“Where’ve you been?” Kaylee asked as River dropped from the horse’s back.

“Out for a ride.”

“I kinda figured that,” the mechanic smiled. “Just wondered where.”

“To the hills.” She pointed to a purple smudge along the edge of the world. “We found a stream and I paddled.” She lifted one bare foot, covered in dirt.

“You’d better wash up before Simon sees you,” Kaylee suggested. “You know what he thinks about you not wearing shoes.”

“Too tight,” River said, leading her horse towards the barn. “I can’t feel the world in them. It’s like trying to fix Serenity wearing mittens.”

Kaylee laughed and followed her. “I don’t think I've ever tried that, but I know what you mean. Sometimes I just wanna take off all my clothes and run naked.”

“You should,” the girl said. “Simon would like it. And it does wonders.”

“Don’t tell me you …” Kaylee goggled.

“There was no-one there,” River said calmly, picking up a brush to start cleaning her mount. “No-one to tell me to stop.”

“Good job there wasn't anyone to watch you either.”

River sighed. “No.”

“And what was that for, mei-mei ?” When River didn’t answer Kaylee went on, “That damn big noise you just made?”

“It wasn't big.”

“Big enough.” Kaylee put her head onto one side. “You missing Jayne?”

River just scratched at a patch of dried earth on the horse’s flank. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I don’t know what your game is with him, but you gotta be careful.” Kaylee glanced out of the door to make sure her husband wasn't anywhere in sight. “Jayne’s older’n you, a lot, and bigger. Not sure you can handle all the feelings you’re turning on in that man.”

“He’s my friend.”

“Mine too, but …” Kaylee paused. “Simon’s worried. So’m I.”

“I know.” River turned to look at her, her great dark eyes like pools in the dim barn. “But Jayne doesn’t care for me that way.”

“And what about you? How do you feel about him?” Kaylee held her breath, not sure if she really wanted to know the answer.

River stopped, he