FIC SERIES TITLE = Pivotal Moments

This four-part story is the result of a collaboration with my dear friend and soon to be roommate, Mike. The writing game is not new to Mike. It is to me. We’ve both been into Firefly for nearly a year now and both are huge fans of the fanfic. Mike doesn’t have an LJ account (yet), but has read over my shoulder for a long time. Anyway, this is a result of mutual brainstorming and rewrite sessions. We hope you enjoy.

Dedicated to Squish. Thanks for bugging me to write until I actually did it. Thanks also for your great beta work and the inspiration your own writing is. It’s been a treat working on this with you.

Jaylee. Set approximately three and a half years post BDM.

Flashbacks in Italics.

Background: After Miranda, Kaylee and Simon were involved seriously for approximately eighteen months. Their relationship, though not horrible, had been unable to live up to the build-up they had both given it in their minds. They parted peacefully and had remained very good friends. Nine months prior to this story, Kaylee’s long-time friendship with Jayne had taken a very sudden romantic turn. They fell quickly and easily into a relationship that has been humming along since….

Chapter One: Anniversaries

“So, you all packed an’ ready?” Jayne casts a sideways glance at Zoe as she throws a handful of spice into the soup pot and stirs it. She freezes, stiffens. His question startled her. They have been working on this meal together in silence for the better part of an hour, neither one being much for small talk and both being fairly preoccupied with their own thoughts surrounding their evening plans. Jayne quickly looks back down at the vegetables he was chopping for a salad.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Zoe answers honestly; she doesn’t look up from the pot, “This part hasn’t gotten any easier.”

Zoe has been preparing for a two-week leave. She calls it ‘leave’ as it’s going to be far from a vacation. She is going to visit Wash’s parents. Something she has done this time every year since Miranda. This coming weekend would have marked their seventh wedding anniversary. Instead, they just missed celebrating number four…

“If’n it’s such a zao gao deal,” Jayne drawls as Zoe opens the oven and sniffs the bread inside, “then why do ya even bother to go? You don’t owe them nothin’. It weren’t your fault. We been over this.”

“I’m not going because I feel guilty.” Zoe answers flatly, placing the pan on the counter. “I’m going because they are my family too. It helps us all, this time. I want to go.”

“Okay, fine. Suit yourself.” Jayne shrugs and wipes his hands with a towel. Takes a look around the kitchen. “I think we’re done here.”

“It looks beautiful, Jayne.” Zoe’s voice has warmth in it and she smiles softly when she realizes he has set the table for two, complete with a candelabra and a small vase of flowers. “What’s this for? Nine months or something?”

Jayne nods. “Anniversary. I reckon she’s makin’ it up. I mean, for nine months? Awful fuss for a day if you ask me.” The grouse doesn’t fool Zoe, but she doesn’t challenge it. Instead, she raises an eyebrow and asks, “Does Kaylee know you’ve done this? You think she’ll be surprised?”

“She knows I fixed it so we get the ship to ourselves t’night. She don’t know ‘bout this. Sure as anything she’s gonna go all mushy, but then later tonight, in bed, I’ll get good and…”

Zoe’s eyes get big and she throws up a hand, “I don’t want to know.” They share a laugh and she adds, “You two have really surprised all of us. Notice no one jokes anymore. I think it’s because it just seems so natural.” She stifles a sigh. “I remember natural.”

“You’ll get there again someday.” He sounds so positive. “Now, go. Go wallow. You’re gonna be late.” Zoe punches him hard, but on the arm. When he flinches, she smirks.

“Tell Kaylee I said ‘Happy Anniversary.” Zoe turns and walks with purpose toward the cargo bay. Jayne rubs his bicep and smiles after her.

* * * * * *

Kaylee, twisting around in front of her little mirror shifts and bends to try and get a view of the skirt she’s wearing. They’ve landed on Ezra to refuel and get supplies. Everyone on the ship is spending the night in town, and Zoe has taken Shuttle 2 to visit Wash’s folks. Jayne is waiting for her in the kitchen. Though he hasn’t said anything, based on the aromas drifting about the ship, she’s fair certain he’s prepared a meal.

