BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

HISGOODGIRL

Kaylee's Christmas
Thursday, December 21, 2006

As the crew deals with dark times, Jayne finds a way to cheer his girl. A little serving of holiday fluff for my Jaylee peeps whom I got to meet at B3. You guys rock!


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2262    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

Title: Kaylee’s Christmas Author: hisgoodgirl

Disclaimer: Joss's toys, my make-believe. No money exchanged and all that. Rating: G. Spoilers for the BDM Paring: Jayne/Kaylee. Don’t like, don’t read, dong ma? Setting: Post BDM, in my AU where Kaylee has left Simon for Jayne. To read my earlier fics that give the lead up to this, click on my name, above.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Joyful Solstice to you all.

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Kaylee’s Christmas

Kaylee loved Christmas.

From the time she was a tiny child, the bustle and preparations associated with the holiday enchanted her. As she grew older, she loved it more and more. Her Ma would be busy fixing special dishes for the Christmas Day feast and the fragrance of baking cookies and pastries perfumed the whole house. Her Pa retreated to his workshop, which the children were forbidden to enter, and there he created wonderful handcrafted toys for her and her brother and sister.

Everyone had little projects underway and secret places to stash them prior to the big day. Her ma found time while the children were at school or play to sew new clothing for them, bright calico dresses or gingham shirts, or warm flannel pajamas. On Christmas morning, the stockings which hung above the Frye mantle bulged with small toys, puzzles, candies and the most precious treat of all, a fragrant, deep orange tangerine for each child.

The little town of Greenwood on the world of Harvest was a close-knit, old fashioned sort of place where neighbors gathered to celebrate the season after worship services or shared a cup of punch in one another’s homes. Families gathered close and shared in the gustatory bounty and good fellowship of the season.

While Harvest, being primarily prairie, did not produce any conifers for Christmas trees, the inhabitants had long ago learned to plait and weave elaborate decorations from long stems of dried wheat and these wreathes and garlands adorned doorways, crowned windows and blessed family tables.

In the wooded windbreaks that marked the boundaries between farms and homesteads, Kaylee’s Pa would always manage to find a great clump of mistletoe, glistening with pearly berries. In a tradition begun by her parents their first wedded Christmas, her Ma would bind the leathery foliage with a big red bow and her Pa would suspend it in the middle of the family parlor, only to draw his wife to him for a very warm and lingering kiss.

There was never any doubt in Kaywinnit Lee Frye’s mind that her Ma and Pa loved each other. She could see it in that kiss, as in so many other small gestures throughout the year. In some curious way, the mistletoe and her parent’s kiss came to represent a true symbol of the bond of family.

* * *

Christmas on board Serenity was always a hard time for Kaylee, and this year, more so than most. She always missed her family and the four years away from home did nothing to ease that tug.

In the months following the broadcast about Miranda, the surviving crew members found their lives increasingly more difficult. It took all of Mal’s strength and focus just to keep them alive and flying through the chaos that swiftly followed.

After Shepherd Book left the ship to head up the community at Haven, he’d remained a much beloved friend and mentor, and his death rippled out through all of them, the loss especially hard on both Mal and Jayne. With the loss of Wash, Serenity seemed darker and clumsier, as if the Firefly was no longer animated by his playful spirit. Zoë fulfilled her duties ever faithfully but moved though each day like a sleepwalker, withdrawing from the others as she struggled to survive the reality of life without her man. The remaining members of the crew each grieved for their lost friends in their own ways.

River was blossoming, pleased to assume her responsibilities as Serenity’s new pilot, her tormented mind more coherent. Simon did his best to come to terms with her newfound independence and questioned his continued place on board the ship. Inara and Mal talked and fought and struggled to redefine their relationship, both at last acknowledging their mutual love, although no more clear about what to do with it.

In the aftermath of that terrible time, Jayne and Kaylee found solace in the growing bond between them. By Jayne’s birthday in November, Kaylee’s crying spells had slowed, but the pretty mechanic was far quieter than before, and Jayne often noticed the far-away look in her eyes, as if some part of her had been left behind at Miranda. The big merc was worried about how subdued she’d become and wondered how to call back the playful woman he’d come to love.

* * *

One night in mid-December, Jayne found his girl in tears, curled up on the old yellow couch in the ship’s lounge. “Hey there, what’s all this?” he asked, plunking himself down heavily beside her and gathering her onto his lap. He brushed the tears from her cheek with the heel of his hand and rested her head against his shoulder.

She hiccuped and wiped her nose on the cuff of her coveralls. “Just homesick, I guess.”

