Serene

Sep. 23rd, 2006 08:10 pm
bookaddict43: (cool - Wash)
[personal profile] bookaddict43
Title: Serene
Author: Bookaddict
Characters: River, Wash, Simon
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: all Firefly characters are the property of Joss Whedon
Word count: 737
Comments: written for [livejournal.com profile] ana_grrls Back to Firefly ficathon. Prompt #115. More interaction between River and Wash, maybe on the Bridge. A quiet conversation or just them playing with the dinosaurs, but some sort of interaction between these two characters, which was sadly lacking from the series.


“All’s serene.”

“Aaaah!” Wash jumped in his chair. “Could you be a little bit louder with the approaching next time? What’s serene?”

“All is well, she is safe.” River stood in the doorway, brown eyes surveying him steadily; “the constant companion, warrior woman, lambie-toes.”

Whenever the others went out on jobs, she could hear the pilot’s anxiety all over the ship. The anxiety increased exponentially the longer they were away. It disturbed Serenity, it disturbed her.

Wash shifted through the girl’s words. “Zoe’s alright?”

“No need for concern.”

“Well that’s good then.” Wash leaned back in his chair and watched her as she drifted around the bridge.

He never could quite fathom River. He knew she was damaged and all that and maybe a possible reader – but the girl was seriously spooky. It didn’t help that she made no noise while she moved around.

“Auditory indicators are required?” River tilted her head. “Jayne hears me.”

“Jayne’s paranoid.” She wasn’t a possible reader; she was a real one, “the rest of us, not so much. Sometimes it’s a good thing to let people know you’re in the room. They wouldn’t get so tetchy with you maybe.”

“They wouldn’t jump and be nervous around me?”

“Well they might be nervous, you can’t change that.” The pilot peered at her, “you being a bit different and all. But they’d be less jumpy and that’s always a plus for people with guns.”

River nodded solemnly and continued to drift round the bridge, fingers brushing over the instruments till they rested on one of the many dinosaurs littering the console.

“Dinosauria OrnithischiaMarginocephalia Ceratopsidae – Triceratops horridus – late cretaceous period.” She lifted it up to examine it.

“You sure know your dinosaurs.” Wash said appreciatively.

“But some are not correct. They aren’t from the same period.”

“Period, smeriod. That doesn’t matter when you’re playing a game.”

“A game?” River’s attention was caught. “May I join in?”

******************

“Wash have you seen River?”

Simon had been searching all over the ship. He’d been concentrating too hard on his research and hadn’t realised she’d left the infirmary. The Captain didn’t like her wandering around on her own and nor did he. “I’ve lost track…”

“Sssh!” Two heads turned towards him.

“The battle is about to commence.” River whispered excitedly. “My generalship of the troops is masterful and we shall prevail.”

“I’ve had more experience and am tricky. I’m going to win!” Wash countered.

“River,” Simon interrupted.

“Don’t worry Doc, she’s not hurting anything.” Wash nudged his Stegosaurus forward in an opening move.

Simon relaxed as his sister swept her dinosaur sideways in a flanking manoeuvre. “I’m warning you Wash, River is very good at battlefield simulations.”

“They’re simulations. This is real. I’m going to win.”

“I’m going to win!” River argued.

“Well since you won’t be needing me for awhile,” Simon paused at the doorway, “I’ll be in the infirmary if required.”

******************

The two combatants were eyeing the floor littered with the aftermath of battle when River spoke.

“Ship mates are approaching rapidly.”

“Is anyone hurt?”

“There are no injuries except to the ego.”

“Whose ego?” Wash asked.

“Captain Daddy.”

“Well that’s nothing new then.” He moved back to the pilot’s chair, ready for any orders. “Thanks for the game. You were good.”

“Not good enough.” River pouted. “How is it that you defeated me? I have studied many battles, I’m smarter.”

“Hey!” Wash protested grinning at her. “You might be smarter, but never underestimate the older, trickier guy.”

“I will remember.” River nodded wisely. “A rematch,” she suggested. “Next job?”

“Have you been keeping me company to stop me worrying about Zoe?”

River nodded. “The concern is great and very loud…”

Wash flushed, “sorry about that.”

“The Shepherd says worrying for a loved one is a natural occurrence.”

“Were you worrying for someone then?”

“I worry for Serenity. She loves her family.” River started drifting around the bridge again, uncomfortable with Wash’s questions.

“Well next time there’s a job. Just come up here and we can worry together.” Wash suggested not pushing further. “I’ll beat you even more next time.”

