The crew of the Serenity fills the on board Infirmary. Simon is standing on the side, holding Kaylee's hand, waiting to getsome biological information from the stow away. Zoe is standing behind Mal, with her husband next to her. Kaylee, holding Simon's hand, stands in the doorway, with River behind her. Jayne stands next to the stow away, with his prized Rifle, Vera, ready to fire. The Stow away sits on the operating table, with an olive green towel wrapped around his waist. Kaylee looks at him as if he were the love of her life. To her, the stow away resembles the Doctor. His oak brown, straight hair hangs down to his shoulders. He waits in the silence, as for them to take in his story. Mal, notices Book outside, looking in from the window, with a grim look upon his face. "That's a convincing story," Zoe says firmly, beating Mal to the Punch. "Captain," "Yes, it was." Mal agrees, knowing he was going to say the same thing. "Now." Mal says as he stands in front of the stow away, and looks him in the eyes, the man's hair is blocking his own eyes. "You got a name?" The stow away combs his hair back with his hand, uncovering his bruised face. Mal stares directly into the man's two different colored eyes. The stow away's left eye being a hue of brown, while the right eye is a dark shade of red. "My name's Traves." He says with a low, nearly monotone voice. "Any last name?" "I don't know it." Traves replies softly. "SO, Traves." Mal says loudly, bringing Traves's head up form it's sag. "You fought in the war." Traves nodds slowly. "That was seven years, ago?" Simon, just takes this as an oppertunity to get something done. Simon, connects a small white clip to Traves' index finger. Everyone freezes at the long dead beep of the moniter. Simon recalls the day when Mal's old war friend, Tracey, showed up with similar vitals. "Uh... Doc." Mal says with a confused tone. "What's goning on?" Simon steps around the table, and examens Traves' chest. "AH-HA!" Simon shouts. "An insision scar... that's nearly invisible." "Another organ incu-thingy!?" Jayne asks, aiming his rifle at Traves' head, instead on his chest. "No." Simon thinks. "Tracey shown signs of cardiac arrest. Not death." That's when it hits him. Just as Simon is about to inform everyone what he knows, River interrupts. River walks right up to Traves, whose still sitting. She stands right in front of him and kisses him on the cheek. "Hello, again." she whispers into his ear. Upon hearing her voice Traves begins to ear up. Traves looks at River with tears running down his face and he feels at peace. They both close their eyes simultaneously. River beigns to message his temples, and they beign to feel like they are the only ones in the room. River opens her eyes to find herself floating in the black abyss of space. She doesn't seee Traves, but she knows that he's with her. Traves feels River's internal confusion and frustration. While River feels Traves' Pain and fear. That's when Traves realizes that he and River are still on Serenity, but far far away. River feels her face to feel Traves' unshaved chin. River begins to think that they aren't on Serenity anymore. So, Traves lets her know that they are now one, not longer two. "Two by two. Hands of Blue." They recite as the black of space changes to a sterile white of Hospital walls. "Hollow house with no soul." They find themselves standing in an operating room. Two pillars of white light shine down on to two tables. "Whispers of Angels Call." River and Traves stare at the sleeping patients and recognize themselves on the tables. "In fluid silent air." They watch as men concealed in the shadows begin to operate on them. Two sets of hands, both blue. "A city of the Dead." They watch in horror as they see themselves screaming in pain, with blood pouring from them heads. "Where the Nemisis lies." The operations fade into darkness, and stars reappear. "Conspiracey Phantoms." Two tall white men walk out of the darkness. Both bald, both in suits, and both with hands of blue. "Taken to Underworld." The men crumble and shatter like pillars of Salt in the wind. The salt falls by Traves and River's feet. "Omen points in our eyes." The salt begins to swirl up around them, seperating them back into two. "Two by two. Hands of Blue." ... "The Hymn of the Sun." Book states as he walks in. "An ancient ritualistic scripture, said to open up the minds." Everyones attention quickly turned back to the two. River falls to the ground with blood dripping out of her eyes, and her hands staind with blood. Traves opens his mouth to speak, only to have blood pour out of his mouth like he was a fountain. Simon runs to his sister, panicing because he sees no external wounds, or any signs of injury. Simon stares at Traves, like everyone else, wondering what just happend. Book hands Traves a white cloth to wipe off the blood. Once Traves cleaned off his mouth, he whispers. "Shepherd Book." Book turns, wondering if Traves said anything. "You got a visitor." At that moment, Serenity comes to a halt. Everyone is jossled to the ground. Mal looks aimlessly at his crew, realizing what just happend. ... Come back next time to find out and hope to get your questions answered. Will Kaylee fall in love with the mysterious stranger? What was that odd day dream River and Traves shared? Who is this Traves? And why has Serenity suddenly stopped? Find out in my next installment of "Whispers in the Air."