Blood…rain…anger. The emotions surge through her, as powerful as if they were her own. But they aren’t. River’s never seen images like these. Screaming…pain. She wants to cry and drown them out. But they won’t stop. Sadness. And then the images shift, and now she recognizes them. They’re her own…her own images….her own memories. No, please, go back… The captain’s dreams were better…so much better. She feels the sharp prick of a needle being inserted and then she’s swept away. She knows its not real. None of its real. None of it. But it feels real…feels too real.

River sat up in bed, tears coursing down her cheeks. The dream is over, but the memory remains. She sits up and lets her feet take her away. Her hand brushes the side of Serenity, the cool metal and wiring that make it feel so inviting…so safe. It’s good to feel safe…more important than most think. The memories come rushing back…they won’t leave her alone. She feels everything, just like in the Captain’s dream, except she knew what was happening…it did happen. She drops to all fours and pukes, unable to keep it down, and then dissolves into a heap of tears. But it doesn’t help. Only moving helps.

She gets back up and makes her way to the kitchen. No one’s there, but a small light flickered in the corner. She sits down on the couch and wraps her arms around her legs, pressing her forehead to her knees and cries. It had been so long since she had her dreams. The captain’s probably set her’s off. Fear begets fear. She sits there for a little while, cold…and it is not just space that makes her cold.

Suddenly, Jayne walks in to the room, looking sleepy. She watches him, and he doesn’t notice her at first as he walks into the kitchen and looks for food. Once he finds some, he turns around and goes to put it on the table, and that’s when he sees her.

“Hwoo di jihn ma, girl…wh…don’t scare a man like that!” She doesn’t respond, only digs her head in to her legs and cries. The shouts won’t stop. Jayne pauses, staring