Have Wings, Will Fly

Chapter 4: Wakeup

Here’s the next chapter! A little is revealed about Arden. More to come, you’ll see! Thank you all sooo much for the input and comments. They make me smile. A lot.

Enjoy!

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River had some difficulty waking up the next morning to prepare Serenity for her next flight. Her thought’s trailed to that of the newfound Arden. He was down the hall sleeping a hard and dreamless sleep. The crew decided they would have a Simon-style explanation the following morning after takeoff.

River, knowing that the captain was about to yell at her any minute for not having the ship ready, climbed out of her bunk. She stopped and peeked into the guest room. Arden was on his side. His hair was a light, almost sandy brown. River, being the tactile person she is, wanted nothing more than to run her hands through it. Deciding he looked peaceful enough, River slipped the door shut.

She sat in the cockpit and flipped the three overhead switches. River glanced forlornly out of the window to admire Marina’s coastline in the early dawn. The sun was just a faint pink-orange glimmer on the horizon.

“This is your pilot speaking. Buckle up and prepare for takeoff. I know it’s early, but the sooner the better. My breakfast should be ready by the time we get out of atmo. Unless you want another dance lesson.”

Mal awoke with a grudging groan.

“That girl has a lot to learn about how orders are given on this boat,” he pulled on his trousers and shoved his feet into his boots. “That ‘how’ would be me!” Mal walked down the bridge, ramming on everyone’s doors yelling, “Wake up, sleepyheads. We got us some items need tendin’ to after take--”

Mal didn’t have to finish his sentence. River had set Serenity flying sooner than he had expected, sending him and the rest of the half-awake and half-dressed crew hurling around their cabins. Mal hit the deck hard and tasted blood. Gorrammit . He slowly picked himself up and made his way to the cockpit.

“Now, little one, there’s no need