The ship sailed smoothly through the black, Mal smiled, all was right with his world. That was until he glanced at his co-pilot. River was wearing a sly little grin on her face. That could only mean trouble.
“What do you know, Albatross?” Mal queried her, not really knowing if he’d be ready for the answer.
River’s grin changed to a happy smile. “Debt’s paid. He can love again.”
“Not making sense, little one.” Mal frowned. “Who paid a debt?”
“Simon. Paid his debt, now he’s free.”
Mal turned in his chair giving his full attention to the slip of a girl who guided his ship through the inky terrors of the black. “Do I need to be knowin’ the nature of this debt and who he owed it to?”
He relaxed back into the seat with a relieved sigh when River shook her head. Curiosity got the better of him and he asked. “Tell me.”
He ignored the quiet giggle and the whispered response. “Not even five seconds.”
“Tell me?” He winced at the whine in his voice. “A Captain’s gotta right to know what is going on in his ship.”
He watched her dark hair flip and sway as she shook her head again. “Not the Captain’s business. Not even mine, not yet, but thoughts got caught in my head flowing from one place to another.”
Mal scowled. “Not making sense again, River.”
She gave him a feral grin that would have chilled him to the bone had he never seen it before.
As he got up to leave the bridge he shuddered, vainly trying to ignore the reply that floated out to him in a singsong voice. “Never pay no mind to the moon brained girl.”
Glancing back he muttered to himself. “She can be all kinds of scary when she puts her mind to it.”
