Elysian Fields (part one-happiness takes its leave)

Mal and Zoe were discussing how the cargo was to be dropped off when Camden entered the Bridge. “So, where we stopping this time?” “Ceres.”Mal replied without even turning to look at his younger brother. If he had he might have taken note of the troubled expression that passed over his face. They were all so busy they didn’t realize that Camden had left the Bridge.

“What the hell you doing?” “Counting silverware.” Jayne didn’t know what to say to that so he simply left the galley. Camden returned to counting spoons. An hour later Camden could tell anyone who asked how many forks, spoons, knives and chopsticks were in Serenity’s galley. He wiped his hands on his pants and went off to look for something else to do.

“Has anyone seen Jayne?” “No, I’m afraid not,” Book replied, “have you tried his bunk?” Mal shot the Preacher a look before continuing his search for the mercenary. He found Jayne in the cargo hold staring at Camden and River. They were jumping rope. The two men stood there watching. “The drop’s simple tomorrow, so if you want the day off...” Jayne grunted. They watched as Camden and River changed direction without missing a skip. “Something unnatural about that.” Jayne grumbled as he walked away. “You two coming to dinner?” “Not hungry.” “Suit yourselves, I won’t be saving you a plate.” Mal paused as he started up the stairs and looked at the two of them. Jayne’s comment had unsettled him. Then he shrugged it off. No harm in what they were doing and it kept River occupied so he had no complaints.

“Where’s River?” Kaylee looked up from the engine. “Oh, hi Camden. She and Simon went into town.” “I thought Simon and River didn’t leave the ship?” “There weren’t any recent warrants for ‘em and the Captain seemed to think it was ok.” “Ni ta ma de!” “What?” Camden didn’t answer her. He took the steps two at a time until he reached the cargo bay and then he took off. Kaylee stood there puzzled for a moment and then turned back to what she had been doing. Maybe if she hurried she’d have a little time in town before the Captain decided that it was time to go.

Simon was glancing over some of the titles in what passed for a bookseller’s in Ceres. Then just as he was reaching for some Plato, it suddenly occurred to him that he was happy. It was a beautiful sunny day, River was better, and for the first time in he didn’t know when, he felt happy. He wasn’t mooning over a lost career or complaining about the barbarians. He wished Kaylee was there to share this moment with him. Instead he decided that he would get her a book, something romantic, perhaps they could read it together. He scanned the shelves and found precisely what he was looking for. He was so intent on his purchase that he failed to notice that River had wandered out into the marketplace.

Camden forced himself to slow down as he reached the center of town. He didn’t want to draw any attention. He tried to imagine where Simon might go. Medicine or books. He was pretty sure they had what they needed on Serenity, so he decided to try books. That was when he saw her. River had just stepped out of the shadow of the storefront and into a beam of sunlight. She was so beautiful it made him ache. True, she was in mismatched clothing as usual, much to big for her and hair that looked as she had just woken up from a particularly horrific nightmare. River turned and smiled at him. “I knew you would come.” “Course, why don’t you and I head on back.” “While I was fearing it, it came, But came with less of fear, Because that fearing it so long Had almost made it dear.” Camden felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. He saw that River was looking over his left shoulder. The dread was so thick he fought for breath. He grabbed River by the upper arms and shoved her back against the wall of the store. He kissed her as hard as he dared. Luckily for him she seemed to like it.

Simon darted out of the booksellers. He had lost River. If he was lucky she hadn’t gone far. Who was he kidding, if he had any luck it had been used up a long time ago. He barely noticed the two young people groping each other to his left. He was trying to decide which way she might have gone when something about the girl’s boots seemed familiar. It couldn’t be. “River?” Simon grabbed the collar of the man kissing, no assaulting, his sister and pulled him off of her. Simon was so angry he didn’t realize how hard he had yanked and the young man went flying into the dirt. “What do you think you’re doing?” It was then that Simon realized it was Camden. He also became uncomfortably aware that they had drawn a crowd. The moment seemed frozen. Then the local law pushed his way through. “Trouble here?” At that moment River bolted. Without a word Simon followed. “Well, how about you son, you got anything to say for yourself?” The lawman put Camden on his feet. “Guess he didn’t take too kindly to me kissin his girl.” “Might want to make sure a girl’s free for kissin for you do it again.” “Yes sir.” As the two of them were talking a wagon pulled up beside the lawman. Two well-dressed people were sitting side by side on the buckboard. The woman’s face was shaded by her parasol, but it was she who spoke. “A little trouble today, Lawson?” “More of a misunderstandin. Boy’s just a might frisky.” “Camden always was a bit of a handful.” “You know him, Doctor?” “Yes, he’s mine. Hello, Camden.” Camden shuddered. “I’m so delighted you’ve decided to come home. Lawson can you keep an eye on him until I can send someone to fetch him.” “Course, mam.”

