Author: Tinadoll (aka Tina- That’s me!)

Setting: After BDM.

Rating: R to NC-17.

Spoilers: Yes.

Author’s note: This is a new chapter. Don’t remember if this chapter was Beta’d or not. I try to do the best I can editing by myself but you can do nice by just ignoring all the mistakes. Also if you missed Chapter 16 :http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=18645

Chapter 17- I left my heart in Serenity Valley.

She awoke the next morning with a start. Her dream had left her unsettled and she closed herself off from him even more. She needed to figure out if the dream who planted this idea and how she was invading Mal’s dreams.There was pain in the pit of her stomach. But she needed to hold on. Something happened at Serenity Valley. Her heart seemed to linger there.

But she kept her nose down and days turned to months. They took as many jobs as they could. It wasn’t the glamorous life she was use to but it was living- free of the sins of the past. The upside was that they were always on the move- and very hard to track. She could almost sense Lady Yoshida’s frustration. The only thing that kept her company was Shepard Book’s good book.

Soon everyone began to leave her alone. Even Zoë, who hated her before, now included her in meetings and even went so far and to lighten up a little. But it was an uphill battle and they were not at peace yet.

Her relationship with the River Tam deepened. River, whom now she called “mei-mei” on a regular basis, was like a true little sister, following her everywhere and even exchanging clothes. (Well more like River borrowed her stuff and never gave it back-Sneaky little albatross) Maria had extended her wardrobe to include sweaters and blue jeans (most of which she had to drag back from River’s room). And on Paquin, found a pair of worn and comfortable boots that she always wore. They were brown because she stayed away from black as much as she could. But in an effort to remember the past- she had one black out fit in a box under her bed-just in ca