Respect
Title: Respect
Series: Code of Honor (6/?)
Author: Gwenfrewi72
Rating: E
Fandom: Firefly
Spoilers: None
Summary: Simon makes River cry.
Length: according to Word 1,117
Disclaimer: The great, almighty and powerful Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. own the universe and characters. I'm just playing with them.
Author's Note: Sid’s not very happy with me about another cliffy.
Feedback: Relished at pflynn@ev1.net
Copyright (c) February 2006 Patricia Flynn
Thanks to Obsidianagirl for beta-ing this for me. She’s shiny.
As always, feedback is shiny!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mal turned his gaze out to the black.
He walked down the hall of memories he kept of himself, stopping along the way to remember the idealistic, innocent boy he once was. Then he turned to study the arrogant Sergeant of the Independent army that would finally become the bitter, old Captain of a ship named Serenity.
He’d been bathed repeatedly in the blood of the innocent and guilty alike. He was no longer that innocent boy not with all he had seen. Not having done the things he’d done.
River had bathed in blood also, but she retained an emotional innocence regardless of what those Alliance bastards had done to her. She deserved so much more than him. She deserved someone good and whole. Not tainted and broken like hisself.
But she’d made it quite clear that he was what she wanted. He didn’t understand the reason why she wanted him but by golly he wanted her and twern’t nothin’ in the ‘verse that would stop him from havin’ her.
If’n he had to court her like they did on the Core planets, well, he’d court her. First, he needed to declare his intentions to her family. Simon looking kindly on him was not likely, but the way Mal figured it, if he told Simon what he was doing, the Doc would have less to get all het up about.
Mal’s thoughts continued along this line and he started planning everything he was going to do in the next month until her 18th birthday. To court River he’d be needin’ all the plannin’ he could get done. Just cause he’d set himself a nigh unto impossible task, didn’t mean he weren’t up to it.
River only deserved the shiniest things in this ‘verse and he was gonna see to it that she only got the best that this sorry old space Captain could give her.
* * *
Come morning, River sought out Simon in Kaylee’s room before breakfast.
She walked in without knocking, surprising Simon who was in the process of doing every manner of naughty things to Kaylee. Flustered at his sister’s rude behavior Simon jerked away from Kaylee and hastily covered them both. Hoping that River hadn’t gotten a look at all that had been going on. Blindly searching one handed for his pants on the floor, “River?”
When he found them he struggled to put them on while hiding underneath the sheets. He was totally embarrassed that his mei-mei found him en flagrante with Kaylee.
River just smiled at Kaylee, who beamed right back, as they watched the man they loved blush and stammer.
“Skin we all have Simon. No different than any others.”
“River, it’s polite to knock before entering someone’s room.”
“Checked. No moans or giggles. Just lustful thoughts.” She grinned at Kaylee.
“Are you okay? Did you need me?” Simon’s face first went red and then changed to concern when he realized she’d sought him out.
“Need you to understand. Not a girl anymore.”
Simon just stared at her with a bemused look on his face. Not entirely sure what she was trying to say.
“Not a girl, a woman. Need a mate, an equal. Chose one. Need your approval.”
Kaylee beamed when she realized what River was saying. Simon just shook his head in confusion.
“River, you’re only seventeen. Besides there’s no one on the ship that’s your equal.”
River’s face showed her frustration and her eyes narrowed.
“Captain’s my equal and my mate. Need you to approve.”
Simon’s face darkened with fury. “What has that huài dàn done to you? If he’s laid one finger on you, I’m going to carve him up into tiny pieces.”
“Not done anything untoward. Wants to court me,” she smiled dreamily for a moment before a frown marred her brow. “Worried about what you and the rest of the crew will think of him. Won’t let me do anything with him until I’m eighteen.”
“He won’t be doing anything with you at all.” Simon stated vehemently.
Kaylee saw River’s frustration and quickly spoke in the hopes of intervening before something bad happened.
“Simon it sounds to me like River’s chosen for herself.”
“She’s underage and he’s old enough to be her father. I won’t allow it. She’s still broken and may never get better.”
