River felt the cool metal grate beneath her feet as she walked. Her arms danced softly by her sides, in rhythm with the Song of Serenity. She let the rail lift her up and she climbed into a crook on the ceiling, the cargo bay many meters below her. She wasn’t worried though. Serenity would keep her safe. The mother’s watchful eye kept all of them safe. Still dancing, she moved her head and let her hair hang down in the cool air. A jumbled mind interrupted the song, and a moment later a voice rang out in the cargo bay.

“Moonbrain!” River rolled her eyes, but a small smile rested on her lips. Jayne looked about the cargo bay, satisfied that she was not near his weights. He continued his search, and started climbing the steps.

“Don’t know why I have ter look fer her. Mal wants to choose a crazy to be pilot, he should look fer her,” he grumbled. “Like tryin to make Kaylee stop smiling, ruttin girl could hide anywhere.” River couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped, and Jayne jumped at the noise. “What the…” he said, looking up, but could not see her from his vantage point. He walked a little further on the catwalk and jumped when he saw her crouched in the celing. “Shing don sei, girl! What the ruttin hell you doin up there? Tryin to kill yerself?” River felt his surprise and anger, but was surprised at the touch of worry thrown into the mix.

“Listening,” she answered.

“Well, if you have ter do it up there, then it aint worth whatever yer listenen to.”

“But it is….listening helps you learn.”

“Learn what?” Jayne asked speculatively.

“Learn to dance….you have to learn how to dance sometime, Jayne.”

“Yeah will, I ain’t so get down fer ya fall and splat and the captain makes me clean it up.” River giggled again, and Jayne lifted up his arms to help her down. She lowered one leg, then the other, then let herself fall into his awaiting arms. Jayne frowned.

“Ruttin hell, girl, you don't eat enough. It ain’t natural to be that skinny, no matter how bad Mal’s cookin is.” River smile