Have Wings, Will Fly

Chapter 5: Beachside

Just to clear up any confusion about the last line of chapter 4, I love the idea of Book kind of ‘watching’ over the ship, especially River. The touch on the shoulder was simply a figure of her imagination, not Arden. He’s way too shy to approach her now!

Thanks again for the comments, I hope everyone is enjoying this fic as much as I am writing it.

*Sorry about your shirt, Gypsylife! I know I’ve definitely ruined more than one article of clothing while reading stuff on this site!*

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Newhall approached quickly in the very early hours of the morning. The sun was just rising on the edge of the planet and shone brightly on the sleeping River.

Inara woke in the middle of the night and, unable to fall back asleep, crept into the co-pilot’s seat to make sure River didn’t accidentally kick the auto pilot off again. She covered the small girl with a smooth, peach blanket she had in her shuttle. Inara smiled as she watched a thin dribble of drool escape from River’s mouth. Comforted by River’s gentle slumber, Inara eventually nodded off in her chair.

She awoke and hour later to a loud clatter coming echoing from the kitchen. Wrapping herself in her blanket, Inara stepped into the dining room to find Arden hastily opening cupboards and looking under pots and pans.

Inara cleared her throat, and immediately regretted it as Arden jumped and dropped the large cooking pot he was holding.

Mal, never a heavy sleeper, leaped out of his bunk, clambered up the ladder, and burst into the kitchen, but not before slamming on Jayne’s door yelling “Jayne! Wake the hell up!”

Both men stumbled into the kitchen to find Inara in her nightgown, and Arden holding his hands up in a surrender position.

“Huh.”

“I-I-I was just trying to make breakfast. You know, a peace offering for my less-than-appreciated arrival yesterday. I’m really sorry if I woke anyone up,” Arden shuffled to pick up the pans strewn across the floor.

“Well, now that we’re up, I wouldn’t mind a