Another ball, another masquerade, another pantomime. Fancy rich people dressed up to parade themselves like fish in an Earth-that-was jewellery store. Faceless people passed before her, they were not important, two men stood out clearer than the rest. Their faces could be seen but their identities were still unknown. They were from different ends of the ‘verse but united by one thing, revenge, and they were deep in conversation. They were planning something, their eyes lit up by a cold satisfaction. Some words floated through the fog,

“ paid…job….humiliated….whore……Reynolds……..Good.”

And then River woke, terrified, and, unable to sort memories from nightmares or psychic visions she didn’t know what to do.

*****

Mal was in a bad mood, paranoid and crotchety some might say but Kaylee didn’t let that stop her and River.

“Please Cap’n “ Kaylee whined. She had been wearing him down for a little over an hour now and Mal was plenty past the point of being tired with her persistent personality. River had just followed her around, adding the voice of her mournful eyes to Kaylee’s din.

“ It’ll do everybody real good to have two days off ship “ she said “ might make everybody stop mopin’ aroun’ is all”. Mal was quiet for a moment as he remembered his newest loss of comrades.

“ Fine” he said abruptly “ shiny, you all go to this fair thing an’ I’ll stay with Serenity.”

Kaylee’s warm face beamed up at him as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

“ I love my Cap’n “

“ Yea well don’ let the good Doc hear you sayin’ tha’ , likely get a mite jealous, go all revengesome space monkey on me.“

Mal said, trying to suppress a smile as Kaylee bounced away. River gave him a sad look and then glided after Kaylee.

*****

The ship touched down, supplies came on, cargo left and then so did the crew. Jayne stomped away in his very fine orange hat, presumably to the nearest whorehouse, Simon, River and Kaylee to the fair, Zoe just walked, Inara was long gone and Mal was alone.

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