not all too hungry right now, Sweetie." Kaylee set the tray aside, and reached under her pillow to pull out a wrapped gift. "Here though, Happy Valentine's."

He took it, somewhat bashful. "You didn't have to get me anything..."

"'Course I did." She snuggled up to him as he began to carefully peel off the the paper.

His eyes sparkled as the removed brown paper wrapping revealed an old book. "Shakespeare," Simon mused with appreciation, fingers running lightly across the fraying spine as the words on the cover were faded. "I don't have this play."

"I know it's a worn old copy..."

"It's perfect." Simon took her hand and leaned in, kissing her lips whilst gently pulling her closer. There wasn't much force to his pull, for Kaylee came readily. Arms wrapped about his neck, she seated in his lap as her kiss was teasing him. "I must confess though, I have another gift."

"You do..." Turning sideways, she sat so she straddled his lap, legs splayed easily apart. The mechanic teased his thick hair with her petite yet engine roughed fingers, and cheek nuzzled up against his jaw. "And what's that?"

"I think it's safe to say you've... figured it out." he whispered, for his voice always got low when she touched in all the right places.

"It's a shiny gift." Setting the book aside, as well as the flowers, Kaylee pushed her fiance back onto the pillows so she sat on his waist. "But just so ya know, you're mine today. Best not have any appointments 'cause what I got in mind...." She pulled off his shirt and let her hands play against the chiseled hide. "It's gonna take all day."

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

Grand Master closed the door to his bedroom, and turned to see his Shao Long, his River Tam, with reddened eyes filled with distrust.

"Something bad is happening." She growled out, clenching her teeth as her heart raced. It felt like hell had come upon them, but it was even more terrifying for there was no big brother Simon to come to the rescue.

"They are filled with confusion and paranoia, for the Alliance threatens to find our haven." He moved towards them, and took notice that River Tam was still guarding her beloved. Their bond was deep, and full of purpose that none of the other monks could understand. For Fiyero, the boy her made her smile and laugh, was what grounded her. "And they are convinced that Fiyero is merely a distraction, and I am far too lenient." He sighed, feeling as though he had failed her. Walking over to them, the room dark and only lit by the moon outside, his brows pressed down as his weathered face was sunken with shame. "I am sorry, I tried to prevent this, please know that I did."

"What's going to happen?" Fiyero asked, getting in front of her, his eyes piercing with the unwavering love of youth.

"Someone sent a wave to Shifu Long Li Ten." He told them with a low, fretful voice. "He is the only Shifu Long still alive, and he has come to take River away for training."

"But you're her master..."

"I am a simple reader, he is one of the greatest readers to have ever existed in this lifetime and she is the only new Long to enter the universe in twenty years. Though regardless of her rareness she still deserves a normal existence, for rushing this growth process can do more damage than good."

She just stood there, listening, not once did she talk, but only absorbed the facts. Feeling weightless with the news. This wasn't in the dreams, this wasn't the future. A part of her wanted to hid in the corner, to slump to the floor and cry. Yet she was bigger than that, that was the old River Tam.

"What about this Li Ten guy." Fiyero gestured to the door. "Doesn't he know rushing her isn't good? If he's as all powerful as you say he is he should know that."

"Shifu Long Li Ten is a warrior and I fear..."

The Grand Master paused, for in that moment by the light of the cool moon, the silhouettes spread on the tiled floor, the door opened to show Li Ten. As River Tam and Fiyero gazed upon him, they needed no introduction, for they simply knew by the power he gave off. He was man in his sixties, tall with wide shoulders and a great thew of a build. Though such a body was unlikely for a man of the orient lineage, his eyes were almond shaped under his silver brow, one lid slightly deformed by the scar the was hewn across his face. Damage done by a blade, for his ear was missing as well. He wore his long silver mane in a customary topknot, tied with a plain ribbon as he had a neat imperial below his lip. Clothing was simple, cream ku pants and a white tunic, tied with a faded black sash. His shoes were thick cloth boots that went to his calves, and the only thing of general ornateness was the sword lashed to his back, though it was generally hidden by white cloak that hung off of his left shoulder.

River trembled her lip.

Li Ten stared at the party, with little reaction other than a slight glance of disappointment towards the Grand Master. "It's time to go." He said simply, in a firm, commanding voice. For he had had enough of the old master. A man he felt was out of touch due to his dotage.

"If you take her I'm coming." Fiyero asserted immediately.

The Shifu Long frowned. "I'm afraid not." He put politely.

"I'm not leaving her side..."

