Title: Playing with Fire

Fandom: pre-Firefly

Rating: G – definite G – really.

Characters: River

Author: bookishtype

“River.”

“River.”

“River Tam, you come here this instant!”

Uh-oh!

I ran down stairs into the kitchen where I was met with Miss Glynis’ rolling pin slapping the palm of her hand. “River, can you tell me what happened to the stew I left on the stove?”

Think! Lie! No, no, no…

I hid my hands behind my back and looked up at Miss Glynis’ and gave her my best smile, “nothing.”

“Honey, I don’t think so. I know your mama didn’t touch it nor did your brother”, she replied, “and when I left you sittin’ on that stool in the kitchen I gave you strict instruct-shuns not to fiddle with the fire, and you ain’t leavin’ this kitchen till I know what hap’nd to my stew”.

I exhale,

...give it up River, you know she will figure it out. No she won’t, just tell her the gas line must be playin up. Puh-lease… like Missy G is gonna believe that...

“I didn’t mean to burn dinner! Don’t tell Mama please! I swear I won’t touch the stove, ever again!”

“River, darling, I ain’t gonna tell anyone anything you don’t want me to. What happened?”

“The flames… they needed to be tested… no not tested. I wanted to see what would happen if you decrease the pressure on the gas valves and allowed the gas to be free. What was the reaction to the action?

I created the catalyst and allowed the reaction to be conducted and I wanted to see what the experiment leads to. I was trying to work out what heat combined with oxygen and the close proximity of the saucepan would do to each other.”

“Well, hun, I guess we figured that one out didn’t we…” Miss Glynis responded to my outburst, “I guess that dinner is going to the dogs. Now what are you gonna do bout my dinner for tonight?”

“Baked beans on toast?” I replied.

Title: Lessons

Fandom: pre-Firefly

Rating: G

Characters: Kaylee

Author: bookishtype

“Kaylee, sweetie, did you get the onions?”

“Yeah Ma, I got ‘em, whatcha making”

“Oh, I’m not making any