Yes, yes, it's finally the chapter I've been tormenting you with. No hurting the betas---they actually did a very quick turnaround for me. I was just very tired of this chapter because I'd been playing it in my head for about two months trying to get the scenes to flow right before the muse took me by the hand and told me how it was supposed to go. He enjoys seeing me flail. Really.

Props go to and , who also graced me with her lovely talent. All mistakes that remain are my own and were probably flagged by one of them :P but missed by moi. Really.

Standard disclaimers apply -- I own nothing, but they are just so shiny I can't leave them alone. Rated teen for onscreen violence.

Warning: Farscape/Firefly xover. Spoilers for Farscape through "Infinite Possibilities" (season 3) and it's AU from the ending of that same episode. Firefly -- most likely spoilers for the entire Fox season. No spoilers for the movie, Serenity. If you haven't seen one or the other, the story should still be understandable. I'm doing my best to incorporate backstory as I go.

River watched the activity in the cargo bay below, her chin resting on the railing and her legs kicking idly. Kaylee was hurriedly checking her tool belt to make sure she had the necessary tools for their outing. Likewise, Jayne was double-checking the artillery stowed in the mule as well as the cargo flat attatched to the mule’s rear. Nearby, John chatted with Book as he waited for the evening's activities to begin.

Nervous energy infused all the bay's inhabitants. All except River (waiting and planning are critical. But every second – Simon!). Nothing extraordinary would happen on the planet's surface. Errands and more errands (but none for her. Girl in pieces in a box. One was cold, this one metal). She was impatient. And scared. And tired. And angry. And so many other emotions that she felt like she would fly apart.

A whistle from Kaylee and Jayne's l