“I learn from my mistakes.” River grinned at him, teasing.

“You’re still no match for my cunning.” Wash laughed as they walked together to the cargo bay.

“Wait and see.” River smiled as he lowered the ramp. “See – all serene.” She gestured toward the approaching crew.

“Yeah, all serene,” Wash sighed in relief.





.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 11:37 am (UTC)
ext_30178: (Default)
From: [identity profile] noandwhere.livejournal.com
That was so lovely! Wash was right, a good part of why River makes people so nervous is because she moves so quietly.

And I LOVE how Wash actually beats her at the game. Nice job!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:03 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (jaynebadboy)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Thank you! I love Wash and was sure he could beat River even if she is a genius!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 11:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cantonheroine.livejournal.com
I love Wash when he's all jittery. He's so damn hi-larious. Good job with his voice in this - I can't write him worth squat. Love him winning against River, too. Although I think it's probable that she let him win. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:02 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (Default)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Hee! River moves in mysterious ways! This is my first attempt writing anything more than 100 words about Wash - glad you think it worked! *bounces*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 12:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stormkpr.livejournal.com
That was excellent! I love the idea of a bond forming between River and Wash, her keeping his mind occupied when Zoe's away. And then the little comment at the end River makes about the ship and how she worries. Thanks for posting!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:05 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (seven)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
I could see these two becoming friendly - always being left on the ship and all. Thanks for the excellent!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 01:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thunder-nari.livejournal.com
Nice. I love Wash and River interaction and this was well done. Loved that Wash beat River in the game. Good job. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:07 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (jaynebadboy)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Thank you :) I figured that Wash is older and must have some tricks up his sleeve to win!!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 02:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xx-squish-xx.livejournal.com
Oh this was very good! Wash was spot-on and so funny! I love his worrying and his advice to River. Her reaction was just right too. And their game playing, very remniscent of River and Simon when they were kids.

Good stuff here!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:09 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (simon)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Yay! You liked it! I enjoyed writing this once I got going...

It's my first piece ever without Jayne as a central character - though I couldn't resist a mention!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-23 07:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ana-grrl.livejournal.com
This is delightful! I love the banter, and this exchange especially:

Simon relaxed as his sister swept her dinosaur sideways in a flanking manoeuvre. “I’m warning you Wash, River is very good at battlefield simulations.”

“They’re simulations. This is real. I’m going to win.”

“I’m going to win!” River argued.


It's fantastic how you draw on the flashback scene from 'Safe' too. Thank you for taking this prompt :D I'll add the link to the masterlist I'm compiling (which I'll post on Monday).

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:12 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (Default)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Thanks for the great comment! I loved that scene in Safe with Simon and River as children and figured a mutual love of dinosaurs would be good bonding for her and Wash!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 02:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ceslas.livejournal.com
Very nice! Wash is so wonderful and his voice is spot on! He was always a little leery in a concerned neighbor kind of way of River, I like how she broke down his anxiety with the game!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:13 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (seven)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Dinosaurs are a great bonding tool! I'm glad you think I got Wash's voice right; I was anxious :)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 07:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lucasharper.livejournal.com
I really liked this a whole bunch. Great characters and everything.

Well done indeed.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 09:14 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (jaynebadboy)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm sooo happy you read it! *twirls*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-24 07:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] isha-libran.livejournal.com
Oh, lovely. *G* I agree, there's not enough River-Wash interaction in the 'verse, but you did a great job rectifying that!

Also, I love the idea that Wash beat River. =)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-25 10:27 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (seven)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Wash is older & trickier afterall! *grins* Age has to have some benefits.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-25 01:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hoban-harper.livejournal.com
Oh, I loved it! I've been so busy lately and haven't had time to read fic at all. It was so nice to read a wonderful fic, and one that had Wash and River interacting. The voices were right on target and the story just flowed wonderfully. Thanks!!

And, I'm so glad that you let Wash win! Still giggling over that.

Thanks again.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-25 10:29 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (jaynebadboy)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
I really wanted to try a Wash story on its own! Thank you for thinking my story worked!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-25 04:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] danniisupernova.livejournal.com
That was nice. You always write the best little short scenes and stories like this. I am not with the good at shortness.<--funny english

(no subject)

Date: 2006-09-25 10:30 am (UTC)
ext_25347: (Default)
From: [identity profile] bookaddict43.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm the opposite - I have difficulty writing long fics!!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-08-28 07:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rogue-1102.livejournal.com
I love this one! Wash is just so damn cute, and anything involving him and his dinosaurs is top notch.

Muy Bueno!

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