I don't own Firefly (I wish), just Terra Cobb, the idea and Gabriel's smile. ~ Tygger


Gabriel Tam knew his daughter better than anyone else in the 'verse, save for his son, Simon. River was his baby girl, his bao bei, his life and when she was a child, he never let her forget it. When he would tuck her in at night, even when it became clear that his todler was smarter than him and knew better, he would always make sure to tell her that no man would ever love her more than he would.

"You never know Daddy," River would shrug, "Tomorow I could meet a man who sweeps me off my feet."

"I'll still love you more," He insisted and then she would smile that smile, the one that was just for him. His smile wasn't like the other smiles that she gave to Simon and Regan, her entire little face would crumple up with laughter. Dimples denting her cheeks, eyes squeesed shut and a whole row of perfect, pearly white teeth greeted him, framed by her perfect, dark brown curls.

He'd hated that school for taking her away from him, but she'd wanted it so bad that he couldn't say no. Then Simon and his claims that she was in trouble, in danger even. He hadn't wanted to hear it, hadn't wanted to believe that it was possible for anyone to even think of hurting his baby girl. Why would anyone want to hurt such a sweet little girl. He knew Simon hated him for his blindness, his unwillingness to believe in the reality that was plainly before him, but she'd just been so perfect. He thought she'd be like that forever.

Then came Serenity and her new life, a life he wasn't a part of. He tricked himself into thinking for a second that he still knew the woman who stood before him. She was broken so badly, like a mirror smashed on concrete that someone had tried to glue back together. The cracks were still there and everyone knew it, but he swore he'd never seen her so happy. She wore his smile on her face, wide and gleeful, but something seemed wrong about it. She knelt, laughing, and opened her arms widly to the small, dark haired girl running towards her. Weshen, she called the child affectionately, a troublemaker, her little Terra. It was then he knew what was so wrong about his smile, which she wore for so many now.

It wasn't his smile anymore.


A cute little oneshot about River and her father that just popped into my head one day. Funny how I love writing these father/daughter oneshots when my own relationship with my father is crappy at best. ~ Tygger