“Not broken, just different. No longer the fourteen year old girl that went to the Academy, that you waved goodbye to and blew kisses at.”
“I forbid it.” Simon folded his arms, sure in the knowledge that he was right.
River’s face crumpled and she began to cry. Kaylee rose and tossed some clothes on before going to the sobbing girl. She held River and shot daggers at Simon over River’s head.
“Mal’s…my… Serenity.” River choked out these words between the hiccups.
That cinched it for Kaylee. Mal obviously meant the world to River and Kaylee loved her and the Captain enough to want them both happy.
“Simon, think about it first. Don’t dismiss her request out of hand. Wait to see what the Captain has to say about it too.”
“No. She’s not well. She’s just a girl.” Simon insisted as he threw on a shirt.
“Fine. Obviously you need to focus more attention on River. So you can just sleep back in your room and take care of her.” Kaylee had risen and placed her hands on her hips as she glared at him.
“I, uh. . .” Simon was confused. He was just protecting River and now Kaylee was unhappy. He knew he hadn’t insulted her, so why was she so mad?
“Simon just go.” Kaylee knelt back down to River. Simon hesitated a moment, unsure what he should do before he climbed dejectedly out of the bunk.
* * *
At breakfast, Mal was lost in his own thoughts and was unaware of the undercurrents that were going on.
Simon kept trying to talk to River or Kaylee, neither of which would speak to him. Zoë watched the goings on with amusement. Jayne was too focused on shoveling food into his mouth to notice much else. Inara was still in her shuttle sulking.
Finally, Mal broke the uncomfortable silence.
“Doc, I need to be talking to you after breakfast.”
Simon’s face turned stony. “If it’s regarding you and River, I can already tell you the answer is no.”
Kaylee’s eyes narrowed and a very displeased look came over her normally sunny face. Zoë watched the conversation with interest, curious to see where it was all heading. Jayne raised his head to stare with his mouth open.
River’s face crumbled. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at Mal with hopeful eyes. If anyone could fix it, he could.
Series: Code of Honor (6/?)
Author: Gwenfrewi72
Rating: E
Fandom: Firefly
Spoilers: None
Summary: Simon makes River cry.
Length: according to Word 1,117
Disclaimer: The great, almighty and powerful Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. own the universe and characters. I'm just playing with them.
Author's Note: Sid’s not very happy with me about another cliffy.
Feedback: Relished at pflynn@ev1.net
Copyright (c) February 2006 Patricia Flynn
Thanks to Obsidianagirl for beta-ing this for me. She’s shiny.
As always, feedback is shiny!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mal turned his gaze out to the black.
He walked down the hall of memories he kept of himself, stopping along the way to remember the idealistic, innocent boy he once was. Then he turned to study the arrogant Sergeant of the Independent army that would finally become the bitter, old Captain of a ship named Serenity.
He’d been bathed repeatedly in the blood of the innocent and guilty alike. He was no longer that innocent boy not with all he had seen. Not having done the things he’d done.
River had bathed in blood also, but she retained an emotional innocence regardless of what those Alliance bastards had done to her. She deserved so much more than him. She deserved someone good and whole. Not tainted and broken like hisself.
But she’d made it quite clear that he was what she wanted. He didn’t understand the reason why she wanted him but by golly he wanted her and twern’t nothin’ in the ‘verse that would stop him from havin’ her.
If’n he had to court her like they did on the Core planets, well, he’d court her. First, he needed to declare his intentions to her family. Simon looking kindly on him was not likely, but the way Mal figured it, if he told Simon what he was doing, the Doc would have less to get all het up about.
Mal’s thoughts continued along this line and he started planning everything he was going to do in the next month until her 18th birthday. To court River he’d be needin’ all the plannin’ he could get done. Just cause he’d set himself a nigh unto impossible task, didn’t mean he weren’t up to it.
River only deserved the shiniest things in this ‘verse and he was gonna see to it that she only got the best that this sorry old space Captain could give her.
* * *
Come morning, River sought out Simon in Kaylee’s room before breakfast.
