This might be a little long for a one shot, but oh well. lol. I was watching the movie 'Serenity' and suddenly felt the need to write this. Oh yeah, it takes place after the movie instead of the series. So let me know what ya'll think. Thanks!

She had been watching the people on 'Serenity', seeing how they interacted with each other, watching their relationships grow, and yet, she couldn't help but feel left out. She was a woman now and had to fight certain urges when it came to the men on the ship, but pickings were slim. Wash was not only married to Zoe, but since the fight against the Reavers and the Alliance, he had passed on. Jayne was a trigger happy mad man who hated anyone that was different or stronger then him, that meant her. Simon was with Kaylee and that was wrong for so many other reasons, which simply left Mal. He was a good captain and a good man, to anyone else he would be the perfect person to begin a physical relationship with, but since Inara came back, his sights were set on her.

She walked through the hallways and corridors of the ship, her bare feet making no sound while heating the cool metal. She was thinking, trying to figure out how she would over come her problem when she wandered into the common room. Her eyes still glued on the ground, not looking at one particular thing, when she heard movement from behind. Quickly, she turned around, her body dipping low in a fighting stance, only relaxing when she recognized the intruder.

"How's it going little one?" Mal asked with a smile.

She simply shrugged as she watched him walk pass her and grab a bottle of Saki. He poured a small amount of the liquor into a glass and tipped the bottle towards her, an obvious question. She shook her head, refusing his offer and took a seat at the table across from him.

"So why you awake so late?" he asked, taking a long sip of the intoxicating liquid.

"Couldn't sleep." She lied. "Mal, may I ask you something?"

"Of course." He said with his usual jovial grin.

"Do you think I'm attractive?"

The blatant question caused him to cough on the burning drink, nearly choking before spitting it out. He peered at her from his seat, trying to read her face and keep his mind as blank as possible as he did. Her expression was unchanging after a few moments and that's what frightened him.

"Attractive?" he asked, trying to delay the answer.

"Yes." She nodded. "Beautiful, striking, alluring, sexy, appealing, take your pick of terms."

"Why… why do you ask?"

"I'm near twenty and haven't been with a man physically." She stated flatly.

He wondered how she could be so abrupt, so straight forward with questions that some may find uncomfortable, but that's how she was. She was a smart girl and didn't waste her time trying to beat around the bush. Honesty it was a trait to be admired by someone so young, until you're the one she's questioning.

"I s'pose so." He replied, his eyes averting hers. "Look, I don't feel comfortable talking to you like this so…"

He began to get up and noticed the hurt on her face and immediately sat back down. He was trapped, whether she would admit it or not, she had trapped him, a trick he had hoped she would never learn.

"Can't ya talk to some one else bout this?' he finally asked.

"What would you suggest they could do about it?" she asked, and eyebrow rose.

Mal opened his mouth to speak but was unable to find the words.

"I haven't even kissed a man. Everyone else seems so content with sex, so why can't I?"

"With you?" he asked, his voice unnaturally high, showing his nervousness.

She didn't say a word, only continued to look at him with those eyes. Those deep brown, kind and dangerous eyes. Mal felt his mind slip away from his control and begin to wander. Images flashed through his psyche, instantly remembering the time they had all gone swimming a few weeks back, her in a small bathing suit. There was also the time after a job where she had gotten knocked out by a merchant's tears gas and he had the chance to hold her close to him.

Suddenly Mal remembered himself and shot a frightened look across the table. She simply stared, her cheeks red from blushing but her large doe eyes staring back at him, brimming with innocence.

"You just… I…" he stammered.

"Please?" she simply asked.

"Please what?"

Mal was confused for the moment, unsure of what to say or what exactly was going on.

"Just a kiss?"

Her intentions clear, his eyes widened and Mal felt his jaw drop. True he thought she was a beautiful young girl, they would be hard pressed to find someone who didn't. And true he had thought about what it would be like to be with her, to have her in his arms, in his bed, but he could never act on it… right?

As he sat in his seat, weighing the conversation in his mind, Mal had remained completely oblivious to the fact that she had moved. Slowly, the young woman had made her way over to his side of the table, kneeling at his side.

Mal nearly jumped from his seat at the feeling of someone else's hand on his thigh. He was becoming fidgety and he didn't like. He was a grown man who had been with plenty of women, so why was this girl bothering him so much? That's why, because in his mind, she was still a girl.

As he moved from her touch and his seat, Mal tried his best to adjust his clothing and make himself look more in control, useless around a reader. The young woman only smiled sweetly and stood, slowly making her way closer to him. The man froze in his spot, legs unable to move as the young woman advanced. Her hands stretched out and lightly touched his chest before running up to his shoulders.

"I only want a kiss." She said quietly. "I won't tell anyone."

Mal stared down at her, his eyes glued to hers. He felt as though she was piercing his very soul with nothing more then her eyes.

Within her eyes, Mal felt all rationality flee his mind. His hand slowly came to her chin and lightly brought it closer to his face. His lips barely grazed hers as he paused. It wasn't fear that stopped him, or any other emotion for that matter, he simply wanted to make sure she enjoyed it as much as he knew he would.

Slowly, he closed the gap between them. His mouth connected with hers and the simple peck sent chills down her spine. She felt the heat from his mouth and wanted more. Her arms came up around his neck and pulled him even closer, his chest pressing against hers.

Mal knew she was uncertain of what to do next, so he took the reigns. His mouth pulled back for a split second and parted before coming back. Surprisingly, she had anticipated it and received him in the same way. Well, maybe it wasn't a complete surprise that she knew what he was about to do…

Mal felt his tongue come forward and lightly touch her lips as his arms rested on her narrow hips. She felt the shivers increase in intensity at the feeling of his tongue entering her mouth. The new sensation was something she never could have anticipated, and in response, she let out a slight moan.

Mal's "lesson" commenced, growing more intense as it went. Soon, passion filled them as they began to kiss with more fire, more heat, then he would have thought possible. Her head began to swim at the simple action, her knees shaking slightly the longer it continued. Time had no meaning at this point, seconds felt like a lifetime and they were each grateful for it.

Finally, in desperate need of a full breath of air, the two reluctantly parted. His forehead rested against hers, their eyes still closed. Mal couldn't fight back a smile. He couldn't explain it, but in the simple act of a kiss, he felt more things then he had while sleeping with some women. It amazed him how intoxicating this young woman was.

"Did I do a good job?" she finally asked, her voice wavering slightly.

"You did wonderful… River." His voice was near a whisper, but he knew it echoed in her head, hearing it first in his thoughts then from his mouth.

Was it really obvious that it was River or just slightly cause I kind of wanted you guys to figure it out and I only wanted to write her name once so I hope i didn't over use 'she'? Thanks again for reading!