Summary
River wanders through Serenity finding Simon telling Kaylee stories about his days as a doctor. She imagines Simon telling her he'd be there now if it weren't for her. Book and Jayne are discussing celibacy and sainthood when she believes Jayne telling her that he got stupid, the money was too good and Book saying that he doesn't care if she's innocent. She happens upon Wash and Zoe in a private moment, seemingly bothered by it. She makes her way near Inara's shuttle, where she and Mal are discussing her impending departure. River imagines Inara saying that she's a big girl, she can handle it and Mal responding by saying none of it means anything. As River descends to the cargo bay she picks up a branch that conforms perfectly to her hand and she smiles at it comfortably. The silence is broken though when it's realized she is holding a gun and the crew stops her. Mal asks about her being on the mend after she runs off and Simon tries to explain about her medication. Mal reminds him that if it were Simon he happened to shoot, no one would be able to fix him.
In a ship nearby a man, Jubal Early, is looking at a wanted poster for Simon and River. On board Serenity Zoe and Wash are discussing River when Wash notices an abnormal heat bounce off their wave, he'll check it later. Mal believes the gun was left around by Jayne, but he swears he didn't do it. Mal suggests they bolt River's room from the outside from now on, but Zoe doesn't think she'd harm anyone. She's never even picked up a gun before now. Kaylee says that isn't so.
Outside Serenity Jubal Early is now preparing to board Serenity.
In the dining room Kaylee explains how River killed three men during the fight to get Mal away from Niska while her eyes were closed. She explains how afterwards River acted as though nothing had happened, like it was a game. Mal or Jayne couldn't have done the shooting, no one that was human could have. Simon takes offense as Kaylee tries to explain. Down below on the catwalk from the cargo bay River listens in or senses their conversation. Kaylee says she was scared and Book says that River saved her life. Kaylee says she definitely knows that. Mal tells Kaylee she should have spoken up sooner, they've all grown fond of River but there is an oddness to her. Jayne asks if there's an oddness to her and he and Wash begin to spar but are interrupted by Inara, who reminds them that they're talking about their lives. Simon says that because of what the Alliance did, River is deeply intuitive. Mal suggests that River isn't just intuitive, she might be a reader - psychic. Zoe suggests she might be an assassin. Simon tries to simplify it, River is just a kid, she just wants to be a kid and she wouldn't want to hurt any of them.
As they all go to leave Kaylee stops Simon, asking if he's mad at her. He says he's not, explaining that River loves it on Serenity, it's more home to her anywhere else. She asks how Simon feels about it. He felt like the hospital was home and he would be there now if the Alliance had just left River alone. Kaylee asks if it's so bad there, if there's anything on Serenity he's glad about. He's about to answer when Shepherd Book interrupts, wishing them a good night.
As Mal goes down to his bunk, Early boards Serenity. He walks through the ship, finding Mal and the two fight. As the others sleep, he knocks Mal out and locks him in his bunk. He makes his way to the engine room where he surprises Kaylee, telling her that he likes the ship and asking her if she's ever been raped. She tries to tell him that the captain is nearby but he tells her that Mal is locked in his room. Early tells Kaylee that he is going to tie her up and then get rid of a problem she has. As long as things go his way and she doesn't cause a problem for him, no harm will come to her. If she does cause a problem, her body is forfeit. Before he goes, he asks where River sleeps.
Early next makes his way to the passenger dorm and knocks Book out. Hearing a noise, Simon wakes up and checks on River but doesn't find her in her room. Early attacks him and pulls a gun on him. Simon tells the bounty hunter he'd rather die standing when he is asked to sit, but Early tells him the intention is for him not to die. Early asks where River is while Simon questions who Early works for. The man makes small talk about whether or not River's room is actually her room if she's in it. Early says he's been tracking them since the feds were tipped off on Ariel. He then asks if River is sleeping with any of the crew. Simon tells him that he won't help him find River. Early says that Simon will help because every second he's with him is a chance to turn the tables, get the better of him.
As they make their way through Serenity Simon checks on Book. He asks why Early had to beat up a shepherd and Early tells him that book isn't a shepherd. As they check the infirmary Simon tries to explain what the Alliance did to River. Early tells Simon that he should be shot. Since psychiatrists have to be analyzed to practice, surgeons should have to be shot.
Early tries to make small talk, commenting on the good design of a Firefly. The appreciates the substance of things. Simon tries to take advantage of this but misses. They go to check the shuttles, checking the empty one before Inara's. On their way to Inara's, Early tastes something on a pole on the catwalk. Inara tells Early that this is pointless. He tells her with this money he could retire, though he won't. She says that this is a smuggling ship, she's been there a year and couldn't name everywhere River could be. Inara tries to proposition him and he hits her, telling her not to visit his intentions. He locks her in his shuttle before leaving.
Early takes Simon to the bridge as Mal starts to come to in his bunk. Early and Simon hear River's voice, she says she's now become the ship since they didn't want her there. She melted away.
In the engine room River tells Kaylee not to be afraid. Kaylee apologizes for telling Early where River was. River tells Kaylee to be brave and to use to tools to get herself free.
Early begins to question Simon about where River has gone when her voice returns. She brings up his mother and tells him that she doesn't think his intentions are honorable. She knows that he enjoys hurting people.
As Mal comes to River tells him she needs him to trust her.
Early tells Simon that with the exception of a midget, River is the smallest cargo he's ever had to transport, but by far the most troublesome.
In their room Wash and Zoe prepare to fight, but River tells them that Early is faster.
River tells Early she knows he took this job not for the money, the chase, but power and control and pain. He suddenly realizes that she's not in his mind, she's on his ship. River tells Early that she doesn't belong there so she'll be his bounty, but Simon attacks him and gets shot. Simon tries to stop him from leaving but can't. River tells Simon it'll be okay. Once outside Serenity, Early is pushed off into space by Mal. River comes down from Early's ship, asking permission to come back aboard Serenity. Mal tells her she ain't quite right. He says to get back in there and give her brother a thrashing for messing up her plan.
In the infirmary Zoe is removing the bullet from Simon's leg as Wash stands by the mop her brow. Mal check on Inara's bloodied lip as Book and Jayne commiserate about missing out on the fight. Over a game of jacks Kaylee and River talk about boys. Out in space, Jubal Early finds himself floating.
Summary written by Morgan