Kaylee giggled a little at that. ”If you say so.”

”I don’t think your ears have been lying to you, if that’s what you’re worried about.” River said, then dunked her head back under water promptly.

Kaylee giggled a little more. ”River, come on.”

River appeared again a few inches away and tugged on her ankle a little. ”Yóuyǒng lái hé wǒ yīqǐ.” She prompted.

Kaylee sighed and pushed off, slipping herself into the water with her shipmate, hardly making a sound. ”There, happy?” Kaylee asked when she kicked up so her head was above water again.

”Yes.” River replied. ”Come on, follow.” She further prompted, starting to swim out into the lake.

Kaylee smiled and followed along. ”Alright, just don’t go too fast!” She called after her.

Kaylee caught up with her at the other side of the lake, just a little ways from the waterfall. ”Come on!” River encouraged, swimming under the waterfall and getting up on the stone ledge under it so the water was falling down over her body. Kaylee watched and saw how much River was smiling. Their eyes met and she was a little dazzled by the feeling it gave her. Like they were the only two anywheres almost. In any case, not to be out-done, Kaylee swam after River, under the waterfall, and got herself, with a hand up from River, onto the ledge next to her. The water was pretty loud, so they couldn’t talk. The fall wasn’t too high though, so the water wasn’t hitting them all that hard. It felt really nice actually.

She felt River take her hand in hers again, and Kaylee squeezed her friend’s hand back, turning so their eyes met. River’s smile was infectious. She really seemed to have come alive out here in a way Kaylee wouldn’t have quite expected. She was still the same old River Tam of course, just more… relaxed, more care free somehow, like she’d got a glimpse of on the ship with the apple that day a while ago. More even. It was a pretty sight.

River reached over and touched her cheek. Just a small touch, and then pulled her hand away and slipped off the rock-ledge, pulling Kaylee by the hand down with her into the water. It was a jumble of rushing water pushing them down to the lake floor, but she kept her hold on River’s hand and kicked along after her as River led her back up. They both broke out laughing upon breaking the surface.