Title: The quest had pitfalls and numerous perils – Part 3 Series: Code of Honor (9/?) Author: Gwenfrewi72 Rating: AO Fandom: Firefly Spoilers: None Summary: River has a nightmare. Mal soothes her. Length: according to 1,235 Word Disclaimer: The great, almighty and powerful Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. own the universe and characters. I'm just playing with them. Please don’t’ take away my shiny toys Captain. Author's Note: For miss_strawberry, obsidianagirl & zoesback for encouraging my writing and my smutty mind! Copyright (c) March 2006 Patricia Flynn

Thanks to Obsidianagirl and zoesbackup for beta-ing this for me. You’re both the best in the ‘verse next to Mal and River, of course!

As always, feedback is shiny!

* * * * * * *

Eleven days to River’s 18th birthday

Mal sat at the kitchen table, a mug of coffee cooling on its surface. A grin lit his features as he thought about the surprise he was planning for River’s birthday. His introspection was interrupted by a small figure in white entering.

Looking up, he saw River’s tearstained face and sweat soaked hair and was by her side before he knew what he was doing.

Gentle fingers stroked back the hairs that clung to her face, “Bei-bei?”

Haunted eyes rose to his before she threw herself into his arms sobbing.

He soothingly stroked her hair, shoulders and back. He murmured words of comfort as he let her cry.

When the weeping had reduced itself to hiccups, he guided them over to a chair in the lounge and sat down with her in his lap.

“Now what happened?” Mal asked as he lifted her chin so he could look at her face.

“Bad dreams. Miranda, Reavers, Wash . . .” she whispered.

River’s eyes began to fill again. Mal felt helpless with crying women, so he leaned in and kissed her. Her lips tasted of sorrow and terror. As the kiss deepened, the flavor morphed into joy and desire.

Mal’s right hand moved down to stroke the smooth skin of her legs. His left wound itself in her hair, gently cradling her head as their tongues dueled.

River’s fingers moved and clutched desperately in his hair as she began to whimper and moan.

He gently caressed her. Each caress took him higher and higher up under her gown and closer to the junction of her legs. With a slight pressure, her legs spread apart giving him access to what he wanted.

He was momentarily surprised when he discovered she wore nothing underneath her nightgown but even that revelation didn’t distract him from his goal.

Fingertips brushed the curls on her mound before sliding down to part her moist flesh seeking the tight bundle of nerves.

Mal broke the kiss. Supporting her upper body with his arm, his blue eyes blazed with his desire and pleasure as he watched the ecstasy on her face.

Slipping first one finger then a second into her tight moist heat, his eyes blazed with pleasure as she began to whimper. Her hips surged eagerly against his hand as he slowly rocked in and out of her. When his thumb circled her clit, she moaned and her panic filled eyes opened to gaze confusedly at him.

Her hand gripped his wrist to pull him away but Mal was stronger. Mal ceased caressing her but did not withdraw his hand.

River had experienced passion secondhand before but she’d never truly experienced it. She felt as if she was expanding and contracting simultaneous. She feared she would loose the control she had achieved over her mind since Miranda.

Silent visual communication flowed between them. Her anxiety clashed with his message of love and safety. His steadfast resolve soothed her distress and she released her death grip on him and returned to the silken threads of his hair.

“Trust me,” he whispered and placed a swift kiss upon her panting mouth.

Panic was replaced with love and trust before her eyelids fluttered down to mere slits as he resumed stroking her. He quickened the pace and the pressure. She began to moan loudly, gyrating her hips in search of fulfillment.

Knowing she was close, Mal curved his fingers seeking that spot that would push her over the edge. The moment he stroked it, her eyes flew wide open in surprise. Her hands tightened to a painful level and Mal was sure he was gonna lose some hair but figured it was going to a worthy cause. As a strangled half-scream started to erupt from her, he kissed her quickly, absorbing the sound of her pleasure. He continued his ministrations as her body shuttered and shook as the orgasm racked her body.

Mal observed her unrestrained response with male satisfaction. No one else had brought her to the point of physical ecstasy before and he reveled in her flushed face and heaving body.

His body ached to make her truly his but his nobility demanded he wait until she was eighteen. Frustration is just a fine form of torture he realized.

As her hands fell and her body slumped, he removed his fingers from her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He shifted trying to ease the discomfort from his own aroused state. Her hip innocently grazed his stiff cock as she snuggled closer against him.

Mal bit back a moan, his eyes closing as he tried to picture Jayne naked in hopes that it would relieve his discomfort but all he could see was River, the memory of her dark brown eyes dilated, her mouth barely open as she gasped, her body trembling and jerking as the waves of her orgasm washed over her. His eyes flew open and he focused on the satiated woman in his arms.

River savored the delightful aftershocks that coursed through her body. She felt warm and safe as Mal held her as she drifted back to reality.

They sat like that for a few moments, just savoring the feel of being held in each other’s arms before River spoke.

“I knew but didn’t’ KNOW. Better than dancing. Wow.”

Mal grinned, “can’t ask for a better compliment than that darlin’.”

She shot him a sharp ‘you’re a boob’ look but then giggled, ruining it.

“Now, how about we put you back to bed?”

River’s eyes clouded at the memory of her dreams.

“Come with me.”

“’Course, ai ren,” Mal’s grinned softened into a loving smile.

River beamed at the endearment. Rising lithely from his lap, she held a hand out. She looked delighted when he clasped it and led her down to the dormitories.

Sliding the door open, he ushered her in. River lay down on her bed. Mal pulled the covers over her, quickly kissed her and turned to leave. His intention was thwarted when she grabbed his hand.

“Stay until I fall asleep.” Her brown eyes beseeched him.

Sighing, Mal assumed a position on floor next to her bed, their hands still joined.

River’s eyes fluttered closed and Mal sat and gazed upon this wonder in his life. Soon he was yawning and had every intention of leaving but every time he went to move, her hand tightened on his. Resigning himself to his fate, he grabbed an extra pillow off her bed and found a comfortable position on the floor.

With images of River’s sensual response to his touch running through his brain, Mal drifted off to sleep.

* * * * *

Simon quietly slid open the door to River’s room. Normally she was up before him and he was alarmed what this deviation in her normal behavior would mean.

His concern quickly gave rise to anger as he took in the tableau of River sleeping on her bed and Mal on the floor next to her, their joined hands the only thing connecting them.

Hun dan, can’t keep his gorram hands off her. I swear the next time he’s shot and on my table, I might not be as efficient as I normally am. The dark thought flitted through his brain.

Simon scowled as he shut the door and left.

River opened troubled eyes as she looked at the doorway and then down to the man she loved more than life itself.