The Last Spartan – Chapter One Writer owns none of the Firefly verse, and is not paid for his work. Lawyers take note. ---------------------------- The old man walked across the strewn battlefield, picking his way through the corpses strewn about the killing ground. Two great armies, meeting in close combat, left many to feed the ravens. Such waste, he sighed, looking at the dead all around him. The armies had moved away from the plain, still in intermittent contact with one another. No one had bothered with the dead. No respect for the fallen, he groused to himself. Shameful. In his time, no one would have left valiant dead so disgracefully on the battle field. It was dishonorable. Man had fallen far, it seemed. As he paused to look over the destruction, a moan drifted to him across the field. Someone yet lived. The old man hurried in the direction of the slight noise. He found the source, a young man with a terrible wound to the abdomen. He was large for a Greek, the old man noted. He wore the dress of a Spartan warrior, however, and none would dare wear such who had not earned it. “Water,” the man asked hoarsely. “If you have it to spare.” The old man smiled at the formal request. Even wounded, probably dying, the Spartan did not abandon his raising. He gingerly lifted the man’s head, and lowered his own wineskin to the Spartan’s parched lips. The soldier drank sparingly, and washed his mouth with the last mouthful before swallowing. Trained in rationing, the old man realized. “Thank you,” the Spartan croaked. “A kind act, friend. The Gods smile upon you for it.” “I fear it had been long since any deity has graced me with his, or her, smile Spartan,” the old man smiled in reply. “I am Neethos, by the way.” “Janos,” the Spartan returned, gasping slightly. “My shield?” Neethos nodded, and reached for the nearest shield, lying it near to hand, placing spear and sword likewise. The soldier nodded his thanks. “A great battle, young Spartan,” Neethos said, taking a small rag, and dampening it with water. He carefully wiped the younger man’s forehead and face, then looked to his wound. “No need,” Janos assured him. “I will soon depart, my friend. The wound is grievous, and I’m sure, mortal.” “Nonsense,” Neethos scoffed. It was likely true, he knew, but there was no reason not to offer what comfort he could. “I’ve seen much, old one,” the Spartan replied kindly. “I thank you for the attempt, but am well aware of my impending departure. A wound such as mine is always fatal.” “You do not seem afraid,” Neethos noted. The Spartan scoffed. “I have no need of fear,” he said. “I have achieved that which all Spartan’s desire, death in battle, in defense of Sparta herself. The Gods will welcome me.” “So it is said,” Neethos nodded, washing blood from the wound. “Your wound does look grievous, Janos, but the bleeding has stopped. And there is yet life in you.” “But only for a while,” Janos smiled weakly. “This kind of wound is a lingering death, Neethos my friend. But death will come, none-the-less.” The Spartan seemed to take comfort at this. For some reason that bothered Neethos. “And if you could live?” he asked warily. “What, then, would you do?” The Spartan regarded him for a moment. “I would watch my sons grow, I suppose,” he said after a time. “When I had sons, of course,” he smiled sadly. “My wife died in childbirth with our first. I have not yet taken another wife, but would have done, had I survived.” “And if you could not return to your beloved Sparta? What then, if you lived?” Neethos asked. “Then I do not know,” Janos answered truthfully. “What is life for a Spartan, when there is no Sparta? Where, indeed would I go? And what would I do?” He seemed to ponder that question for a time. “I suppose there are other places where one could serve. Where a soldier with skills and abilities could be useful. I should think, if I could not return to Sparta, then I would seek out such a place.” His eyes were sad at the thought, Neethos noted. “And would such a life be worthwhile?” he asked. “Could you be happy, never setting foot in Sparta again?” “There is no happiness for a soldier, Neethos,” Janos said quietly. “One takes what pleasure he can where he finds it, but I have never mistaken simple pleasure for happiness.” “A wise observation, young Spartan,” Neethos smiled. “Tell me, then, my young friend. What if you could live far longer than a few years? What if your life was one of centuries, rather than decades? How then would you spend that