Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly or Serenity.

Prompt #10: Wash - She always thought of him when she piloted Serenity.

Words: 586

For a full month after breaking atmo from Miranda, Mal would let nobody else sit in the pilot's chair. River had to ride in the copilot's seat, even though she did the majority of the flying. Aside from the occasional accidental brush, he pretended not to notice the dinosaurs lining the console. Out of deference for their previous owner, they had remained at their stations. They stood along the control panels like quiet sentinels, covered in a fine layer of dust and filled with memories.

Memories of Wash.

She wanted to touch them, but she decided to wait before attempting anything. People still reacted strangely to any mention of Wash. Zoe clammed up and retreated to her bunk. Kaylee lost her smile. Inara fell silent and shrank away to her shuttle. Simon either withdrew or latched himself to Kaylee's side, as if afraid to be alone. Mal's reactions were unpredictable, ranging from taking borderline stupid jobs too close to Alliance space to closing himself up in his bunk with his bad memories.

But all people needed to sleep, and only one person needed to fly Serenity. So in the depths of night cycle, once she was certain everyone was safely tucked in their bunks, River sat in Wash's chair and looked over the console.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

She touched one plastic dinosaur - Tyrannosaurus Rex, tyrant lizard, apex predator during the Cretaceous time period - with reverent fingers. The emotions that first came through were warm and familiar. Confidence, care, childlike glee. Bravado, bluster, and an overwhelming sense of ease. Calm during the storm.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

A gentle smile touched her lips, softly warming her heart. Her fingers drifted over the T-Rex to settle on another dinosaur - Stegasaurus - and let her mind unfold a little more. Different emotions came through this time. Worry, doubt, fear, and panic. The powerful urge to fly away and never touch down again.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

Now the warmth faded, cooling in the aftermath of the newer emotions. River drew her fingers back, making a gentle fist as she tried to settle those feelings. When they had subsided, she stretched out her fingers again.

Each plastic figure had different moments hidden inside, warm or cold or somewhere in between. Some were silly, some serious, and some were just moments. Tiny snippets of time, forever frozen within little plastic toys.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

Wash wasn't really gone. Not as long as they kept his memory alive.

River would make certain of it.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I -

"What're you doing?"

She knew he was there, but her body still tensed up. "Keepin' us in the sky," she said flippantly as she spun around in the chair. "Figured you needed the sleep, Cap'n."

Mal squinted slightly at her. She knew why; Wash's accent had slipped through, just a shadow in her voice. He blinked, then grunted as he shrugged on his suspenders. "Make for Rhea. Got some whisperings about the need for a smuggler."

River was already laying in a course. "Aye aye, Cap'n."

"And make it quick-like."

"Have faith, Captain." She smiled to herself as he headed back down the steps. "I'm a leaf on the wind," she whispered. "Watch how I soar."

Just saw Serenity for the 10th anniversary. Just as amazing as I remember!

Review please!