River wasn't very comfortable in the crowded spaces of the Sky Plex they were in. She never liked crowds when she was a child, and she didn't like them any more now. Mal and Zoe were once again strolling around every bar looking for some job to do. The incident at Miranda did help the Serenity crew somewhat, as they didn't have to stay under the radar anymore. But, as Mal was, he decided to do it anyway.

River heard nothing but noise. She was finding her way following the rest of the crew, and she could barely make out Simon and Kaylee amongst the crowd.

Suddenly her heart stopped. She felt as if someone was looking at her. She turned her head around and found nobody.

Then she heard a voice.

"River..."

She couldn't make out where it came from. Looking around, she could only make out vague figures.

"It's okay... River... I'm right here."

The sound got more sense of direction as she looked into the direction and saw a young man.

A smile. Nothing more, just a soft smile was the only response she could give. She looked into his eyes and somehow she sensed incredible feelings. Comfort. Gentleness. Was it... love?

"I couldn't help notice you," the young man spoke. "Forgive me, did I scare you?"

River closed her eyes and looked back at him with a shy gaze.

"I'm so sorry if I did... I'm Alan."

The name somehow sounded familiar in River's ears. Although she never knew someone called Alan, it felt like she knew him for a long time.

"So much... feeling... noise... hard to control..."

River said it before she knew she even thought it.

"It's okay... I know... would you want to come with me? We can go to a place a little less... crowded," Alan offered.

Confusion came over River. Noone was ever interested in her like that before. Although it felt incredible, she was a little anxious, and she took a step back.

"If you don't want to... that's perfectly okay... but I want you to know... you don't have to be afraid..."

His tone of voice was the most comforting River ever heard. Simon had a way of comforting her