They were tangled together.

A quilt covering their lower halves, facing one another. Fiyero's arms were wrapped around River, feet linked with her own as he slept off the exhaustion of love making as well as weeks of heartache brought from being apart.

River was not nearly as tired, but lay with him, kissing what she could, relishing his presence. He looked peaceful, and his mind was content as he snored softly. Wiggling out of his grasp, she sat up.

He groaned.

"Shhh." River kissed his lips as his arms found her waist and hooked around it.

"Where' you goin'?" He asked sleepily, eyes clothed for the most part.

"Need to get up." She petted his chest, then pressed her mouth upon a pectoral. "You need to rest."

"Wanna rest with you." He tugged her back down, and then proceeded to snuggle up against her.

River, far too happy to protest, kissed him from mouth to collarbone, and cuddled in as it appeased herself as well.

If only until he fell back asleep.

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

Shan-shan had come out of hiding.

She was with Inara, underfoot as Inara was going through their dwindling food supply and making a list of what they had and what they were going to need, quickly.

Inara, jotting down a bag of rice was in order, suddenly felt a broad head nudge her back. "Shan-shan."

There was a happy chuff as the tiger nuzzled the crouched woman. Nosing her arm until her head wedged under the arm.

"I see you." Inara scratched the bridge of the nose, then pushed Shan-shan back, only to have a large paw bump her elbow.

"Are we running out of food?"

Turning, looking up, there was the Operative.

"I have some money for food and supplies if needed." He told her. "It's the least I can do to show my gratitude towards your hospitality."

"We may have to accept that offer..." She paused, preparing to say his name, yet remembering there was no name to say. "Um... what's your name?"

"I fear I have none."

Shan-shan sniffed his shoes, then with a flick of her tail rammed her head into his pant leg.

"Captain Reynolds has told me I need to come up with one." He reached down, scratching an orange head. "Or else he will give me one, and I fear his choice."

"I would fear his choice as well. Mal wouldn’t be kind with what he chose." Inara stood up, seeing a man she did not know. He was not a threat, he was not dangerous, he was not the enemy. He was worn and tame. "Have you given any thought to your new name?" She went over to the counter and grabbed a basket.

He followed, knowing she was off to fetch what eggs had been laid that day in order to feed the masses. "Yes," The Operative took a basket as well, the tiger trailing behind them both as they took coats off of the hanger and slid them on "I've been trying, however names mean so much." He opened the door for her and followed Inara outside. "There're various meanings, interpretations, a name often embodies an individual, defines them."

Shan-shan caught up with them. "Rooowl."

"You really think so?" Inara probed. "That a name embodies a person or a person embodies the meaning of a name?"

"A River is an unstoppable force, it can cut a path through unmovable boulders and render them into sand. It looks serene, calm, but underneath the surface is a powerful, deadly current." He explained. "Meilin is from the mandarin dialect, plum jade, a precious jewel treasured by all."

Inara watched him.

“Your name interpritates to radiant light, Dr. Tam’s means harkening. Granted not everyone embodies their name’s meaning. But a name is nonetheless important.”

"Well, you may not have one now, but I'm sure if we both ruminate on the subject we may find you one that will serve you justice." She offered.

"I would like that very much, Miss Serra."

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

Mal stood at the horse pasture.

His leg was sore as hell from jumping up into the patrol craft and moving around so much. However he kept there, petting the velvety nose of his equine partner. Blue eyes having watched Inara, Operative and cat head off to collect eggs, he looked to the golden dun mare who hung her neck over the fence.

Xin's ear flicked, and she nickered at the attention as her eyes looked anxious to go out and work the pasture. The mare tossed her head, mane spraying.

"I know." He caught her head and scratched Xin's cheek. "I gotta get this leg healed some, but we'll run." As the talk soothed the restless horse, he rested his forehead against the longer one and sighed heavily. "Be all over these hills soon enough ya speed demon."

Xin grunted, sliding her head away, up and nibbling in his hair.

"Haaaaay... don't slobber on me." He pushed the massive horse head away.

"You think too loud."

Turning, the captain found River perched on the fence, looking out into the pasture to see her horse Willow. The young woman seemed to have one of Fiyero's tunic's on as well for a dress, bright yellow silk with orange appliqué, the sash lashed high on her waist. "And where's the Ponytail?" He quipped.

"Sleeping, he's tired." She announced. "Was a long trip."

"Huh."

"Also made love to me, thrice."

Mal's face twisted up as if he had smelled a business end of a cow, then nearly choked on his own spit.

River giggled. "Your thoughts only get louder." She rocked on the wooden bar of the fence. "And don't be so prude."

His brow furrowed, and his lower lip pushed out some as he frowned.

"We're careful, also love one another."

"It's called young love, Lil' Albatross." Mal folded his arms against the rough wood and leaned in as his horse sniffed his hair noisily before walking away. "Everyone gets that feeling the first time. It's like there's only one person in the 'verse that's made mail order for you." He shifted his weight to ease the pain on his healing knee some. "But it don't usually mean forever and it hurts when that fuzzy lil' dreamworld bubble of yours pops."

"Your concern is touching." She announced, softly. "It's different though..."

"That's what we all think."

"We're different." She corrected. "Different for readers, more connection, not what you think."

"Oh it's exactly what I think..." He announced, eyebrows raised and pitch a touch higher than normal "but I'll agree it's a little more than what I think too, you clairvoyants are complicated as hell and I just... want you to be careful." The captain's voice hit a touching note. "It's easy ta end up with some heartache or a fella that don't treat you proper."

"I'll be careful, Aby."

His head whipped around to her. "Where'd you get that?"

