Based on: "Everything" by Lifehouse

Summary: He is her everything.

She was hiding in a cranny just above the cargo bay catwalk. It was one of her not so good days. Somehow, he always found her when she was like this. Sometimes she wondered if he had reader abilities.

"River?" he called looking up. He only saw part of her dark dress hanging from one of his smuggling nooks.

She didn't answer. She loved the sound of his voice. She needed to hear him, feel him.

"I know that's you…" he added with a playful tint.

Her head popped out and she looked down at him.

"You always find me."

"Wasn't lookin' or nothin'. Just found you. What ya doin' up there anyhow?"

"Hiding."

"From?"

She pointed to her temple. She could hear his heart breaking. He had no idea how much he helped her. His presence was like a light leading her back to some sort of inner peace.

He reached up. "Why don't you come out from there?"

She shook her head sadly. She needed to quiet the demons shouting her mind. His hand remained in the air with a sad and determined look in his blue eyes.

"Come on, little one. I was just on my way to grab somethin' to eat. I'd like it if you came along."

"It's a bad day, Captain."

"I can see that. I wanna make it a good one. Come on down."

His hand still hung in the air. She took it, even though she could have easily gotten down by herself, and he pulled her into his arms. She was a bit unsteady, so he put his arm around her and helped her walk. He was literally the strength that kept her walking. He was so much more to her than a captain. He was hope. He was trust. He was the light. Purpose. Everything. He had no idea.

"What's makin' it a bad day, darlin'?" he asked softly, trying to avoid upsetting her.

"Demons came out to play. I told them to go back inside, but they said that they wanted to dance in the rain. It's storming."

He smiled at her and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Well let's see if we can calm the storm."

He got her metaphors and he even responded in them. How could she stand there and not be moved by him? Everything he did and said was so kind and caring. He wasn't like everyone else. Simon perhaps. Sure he wasn't as bright as Simon, but he was smart. A little rough around the edges maybe, but that's what made him Malcolm Reynolds. And she loved Malcolm Reynolds, wouldn't change him for anything. How could there be anything better than him?

"You're lookin' a mite ill. Maybe you should sit down…" he led her to the couch and sat beside her with his arm still around her.

He pushed some of her hair behind her ear so he could look at her. She gave him a weak smile that he returned with a bright one of his own. She cautiously put her head on his shoulder. He didn't more away. She shut her eyes, savoring the closeness. Her mind rested for the first time all day. The rain in her head slowed, and some of the demons went inside.

He held her tighter. "I ain't gonna let that rain fall."

She smiled. He had stolen her heart. That was for gorram sure.

He barely kissed the top of her head. If only they could always be like that. If he could take her into his arms, heart, soul forever…it would never rain again.

She looked up and their eyes met. You're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything…everything. She thought silently. It was like he heard her. He reached down and lightly caressed her cheek. She moved in and kissed him. He met her kiss with one of his own. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he cupped her face. They finally pulled apart, only because the need for air made them.

"The rain went away. The demons went inside. They hate the light. They hate you."

He laughed and ran his hand through her hair. She grinned, feeling the best she had felt in years. He leaned his forehead on hers, breathing onto her mouth, "How can I be here with you and not be moved by you?"

They shared another sweet kiss, wrapped in each other's arms.

Would you tell me how it could be any better than this?

The end

Thanks for reading! Isn't it ironic that this is the shortest one so far, but the longest song?? Reviews please! I NEED TO HEAR YOU!!!!