River's eyes snapped open. She'd dreamed of pain and unshed tears. Even in her dreams, Jayne's grief seeped through strongly, overpowering the other voices she heard on Serenity. She sat up. Her sheet feel to her waist exposing her naked body from the waist up.

Jayne was stirring, the Captain was keeping a close eye on the navigation read out, Zoe was feeding the twins, Inara slept, and Kaylee and Simon were greeting the morning with love. She threw her sheet aside and walked to her closet naked. She didn't care for sleeping in the itchy and sensible nightgowns Simon bought her. If she did sleep in clothes, she'd much prefer to sleep in something Inara wore.

But sleeping naked was fine for her. It was the most logical thing to do, after all. When one slept, it was best to be comfortable. She of course knew when to sleep in a gown if Simon were to check on her at night. He checked on her every night at 11:33 pm and again at 7:23 am, he was so predictable. After he left, she'd shed her long nightgown. She smirked at the thought of what Simon would think if he knew his little mei-mei slept in the buff.

Today was not going to be a good day. At least not for Jayne. She pulled out her dark blue dress. She never wore it because it still reminded her of the Reavers anger. Yet... she knew Jayne had secretly thought it made her look almost woman like, instead of like a little girl dressed in too big hand me downs. Mal and Simon would not like seeing her in it again. In fact, she knew that both of them thought she'd thrown it out. She pulled it over her head and pulled on a pair of white sensible panties.

That was her, sensible and logical River. At least that's what she was before... no don't think about it! Needles, lights in the eyes, beep beep went the machines...

“Mei-mei? Are you dressed?” It was Simon. The clock on her bedside table read 7:23 right on the dot. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Yes, Simon,” she said finally.

“Are you all right? You sound a little out of breath?”