A/N: I just finished watching this series [haven't seen the movie yet, though] and I absolutely LOVE River *hugs* She's my favourite~~~

"River," Simon said, poking the girl in the side. She giggled softly. "You didn't eat all of your asparagus."

She shook her head and tucked a strand of soft black hair behind her ear. "I don't enjoy the stalks."

"You shouldn't be so wasteful, young lady." Their father looked at her sternly. "Asparagus is hard to come by."

Simon watched his little sister take a slow bite of the stalk of the asparagus and make a face. "They why did we get it?" he asked curiously.

Mr Tam cut another piece of meat. "New revolutionary scientific studies have shown that there's a chemical in asparagus that helps children learn better." He ruffled Simon's hair. "Though it's difficult to see how you two could get any smarter."

Simon smiled. Then he glanced at River, who was still making a face. "Give them to me," he whispered when their father wasn't looking. "I'll eat them." She gave him a sheepish yet grateful grin and piled the greens onto his plate.

000

Later, she confided in him that in fact, the scientists had got it wrong; the chemicals' effect only lasted about a week.

Simon said, grinning, "We'll just have to eat some every week, then, I guess." She had a horrified look on her face until she realized he was joking; then she laughed and hit him with her pillow.