"Boo."

Simon spun around as he had just gotten off of the mule, swiftly pulled into a hug by his little sister. Looking down, he wrapped his arms around the skinny little frame and hugged her tight. Sighing, his eyes shut as he relaxed. "Don't ever run off like that."

"You smell like dog." She scrunched up her nose to the scent. York, was on her shoulder, and flattened his ears to the odor as well.

A frown turned on his face. "River...."

"Relax, doc." Mal said while in stride. "She's dandy, just tucked herself away 'cause she had to git over somethin'...."

"Are you ok?" Pulling back, her brother's eyes looked her over with a critical gaze. "Is.... is there anything wrong?" Receiving the facial contortion of an annoyed teenager, he gave a critical expression, narrowing his eyes. "Do I need to run some tests..."

"There'll be no tests." The captain butted in as River wriggled free to skip over to Kaylee. "She's right 'n shiny."

"What was wrong?"

Licking his lips, he lied blatantly, shrugging his shoulders. "Hormones I reckon, you know those of the female persuasion." Whilst Simon pondered over the answer, he whistled to the psychic. "Albatross, girl talk can wait, go git ready."

"Ready for what?" The trauma surgeon asked warily.

"Your sister's gonna come with me and Zoe to fetch the horse." Turning, he followed Kaylee and River inside, where the ritualistic smell of the morning coffee, bacon, eggs and congee created the breakfast bouquet.

Inara looked up as River and Kaylee were chatting. "River?"

"Hi. Feeling better." The announcement was said over the shoulder as she trotted up the stairs.

Zoe arched a brow and looked to Mal, a hot cup of bona fide coffee in her hands. They may have been walking a thin financial line, yet they were blessed with real coffee beans. None of that synthesized stuff that could melt paint like they had up in the black. "Damn good cowboy, Sir, seeing as you can wrangle yourself that Lil' One."

"I know, didn't have ta put her on a lead or nothing,