Sharing Secrets

River shares a secret, much to Mal's displeasure.

Spoilers: Takes place post-Serenity movie, but there aren't really any spoilers
Rating: For all, including the young
Characters: River, Mal

Disclaimer: Joss owns all. I am just borrowing.
Notes: My first Firefly ficlet. Eeps! But I told alto2 I would try.

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"You like her," River said, breaking the quiet companionship she and Mal had been sharing in the cockpit.

Mal jumped at the unexpected comment.

"What?! No. No, I don't," he answered sternly. Then he realized that by denying her claim so rigorously, he was actually admitting that River was right. So he quickly added, "I like everybody on this boat."

"Not everyone," River replied calmly. "You don't like Jayne."

"Ain't nobody that likes Jayne 'cepting maybe his mother," Mal answered with a grin.

"You don't like Simon."

"Now that just flat out ain't true. I like him just fine, so long as he's making Kaylee happy and fixing up bodies. It's when he's putting this ship in jeopardy that I take exception," Mal said with a little scowl. "Don't go putting thoughts in my head, little girl."

River just smiled serenely at him.

"And don't go making claims about things you don't know nothin' about," he warned.

River giggled. "It doesn't matter. She already knows."

Mal scowled at her again and then turned back to the controls. "Just hush up now and help me get this thing landed safely."

Behind them, hidden from sight in the passageway, Inara smiled. The discussion with Mal about needing a few extra days on this planet could wait, she thought, as she headed back to her shuttle. For now, she was happy to just bask in the knowledge of what River had shared.

~End~

Posted by Cassie on 11:47 AM