Nine months. She and Jayne have been courtin’ nine months. They’ve gone by in the blink of an eye. She ponders a moment on when they first met. He scared her. Then, they first became friends over teasing Mal together and he wasn’t so scary anymore. They started spending more time together and their friendship grew. Kaylee thought some on when Jayne was there for her after she and the doc broke up. For all the snarking he did before and during the time she was with Simon, when they broke up Jayne never once said ‘I told you so.’ It was almost a year after that when…

“Reavers!” The cry echoed through the town. The crew had stopped on Whitefall to try again at peaceful negotiations with Patience. The dealings of the day had been interrupted by an unexpected Reaver attack. There were very few survivors.

Mal and Zoe were off doing recon, and Jayne had been sent to help Kaylee carry some parts back to the ship. They were in the junkyard when the Reavers hit.

Having seconds to decide, Jayne turned to Kaylee and eyed the piles of parts around them. “I keep ‘em busy, think ya could maybe come up with somethin’?” She nodded emphatically and he turned and charged at the group of Reavers heading their way, guns blazing. Taking a sudden left turn, Jayne successfully got the Reavers to follow him as he zigged and zagged through the rows of scrap metal. Meanwhile, Kaylee’s hands somehow moved faster than her brain. In about three minutes time, she’d fashioned a rudimentary pipe bomb with timer. Looking around, she found the final thing she needed…a garage that had doors opening on either end. She ran for the garage, ran so hard her legs burned. She made it unnoticed, was able to place the bomb and figure out how to lock the doors. Grabbing the com off her belt, she clicked it on…”Jayne! Bring them ‘round back here and into the garage. Go out the end an’ lock the door behind you. I’ll shut the other door behind them and blow the lot to bits!”

Which is exactly what happened. That night, safely back on Serenity, everyone had stayed up late drinking and sharing stories of where they were and how they survived their own brush with the Reavers. One by one folks peeled off and went to bed, until it was just Jayne and Kaylee sitting on the couch in the common room. They have had much to drink and yet can’t shake the adrenaline from the day.

“I still can’t believe it,” Kaylee said, shaking her head. “We was just standin’ there and then there they were and there was no time to do ANYTHING. Thank Buddha I was with you, Jayne.” She beamed up at him gratefully.

“I didn’t do nuttin you didn’t do,” Jayne shrugged. “If’n I didn’t have your help, we’d be dead by now.” He thinks on that. “ Well, maybe not dead just yet but we’d be good’n raped by now.” Kaylee shudders at the thought. He smiles, “But we ain’t. Cheers.”

They clink glasses and Kaylee grabbed the bottle to pour them each another shot, “Yeah, but it was your idea and you are so good with your guns and muscles and…” realizing she said ‘muscles’ and OUT LOUD Kaylee blushes a little.

Jayne smiles broadly down at her, “You got skills, too. I had full confidence in you.” Kaylee is emboldened under the praise and on a whim leans over and up to kiss Jayne on the check. He grins at her. “You know, Jayne, you don’t never treat me like a helpless little girl. Even after I’ve been one.” She thinks back to the gunfight at Niska’s “ Thank you.”

“That’d be because you ain’t helpness and you ain’t a little girl and anyone can’t see that must be dead blind. Hell, I’m glad you’re part of my crew.” The hooch is making Jayne more verbal than he’d like.

“Oh, Jayne! That’s right sweet!” Kaylee gushes... “ I’m glad you’re part of my crew, too,” Kaylee gives Jayne a sloppy, drunken hug.

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Jayne teases as she falls back onto her spot on the sofa. This time he reaches to refill the glasses.

“I mean it,” Kaylee presses, “You’re grouchy and mean and you could shower more...”

“Hey now!” Jayne interjects defensively.

“… but you’re really, I mean REALLY, good at what you do and I always feel safe when you are around.” The defensiveness drains and Jayne puffs up his chest. “ Plus, you’re my best friend on Serenity.”

“Better not let ‘Nara hear you say that,” Jayne tosses his head back and finishes the shot. “I ain’t in the mood for a cat fight.”

“Har har” Kaylee smiles and looks down at the empty glass she’s twirling in her hands. “I love ‘Nara, don’t me wrong. It’s just that, well, me and you talk more an’ you’re all sorts of funny and I like spending time with ya and…” Something clicks in Kaylee’s head. In her heart. She feels her cheeks flush and finds she can’t finish her sentence. When she looks up, she sees Jayne staring at her with a look of amused concentration.

As a slow smile spreads across his face, Jayne nods and looks as if he might say something. Instead, he leans in and kisses her. Kaylee melts right into it. That was the first of many nights she’d spend in his bunk.