"You are not welcome." He pressed, turning his attention to the silent, brooding young woman. Hair a dark curtain that hid her grave face, the large, dark eyes that flashed at him, the raw talent he could feel off of her. Seeing her state, his heart softened, as she was not a well trained warrior or monk. It was a child before him, one that needed more than just orders and words. "River Tam."

She tilted her chin up, and as Fiyero looked back at her, she signaled him to move to the side so she could face the powerful reader.

"You need to come with me." His hand, mighty like the rest of him, extended towards her in a gesture.

"Why." She whispered, voice low and threatening.

"Because this is not your place, and though you're blocking me I know your problems, your dreams, and I can help you face them, and grow into what you're destined to be." Li Ten was filled with conviction, though the Grand Master and the lover gazed upon him dubiously.

"You know." She blurted, shivering.

"I do."

"Then say it."

"This universe's salvation."

She bit her lip, head shaking. "No."

"Yes."

"No... no, no I'm just a girl."

The Long Shifu stepped forward and came to her, his muscles relaxing as reaching out and cupped her face. Fiyero lunged, but did not go far as the Grand Master grasped his shoulder. River flinched, and turned her face away, squinting, yet he gently held on. "But you're not just a girl, as I am not just a man. We are special individuals, and I fear I am the only person qualified to teach you the ways of our kind."

Tears, streamed down her cheeks, and she looked back to her love, that silly boy who she had given her heart to.

Fiyero watched her and swallowed thickly, as he felt helpless.

'He is just a boy, a distraction in your path.' Li Ten projected in a voice that was caring. As he projected, his mind also soothed and entranced.

'I love him."

"I am sorry, but we cannot afford love at this juncture." He rubbed tears away with his thumb. 'You have been given wings, and I must teach you to fly. The bird and the fish may love one another, but there is no place for them to be together.'

She shut her eyes as she felt warmth and trustworthiness, wavering, not knowing it was his gentle manipulation. You bring the future.'

'You want nothing more, do you not? To unlock the secrets in your mind, to be free, to be in the future. With me you will grow more powerful than you imagined, and you will find your place.'

'I'm afraid of this power.'

'When you know how to control it, there will be no need to fear. And there will be purpose.'

River slipped her chin from his grasp, and turned to face her lover.

Fiyero took a step forward. "You, you don't have to go."

The Grand Master gazed at his pupil with the knowledge that she did in fact have to go. Because if she didn't, the great and terrible dragon before them would take her by force as he was filled with complete assurance that what he was doing was the right thing, the best thing, for River Tam. Grand Master would never speak of such things to the young couple though, for they were foolish from their romance, and would try to escape or fight back.

The young man went to her. "You can tell him no." He gently pushed her chin up with his fingers, then ran them up and brushed her unruly hair out of her face. Then, for the first time, he did something he had been practicing yet had never been able to achieve 'You can stay her, or we can leave. River we can pack up and disappear, we can get away from these guys and all of these crazy expectations.' Fiyero's face broke into a frown as his spirits could see her decision through her eyes. 'River, it can just be us.'

She dropped her head and began to cry.

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

"So what did you get me for Valentine's?" Mal asked as kept Meilin occupied just by bouncing her on his knee.

"Oh you know, a pair of suspenders embroidered with pink hearts." She exclaimed teasingly, washing her last bit of omlett down with some tea.

"Sounds interesting... in the realms of tacky fashion." he contemplated from his seat next to her. "But you didn't write me a witty haiku, beautiful sonnet? Little poem on a red craft paper heart?"

Meilin let out an incoherent string of babble that sounded like she was trying to enter her two cents into the conversation.

Inara gave a coy smile as she took her plate to the sink. Walking back to the table she stood behind Mal's chair and pulled something out of a pocket on her robe and set it in front of him on the table. She also took Meilin off of his knee and kissed his cheek. "I hope I managed to do something better." She stood behind him, Meilin trying to play with her mouth.

Mal gazed down at the little envelope and carefully picked it up. Tearing it open, he turned so he could glance up at his girls for a moment, Meilin's wide eyed face of innocence and Inara's more romantic mien as she held and kept their little one occupied. He gave a lopsided smile to them as he pulled the folded piece of paper out. He unfolded it and his eyes doubled at the paint brushed image on said paper, as well as the brief yet eloquent letter below the paper. "OH... Oh... well... kinds catches your attention now don't it."

"It's a page from my kama sutra." She explained in a faux demure voice.

"Kinda figured that." He had to clear his throat. "You ah.. also have a list... oils and... other things... that entail... yeah."