She walked in without knocking, surprising Simon who was in the process of doing every manner of naughty things to Kaylee. Flustered at his sister’s rude behavior Simon jerked away from Kaylee and hastily covered them both. Hoping that River hadn’t gotten a look at all that had been going on. Blindly searching one handed for his pants on the floor, “River?”
When he found them he struggled to put them on while hiding underneath the sheets. He was totally embarrassed that his mei-mei found him en flagrante with Kaylee.
River just smiled at Kaylee, who beamed right back, as they watched the man they loved blush and stammer.
“Skin we all have Simon. No different than any others.”
“River, it’s polite to knock before entering someone’s room.”
“Checked. No moans or giggles. Just lustful thoughts.” She grinned at Kaylee.
“Are you okay? Did you need me?” Simon’s face first went red and then changed to concern when he realized she’d sought him out.
“Need you to understand. Not a girl anymore.”
Simon just stared at her with a bemused look on his face. Not entirely sure what she was trying to say.
“Not a girl, a woman. Need a mate, an equal. Chose one. Need your approval.”
Kaylee beamed when she realized what River was saying. Simon just shook his head in confusion.
“River, you’re only seventeen. Besides there’s no one on the ship that’s your equal.”
River’s face showed her frustration and her eyes narrowed.
“Captain’s my equal and my mate. Need you to approve.”
Simon’s face darkened with fury. “What has that huài dàn done to you? If he’s laid one finger on you, I’m going to carve him up into tiny pieces.”
“Not done anything untoward. Wants to court me,” she smiled dreamily for a moment before a frown marred her brow. “Worried about what you and the rest of the crew will think of him. Won’t let me do anything with him until I’m eighteen.”
“He won’t be doing anything with you at all.” Simon stated vehemently.
Kaylee saw River’s frustration and quickly spoke in the hopes of intervening before something bad happened.
“Simon it sounds to me like River’s chosen for herself.”
“She’s underage and he’s old enough to be her father. I won’t allow it. She’s still broken and may never get better.”
“Not broken, just different. No longer the fourteen year old girl that went to the Academy, that you waved goodbye to and blew kisses at.”
“I forbid it.” Simon folded his arms, sure in the knowledge that he was right.
River’s face crumpled and she began to cry. Kaylee rose and tossed some clothes on before going to the sobbing girl. She held River and shot daggers at Simon over River’s head.
“Mal’s…my… Serenity.” River choked out these words between the hiccups.
That cinched it for Kaylee. Mal obviously meant the world to River and Kaylee loved her and the Captain enough to want them both happy.
“Simon, think about it first. Don’t dismiss her request out of hand. Wait to see what the Captain has to say about it too.”
“No. She’s not well. She’s just a girl.” Simon insisted as he threw on a shirt.
“Fine. Obviously you need to focus more attention on River. So you can just sleep back in your room and take care of her.” Kaylee had risen and placed her hands on her hips as she glared at him.
“I, uh. . .” Simon was confused. He was just protecting River and now Kaylee was unhappy. He knew he hadn’t insulted her, so why was she so mad?
“Simon just go.” Kaylee knelt back down to River. Simon hesitated a moment, unsure what he should do before he climbed dejectedly out of the bunk.
* * *
At breakfast, Mal was lost in his own thoughts and was unaware of the undercurrents that were going on.
Simon kept trying to talk to River or Kaylee, neither of which would speak to him. Zoë watched the goings on with amusement. Jayne was too focused on shoveling food into his mouth to notice much else. Inara was still in her shuttle sulking.
Finally, Mal broke the uncomfortable silence.
“Doc, I need to be talking to you after breakfast.”
Simon’s face turned stony. “If it’s regarding you and River, I can already tell you the answer is no.”
Kaylee’s eyes narrowed and a very displeased look came over her normally sunny face. Zoë watched the conversation with interest, curious to see where it was all heading. Jayne raised his head to stare with his mouth open.
River’s face crumbled. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at Mal with hopeful eyes. If anyone could fix it, he could.