REMEMBER – words and phrases in nonbold italics are what each man wrote and then crossed out. To read the story in its proper form, though, you should hop over to ArchiveOfOurOwn (same story title, author name is Ella_Greggs).

POSTMARKED: "Safe"

Dear Dad,

So much has happened in the past 24 hours I hardly know where to begin. Most importantly, River is definitely getting better. More lucid, more aware of her surroundings. I can't tell you where we were, which planet, but she got to dance. It was wonderful to watch her – her hair flying wildly as she twirled and bent and stepped in time with the music. She was so carefree, so graceful, so alive with joy. As I watched her, all my worries melted away. Afterwards, she fed me wild hodgeberries and we talked about our new life out here. I guess it was the first real conversation we've had since I rescued her from the Academy. She said she knew I'd given up my career, left everything behind for her. But I told her truthfully I don't care. I would do anything for River, Dad, anything. I would die for her.

Actually, yesterday we both nearly did die, but you mustn't worry. We're safe, I swear it. The people who've been helping us, they rescued us from some bad people who kidnapped us because I'm a doctor. I now firmly believe I can trust them. I guess we've found a place to belong, at least for a little while.

Yesterday's events have given me a lot to think about, Dad. I don't think I understood before just what extreme lengths people will go to when they're desperate, when they're ignorant, when they're scared of what they don't understand. They'll steal, kidnap, kill. People don't understand River so they fear her, or they get angry with her. Yesterday she actually got accused of being a witch and people tried to burn her at the stake in some ancient, barbaric Earth-that-Was atrocity. It's not fair – River can't help being different, knowing things she shouldn't, or being volatile sometimes. I wish I could punish the Alliance bastard who did this to my brilliant, beautiful baby sister. But keeping her as far away from them as possible will have to suffice. So we move on.

I just talked about other people's ignorance but I'm confronting some of my own prejudices in this new life, too. I guess you could say I have a bit of foot-in-mouth disease. Still adjusting to "living deep in the rough and tumble," as they say out here on the Rim. There's a girl here, she's not really educated but she's sweet, and I never seem to say the right thing around her. We're so different, I guess it's understandable. At least that's what I tell myself. I hurt her feelings yesterday, I belittled our ship something she valued. River takes up so much of my energy – I have to watch over her constantly. I was feeling angry and frazzled and just wasn't thinking when I said it. I tried to apologize right away but messed up even that, and I'm sure I came across as a condescending, pompous ass. I'll have to be nicer to this girl in future.

I shouldn't burden you with all this, Dad. It's obvious you have your own troubles. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be continually harassed by the authorities and an object of ridicule and gossip among your social circle. I love you, Dad. I know you and Mom didn't realize the danger River was in back when I was trying to find her. It wasn't your fault and I think am sure River knows that, too.

Give our love to Mom if you can.

Simon (and River)

Dear Simon,

I feel so helpless when I read your letters. "Living deep in the rough and tumble," as you put it, sounds terrifying. I'm sure you're not telling me everything, but reading between the lines it's clear you and River are in constant danger. I'll stop worrying about which God forsaken Rim planet you are on, since it's obvious from the time between letters that wherever you were when you wrote them, you've moved on long before they get to me.

I'm so relieved to hear River is improving. I hang on to the images of her dancing and eating wild hodgeberries like a drowning man clings to driftwood. It's a great comfort to know you are together and you're able to find joy where you can.

Speaking of finding joy, tell me more about this girl you mentioned in your last letter. Take it from your father – education is important, of course, but temperament is probably even more so. You said she was sweet and that you'd offended her by saying the wrong thing? Well, in my experience a little gift can go a long way towards making amends. Or just do something nice for her, like sharing her chores (I still can't believe my son the doctor is doing 'chores'!). Compliments are good, too, as long as they are sincere. A woman can always tell when you're being insincere. Trust me, I know! What's her name?

I keep interacting with various unsavory characters to exchange letters. An oily, odious fellow named Badger contacted me to say he's taken over the "post office." He had me join a floating underground boxing network. Every few weeks a new secret location with only a day's notice as to where it is. There, I'm just one among a throng of jostling spectators. With all the shouting and pushing and chaos in the crowd, no one notices envelops changing hands. I'm sure this Badger person takes his cut. But I don't care as long as it works.

Your mother and I are now firmly restored to polite society in Capital City. We glide through concerts and galas and dinner parties, doing our level best to be as haughty and beige as possible, and no one even mentions your name, although I'm sure they're dying to "commiserate with poor, poor Gabriel and Regan." Jackals!

I don't think you'll be surprised to hear that Clive's inquiries about the Academy led to a dead end. Just the same line as before – you and your sister stole "valuable government property" and if we hear from you, we should contact the authorities immediately. Even the media outlet I went to couldn't find out anything. It makes my blood boil to think this so-called Academy will get away with whatever they did to River. But my focus is helping you and your sister stay safe, so I had to let the matter drop. I mustn't do anything that will call closer attention to the family.

The authorities are still watching us, but they've grown more subtle about it, just monitoring our waves, I think. So I finally decided it was safe to share your letters with your mother. She was so relieved you're okay, but cried for the hardships you're having to endure. She feels as I do – we will pay anything, do anything to keep this correspondence going, so please keep writing when you can.

We both miss you terribly.

Love,

Dad

Author's Note: So it seems Badger recognized River from "Shindig" after all, at least after the fact.

You'll notice father and son are really starting to open up to each other. The harder things get for Simon, the more he needs someone to confide in. If you're wondering why Gabriel is censoring how he gets the letters, it's because he has to be mindful that they might be intercepted. He doesn't want to compromise the couriers, or even Badger. But I don't mind sharing the details with you, dear reader :)