Thanks to Leiasky for her invaluable input and support at just about every turn. This story is probably about ten chapters and then will lead itself to a sequel.

The characters aren't mine. They belong to the beautifully twisted mind of Joss Whedon.

Don't forget to leave feedback - it makes the 'verse go round.

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River placed one bare foot in front of the other, carefully balancing her weight straight down her middle. She had walked this tightrope before, learned to find the perfect mixture of black and white to make the ideal shade of gray. It was nothing new to her.

Her arms were extended to her sides as she walked along the catwalk’s railing. They waved a bit from side to side as she took each step, re-centering her balance. As she walked to the end of the bar, she knew she should jump down to the walkway just a few feet below. But she didn’t want to; she wanted to fly.

Closing her eyes against the harsh lights in the cargo bay, River lifted her chin and stretched onto her tip toes. Her calf muscles tensed at the movement as her entire frame was supported on the ten little pads of her feet. She felt her body tense as it again tried to compensate for the change in her movements, tried to adjust to keep her balanced. Releasing a huge sigh, River jumped down to the walkway and felt the lightness of floating for a split second before her feet again touched metal.

Opening her eyes, she surveyed the empty cavernous room as the adrenaline rushed from her body, her muscles again relaxing. Physically, it might be impossible for River to take wing, but she could fly Serenity, and that ability would have to satisfy her need for more – for now.

Turning towards the bridge, River padded up through the empty ship. Everyone was asleep – well, almost everyone. River grimaced slightly as she felt Simon and Kaylee’s passion play taking place in her brother’s bunk. Ever since Miranda, River’s ability as a reader had grown tenfold and while it was sometimes useful in blackmailing Simon, she