Shooting range, Friday evening

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

After returning to the dorms from her job at the hotel, River decided that she needed something else than a quiet Friday night. Guns weren't quiet. She could also use some practise. When arriving at the shooting range, she posted the rules:

SAFETY RULES:

· TREAT ALL GUNS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED

· KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO FIRE

· BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEYOND

· ALWAYS WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION

· NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE SHOOTING.

· CHECK IN ALL WEAPONS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE RANGE.

She picked up her Navy Colt, handling the weapon delicately.

[Open!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack pulled up short when he saw River, studying her. He knew she had to know he was there, but he didn't say anything.

Instead, he just waited for her to acknowledge him, quietly happy and keeping his mind open so she could share it if she wanted.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River sensed Jack approach and carefully let her mind reach out for him. A smile appeared on her face as she was able to hear and feel some of him, not hitting a wall. She turned and looked at him a little nervously, still holding the gun in her hand.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack raised an eyebrow at the gun and grinned, trying to project calm, vaguely bothered that she looked nervous. "Hey, River. Feel like sharing the range?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River grinned back, then giggled. "What would you say of I said no?" she replied, the teasing clear in her voice. She approached quietly, placing her bare feet carefully on the floor.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Then I'd leave you the range, but I'd be very sad," he said not looking sad at all as he glanced down at her feet. "Bare feet, huh?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked down too. "It's summer," she said. "If I shoot myself in the foot shoes won't matter." She looked up again and smiled at Jack. "Will happily share the range with you, Jack."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Don't shoot yourself in the foot," he said and reached out to touch her chin, brushing his fingers against it. "Thanks."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Am not planning to," she said, brushing her fingers against his as he touched her face. She stopped, not wanting him to step away and stop talking, but uncertain what to say. "I'm learning to fly Serenity." She'd wanted to tell him that, after all.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He curled his fingers around hers and stepped closer. "That's good. Crashing it's a bad idea," he said lightly, remembering his worry when she'd done exactly that. "I've been learning to fly. Time ships."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"No crashing," she assured him, sensing that memory. "Am being responsible." There was laughter in her voice when she said that, and she squeezed his hand back, not moving away.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Sure you are," he teased. Jack looked down at their hands, and gave hers a squeeze. He had no intentions of moving anytime soon. "You doing okay?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The laughter that had been held back came bubbling to the surface. It made her happy; the touch, the playful teasing, the concern and him wanting to stay close to her. "Okay. The road is still unclear, but..." She dropped the gun to the ground - thankfully it was unloaded - and pushed it away with her foot. Still holding on to his hand she took a step back, like dancing, stretching her other hand out and giving Jack a look that said she was waiting for him to lead.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had flinched when the gun hit the ground, automatic reflex, then he laughed and stepped forward. "The road's always unclear," he said, sliding one arm around to press his hand against her back, twirling her in a circle. "That's part of the fun."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Part of the fun," River agreed, placing her other hand on his shoulder and stepping closer, but still waiting for him to guide her. "Are you having fun?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Always." And it was true, for right now, even if it wasn't true for all the time that had passed. He guided River forward, keeping his steps simple as he moved them around the range.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River followed, trying to only feel the present and not the memories that dancing with Jack brought back. "True for now," she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder, smiling.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack sighed and closed his eyes briefly, resting his cheek against her hair. Right now, here with River, it felt like he'd never been gone.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Feel the same," River mumbled, knowing it to be an illusion. A good one though. She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack smiled. I know. After a bit, he lifted his head and ran his fingers across her hair. "You should get that gun and show me what it can do."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

That made her laugh again. A little reluctantly she let go of him, then bent down to pick up the gun. Choosing the nearest alley, she loaded the gun and slipped on the protection. After a quick glance over her shoulder accompanied by a grin, she fired, her aim perfect.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack let out a long, slow whistle. "I'm good," he said with absolutely no modesty. "But I'm never going to be that good. Impressive, River. Very impressive."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River gave him a teasing look, raising an eyebrow. She reloaded the Nay Colt, then handed it to Jack. "Show me how good you are."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You already know that," he said, smirking, and what he was thinking about had nothing to do with guns. Jack detoured long enough to snag ear and eye protection, then examined the gun. "Very nice," he murmured, getting the feel of it before raising it to aim. He fired one shot, and hit the target just an inch left of River's.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"That's good," River admitted. His first comment had made her blush slightly, and it had surprised her. "And it is a nice gun. What do you use now?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not really," he said, frowning at the gun. "I can do a lot better." He shook his head. "Practice. And I use a nine millimetre, which is so anachronistic you wouldn't believe it, and a sonic blaster when I can't use that. Or anything else that comes to hand."