River's grin was crooked and humorous. "Easy to make your voice squeaky."

"I ain't your pa." He countered, seriously.

"Simon is the worried mother hen, you are the more lenient teddy bearish paternal influence."

"Why'd ya gotta up and call me a teddy bear?" Mal groused, ruffled.

"Teddy bear with grizzly tendencies." She slid across the fence and pecked his cheek. "Aby the teddy grizzly."

"You best not tell anyone 'cause this could ruin my reputation." He mumbled, pretending not to enjoy the affection.

"You're a good father. Started with me, now with Meilin. Only do it because I missed you." However her fathomless eyes pulled away.

Puzzled, Mal turned to see his brothers riding in from tending the cattle. "What's up?"

"Gotta talk to your brother," She announced a matter-of-factly as River's small figure hopped down.

"Which one and why?"

"Judas." she walked away. "Doesn't belong here."

Mal opened his mouth to ask another question.

"Should be piloting a ship."

As she left, the wagon pulled into the yard and Mal limped over as it pulled into the barn. Once there, he approached the horses, running his hand along the mare’s back. “So, how was the family outing?”

Simon looked ready to either cry in frustration, horror, or go hide as he jumped down. “I don’t think we were ready.” He announced in a muttered tone as he headed to the back to help Kaylee as Mal unhitched the horses.

“Little rough with two critters?” He unbuckled the belts from a restless Nui and pulled off her collar.

“You could say that.” He took down Liam, then Dakota. “Liam, Dakota, please stay next to m…”

Dakota hurried off to climb up on a hay bale and pet a horse.

Simon clapped his hand over his eyes before grabbing a sack of clothes.

“Spirited eh?” Mal hefted the harness to a shoulder, and led Nui to her stable.

“You could say that.” Simon set the bag down and went over to the girl, catching her before she could scamper off. “I told you to stay next to me.” He announced, hardly threatening as he was frayed from the day.

She scowled, defiantly. “No.” Pushing him away, trying to escape.

Simon held on tighter. Looking down at her with less affection than he had the first time he had laid eyes on his child. “Kaylee, I’m going to take them inside before someone tries to run away… again.”

“Alright honey.” Kaylee tossed another sack down.

“Come on Liam.” Pinning Dakota with one arm, he gestured for the boy to follow, and Liam did. Running up and catching the corner of his coat to not stray from his father, the three headed towards the house.

“How are you holding up Meimei?” Mal went over and scooped a coffee can amount of feed from a barrel.

“Alright.” She climbed down with a small bag from Colter’s.” We got some stuff, alota clothes, some toys and books…” Her voice drifted off as she hefted another sack, and her eyes grew distant.

Feeding Nui, he watched her and furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong.”


“Oh,” she put on a smile. “it’s nothing.. jitters I guess. Liam’s a real tian xin. He’s all snuggles and he don’t question anything…”

“But…”

“Just looks like Dakota’s gonna be a lot work, that’s all. But, she’s cute, and she looks like Simon and I just think she’s got alota energy and spunk.”

"Kids are tough, Meimei." He went over to hang the harness on it's proper hook. "I know I didn't spare my mother from gettin' grey hairs. I take it you'll do fine though, the Doc too considering he's mother hened River for a few years. Just gotta find your stride is all." He walked back to finish when Simon came back in.

"You should be resting that leg." Simon chastised.

"Don't care to be idle, besides, I was bedridden for some time." He unbuckled Tao "Take it you need to tend to those little ones too. I can handle bedding down the horses."

"We really shouldn't leave Dakota alone." Kaylee agreed, nervously.

Before Simon could agree, the sound of someone coming down from the loft stairs. They all looked up, towards River's room, to see Fiyero. He was in his trousers and nothing else, bathed, shaved, hair cut but tousled in a post-coitol way. It made Simon's color drain as the young man brushed his hair out with his fingers and pulled it back. Seeing everyone, he waved quite lazily. "Hi."

"Hi Fiyero." Kaylee greeted easily.

Simon's mouth fell opened.

"So um... Does anyone know where River is?" He padded down, barefoot. "She sorta... has my shirt... which she may or may not be using as a dress. I'd like to have it back, keeps my chest less naked and more modest." Fiyero explained, then feeling the terror gripping the brother’s mind, he instantly regretted his words.

Kaylee giggled.

Simon looked ready to have a heart attack.

Mal cleared his throat and looked away.

"I'm here." River came in, using his shaolin tunic indeed as a dress.

"I woke up and I was quite alone." He groused. "As well as mentally blocked, unable to hear you. Felt like an abandoned puppy."

"Poor puppy." She can up to him and gave him a kiss.

Her brother rocked, his inner mind reeling.

River gave Simon a 'calm down' look over her shoulder before turning and lacing her hands around Fiyero's neck.

Fiyero's blue green eyes glanced to the spectators, and felt the horror and discomfort from the men. "Well um... Should we... be... do this... Look!" He pointed out. “People with eyes….”

River pecked his cheek. "Go upstairs." She purred. "Have an hour and a half before dinner."

Mal scratched his ear.

Kaylee nodded her head, pleased her meimei was getting some.

Simon's mouth floundered, and he nearly lost his footing.

River, flaunting her newfound amour, practically crawled up the length of Fiyero until he was holding her. Her arms around his neck, she kissed his mouth and whispered something most likely scandalous as her lover's ears turned red before he gave the bashful smile to the remaining party and headed back up.

Simon stood there, mortified.

Mal sidled up and patted his back in consolation.

*** *** *** DEFINITIONS/TRANSLATIONS tian xin: Sweetheart meimei: sister *****As always, the writer appreciates all comments whether they be positive, negative, or suggestions.**