A/N: An early post as I will be out of town tomorrow....

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Dear River,

Happy Birthday, Merry Yuletide and Congratulations on your big step in life. It seems so much has come along these past weeks, months, particularly on your front. Here you are, eighteen years old and in a new stage of your life away from your kin. From your last letter to us it sounds just up your alley, challenging and the like. I fear if you stayed on the ranch you would have been unfulfilled. You’re too complex to be satisfied with our existence, I reckon once you’re done learning (which will be soon as you absorb things faster than a sponge) you’ll be off in the sky doing something great. Can’t say what, but it’ll be beyond the ordinary I suspect.

Around here not much has changed, Kaylee’s talking more and more about Yuletide, which means it’s coming. The ranch is fine, I’m healing and my lungs are scarred up, your brother has me doing some ridiculous breathing exercises so I can breathe well and go back to work. I’ve been able to work in the house, but the cold is what’s difficult on me. Other than that, Meilin’s been growing by leaps and bounds. She’s smiling, playing, doing all sorts of stuff. Happiest little thing I’ve ever seen.

Well I got to go, never been adept at writing letters. I hope you’re well.

Love,

Zoe

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Purple Piranhas tearing her to pieces.

River gasped, startled, yet not horrified as she found herself against Fiyero’s bare hide. Feeling him stir, she pressed her lips to his chest and tried to muse over something else other than the nightmares. Simon probably would have had a heart attack, the Captain would be flustered, Inara would be supportive, Kaylee would be cheering her on, Zoe would be quietly supportive, and Jayne would care less. She was glad it hadn’t happened while on the ranch, as the moment would have probably felt less intimate and more secretive.

“Are you ok?” He asked groggily.

The dark head of hair nodded a