Title: Candles

Author: Ana Sedai

Rating: PG

Character(s): River, Zoe

Prompt: 027 - Light

Word Count: 787

A/N: 15/100 for Mal/River Joss100.

Summary: Zoe corners River about Mal.

********************************

It was late. Most of the crew were snug in their bunks, except for River, who was sitting vigil at the helm. It was good to for Serenity to have a destination, she thought. It was a beacon guiding the way, provided a purpose to fulfill.

She recalled the high-spirited dinner conversation, and smiled a little to herself. Silly man. Mal might as well have hung a sign on her at the deal earlier today. He still wouldn’t let himself realize all the reasons why he’d reacted as he had. She knew he hadn’t gotten her whole message. She also knew there was someone who had.

“River?” Zoe.

She’d realized this was coming. Zoe was not one to beat around the bush, especially if it concerned Mal. It was as it should be. River swiveled the chair around.

Zoe stood in the doorway, arms folded, her expression unreadable. “Need to talk to you for a minute.” She entered fully and propped her hip up on the nearest console, careful to not disturb the models that still held a place of honor there. “Got a few questions I’d like answered.”

“You wonder if I’m playing, if I know what I’m doing. You wonder if you’ll need to pick up the pieces of him if I don’t.” She spoke without resentment.

“Somethin’ like that. He’s a man as has been hard-pressed to hold onto things.”

“I love him.”

Zoe nodded. “Figured as much. Doesn’t mean you can’t break his heart worse’n Inara ever did.”

“He’s my light in the dark, helps me to see. I’ll be his, too, if he lets me.”

Zoe gave her a hard look. “Needin’ someone ain’t the same as loving ‘em. The need has to come from the love, not the other way ‘round. It ain’t healthy otherwise.”

“ I’m not healthy. Not all the way, not yet. When he admits the whole truth, what I