Hear That Melody - Firefly fic - PG

[tigriswolf]

Title: Hear That Melody
Fandom: "Firefly"
Disclaimer: not my characters.  just for fun.
Warnings: timeline--whenever
Pairings: Zoe/Wash
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 730
Point of view: third

 

Time rolls in waves, moving ever toward a distant beach.  Even in space, time rolls on.

She cannot escape Time's web. None can. Nor does she try. She just spins, whirls and twirls, inviting the rest to join her.

Kaylee is the first, lovely Kaylee. Gentle, kind, brilliant with machines. Kaylee takes her hand and mirrors her movements, laughing and smiling at this new game.

Next, Inara. Beautiful companion, dangerous woman--she twists with them, grinning with bright joy, losing herself in the movement of the dance.

Then Wash, pulling Zoe with him, unable to remain on the fringe. Wrapped in each other's embrace, eye to eye, they move as one, too entangled to escape, had they even wanted to.

Simon watches her graceful movements; for a minute, she knows, he sees her as she was, before. The little girl, spinning around, entreating him to join, to laugh--but too much has happened and he no longer can.

The captain, too, watches. His eyes flit from Inara to Kaylee to River to Zoe and Wash. He does not speak, does not move; merely watches in silence, an almost-longing look on his face. With a gentle smile Inara steps from the dance and takes his hands, pulls him in. Come, she says. Dance with me.

At first he is reluctant, does not move in time with her, but she is patient and no one watches. They are all caught up in the music and laughter, in the dance; finally, he finds the rhythm and follows Inara.

Shepherd Book smiles and slips in, twists around with them, graceful as he always is.

Only Jayne is left. River spins over to him and smiles, holds out a hand. He looks at her hand, then her eyes. She keeps her smile in place and reaches up with her other hand. Dance, she says. No one is watching. They cannot see us.

She whirls around, hair flying, and Jayne is captivated. They all are. They watch and they dance, and she alone knows. Jayne is laughing now, dancing with Kaylee, lost in the music that does not play. Simon still stands to the side and she twirls to him, wraps her arms around him. Dance, she says, his little sister, the only left that he can love. Dance with me, Simon.

I can't, River, he says, cupping her face with his hands. I'm sorry. He kisses her forehead and pulls away, turns his back. It's not my place.

Please, she begs, following him, forcing herself in front of him. Please, Simon. Their voices are screaming and I can't--the music chases them away.

You're losing yourself, River. You're losing yourself and I can't find you, no matter where I search. His voice is gentle, weaving the words around her. I searched the forest and the mountains. I scoured the sea and the sky. I can't find you, little sister. You're the only one who can. But you tangle yourself with dreams and fantasies, with nightmares. I reach for you and you pull away. I want to make you better, but you have to help me. You have to let me in.

I am what I am, Simon, she cries, tossing herself into his arms. He enfolds her, pulls her close. This is all I can be.

No, he says. You can be so much more. I know it scares you, what they did. What you can do. I know and I'm sorry. I'd take this burden from you, if I could. And I know I'm asking so much...

You never ask too much, she responds, tilting her head and meeting his eyes. The rest of the crew is gone and they are alone, but she still hears the music. She searches his gaze and finds what she needs: he loves her. He will do anything for her. You ask only what you know I can give, she whispers and leans into him. You see all my jagged pieces and want to fit them together, to make me whole again.

He holds her hands in his his and whispers, It's time to wake up, River. I need you to trust me.

I do.

-

Her eyes open and she turns her head, sees him reading in the corner. He feels her gaze and looks up, meets her eyes.

She still hears the music.