Author's Note: Once again, I took a very teeny weeny bit of dramatic license for the purposes of this story, but nothing that contradicts canon. If you've stuck with Simon, Gabriel and me this long, I'm hoping you won't mind.

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: "Objects in Space"

Dear Dad,

Well, another exciting day out here in the boundless void of space! I learned my sister is a crack shot and has even killed people, the crew discovered River is psychic, and we managed to thwart a psychopathic bounty hunter. Oh, and I took a bullet in the leg. How was your day?

I don't think I've told you how much River loves our ship. It's like a second home for her. Well, everywhere except the infirmary, where she has her treatments, but that can't be helped. Anyway, she floats through the ship with a dancer's grace, stepping with such care and deliberation, imbuing it ("her") with personality. I think she sees the ship not just as a refuge, but as a friend. River almost never wears shoes, even though I've warned her more than once that the floor is dirty and all manner of objects might be lying around. But she experiences things differently now, in a more tactile way, and I think going barefoot helps her feel connected to this place, our home of chance and circumstance.

I mention this because we had another close call yesterday. A bounty hunter boarded the ship and managed to incapacitate the crew. He held me at gunpoint and forced me to search the ship with him for River. He was a strange man, mentally disturbed. I've no doubt he would have killed the crew to capture us. But River outsmarted him, manipulating information she read in his mind and his own pathology against him. Using the communication system, she pretended to be the ship, which really threw him off balance. She also devised with a plan to lure him away. She saved us all.

We left the bounty hunter to die in space. Do you think that's heartless? Before you answer, consider that he shot me in the leg, beat up my crewmates and threatened to rape Kaylee (don't worry, he didn't touch her). Not to mention trying to return your daughter to people who treated her like a lab rat. River said he chose his profession because he liked inflicting pain, and certainly that was our experience. A dark, twisted soul. I'm glad he's dead.

The crew now know River is psychic. I tried to deny it, but apparently the captain and the white-haired man have suspected for some time. It also turns out River did take part in that gun battle I told you about, the one we had when we rescued the captain from that Shan Yu devotee a few months ago. You see, yesterday River got hold of a gun somehow, and the captain disarmed her without anyone getting hurt. But the incident led to Kaylee admitting to the crew that during the firefight with the Shan Yu follower's men, Kaylee was defending our rear guard and got pinned down, and then River came up, took the gun from her, and, with her eyes closed, shot three people dead. Certainly not a skill she used to have before the Academy! Apparently, your daughter has excellent aim. Now I don't think the authorities were experimenting on River to create a spy, I think they were trying to turn her into some sort of assassin. That's even more horrifying and just strengthens my resolve to keep her away from them at all costs. She's not responsible for what happened in the fight. How can she be, with her perception so altered. I don't think she even understood what was going on.

Kaylee didn't want to tell her story. She and River are good friends. But she felt she had no choice after River got hold of that gun yesterday, and I can understand that. I know I was scared during that firefight and I'm sure Kaylee was, too. It must have been very disturbing to see River shoot those people. I don't think River understood what was going on at the time, and I tried to explain this to the crew. To explain how her perception of reality is altered. They had a long discussion about whether River was too dangerous to keep onboard, which concluded with the captain saying he'd consider what to do. But River saving everyone from the bounty hunter seems to have settled the issue in our favor. I've spent so many months wondering if we'll be left behind, abandoned when we become too much trouble. But today I am breathing easier. Well, I'm in a little pain from the bullet wound in my leg, which will take a few weeks to heal, but I don't think I need to worry about the crew's loyalty towards us anymore.

River told me she's aware of my correspondence with you. She said, "Daddy hung my picture," referring to the matryoshka drawing I sent you a while back. All this time I thought she didn't notice it gone. But I guess I should have anticipated she'd miss it; she always was tremendously perceptive, even before she could read minds. I warned her she mustn't tell the others, that it could get everyone in trouble, and she replied, "Some words need to stay in the heart." Not a resounding "Yes, I understand," but I think she'll keep our secret. Anyway, I told her you and Mom think about her all the time and how you always write that you love her more than anything in the 'verse.

I don't know what the future will hold for us, where we'll be from one day to the next. I don't for one second believe the danger will lessen. But I continue to work on River's treatment and we find joy where we can. River and Kaylee played jacks today. You know, that old game from Earth-That-Was. After my crewmate patched me up, I limped I went to my quarters to write you this letter. Later on, we'll sit down with the rest of the crew for a meal. Simple pleasures.

