Dreams and Strangers-Part 1 **Night-time on board Serenity**

River Tam wandered into the small kitchen onboard Serenity and started to make a fresh pot of tea. It was late and she'd set their course for a small patch of dirt right near Whitefall, apparently Mal knew of someone who'd pay big money to get to Persephone. River smiled looking over at Jayne, the two of them had reached a fairly easy truce since Miranda, to be honest most of the ship's tensions had been pushed aside in favour of becoming a closer family.

"Tea?" She asked. He nodded at the girl as he rubbed a balm into his broad, tanned shoulders. River watched as he as he did this, his muscles were all in knots and anyone could tell he was making it worse. Abandoning the tea-making she walked over to stand behind Jayne "You're doing it wrong." She batted his hands away and started rubbing at his shoulder. Immediately Jayne felt an effect, his muscles started to warm and unkink. Simon wandered in with Kaylee trailing close behind, those two had become each other's shadows lately, Jayne mused, allowing his guard to drop while River's small hands helped release the tension from under Jayne's skin. "Good night everyone." Kaylee was beaming, Jayne liked seeing the ships-mechanic happy, even if it was on account o the doc. When he felt River's grip tense.

There were ladies, swirling like spinning tops, dancing everywhere, bleeding from their faces. Clothed in garments finer than you would find even in a Companion's wardrobe. Amongst the ladies wandered two wolves one dark and one white. They would hunt the ladies, and yet the ladies fawned over the wolves- petting and mewling as if they were pups. River was scared of the dark one, and yet the white wolf evoked awe. The way his muscles rippled and eyes were filled with hunger. She let out a little sigh as it's wet tink tongue slid out to lick her fingers. That wolf was only a puppy, really not nearly as dangerous as the dark one stalking a girl behind them. That girl couldn't have been much older than River herself and yet she was filled with more power than River herself could dream of. Wreathed in golden light she danced, dressed much differently to the other women in the room. She knew she wasn't lucid, that this was her first 'episode' since Miranda but she coiuldn't help but watch as the two wolves circled the blonde, watching the young girl dance but evading the light that she danced in all the same.

She could feel the white wolf watching her. Confused as to why he couldn't step into the golden halo of light that surrounded the lithe, young body that was still dancing, as if she was completely unaware of everything else. Then in a shower of what felt like blood the dark wolf, the ladies and the beautiful dancing girl seemed to melt, serenely into the walls and floor. Leaving the white wolf alone and staring at River as if pleading for her help.

River jumped back from Jayne with a small yelp, she was shaking and she couldn't help but be confused as to where she was and why there was metal underfoot and why hadn't she danced with those beautiful women? "Mei-mei?" Simon wrapped his sister up in a hug while the rest of Serenity's crew watched on. Even Jayne had a look that resembled concern. As Simon scooped River up and started walking her to bed. Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity's brave and stalwart captain, watched as his pilot was being escorted out of the small common-area. "That's her first attack since Miranda." Zoe remarked quietly. Mal nodded, he'd been certain River was on the mend, she was a competent pilot and a quick study when it came to other aspects of the ship, often coming up with angles that even he as captain hadn't thought of. "What if it's about our next job Mal?" Jayne muttered quietly, always daring to say what no-one else would. "Well if it is we'll know something by mornin' don't you go worryin Jayne. Your cut's safe. Now everyone off ta bed with ya, I don't pay any of you to be to tired to do your work."