time?” “Centuries?” Janos scoffed. “I am not a learned man, Neethos, but I do know that no man lives so long.” “But if you could?” Neethos pressed. “If it were possible, and such a gift were granted to you, what would you do with it?” “What could one not do, with so long to live?” Janos countered. He knew Neethos was helping him take his mind from his impending death. And it was an interesting discussion. “A good answer,” Neethos looked pleased. “What, indeed, could a man not do with so many years to live and learn.” “I cannot think of many things,” Janos admitted. “Such a gift would be a gift indeed. Though a man living so long would lose friends to age and death, while he himself remained. A lonely life, I should imagine.” “True,” Neethos nodded, and Janos saw a shadow of sadness cross the older man’s face. “Such a man would know great loss as well as great joys. Watching those he loved fail, and then die, while he was helpless to stop it.” “Is any man ever helpless?” Janos asked. “Man must live, and die, by the choices he makes in life. Should he not desire to see such things, then he would avoid such closeness. Better he should drift through his long life, stopping only a few short years at a time, then moving along. Before such losses can affect him.” “You are wise beyond your years, young Spartan,” Neethos smiled sadly. Janos shrugged at the compliment. “A soldier is accustomed to loss, Neethos,” he said quietly. “One cannot change the fact that war is a deadly business, and friends are lost to it. Nor that childbirth is a dangerous thing for both child and mother,” he added, a wistful, sad tone to his voice. “Loved her greatly, did you not?” Neethos asked. “I did,” Janos nodded. “She was, perhaps, not the most beautiful woman in the world. But to me she was everything that was beautiful. Everything that was good in this world. Losing her was like dying myself, in many ways.” “I have known such loss,” Neethos agreed. “It is perhaps the cruelest of all. To lose one whom you love above all else, even yourself.” His eyes were fixed on some point no other man could see, a memory perhaps. “That was how it was for me, as well,” Janos nodded his understanding. “We married young. Perhaps too young. She was not as strong as she thought. As I thought. Had we but waited, it might have been different.” “And it might not have,” Neethos replied. “You gave each other happiness, young Spartan. There is no wrong in that. Nor should guilt be felt. Things such as this happen sometimes. Usually for a reason.” “What reason would there be for my wife and child to perish in birth?” Janos asked. “What reason for my losing her in such a way?” “This,” Neethos said, his voice a hiss. Janos looked to the old man, and was shocked to see. . . “What are you?” he asked, hand groping for his sword. “You have chosen well, Spartan,” Neethos said through his teeth. “This gift I give you freely. Use it well.” Janos screamed when the needle-like teeth sank into his neck. And then, he knew no more.

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The Last Spartan – Chapter Two Author owns no rights to Firefly et. al, and receives no money for his work ------------------------- Jayne Cobb sat bolt upright in his bunk, eyes wide. He looked around frantically for a moment, then relaxed as his surroundings looked familiar. The damn dream, again, he thought to himself. He’d not been visited by that dream in a long time. He rubbed his face vigorously, trying to erase the images from his mind. He glanced at his clock. Two in the friggin’ morning, he groaned. Might as well get up. Won’t get any more sleep for a while after that. He pushed the blankets away and stood, dressing quickly against the cold of Serenity’s night cycle. He decided to work out. Thinking for a moment, he reached under his bunk and removed a large weapon case. With everyone asleep, he might just get in a workout with this. Exiting his bunk, he headed for the cargo bay. --------------------- River Tam made her way along the railing of the catwalk high above the cargo bay floor. She enjoyed the exercise, and the challenge, but all too often others would complain. Demand that she get down. So she prowled like this when she couldn’t sleep. And walked the rails in solitude. Her head came up suddenly. Jayne was having a nightmare. An old nightmare. She tasted his emotions, which was rare for her. Only when Jayne was asleep could she get more than he allowed the others to see. But there was something