Title: 27 for 27
Part: Prologue:
Author: Jmaria
Rating: FR-15
Disclaimer: You should know by now that I own nothing.
Series Summary: 27 ficlets of insanity done to celebrate 27 years.
Set/Spoilers: Serenity; first half of series 6 (first four episodes, really).
Part Summary: River's always seen too much, but it's the first time she's seen that about Zoe.
Words: 361
Pairing/Character: River Tam, Simon Tam, Zoe Washburne; The Doctor, River Song.
Dedication/Shout Out: None.
Song Base: Not Like a Queen - Katy Perry vs. 30 Seconds to Mars
A/N: Yes, I know I didn't finish the last three years worth of these things (I'm slow, often internet deprived and overworked in retail hell). But, my birthday's in three days, and honestly I don't know how much longer I can do these (this series, not fic in general but god, maybe even that.). My goal is to hopefully do them for the next two years at least (I like ending things on an even number). This first one is all me.
I'd really appreciate any help (hopefully 27)- leave a pairing or characters you'd like to see mashed-up (or even pure), maybe what kind of vibe you're feeling for the story. See, totally easy. I can do plenty of fandoms - some not as well as others, but a few of them I can fake really well. (BtVS, the Marvel movies (X-men old cartoon series too), SPN, SoA, Veronica Mars, Roswell, the Narnia movies, HP, Glee, Firefly, Dollhouse, Doctor Who, Labyrinth, TMNT, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Disney movies - just some examples.)
I'm slowly picking away at the last two years worth as well, but I have an unexpected day off and all I'm committed to right now is putting painters tape on window and door frames. Possibly patching cracks.

27 for 27
Desperate and Broken

"Doesn't fit, it isn't right," River Tam shook her head. It was wrong, all very wrong!

"What doesn't fit, mei-mei?" Simon whispered cautiously.

"There's great big spinning blue things!" River's eyes glazed over, taking in sight of the first mate. "You know them, don't you? The mad man in his big blue box. Mad and beautiful!"

"I think you should lie down, little one," Zoe said quietly, her tone indicative of her seriousness.

"You're no doctor! Daughter of a thief and a mad man in a box!" River's eyes watered. "The last of the Timelords, the sad man in the box. So many broken hearts, at least a pair."

"River -"

"Does it tear? Does it burn to say her name over and over and live through it? Was she ever-so heroic? In that library, all by herself for eternity?" River whispered, clinging tightly to Zoe's arm. "Wash didn't want to leave -"

"Stop it, River. Now," Simon snapped, trying to pry his sister from Zoe's arm.

"She didn't have a choice either," Zoe said quietly. "She had no choice but to follow that man throughout time and space. I grew up, and I can't hate on her anymore. That's how I can say your name over and over again and move on with my life, River. I am not my mother."

Zoe turned away from the siblings, her grief not betrayed in her stature. But River felt. She felt so much. She felt the aching, the gaping loss, the tiniest flicker of hope. That gods-bedamned feeling that ached beneath her breast. The feeling that could lead to nothing but grief.

"And if he finds you?" River called, tears slipping over her cheeks. "He has a knack, you know?"

"I'm not expecting the Doctor, and neither should you, River," Zoe called over her shoulder without looking back. "You can't hope for the Doctor."

"And the baby, can you hope for that?" River whispered. "The flicker, the spark?"

"River -"

"Shut up, Simon," River whipped her face around to the back of the hold. "The Doctor's about to make a house call. He needs to meet the daughter of Dr. River Song."