Dreams and Strangers-Part 1

**Night-time on board Serenity**

River Tam wandered into the small kitchen onboard Serenity and started to make a fresh pot of tea. It was late and she'd set their course for a small patch of dirt right near Whitefall, apparently Mal knew of someone who'd pay big money to get to Persephone. River smiled looking over at Jayne, the two of them had reached a fairly easy truce since Miranda, to be honest most of the ship's tensions had been pushed aside in favour of becoming a closer family.

"Tea?" She asked. He nodded at the girl as he rubbed a balm into his broad, tanned shoulders. River watched as he as he did this, his muscles were all in knots and anyone could tell he was making it worse. Abandoning the tea-making she walked over to stand behind Jayne "You're doing it wrong." She batted his hands away and started rubbing at his shoulder. Immediately Jayne felt an effect, his muscles started to warm and unkink. Simon wandered in with Kaylee trailing close behind, those two had become each other's shadows lately, Jayne mused, allowing his guard to drop while River's small hands helped release the tension from under Jayne's skin. "Good night everyone." Kaylee was beaming, Jayne liked seeing the ships-mechanic happy, even if it was on account o the doc. When he felt River's grip tense.

There were ladies, swirling like spinning tops, dancing everywhere, bleeding from their faces. Clothed in garments finer than you would find even in a Companion's wardrobe. Amongst the ladies wandered two wolves one dark and one white. They would hunt the ladies, and yet the ladies fawned over the wolves- petting and mewling as if they were pups. River was scared of the dark one, and yet the white wolf evoked awe. The way his muscles rippled and eyes were filled with hunger. She let out a little sigh as it's wet tink tongue slid out to lick her fingers. That wolf was only a puppy, really not nearly as dangerous as the dark one stalking a girl behind them. That girl couldn't h