River was singing. Just quietly. Not loud enough to wake the ghosts, but just enough to keep her company as she began work.

“Albatross?” It was Mal, and he sounded concerned. “You in there?”

She didn’t look up, just carried on. “No.”

“Right. So I should just go looking for River someplace else, right?”

“Right.”

“Only … are they my best sheets?” Mal stared at the white cotton walls in front of him, curtaining off a goodly portion of the side of the cargo bay.

“No.”

“Ah. I was just asking as there’s a couple of ‘em looks like they’re slightly pink, and I seem to recall Kaylee accidentally putting in one of her T’s with the laundry that time and we were sleeping on blushing bed linen for a month.”

“They weren't doing anything.”

“No, no, I conjure you’re right about that. Not likely to be tap-dancing around the galley. But they were clean.”

“Still clean.”

“But not as likely to get used if they’re hanging up here.” He stepped forward. “What’re you doing in there?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why –“

“If you ask any more questions I might get cross, and if I get cross it’s not good for my hormone levels,” River pointed out.

“Maybe not, but this kinda thing ain't exactly good for my own blood pressure.”

River stuck her head out between two of the sheets, like a magician about to perform an amazing trick. “Nothing to worry about.” She smiled brilliantly then vanished again.

“Mal …” Simon stepped hesitantly out of the common area. “Is there something going on that I might need to know about?”

Serenity’s captain turned to look at him. “That depends. Your sister often creates a room for herself, does she?”

“You mean River’s –“

“Inside. Yes.”

“River?” He moved closer.

“Go away.” She didn’t sound angry, more … resigned.

“What are you doing, mei-mei ?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why can’t I come in and –“ He reached out a hand to twitch the sheet aside, but she was faster. In a moment she had stepped through the slight overlap and grabbed his wrist