CHAPTER 7

NEXT DAY

"Hey River" Kaylee joins River as she sits on the catwalk watching Jayne lift weights "why do you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Every time someone is liftin weights you watch."

"Numbers" River shrugs "weights numbers."

"River likes numbers... always has. When she was little she used to count how many times the workers would do things." Simon informs Kaylee as he crouches beside River checking her forehead.

"Stop it" River slaps his hand "not sick."

"Don't hit" Simon says annoyed "Considering you spent time out in the rain wouldn't be surprised if you ended up sick."

"Didn't go out in the rain." River lies. "Ask Jayne." She slaps Simon's hand again. "Stop it Simon"

"Well that's a sign she ain't sick." Kaylee laughs

River sticks her tongue out

"Very mature River." Simon says amused

River throws her arms around Simon's neck "Love you Simon."

Simon hugs his sister, "Love you too River."

River scrambles to her feet and skips off down the catwalk.

"She is good." Kaylee giggles seeing Simon's expression when he realizes once again his little sister outwitted him.

"How is it I'm outwitted by her every time?"

"She's your mei-mei and she adores you." Kaylee grins only to get Simon to squirm.

River skips into the bridge where she finds Wash alone. "Hi Wash" she sits in the vacant chair.

"Hey River, havin fun?" Wash asks

"Avoiding Simon." River scowls

"More shots?"

"No keeps checkin my head."

"Why?"

"Doesn't want me hot"

Wash frowns "Oh you mean a fever"

River reaches into her dress pocket, "Made you somethin" She removes a piece of paper and hands it to Wash.

Wash unfolds it to find a sketch of a T-rex. "Shiny. Add it to the others."

River grins then looks out at the sky.

"Wash" Mal begins "oh hey little witch what you doin?"

"Watching." River answers. "Is Simon gone?"

"Think so. You hidin again?" Mal asks

"I was countin... distracted me." River answers "Keeps checking to see if I don