It really hadn’t been hard for River to sneak away. In fact, had her parents known how easy it was, they probably would have locked her in a jail cell next to her brother. But because they couldn’t or wouldn’t understand all their little girl was capable of, River was, in essence, free as a bird.

And if getting out was easy – a pop of the lock to her door, a quick scamper down the grand staircase – then locating Inara and Kaylee was almost a walk in the park. Getting into the training house had proved the most challenging, but with her usual grace and intuitive nature, River had padded her way inside on silent feet, blending into shadows and making no noise.

And so now, she was in Kaylee’s room, having a difficult time wiping the smile of relief that occupied her face at the sight of her friend.

“Found you.”

Waking instantly, her heart pounding in her ears, Kaylee looked around wildly, trying to determine where that wisp of voice had come from.

River sat back on her haunches, waiting. With a bemused smile she watched her best friend’s brilliant green eyes recognize her, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle her surprised gasp. “River?” she breathed, wiping at her eyes to be sure she was truly seeing her.

As an answer, River threw her arms around Kaylee, holding her tight. “Thank you for coming,” she whispered as the young mechanic’s momentary shock faded to relief.

“O’ ‘course, sweetie.” Pulling back, Kaylee tucked River’s wild hair behind her ears and said, “We weren’t gonna leave you here.”

Grasping Kaylee’s hand suddenly, the younger woman told her, “Simon needs you.”

“An’ I need him,” Kaylee breathed, almost as an afterthought. Blinking rapidly to focus her attention back on her late night visitor, she asked hurriedly, “Is he okay?”

Shaking her head no, River said brokenly, “He’s scared. Needs to know he hasn’t been forgotten.”

Feeling her eyes sting with unshed tears, Ka