dark in Jayne. She could feel it. Not just dark, but old. Ancient might be a better term. And there was sadness. A great sadness that no one was ever allowed to see. She vaulted off the rail, sensing his approach. There was no way to get out without him seeing, so she withdrew into the shadows. Likely he would be coming to exorcize his demons with weight training. She smiled at the thought. Though almost everyone on board treated her as the proverbial virgin princess, at nineteen she was not only grown, but fully mature. And not at all repulsed by the sight of a well muscled masculine body working hard enough to build up a sweat. These thoughts drifting through her mind, River settled in to watch. ------------------ Jayne walked into the cargo bay lugging the heavy case. Inside were mementos from his past, things he rarely looked upon, and even less often took from their hiding place. But tonight’s dream had been so very real to him that he’d decided to use them. No one would be the wiser, he knew. And he enjoyed the task. Mind numbing at times, it often let him clear his head. He smiled faintly at that. Anyone on the crew would have scoffed at the idea that he needed to clear his head. They were so easy to fool. No one wanted an intelligent merc working for them. Over the years he had ‘dumbed down’, allowing others to see him as simple-minded. It was easier that way. And far less dangerous. The Shepard had been a start. Jayne had watched him come aboard with some trepidation, curious that he would just happen to pick Serenity to travel on. He had the smell of a hunter, and Jayne had avoided him at first. The two had established an uneasy truce, once the Shepard had realized who Jayne was. That truce had evolved, over the months, into true friendship, wonder of wonders. Each had set aside his nature to befriend the other. Jayne shrugged off such thoughts as he reached the cargo floor. They were less than useless now. Book was gone. Like so many others over the years. Setting his case aside, Jayne began to stretch, easing his long ignored flexibility into use. No sense in ignoring his other disciplines. He had several hours. ----------------------- River tried not to ogle, but the sight of Jayne entering into a martial art routine was almost more than she could stand. She had never observed him making even an attempt at being graceful, yet here he was, flexing and moving with a grace, an agility, that was completely out of character for the big man. She sat transfixed as Jayne began to increase his speed, hand becoming a near blur of strikes, blocks, and counter strikes. She leaned forward, feeling the discipline and control of Jayne’s mind, awed at his ability. Was this Jayne Cobb? The same Jayne Cobb who, day after day, stomped and stumped around as if he were the proverbial bull in the china shop? It didn’t seem possible. How could he have fooled them all so easily? Fooled her so easily? Wasn’t she a psychic? A trained assassin? How could she possibly have missed this? Over looked this? But she had, River was forced to admit. Her eyes were seeing the evidence of it, leaving no doubt that there was so much more to Jayne Cobb than even she had envisioned. Her eyes glowed as he began to slow, winding down his routine. Then, he went to the case.

--------------------- Jayne opened the case carefully, viewing the contents. Odds and ends of armor, weaponry, and clothing from ages past. Reminders of who he was, had been, and where he had been. Things he had done, places he had visited. Battles fought. He ignored the most prized of his possessions, a short sword and long spear, taking instead two identical items from the back of the case. He whirled them about, testing their balance. Like reacquainting himself with old friends, he quickly found their balance, and moved once more to the center of the open area. --------------------- River goggled again. Would tonight’s surprises never end? Jayne stood completely still, holding a sword in each hand. And not just any swords. But matched katanas, swords the likes of which had not been seen in many ages, save in museums. The weapons were obviously old, and showed signs of use, but they were well cared for. Lovingly cared for, she amended. Jayne had a soldier’s love and appreciation of his weaponry. As she watched, he began yet another routine, this one more deadly. A more intricate dance, blades flying slowly about him in an easy, gentle rhythm. