Synopsis:
River awakens in her room to hear the voices of the crewmembers in her head. She moves down a hallway, where she happens upon Kaylee and Simon talking in the passenger dorm. She experiences an odd moment where time suddenly backs up, cutting out something Simon had said to her. Confused by this surreal occurrence, River moves on to the dining room, where Book and Jayne are having a conversation about Book's celibacy. River again experiences a strange moment, hearing Book say something out of character, but the scene jumps back to reality and River walks on, encountering Wash and Zoe kissing on the bridge. She then makes her way to Inara's shuttle, where Inara and Mal both say things out of character before the scene returns to normal. River then comes upon some branches and leaves cluttering the cargo bay floor, and experiences another unexplainable moment: she discovers the crew yelling at her about a big gun in her hand. River lowers the gun and Simon takes it away from her. As the crew argues about River, a stealthy spaceship of unknown origin begins tailing the Serenity.The mystery ship is piloted by Early, a bounty hunter who's out to collect the enormous reward on River's head. Using a spacesuit and magnetic boots, Early slips aboard the Serenity unnoticed. Meanwhile Mal discusses River's unworldly, psychic powers with the rest of the crew, but Simon reminds them his sister is just a kid. As Early makes his way through the darkened ship (everyone has retired for the evening), he bumps into Mal, who had been headed to the dining room. A scuffle breaks out and Early gets the upper hand, knocking Mal unconscious. Early makes his way to the engine room, where he threatens to rape Kaylee unless she cooperates by putting her hands behind her back. As he tapes Kaylee's wrists together, he asks her to identify the location of River's quarters. Simon is awakened by a noise outside his room. Thinking it might be River, he opens his door to check. Suddenly Early drops down on him, slamming Simon to the ground. Early points his gun at Simon and demands to be taken to River. Simon refuses to cooperate. Early forces Simon to accompany him as he walks through the ship in search of River. They make their way to Inara's room. She tries to convince Early to give up his quest while there's still time. Early responds by pistol-whipping her. Fed up with the fruitless search, Early calls out, demanding that River reveal her location. Suddenly River's voice sounds over the intercom system. River claims she's become one with the Serenity.River's voice fills the engine room. She convinces Kaylee to find a sharp object so she can cut through her binds. Soon after, River carries on a conversation with Early and speaks about personal things only Early would know. River's voice then sounds in Mal's room. She tells Mal he's got to trust her. River then speaks with Kaylee, who's found a sharp object and managed to cut herself free. Later her voice comes over the intercom in Wash and Zoe's room. She convinces them to sit tight until Early leaves the ship. As River continues conversing with Early and describes things from his personal life, he suddenly realizes River is aboard his ship. Despite Simon's protestations River tells Early she's giving herself up. When Early heads for a door Simon throws himself at him. Early pulls out a gun and shoots him. Wounded in the thigh but able to talk, Simon begs River not to give herself up. River insists she must for the good of the crew. Early dons his spacesuit and steps out of the Serenity, intending to make his way back to his own ship. Suddenly Early hears Mal's voice. He turns and sees Mal behind him, cabled to the Serenity's hull. Mal then strikes Early, sending him tumbling into outer space. River then asks Mal for permission to come aboard, which Mal grants.In the infirmary Simon talks Zoe through the process of removing the bullet imbedded in his thigh. Later we see Early floating through space, resigned to the fact that he'll slowly suffocate.