"We haven't have a lot of adult time together." She hinted. "I figured since today is memorable, our first Valentine's,"

He nodded his head, mouth slightly ajar.

"we could try something different, try something different that the usual."

"The usual is good though?" The captain quizzed, not trying to sound as if he was wondering if his performance was leaving her dissatisfied. "Not that, I don't want to try this cause this..." he gestured to the paper "I mean I'm plenty ambitious.."

"No no, you're wonderful." She corrected, afraid she might have wounded his ego in the suggestion. "I love the usual, it's very satisfying." Holding Meilin with one arm, she reached out and caressed his shoulder and neck. "I just thought you might enjoy something a little different. This, I think you'll like this, a lot. That's all. Or we could do whatever you want." She didn't want to say that it was a position she had used with former male clients before, and it was in fact one that was able to reach them a level of ecstasy that many had never thought possible. Inara simply wanted to give Mal a chance to experience it, and since it was Valentine's Day it seemed appropriate to suggest such a thing.

Her hand was up in his hair, fingers running through and making his scalp tingle. "Kinda a man of simple pleasures."

"I sensed you were going to say that." She admitted, humored by his lack of sexual ambition and curiosity.

"Though oils, are very welcome to the program..." He folded up the letter and tucked it back into the envelope. "And perhaps a bath afterwards," standing, he took her hips in his hands and pulled her forward suggestively, quirking a brow suggestively to her as he gave a sly smirk "you know, to wash away all that sweat."

"I need to deposit someone in the arms of a babysitter." She kissed languidly. "But by all means, go ready yourself for your simple pleasures. There is a basket under my night stand for today if you would like to go through it."

"Oils?" He asked huskily, softly, placing his lips to her neck as he embraced her gently.

"Oils, candles, honey, chocolates... a few other things to enhance the mood." Reluctantly, as his face was in the crook of her neck and he was holding her the way that made her feel safe and complete and... well... amorous, Inara pulled away from him. "Let me go take care of this." She raised Meilin up slightly.

Mal smiled at Meilin and wiggled a finger against her cheek before turning.

And as soon as Inara looked to the door, Zoe was there, as if on cue. "Are you sure you're alright with doing this?" She stepped forward with her daughter, who was a constantly moving bundle of energy.

"Don't got plans of my own." She took her niece and held her against her chest, smoothing the sweet baby curls out and smiling down at Meilin. "'Sides, Meilin and I get along just fine, and I don't reckon I've seen the captain this anxious since... ever." She looked up, as he was lingering at the stairway.

Mal ducked his head down, as if he was trying to be casual.

"Perhaps he won't be so surly afterwards." She said bluntly, loudly and with a rare teasing smirk.

Mal scowled, looking mildly offended.

Inara laughed. "Yes, but you must remember I'm not a miracle worker."

"You know, I'm right here." He voiced.

"And I told you to go upstairs." Inara replied over her shoulder.

Meilin tried to gnaw on her aunt's clothing, but upon seeing Shan-shan walk over, she let out an 'uh' and reached for the large furry kitty.

The mother smiled and leaned in to kiss her precious child's cheek. "Bottles are in the refrigerator, toys and blankets are in her basket next to the rocker and the diaper bag is on the couch. She's a little fussy right now, so by all means feel free to start nap time early."

"Alright, you go and have yourself a nice Valentine's Day." She shifted Meilin in her arms and watched Inara's eyes give a pang of sympathy. Zoe knew the reason why, because of her Valentine's absence. It made her pause, and feel the pain she had been suppressing all day. "Go on."

"Once more, thank you." Inara leaned in and kissing her daughter's scalp. "You be good Xiao Xiongmao." Feeling something ram against her legs she looked down to see Shanshan paw gently at her dress for attention.

Shan-shan, who had her tire in her mouth, dropped it at her owner's feet and gazed up expectantly.

"No games right now shadi mao, can you be good for Zoe and watch over Meilin for me?" She scratched the top of the cat's head before pulling away.

Shanshan let out her deep tiger 'woof' and stood next to Zoe.

Zoe glanced down at the cat, then up at Inara as she met Mal at the stairs.

A part of her wished she had found a new Valentine as the captain and the ex-companion headed up the stairs.

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

It wasn't Serenity.

And Book wasn't there with her on the bridge as she stood, limply. A cat curled around her shoulders, her things at her sides, and tears streaming down her face as she hoped she had made the right decision.

She had told him she would come back for him.

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

shao long: young dragon

Shifu Long: master dragon

xiao xiongma: little panda

shadi mao: silly cat