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the blades began to move faster, as Jayne worked the routine into a frenzy. Thrust, slash, block, recover. Over and over again, the blades flashed in perfect unison. This was something River could understand. Identify with. Appreciate. She, herself, had skill with edged weapons, something she had proven on Universe’s Moon amongst a room of reavers. But her skill could not match that of the giant warrior beneath her. His movements were like water. Flowing, smooth, no wasted motion. Like a dancer, the thought came to her unbidden. Jayne moves as if he is dancing. A dance of death. River felt flushed. She tugged at the neckline of her sweater. Despite the cold air around her, she was warm. Why? Her sweater was adequate, but no so much so that she should be overly warm. Warm and. . .tingly. Did that mean she was attracted to the big man? No! Of course not, she pushed the thought aside. She was simply reacting as any normal woman would, given the stimuli before her. Simple physical reaction, she concluded. No emotion involved whatsoever. She and Jayne had established a friendship, of sorts, in the past year. But nothing more. He had shown no interest in her beyond that of a working partner, and she certainly entertained no such thoughts of him! Fixing that clinical explanation firmly in her mind, she leaned forward a bit more. Just to see the swordplay, she assured herself. That’s all. -------------------- Breakfast the next morning was interesting to say the least. River sat quietly, watching in fascinated amusement as Jayne clomped his way into the galley. It was she could do to keep a straight face at his actions. After last night, it would difficult to continue thinking of him as a bumbling, brutal, mindless ape. But she knew if she didn’t, he’d suspect something. Couldn’t have that. Might spoil her fun. . .clinical observation, River chided herself. There was no fun involved, no stimulation other than that of an interested observer. Simon noted River’s half grin. “What’s so funny this early in the morning, mei mei?” he asked quietly, and River sighed. Since Simon and Kaylee had ‘parted ways’, he’d had ever so much more time to devote to her. She loved him dearly, but his attention was somewhat smothering. “Nothing,” she sing-songed, returning her attention to her food. “Just happy, that’s all,” she added in the little girl voice that usually made Simon relax. It worked this time as well. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy,” he smiled, and returned to his own meal. River continued to observe Jayne from the corner of her eye while seeming to devote her entire attention to the plate before her. She saw him perk up, and looked to the door. Kaylee Frye was walking into the galley, dressed in her usual coveralls. Her normal cheerfulness was fully in place, and River fought a scowl at Jayne’s smile when he saw her. “Morning, Kaylee,” Jayne said to her. “Morning Jayne,” Kaylee chirped back, laying a hand on his shoulder as she walked by, taking the seat next to him. “Good morning, Kaylee,” Simon said, trying to keep the stiffness from his voice. “Simon,” Kaylee nodded, and didn’t smile. “How are you this morning, River?” Kaylee asked. There was a smile for her. “Fine,” River forced herself to smile back, wondering what was wrong with her. “How are you?” “Oh, I’m a fit as a fiddle,” the little mechanic replied with a grin. Silence fell upon the table again as everyone concentrated on their food. Mal, Zoe, and Inara joined them after a few minutes, and the crew began to talk back and forth about the day ahead. “Albatross, conjure we’ll be on Beaumonde on time?” Mal asked, turning toward business. “Barring the unforseen, we will arrive in orbit over Beaumonde in six hours, twenty-nine minutes, and eleven seconds,” River nodded. “Approximately,” she added. “Close enough,” Mal nodded, missing her attempt at humor entirely. Inara smiled faintly, and Zoe covered her mouth to hide a grin. Jayne shook his head, Kaylee smiled so bright it threatened to overcome the black, and Simon beamed. So predictable, River thought to herself, and immediately corrected herself. Except Jayne, she reminded herself. After last night, he was anything but predictable. “Jayne, you and me’ll be making the delivery, so I want you ready when we hit dirtside. Dong ma?” Jayne nodded. “I’ll be ready, Captain.” Mal frowned just slightly. In the year since Universe’s Moon and Miranda, Jayne had been the very model of good behavior. Always addressing