Don't worry about us, Dad. We remain safe and we keep flying. And as the captain is fond of saying, "Somedays, that's enough."

I'll write again when I can.

Love,

Simon (and River)

Dear Simon,

Yesterday was an anniversary of sorts – six months to the day since the last time I saw you, since that awful day at the police station when I bailed you out and we parted in anger. Your mother and I marked the occasion by rereading all your letters, she clutching her locket that holds your precious pictures and me nursing a scotch. It was a melancholy night.

Six months. How our lives have all changed! I think about the harsh words between us that day, how much closer we've grown since then through these letters. You've shown such strength, Simon, such resilience and courage, and that, in turn, has strengthened your mother and me, as well. We are so proud of you, son. You and your sister. I'm glad she is fond of the ship. It comforts me to know she is happy with her surroundings and can focus on getting better.

I'm sorry to hear your crew was hurt defending you from a bounty hunter but gratified to know they feel such loyalty towards you and your sister that they'd endure these dangers on your behalf. Thank God Kaylee was spared the nightmare you mentioned! River's plan to thwart the bounty hunter sounds… novel, to say the least. He must have been mentally unbalanced indeed if he believed she'd actually become the ship! Sadly, the reward for your capture is so high – it's unlikely to be the last time you tangle with someone in his profession. I suppose I should be thankful Badger runs our "post office." Not a pleasant person to deal with – I always want to take a bath after I speak with him. But he seems to keep his "postmen" in line.

So you think the government's experiments on her brain were designed to turn your sister into an assassin? I can barely comprehend such a thing, it's so monstrous! You didn't say it outright but, reading between the lines, it's clear she killed people in that firefight you spoke of. My poor, precious girl! As you said, she's not responsible. The butchers who did this to her, they are wholly to blame. Make sure River knows that.

This forced separation breaks my heart, but if what you suspect about the experiments is true, then all the more reason the authorities must not be allowed to recapture River. Do not take any unnecessary risks, son, even if that means there comes a time when we have to stop this correspondence so you're not discovered. I would be tremendously sad to lose our connection, but your safety and freedom are paramount.

You wrote, "We remain safe and we keep flying." You wrote of enjoying simple pleasures, like playing a game or sharing a meal. I guess that applies to our whole family, doesn't it? Avoiding the authorities, dealing with criminals, finding joy where we can. For your mother and me, that joy comes from knowing you are safe and among people who accept you and want to help. You always tell me not to worry. But that's what parents do, Simon. They worry about their children. It's in the job description. You'll understand when you become a father. And that's just under normal circumstances. When one's children have to grapple with vicious criminals, insane bounty hunters, and the uncertainties of living in space – well, you might as well ask the wind not to blow.

Life here is very quiet. We don't go out much anymore. Every once in a while, your mother's efforts to reingratiate ourselves with our peers yields an invitation to dinner or a gallery. The Prekovskis and the Ishiguras seem to enjoy our company. We like to walk in the park, speaking of you in brief, hushed whispers. Your mother reads a lot these days. She says she finds comfort in the words of great poets. That works out well, since she still collects your letters at the bookstore. Poetry in general is not to my taste, as you know. I attend tai chi classes four mornings a week with Clive. The meditative breathing helps reduce my stress, to the extent anything can. Thank God for your mother and Clive! If not for them and these letters, I'm sure I should go mad. Along with your letters, they keep me sane.

Upon reflection, I suppose I shouldn't have asked you for the matryoshka picture – I should have known your ultra-perceptive sister would notice it missing. But we gain comfort from just having it in the house. A tangible reminder that our dear, talented, amazing children are both out there, somewhere in space, and a promise that you will find your way home eventually. If River knows about these letters, then please do as you are doing – tell her every single day that we love her beyond measure, that we're proud of her and miss her and long for look forward to the time when we will all be together again.

I confess yesterday hit me really hard. But I know it doesn't do anyone any good for me to wallow in regret. There's no going back for our family, there hasn't been since that day at the police station. Since the day River left for the Academy, I suppose. Now there is only moving forward. Together, even though we are apart.

Look after each other, write when you're able, and always remember we cherish you both.

Love,

Dad (and Mom)