A/T: Disclaim a whole lot. I didn't come up with these characters and I am not making any money from them or this story.

A/N: *Edited to change St. Albans to Newhall since it justslipped right by me that St. Albans was an ice planet.

"Sweetie, don't get upset. It just takes a little patience, and...creativity on your part." Inara reached her arm to circle around Kaylee's shoulders and pull her close as they walked out of Inara's shuttle.

Kaylee sighed, "I know, Nara, I just get so tired of doin' all the work."

"Well, maybe we can find you something pretty in Newhall. A little shopping to get your mind off of the whole thing." Inara flashed a bright smile and Kaylee couldn't help but smile broadly right back.

Kaylee and Inara made their way down the catwalk and toward the kitchen.

Most everyone was already settled in their seats passing around the food. Mal at the head of the table as always, looked up at them as they entered and grinned. "Well, ladies, glad you decided to join us. Not up to any mischief I hope."

Kaylee grinned at the captain, "No, cap'n, just havin' a little girl talk."

Jayne grunted and dove into his food barely looking at anyone. Simon looked at Jayne with distaste and then looked over at River who was on his right. "How are you doing, River?"

Today hadn't been the best of days for River. Most days she was quite enough and only spouted her disjointed vernacular in small doses, but today she seemed to rant every few minutes.

"It's not associated. Parts can be parts…and whole can be whole…the whole can’t sustain without the parts…need bonding agent..” She continued to mutter inaudibly, rocking slightly back and forth, seeming to use her fingers for reference.

Simon stroked the back of her head and sighed, and Mal eyed River carefully.

“How is she, son?” Shepherd Book asked of Simon, his voice laced with concern.

“I’ve given her what I can today. She doesn’t seem to be responding to any of the medications I’ve tried. I had thought she was becoming more