Three weeks to Leonore:Part One

"River? River!"

Simon had checked practically the entire ship for her. She wasn't in her room or the infirmary, kitchen, bridge, Inara's shuttle, the other shuttle, engine room or the other crewmember's quarters. He'd even knocked on Jayne's door in search of River. He was now in the passenger dorms as well as in a flat panic.

'RIVER!!"

'Shh."

Simon skidded to a halt and peered into the dimly lit room. Cassandra was sitting up in bed with a book propped open on her knees. And curled up next to her was River. Simon let out a raggedy breath.

"Wha?'

"She snuck in an hour ago," whispered Cassandra.

"I'm so sorry. I hope she hasn't disturbed you?"

"Nah. I heard you calling. I would've come and told you but I'm wedge in here pretty good." Cassandra shifted uneasily.

"I could move her..." suggested Simon, moving towards River.

"Don't worry about it. She seems content. It would be sad to wake her. It's no problem for me, I don't sleep for the first two days in a new bunk, anyway."

"Oh. Okay. I'll be in my room, if she needs me."

"Goodnight, Doc."

Simon looked at his sister then disappeared down the hall. Cass looked at the girl and smiled. Strange little thing, she thought. She'd wandered in without a word, looking as wild as anything and just curled up on the bed and promptly gone to sleep. Cass had met some unusual characters in her life, so what's one more? She turned her attention back to her book. It was true what she had said, she could never sleep in a new bunk right away. The situation wasn't made any better by the actual bunk concerned. It felt like it couldn't quite decide between lumpy and flat, which had resulted in a unexpected unevenness. Three weeks of this bunk.

She had no idea why she'd picked this boat to get to Leonore. There were two other ships heading that way, why had she picked the Firefly? Maybe she had been hooked by the little mechanic? Really, who could ignore such unadulterated cheerfulness? Cass had wanted to ask what there was to be so damn h