The Launch
Rated: PG
Category: Double Drabble, River/Simon Friendship, Mild Implied Mal/Inara UST, Humor.
Spoilers: None.
Summary: T-Minus One Minute And Counting…
Note: Written in response to the LJ prompt of 'Celebration' on firefly100.
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Simon had looked everywhere for River, so when he finally found her on the highest, darkest catwalk of Serenity's cargo bay, he was not in the best of moods.
"River, what are you doing up here?" he demanded.
"Waiting," answered River, as if this was obvious.
"For what?"
"The launch."
"What?"
"Big noise, lots of color; it's pretty when rockets go off."
"River, nothing like that is happening here."
River gave her brother a look that clearly said she thought that was rubbish.
Simon sighed. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."
River didn't budge. A mumbled "T-minus thirty seconds" was her only response.
"River…" pleaded Simon.
Suddenly, Inara flew into the cargo bay like she had a demon behind her. It was then that Simon noticed the captain quietly inventorying supplies on the far side of the room.
Mal jumped out of his skin when Inara spoke. "Mind telling me why you changed course without telling me?"
River grinned. "Blast off."
Despite his earlier mood, Simon grinned, too, and though he knew he shouldn't, he settled beside his sister to watch the show.
And what a show it was. A rocket would be lucky to make such a scene.