Coming back to the moment, Kaylee turns and sees the small package she has for him sitting on her bed. A wonderful, warm feeling washes over her. Smiling broadly, she snatches it up and bounds up her ladder…

* * * * * * “Sure ya don’t want no more?” Jayne asks as he finishes clearing the dishes from the table.

“M’sure,” Kaylee’s eyes were half closed and she had a most self-satisfied grin on her face. “That was incredible, Jayne.”

“See, now? And that’s but the first time you’ll be sayin’ that t’night.” Jayne winks as he places a cup of coffee down in front of Kaylee. He places his own next to it and takes the seat beside her at the table.

Kaylee opens her eyes and looks over at Jayne with warmth and affection. “That was the best meal I’ve ever had outside my mama’s cookin’. It was real fine.”

“Glad you liked it.” Jayne lazily traces a finger up and down the length of Kaylee’s thigh. “Now what?”

“Now we need to rest before we do what you’re thinkin’,” Kaylee teases and pats her stomach. “Let’s go sit on the couch.”

“Fine.” Jayne sighs as if he had just been told he was dying. It makes Kaylee giggle.

They make their way over to the couch in the common room. Jayne sits and drapes his arm around Kaylee. She burrows into his side pulls her knees up on the couch with her. They sit in comfortable silence for a spell. Jayne is slowly, gently running a hand up and down Kaylee’s back.

“Know what I was thinkin’?” Kaylee says dreamily.

“Hmmm?” Jayne replies, sniffing the top of her head. He loves the smell of her shampoo.

“I was thinkin’ that me and you been together nine whole months now. That’s near on half the time I was with Simon and me and you is already so much closer. It’s kinda strange, I mean.” Kaylee turns her head up and tries to catch Jayne’s eye. “In a good way.” She adds, in case her meaning didn’t come through.

“Weren’t your fault about the doc,” Jayne humors Kaylee’s girl talk, “Reckon he don’t know how to be close to no one. ‘Specially someone he wants to fuck.” As if to emphasize what he does want, Jayne pulls Kaylee in a little closer. She giggles against him and pushes back playfully.

“You’re right, I guess.” Kaylee shrugs. “Me and him is much closer now that we’re just friends. It’s like he’s not afraid anymore. He needs ta learn how to do that when he’s romancin’ too. He’ll never be happy ‘til he does that.”

“Whatever.” Jayne shrugs, obviously having lost interest. Though he tolerates Kaylee’s friendship with Simon fairly well, a fact he’s proud of, he still can’t stand the man and would just as soon not have to waste his time thinking on him.

“What I was gettin' at,” Kaylee asserts and brings the conversation back around to something Jayne will care about, “is that I think it’s been so easy for us because we was meant to be. I think it means somethin’.” She blinks up at him, hopefully.

“Can’t argue with that,” Jayne agrees and smiles. “And all those wang bao dahns on the ship said we was gonna crash and burn. We showed them.” He puffs up a little.

“We did at that.” Kaylee smiles back. “I ain’t never felt like this about anyone, Jayne. You make me real happy..” She pauses and thinks. She feels…solid. “You know what else? I always know where I stand with you. With Simon I never knew. It was real torture. In fact, come ta think of it, all the other fellas I been with…”

“Kay,” Jayne interrupts, “ Ya know normally I like hearin’ ‘bout your sexual escalades, I do,” he’s too busy making his point to notice Kaylee grinning at his wrong choice in words, “but howsabout t’night we just keep it on us?” When she smiles, he leans down and kisses her tenderly.

“Mmmmm sure,” Kaylee purrs into his mouth. They kiss for a time, and when they break she sighs. “Boy, you sure are sweet today!”

“Well, you said it was a special day.” Jayne’s a little defensive as he draws back and Kaylee realizes she may have just insulted his manhood. Or at the very least his reputation as a hard-ass. Her suspicions are confirmed as he postures, “Don’t go expectin’ it all the time and don’t go blabbin’ to the crew, dong ma?”

“Uh-huh.” Kaylee grins at him in a way that tells him they both know how full of shit he is. “So, Jayne, when the hell ya gonna take me t’bed?” “Huh? Oh, hey! Already? BED!” And with that, Jayne scoops up a squealing Kaylee and carries her in the direction of his bunk.