River came flying up the gangplank with Simon right behind. “River, stop.” “We got trouble here Doc?” Simon, still trying to catch his breath was unable to answer Mal. In the next moment, River gave him another reason to be unable to speak. “Whatever you did, it’s going to be an interesting tale. But why don’t you catch your breath.” Kaylee and Inara emerged from Inara’s shuttle and made their way down the stairs. Kaylee saw Simon curled up on the floor and shot an accusing glance at Mal. “Not me. River.” “Why in the ‘verse would River do somethin like that?” River startled and ran behind a stack of large boxes. Mal saw three people approaching Serenity. “I think we’re about to find out.”

The first detail that sprang to mind was that the one on the right was the local law. The one on the right was peculiar. It was a man, but Mal got the strange impression that he’d be more comfortable in a dress. Lace was practically dripping off his collar and cuffs. Standing between the two of them was Camden. “We have a problem here?” “Doctor in town has a prior claim on your boy here.” “That so?” The weird one answered. “Oh yes, and we are so pleased to have him back.” At that moment Inara emerged from her shuttle. “A companion, oh how delightful. I do hope you’ve been studying Camden. Lydia will be so disappointed if you didn’t take the opportunity.” Camden turned his head towards the fop and narrowed his eyes. “Farkess, Captain, Book , doesn’t appreciate rudeness.” “My deepest apologies if I have offended anyone. Now Captain, we realize you didn’t understand what a bad boy our Camden had been; so the Doctor will pay you the price for his retrieval.” Mal glared and stalked away. “I didn’t think Mal had that much self-control.” Wash said to Zoe. She replied by elbowing him. Farkess stood there holding out the small leather pouch. Camden took it. “Let me talk to the Captain. I’ll be back.” “While your gone you can change into these.” Farkess handed Camden a package. Serenity’s entire crew had gathered by now. Camden squeezed by Shepard Book dropping the money at his feet. “Everything seems smooth here, I’ll be on my way.” “Thank you Lawson.” As if by some secret signal Zoe followed him down the gangplank. Lawson turned and faced her. “You let your Captain know that if the boy should take a walk, so to speak, none of mine will come looking.” “I’ll let him know.” “You have a nice day.”

“Mal.” Mal, who had been headed for the engine room stopped. “I gotta talk to you.” Camden went into the infirmary and Mal followed. After Mal went in Camden locked the door behind him. Mal stood with his arms folded against his chest, glaring. “I don’t want you comin after me. Mal crossed his right foot over his left. “Promise me you’ll keep her safe.” “All this, because of River?” “I’ll do my best to get back. Just make sure that she don’t kiss the dirt. Not here.” Camden turned and unlocked the door. He stepped through and shut it behind him. As he stood in the hallway and changed into what Farkess had given him he could hear Mal begin to tear the Infirmary apart. He took a couple of deep breaths and tried to empty himself. These next few minutes were going to be hard, but he could get through it, had to.

He walked back to the hold. He stopped next to Zoe. “Captain felt the Infirmary needed some rearrangin.” Zoe nodded. Camden went and stood in front of Farkess. Camden wasn’t quite as tall as Mal, but he towered over Farkess by a good five inches. “Take off your shoes.” When Camden had done that Farkess placed two leather wrist cuffs on him. Then he put the neck cuff on. He then produced a linked metal chain. He threaded it through the circle on the neck cuff and then through each of the wrist cuffs. Then he picked up the loose end on the floor and yanked on it. Camden’s head snapped forward and Farkess grinned. He and Camden left without a word.

Kaylee started to sob. Inara moved to comfort the girl and found herself having a hard time keeping her own emotions in check. Simon stood with a shocked look, “I never, meant.” None of them had realized that Mal was standing behind them in the shadows. He walked over to the control panel and pushed the button to close the gangplank. As it clanked shut River emerged from behind the boxes where she had been hiding. “When you depart from me sorrow abides, and happiness takes its leave.” She picked up Camden’s boot and cradled it close to her. Without once looking at Simon she walked over to Mal and took his hand. They left together, headed for Mal’s quarters. “We’re going to go after him,” Wash said to Zoe. “How come leather?” asked Jayne. “It doesn’t leave marks.” Inara replied. She turned to go taking Kaylee with her. “We’re going after him,” Wash said again, “Zoe?” Zoe headed for the Bridge without answering. Shepard Book and Jayne left also, leaving Simon standing alone, trying to understand how everything had come apart. ------------------------------------------------- Ni ta ma de-means motherf------ I think.

River’s first dialog is from Emily Dickinson River’s second piece is from Shakespeare.