Chapter 7. Thanks to BEB for beta-reading.

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Inara walked into the kitchen in order to grab a few things for her morning tea. She intended to head back to her shuttle in order to prepare it. She didn’t want to wake Brian if she didn’t have to, though she had no doubt Mal would start complaining about the noise and the smell, as usual.

She could see him in her mind, lying there, complaining about not being allowed to sleep, and asking her to come back to bed. She was just about to leave the tea packets in order to find other ways of waking them both up, when she spotted a pair of dainty legs out of the corner of her eye.

Sliding around the stove, she saw River sprawled out in a chair next to Brian, her gaze fixed on his sleeping face. Moving closer, Inara leaned down in order to talk to River softly.

“River, sweetie, I really don’t think this is the best place to be right now.”

When there wasn’t any response, she touched the young girl’s arm. “River?”

“Unguarded.” River replied. “Guards himself in order to protect. Can’t let anyone see. Even his dreams. They use your dreams. Mold them to fit what they want. Monsters and dark places and…”

Inara placed her hand on River’s face. “Shhh, River, it’s alright.”

After taking a deep breath, River continued. “He guards them. But can’t guard them now. Doesn’t want to. Lost his sister. Needs someone to share the pain.” She reached out, and placed a hand on top of the young man’s head. “I’m here. Sunshine is here.”

Deciding to leave the young couple in peace, Inara walked back to where she had left the pouches. Picking them up, she started to leave the galley, when she heard Brian say, “That’s quite alright, Ms. Serra. You may use the stove.”

Turning back, she said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

She saw Brian sit up, and start to rub his eyes. “No need to fret, Ms. Serra. I would have woken up in the next few minutes anyway.” Glancing at River, he turned his attention back to Inara and asked, “