“What set that off, darlin’?” He rocked her gently like one would a child and Kaylee found herself thinking about beloved times when her Pa’d done the same.

“Just got to thinkin’ about folks back home an’ how they’d all be rushin’ ‘round, getting’ ready for Christmas. You know, all the cookin’ and bakin’ an’ fussin’. I really miss that stuff, and there just ain’t nothin’ to do about it.”

Jayne nodded. Although he’d been away from home for far longer, he could still remember the frenzy of preparation his mother had flung herself into every year, cobbling together special treats for the family even when times were dark and supplies were scarce and dear. He knew Kaylee’s was a close-knit family and that his girl cherished special occasions. She’d told him of the traditions kept by folk back in Greenwood, sharing her memories of the Christmases of her childhood, and he understood her longing for gentler, simpler times, especially in the light of present difficulties.

Mal had always resisted any overt celebration of Christmas, just as he resisted prayers to a God by whom he felt betrayed. Previously, members of the crew found ways to make or acquire simple gifts for one another and shared what holiday spirit they could, careful to contain themselves when their own Captain Scrooge was around.

But this year was different, harder and darker. As Kaylee grieved for Wash and Shepherd Book, so she was also grieving for home and family.

* * *

On the run, Mal was finding it more and more difficult to replenish supplies and foodstuffs. Nearing Whitefall on the 24th of December, he made a desperate decision and ordered River to land his boat in a snowy meadow high up in a heavily forested, mountainous region. As the ship powered down, he called his mercenary up to the bridge.

“We’re plumb outta protein and in serious need of some meat, Jayne, and you’re our best chance at getting’ some. If you can just get us a couple of deer, we can cook up some and smoke the rest. Tide us over a little longer ‘til we can make our way back ‘round to Haven.”

The merc nodded. Scrimping along on half rations was taking a toll on everybody. “Shouldn’t be hard. Snow like this, deer hunker down somewhere sheltered to ride out the cold. If I can find a deer yard, oughtta be able to get a couple ‘fore they hightail it.”

Mal looked gaunt and solemn. “Take this, ‘case anything goes awry.” He handed Jayne the radio. “You get something, give us a call and I’ll have Zoë come out with the hovermule and pick you up.”

“Works fer me. I’ll check in around dark.”

* * *

Late that afternoon, Jayne found the deer. On his belly in the snow, he scanned the slope above him with the scope of his rifle. In a south-facing coulee sheltered by a grove of aspens, close on to a dozen deer lay close together, dozing and chewing their cud. This soon after the autumn rut, the buck still carried his antlers, making him easily distinguishable among others in the small herd. More meat on a buck, he thought and fixed his sight on the stag.

Two sharp reports echoed across the mountainside. The rest of the deer scattered, leaving behind the buck and a big doe he took with his second round. The merc worked his way upslope to them and smiled. That’s gonna make one helluva lot of good venison. Guess I better call Mal, then get busy bleedin’ an’ guttin’ ‘em.

Jayne quickly and skillfully butchered the deer, using fresh snow to scour the carcasses of any remaining bloody residue. As he waited for the hovermule, he sat on a nearby stump and scanned the surrounding area, observant as ever.

The aspen trees stood stark and almost golden in the fading light, their white bark reflecting the colors of Whitefall’s setting sun. His keen eyes noted a dark mass high in the branches of one tree and a wide grin crept across his face. He raised the rifle to his shoulder and took aim, then rose to collect his quarry.

* * *

Back at Serenity, a venison shoulder was quickly seasoned with salt, pepper and dried rosemary and placed in the ship’s small oven to roast, while Mal and Jayne butchered out the remaining meat and set strips to smoke over a slow fire. The savory aroma filling the ship recalled happier times.

When the fire had died down to coals, Jayne tossed handfuls of shredded green wood across them to increase the pale smoke that rose around the venison. Satisfied, he turned to Mal. “Since we got the meat smokin’ an’ it’ll be awhile yet ‘til supper, I got somethin’ I need to take care of.”

Mal nodded amiably. “Good enough.” He was bundled in his winter coat, sitting on a big empty crate they’d dragged out of the bay. “I don’t mind keepin’ an eye on this. Nice and peaceful out here.” He glanced up at the dark sky above, glittering with stars. “You go on about your business, then, an’ I’ll see you at supper.”

* * *

The merc knocked awkwardly on the door of Inara’s shuttle. She emerged, bundled in a thick, quilted silk dressing gown, clearly puzzled to find him there.

