BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

GIRLFAN

Even Roses Have Thorns, chapter nine
Wednesday, December 20, 2006

River gets a surprise she doesn't want, and a that present she does. PG13 for grown up topics. Somewhat fluffy. ish.


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2642    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

Chapter Nine: In loco parentis (in the place of a parent)

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The first two chapters are here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14482 three and four are here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14503, five is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14520, six is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14545, seven is here:http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14554& and eight is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14561

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As Simon lay in bed, reviewing the events of the day, he noted that while Kaylee still wasn’t talking to him, she’d started to acknowledge his presence, and that cheered him unreasonably, even though it was clear that she wasn’t over her nearly week long snit (so far) just yet. Nonetheless, Simon tried to look on the bright side. It might not be much, but as Mal would say, it was enough – for the moment, at least.

*** Later that night Simon awoke to the sound of River’s frantic whispering, “Simon, wake up! I’m bleeding!”

She’d turned on his lights and was kneeling by his bed, near his face. He was instantly alert. “Where, River? Can you walk to the infirmary?”

River suddenly looked down at her hands, wordlessly. Insight dawned that she was embarrassed, which meant – . He spoke gently. “River, are you bleeding from a place only girls have, or a place that girls and boys share?”

“Girls,” the seventeen year old whispered.

“River, this is good news. It means you’re finally at a healthy weight, Mei-mei. Please don’t be scared.”

“Simon, it’s gross. There’s ichor!”

“It’s not ichor, Mei-mei, it’s just old blood. In a day or two it will be fresher blood, redder. You’ll see.”

“Make it stop!”

“I can’t. And shouldn’t, either. When you have a few normal cycles – say three – then we can have a look at birth control and menses suppression options. Okay?”

“I want it to stop!”

“Come on Mei-mei, let’s get you in the shower. When you’re clean and dry, you’ll feel better. I have some things for you.”

“Like what?”

“Well, first the practical stuff. Then I have a present.” He got out of bed and reached under to pull out a box of things for her. “There’s some – uh – pads in here, and some information on birth control and cramps and stuff like that to read.” He sat back on the bed and patted the space next to him. She sat. He held her gently. “Uh, we never did have that talk about the facts of life, did we?” She shook her head. “And mother never, you know, before you left?” She shook her head again, and began crying.

“Sweetie, it’s ok. We should talk about it, though.” He tried to brace himself. “Uh, first, make sure you dispose of the pads properly – no throwing them in the toilet. I can incinerate them for you, or show you how to do it.” He took a deep breath. “Okay: menstruation is the body’s way of getting a woman ready to have a baby.”

River interrupted, wailing. “Simon, we can’t! It’s gross!”

That was a point he was ready to concede. “Okay, we can do the facts of life tomorrow.”

“No, Simon, I don’t want to!”

Simon tried to quiet her down. “Sshh, River, we have to. It’s past time. You’re nearly eighteen. But it can wait until morning.”

The door to his room opened suddenly, and Zoë stood there, a look of cold fury on her face. “What’s going on in here?” she asked.

River just turned and, wide-eyed and teary, wailed at Zoë, “I’m bleeding!”

Zoë looked between the siblings, suppressing her original fears at River’s shouts. She saw the box on Simon’s lap, and looked him in the eye. “Would this be normal sort of bleeding?”

Simon hesitated before answering. “Ah – it would be, yes.”

“Come on, River honey, it’s not so bad. Come to my room, I have a bath in there.”

River looked up, still crying. “A proper bath?”

“Just a hip bath. Still, nicer than a shower. Simon can bring us some hot water for it and some tea to drink while you enjoy it.” She eyed Simon.

“Of course, Zoë. Uh – thank you.” He handed her the box and made his way to the kitchen.

He passed the various items Zoë requested through a crack in the door, and went to sit in his room until River came back.

When he finally did, he was dozing a little, head rested against the wall. He woke up immediately, and was relieved to see that his sister wasn’t crying anymore. She looked relaxed, but not really happy. “You mentioned a present?” she wheedled. He would never know why – it’s not like he ever denied her anything.

“I did.” He’d stashed it under his pillow when he’d gotten back from Zoë’s room. He pulled it out; River liked that it was a small box. Jewellery, perhaps? She was trying very hard not to ruin the surprise for herself. “I overhead Kaylee and Inara talking about their first time, once. It’s a big deal at the Companion Houses, naturally and Kaylee’s mother made Kaylee her favourite pies for a week afterwards. I just wanted to do something, you know, to make it special.” He handed her the box. She carefully unwrapped it, and pulled the box free. Definitely jewellery – she recognised the name on the box. Slowly, she opened it. Inside, were a pair of very pretty garnet princess-cut studs. “I know you like red.”

