Mal Love Bots for Sale! (5/6)

Word Count: 1,321 per Word

Rating: NC-17

Author’s Note: For damiarvn, srichard, and obsidianagirl.

Summary: This the end. There will be an Epilogue however that is pure smutty goodness.

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Mal took his time as he headed toward the dorms. He wanted the extra time to think about what he was going to say.

River's reaction concerned him and he needed answers.

He slid her door open to find River curled up in ball, her head resting in the bots stiff lap. It reminded him of his last view of Mr. Universe but he quickly shoved that memory aside. He needed to deal with her, not ghosts from the past.

"River?" Mal asked softly, as he shut the door behind him.

Rolling over, she buried her face in the bot's stomach, trying to hide herself from Mal.

"River sweetheart. I think we need to talk." Mal sat on the bed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Embarrassed. No one was suppose to know, especially you."

"I've known since the crate arrived."

River turned scared, confused eyes looking at his.

Mal grinned at her look. "You're not the only smart person on this boat. I watched you open the crate. I've been coming down to the common area and been listening to what you've been doing with that bot."

River blushed and turned to bury her face again.

"Not sure how I feel about you carrying on with that bot. Never been jealous of a bot that was me before."

River lay perfectly still. Frozen in hope and fear.

"Honey, I need you to look at me. Tell me what's going on. I'm in the dark here and I don't want to do the wrong thing."

River trembled as she sat up to lean against the wall, her knees against her chest. The realm of emotions for someone other than her brother was still new to her. She loved Serenity and its crew, but how she felt for the Captain was something entirely different. This was outside her realm of understanding but she had to know.

"Nobody sees me. I'm not just an albatross. I'm a woman now. Have feelings. See