CHAPTER 8

COUPLE DAYS LATER

River runs out of the infirmary ducking behind the first body she finds, "No more."

Malcolm looks at the girl who is hiding behind him confused, "Uh why am I the one she's hidin behind?"

"Tell Simon no more." River whimpers

"River" Simon walks out of the infirmary "it'll make you feel better."

"No." River protests

"So why you hidin behind me?"

"Please Simon? I'll be good." River pleads

"Come on doc. She has been doped up for a few days." Mal points out.

Simon groans, "Stay out of the way and be good."

River grins "I will." She takes off in a skip humming happily.

"Well she had good days... and bad... looks like she's back on good." Mal states

"Her moods have somewhat stabilized." Simon agrees

"Means you get a break Doc." Mal points out

"She is a full time job." Simon laughs

"That she is." Mal agrees

Simon looks down at the bay to see River dancing, "But she is my mei-mei." He says fondly. After a few minutes the two men head to their respective areas.

"Hey River. Good to see you up." Kaylee says joining her friend.

"Hi" River chirps

"Alright it's done sunshine girl. Now leave me" Jayne stops surprised to see River "alone" he finishes

"Jayne's been grumpy."

"Have not." Jayne grumbles wiping his hands off. "So you can finish that Kaylee?"

"Yep. How bout we play later River? Captain has me fixin somethin in the engine."

River nods "OK"

Jayne watches as River walks into the cargo hold humming to herself. After a few minutes of debate and making sure no one is around Jayne follows her. He finds River in the back amongst some old kept cargo boxes that are too tall for anyone to see around where her hide out is, "Been sleepin a long time." Jayne says

River opens her eyes, "Miss me?"

Jayne nods silently groaning at the look in her eyes and the feeling on her hands unbuttoning his fly. He lifts her against the cargo box her legs around his waist her head level with his, "Missed you girl."