Raindrops and Rainbows

River padded through the ship, one hand trailing lightly across the walls as she walked, eyes closed as she listened to the musical sound of raindrops striking the metal of Serenity.

She turned into the cargo bay and continued her walk through the room, enjoying the blackness behind her closed lids.

The corner of her mouth twitched up as she stood in the doorway, enjoying the fact that no one was there to pull her back inside.

Still smiling, she took a step forwards, placing one pale foot onto cool, damp grass. River tilted her face up to the sky, feeling the cold raindrops splatter against it.

She twirled, dancing, across the grass, pretending that she was on the lawn of her old home, with Simon sitting on the porch with a book, making sure she was okay.

River opened her eyes, staring up at the gray sky, watching the water pour down, rushing past her as if she was flying.

Stretching out her arms, she twirled again, only stopping when she was so dizzy she could barely stand upright.

Staggering, she felt someone come up behind her and wrap warm arms around her. Twisting around in the grip, River looked up at Simon, who was staring down at her and smiling, his dripping hair in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asked. River smiled and wriggled out of his grip, then grabbed his hand and held it upwards.

"Dancing," she replied, spinning. Simon smiled at her and spun her again, then dropped to the ground, pulling her with him.

River giggled as the raindrops bounced off her face, blinding her. Blinking, she looked over to see the sun breaking through the clouds.

"Look," she whispered, tugging on his arm. Simon turned to look, then gave her a confused glance.

"Sun's out and it's raining," murmured River, one hand coming up. She idly traced an arch in the air.

"Causes rainbows," she explained, watching as the colors spilled across the sky.

Simon turned his head to the side, watching as River continued to trace patterns in the air, her hair spilling out behind her.

"Raindrops and rainbows," she said, turning her head to look at him as her hand dropped back down. "Fragmented, but beautiful."

"Like you," Simon told her. River considered for a moment then looked back up.

"Yes," she whispered softly, "Just like me."