“Red for blood.”

“Oh, ah, is that okay?”

River kissed Simon’s cheek in an answer to his question.

COMMENTS

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 4:57 AM

GIRLFAN


Ok, I did get chapter nine up today, I hope I didn't confuse anyone.

Is fluffy the correct word for this?

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 6:36 AM

TAMSIBLING


Being a girl an' all, I don't know if I would describe this scenariio as fluffy, but it was cute and fun to see how Simon tried to handle it. And of course, completely appropriate that Zoe bailed him out.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:18 AM

LEIASKY


Interesting way to deal with River's first cycle. Simon actually handled it quite well. I figured it would be Inara to bail him out, or even Kaylee, was a nice change to see it was Zoe.

We're going to get a convo between Simon and Kaylee soon, right? They need one so badly!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:33 AM

MANICGIRAFFE


It honestly feels like Zoe and Simon are starting to bond a bit. Not in the lovey way - as he said, he still loves Kaylee; enough to clean a whole room for her when she won't even acknowledge he's alive - but in the respectful way. I guess Zoe always noticed Simon was there, and that he was a good doctor and useful to the crew; now she's actually getting to see that there's a good guy under there, too, if you give him a chance. It's not a usual dynamic for the fics, but it seems natural.

I, too, thought it would be Kaylee that River runs to, as the most "approachable" female onboard - angry or not, Kaylee wouldn't leave River hanging. Extra points to Simon for actually sucking it up and trying to explain it, though.

Am I reading too much in to say that Zoe had another motive for helping? If she thinks Simon's up to something, chances are good River's in on it, too. Zoe didn't grill her while she was in the bath, right?

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:35 AM

GIRLFAN


Wouldn't want to spoil the fun, but I think it's safe enough to tell you that no, Zoe didn't grill her, it was totally above board helping.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:54 AM

GIRLFAN


Poor Leiasky, I wish I could promise something, but they're both being very uncooperative. Next chapter or the one after, I almost sure.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:54 AM

GIRLFAN


Poor Leiasky, I wish I could promise something, but they're both being very uncooperative. Next chapter or the one after, I almost sure.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:55 AM

GIRLFAN


Poor Leiasky, I wish I could promise something, but they're both being very uncooperative. Next chapter or the one after, I almost sure.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:56 AM

GIRLFAN


Poor Leiasky, I wish I could promise something, but they're both being very uncooperative. Next chapter or the one after, I almost sure.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 11:53 AM

GIRLFAN


The comment facility is damaging my calm.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 1:49 PM

TKID


*The comment facility is damaging my calm.*

Rotf! Yeah, it does the same to me when it keeps losing my comments and I have to re-login and retype everything.

Loved the everyone-helping-Kaylee part of things. She's an ungrateful wretch, not thanking folks for their help.

Like the Simon/Zoe thing that seems to be happening. Y'know, your characters may be suggesting a direction you didn't intend to have happen ... hint hint

Love that Simon had a gift for River. Despite his putting River before anyone else, he would make an excellent husband.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 3:03 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


So River's never had a period? Ever? And she finally gets one now? Wow...strangely, I gotta say this is something I could imagine Joss maybe tackling:)

And I gotta give you props for River's reaction, girlfan...a lot of us would have ignored the concept of menstruation except for his absence indicating pregnancy or made River analytical and calm about the whole process. The choice to have her freak out - though still remain within the characterization Joss & co. established for River - is an excellent one, as it allows River to have human moments where things she missed out on for one reason or another occur;D

BEB

Thursday, December 21, 2006 12:03 AM

GIRLFAN


To BlueEyedBrigadier:

Given River's height, and her weight as given in the movie (possibly changed for dramatic purposes), her extreme altheticism (which would ensure she had as little as possible fat on her body), and the diet she's been on since boarded Serenity (likely to maintain, but not increase, weight), and given the fact that these are factors that the Academy likely enhanced - I think it's really more likely than not that she's never had a period.

She might have had one before she went - but she was fourteen, but it wouldn't be unlikely that she didn't - and I doubt the Academy would have even considered putting up with menstrating teenage girls - they'd probably have chemically or surgically inhibited it if she had started.

So, that was my logic.


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