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Disclaimer: Firefly and all related elements, characters and indicia © Mutant Enemy Productions and 20th Century Fox Television, 2003. All Rights Reserved. All characters and situations—save those created by the authors for use solely on this website—are copyright Mutant Enemy Productions and 20th Century Fox Television.

Author's Note: Short, I know. But it came into my head when I saw the words. BTW -- first improv fic I've posted, please let me know if I'm doing it wrong. I wasn't sure if I should post this as an attachment or what. Appreciate the feedback. Thanks! :)

Beyond Repair
by SLynn

"Yeah, it's broken alright," Kaylee said with a shrug as she turned the item over and over in her hands.

"I didn't mean it," River nearly pleaded. "I didn't. You got to fix it. You fix broke things."

Since Simon had found a new treatment for his sister a month earlier River'd been much closer to normal. Closer but not still exactly that.

Kaylee fought a shiver that ran up her back. She liked River, really did. It was nice having someone around closer to her age. But ever since the 'gun incident' she didn't feel all that comfortable being alone with her. She felt kind of guilty about it, but she couldn't help it.

Kaylee looked over the pieces again. There wasn't much she could do at this point. It was definately beyond repair.

River looked up at her with big eyes. Obviously she had expected some sort of miracle.

"Sorry," was all Kaylee could manage.

"Should we tell him?" River said, her voice just a touch above a whisper.

Kaylee let out a laugh.

"No," she said as she shook her head vigorously, "we definitely do not tell him."

"But..."

"Trust me, I speak from experience."

"Well what should we do then? Should we bury it?"

'Maybe she's not that close to normal,' Kaylee couldn't help but think.

"Just leave it," Kaylee said after a moment. "He might not even notice."

They were startled by the sound of approaching footsteps. Quickly, Kaylee got rid of the evidence leaving the pieces behind on the nearest control panel before exiting the helm.

Wash plopped down casually into his chair, the pilot's chair, oblivious to the exchange that had just taken place.

Then he saw it.

"Aw man," he said leaning closer.

Sitting in two pieces on the panel in front of him was his favorite dinosaur. The Triceratops.

Wash carefully picked up the pieces and for a moment couldn't speak. Then after a minute more he got up and headed for the door.

"Kaylee," he called as he walked towards the common room. "I need your help with something."