* * * * * * Jayne’s alarm chirps softly at 4am. They’ve had maybe two hours of sleep. He’s due to meet Mal in town to conduct some business. Kaylee, laying on her side with her face buried into his chest, hears it first and rolls onto her stomach pulling the pillow over her head. Jayne, now awake, slams the alarm off and groans…. “Don’t wanna go,” he murmurs and lifts up on his left side so his right arm falls over her back and his right leg covers both of hers. He rests his head on the pillow she’s buried under. The pressure cuts of Kaylee’s air supply and she shifts and turns under Jayne’s limbs so she’s lying on her back looking up at him.

“Well, you gotta or the Cap’n is gonna blame ME. Get up.” She smiles and playfully pushes at him.

“Oh, I’m up…” Jayne pounces on her. He’s only slightly late meeting Mal.

Four hours later, Kaylee wakes up again. She still in Jayne’s bed, but now she’s alone. She smiles, stretches her arms over her head and sighs happily. The sheets smell like Jayne. Kaylee inhales deeply and snuggles further under the covers. Last night was incredible. It was every bit as hot, as intense, as that first night. That last thought wakes her up again. Kaylee smiles warmly and stretches. She gets up and pulls on her clothes from the night before. She makes Jayne’s bunk up and sits back comfortably on it, just looking around the room and drinking in the things that make him Jayne. All the time she’s been in this room, and she’s never really studied the surroundings. She guesses it is ‘cause she’s usually distracted by the hunk of burning mercenary who lives there.

Standing now, Kaylee moves around the room letting her eyes wander over his sink, shaving stuff and aftershave (that he used to wear when he went whore-shopping and hasn’t worn much at all lately). Kaylee turns and looks toward the back of the bunk. In the back right (dark) corner of the bunk is an old fashioned (and well worn) club chair. Though buried in clothes now, it occurs to Kaylee that the intent of the chair is for lounging. Next to the left arm of the chair, between the chair and wall, is a stack of empty cigar boxes. Each box is turned slightly so they extend into a twisting pillar of boxes. The top box is flush with the arm of the chair and on it sits an ashtray with half a cigar in it. Kaylee smiles as she imagines him sitting and smoking in the chair. Kaylee’s eyes drift from the ashtray to a small shelf hung on the wall. It’s low, sitting just above the mock smoking table in height. If Jayne was sitting IN the chair, the shelf would be at eye level on the left wall. It’s in a bit of a dark spot in the bulkhead and Kaylee isn’t sure she’s ever noticed it before. She walks over and examines the items on the shelf.

There’s the Bible that book gave him. A capture of Kaylee and River playing around. A ticket stub from a movie he took her to on Persephone. Another capture of a beautiful grey-haired woman who is unmistakably Jayne’s mother. Hanging off the shelf is the St. Christopher necklace he pinched from the guard on (planet from BDM). Kaylee’s eyes come to rest on a small cardboard box of bullets.

“What’s he doing puttin’ ammo on his little keepsake shelf?” Kaylee murmurs and smiles. She knows he loves his guns, but this seems silly. Smiling even more, she reaches out and picks up the box. It’s light as a feather as if it’s empty. “That’s funny,” she mumbles to herself and without thinking, quite naturally, she opens the box. Inside there is a long, black leather cord of some kind coiled up. “What in the world….” Kaylee lifts the cord out of the box and her hand freezes in mid air as she begins to recognize it.

That kind of leather, that quality, cut like that…it’s from a wedding ceremony. A wedding necklace that many women choose to keep wearing long after the ceremony. Why in the world would Jayne have a…Kaylee’s suddenly not smiling as she struggles to make sense of what she’s holding. It reminds her of the one Zoe used to wear. Of the one Zoe USED to wear. Kaylee strains to remember the last time she saw Zoe with it on. She can’t. Kaylee’s eyes widen and her mouth drops open as she gapes down at the cord laying across her palm. To no one in particular, she stammers, “This…this is Zoe’s. What’s it doin’ here in an empty box among personals?”

Kaylee gives her head a good shake and comes back to the moment. Suddenly she’s aware that she’s in a dark, relatively private corner of Jayne’s bunk and she’s just helped herself to something she shouldn’t have. She looks over her shoulder as if someone has seen her, carefully coils the necklace back into the box and puts in back on the shelf. In a bit of a daze, she climbs out of Jayne’s bunk and heads for the engine room.