“Yes, Jayne? Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “Nah, everything’s fine. I just got a favor to ask of ya.”

The companion raised one perfect eyebrow suspiciously. With Jayne, one could never be too sure. “What sort of favor?”

“You got a piece a red ribbon I can have? Since most everything in yer shuttle’s red, I figured you might.”

What in the world could the man want with something like that? Inara wondered. Suppressing a most unprofessional urge to giggle, she asked, “And why might you happen to need this ribbon?”

Jayne quickly glanced back over his shoulder to make sure the coast was clear.“It’s for Kaylee’s Christmas present.” He smiled conspiratorially. “She’s been kinda homesick and I thought it might help cheer her up.” He leaned closer and winked at her. “Got her a real surprise, but now I need a ribbon for it.” Inara rolled her eyes, shuddering at the lewd image in her mind. “Yes, I can give you a ribbon, Jayne, but I absolutely do not want to know what you’re planning to tie it around. Wait just a minute and I’ll see what I have.”

She returned shortly with two lengths of ribbon in her hands. One was sheer with satin edges, the other of soft velvet, about two inches wide and a rich, true red.

Jayne’s eyes widened and he grinned with glee. “That one’s perfect!” He pointed to the velvet.

She placed it in his hand. “Now remember, I don’t want to hear another word about this ribbon. Understand?”

“Suit yerself, “ he smirked and headed off for the fore corridor.

* * *

A quick glance revealed no one in sight. Jayne quickly kicked in the ladder leading down into Kaylee’s now rarely used bunk, retrieved what he was seeking and climbed back out, then down into his own.

Although supper was late that night, the much-welcome meat made their simple fare seem like a feast, and for once, the diminished circle of chairs around the old oak table seemed filled with light and good fellowship. Even solemn Zoë seemed somewhat more at ease, and smiled faintly at a joke Simon told.

Afterwards, Kaylee and River washed and dried the dishes. The merc wandered over when they were done and slipped an arm around Kaylee’s waist.

River smiled at them. “Merry Christmas, Kaylee. Best head off to bed. Santa’s coming soon.”

The mechanic giggled at her friend’s cryptic comment. “I’ll be damned. It is Christmas. I’d plumb forgot.”

River stuck out her tongue. “Not so. You knew. Just didn’t let yourself dwell on it.” She looked up at Jayne and grinned gleefully. “Nice job, Santa.”

“Ha! I ain’t no Santa. Girl’s talking gibberish," he muttered, hastily drawing Kaylee away and toward the fore corridor. “After dealin’ with them deer, I’m wiped. Let’s hit the sack, darlin’.”

“Fine with me,” she agreed.

They paused at the hatch to Jayne’s bunk and he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Listen up, girl. Do somethin’ for me. Just keep your eyes closed while you’re climbin’ down the ladder and don’t open ‘em ‘til I say to, okay?”

Kaylee knew her man well enough to know something was up, and she appreciated his desire to cheer her, so she nodded. “I’ll keep ‘em shut.”

“Good girl. Come on soon as I get below.” He kicked the hatch open and scuttled down. “Now you.”

Kaylee closed her eyes as promised and carefully descended Jayne’s ladder, feeling his big, warm hands close about her waist. He lifted her from the final rung and swung her around, setting her on the deck. One hand moved and she heard the clank of the hatch shutting, then the big merc maneuvered her so her back was snug against him.

“You can open your eyes now, sweetheart,” he told her and she did. The scene before her was amazing.

Jayne had stolen the tiny twinkling lights from her old bunk and strung them across the bulkhead over his Girls. And from the ceiling, directly over their bed hung the biggest clump of mistletoe Kaylee had ever seen, heavy with waxy berries and adorned with a huge red velvet bow.

The little mechanic stood dumbstruck, her pretty mouth agape. “Oh Jayne, it’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, eyes brimming as she turned to him.

He drew her into his arms and gently cupped her face with one huge hand, and his steel-blue eyes twinkled with love and mischief.

“Merry Christmas, baby girl. Let’s put this stuff to use…” and then he kissed her for all he was worth.

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The End

COMMENTS

Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:08 AM

GIRLFAN


This is the sweetest fic ever!

Thursday, December 21, 2006 2:46 PM

ARTEMISPRIME


A nice Christmas story showing Jayne's caring and squishyness. Brought a smile to my features. Good job.

Friday, December 22, 2006 5:18 AM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


Yep...definitely some lovely Christmass fluff here, HGG:D

BEB

Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:33 AM

VALERIEBEAN


oh, sweet fluffy goodness and firefly love... yeah for christmas!


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