Mal as Captain, save for rare social occasions, never arguing about work assignments, not even extra duties. In fact, Mal acknowledged, Jayne had taken on several of those extra duties unasked. Zoe had been a wreck after Miranda, though she had hidden it well for days. Finally, she’d broken down, and spent the next two weeks in her bunk, alternating between crying and cursing, and drinking herself numb. She’d finally emerged, but only as a shell of the former friend and first mate Mal had known for so long. Jayne had been right there, seeming to always know what to say, or do, as if he’d gone through the same thing. And taking a load of work and worry off Mal in the meantime. At first Mal had eyed Jayne’s interest in Zoe with a jaundiced eye, recalling how he’d always hit on her before. But never was there a word out of place. Just a helping hand and willing ear when she needed it. Meantime, Jayne had done much of the drudge work about the ship, including the duties that were usually shared amongst the crew. Finally Mal had decided that Jayne had simply changed, as all of them had, after Miranda. He’d even stopped aggravating the doc and his sister. “Good,” Mal nodded, returning his thoughts to the job. “Once we get things took care of, we’ll see to provisioning, and Kaylee can get whatever parts she might need. I think we’ll stay planet side, tonight, if all goes well. Conjure everyone can do with a night off.” Smiles and nods met this statement, and thanks flooded the table as everyone began thinking on what they’d like to do. Despite a rough few months after Miranda, the ship was doing well, and the crew was making more money than they had in years. “Think I’ll find a hotel with a bar and bathtubs,” Zoe remarked, and Kaylee squealed at that. “Ohh, tubs,” she smiled at Zoe. “A nice, hot soak in a tub! That’d be like heaven about now.” “It does sound nice,” Inara chimed in, and Mal’s eyebrows raised. It was an open secret that Inara was no longer an active Companion, hadn’t been since well before Miranda. She and Mal seemed to have finally gotten the cogs out of their relationship, though both vehemently denied any such ‘entanglements’. “What about you, Jayne?” Kaylee asked suddenly, and Jayne seemed to freeze. “Prob’ly just stay on board, Kaylee girl,” he replied after a pause. “Got some errands to run, but likely can do them after the job,” he glanced at Mal, who nodded. “Ammo and such, I ‘spect?” the Captain asked. Jayne returned the nod. “Don’t need much, just odd and end stuff. Won’t take long.” “You can’t just sit here on the ship, Jayne!” Kaylee objected. “You need to get out, too!” Mal frowned at that. Since when did Kaylee take an interest in Jayne leaving or staying when leave was on the table. Come to that, Jayne hadn’t been very. . .interested in visiting much. Not since Miranda, in fact. His notorious ‘visits’ were apparently a thing of the past. As were drunken brawls and the like. “I ain’t got nothing special I want to do, lil’ Kaylee,” Jayne told her. “Like I said, just need a few things from town, and I’m good. Might pick up some kinda food and bring it back, though,” he smiled. Jayne’s appetite hadn’t changed, no matter what else had. River watched all this with interest. If Jayne meant to stay on board, alone, then he must be planning to use his blades again. She would have to find a way to get rid of Simon. And Kaylee, she acknowledged after a moment. Kaylee’s interest in Jayne was just not. . .River stopped. Why should she care about Kaylee’s interest in Jayne? Why had it irritated her so when Jayne had smiled at seeing Kaylee come into the galley? Kaylee was her friend, despite the fact that she and Simon hadn’t ‘hit it off’, as Kaylee had put it. So why the feeling of intrusion? Suddenly it hit her. She was jealous! Jealous of Kaylee’s effect on Jayne Cobb! But why? It had never bothered her before this morning. Why was it so different today? Because now you know, she admitted to herself. Now you know that Jayne Cobb isn’t what he appears to be. She was attracted to Jayne! No, no, no, NO! her mind screamed. I am not! Jayne is a friend, but that’s all! His physical prowess is not the basis for any type of romantic notions. As much as she might admire him, Jayne was not a suitable companion for her. They had nothing in common, save their fighting abilities, and that was certainly not sufficient grounds for any type of personal relationship, outside that of friendship. All this rolled through her mind as she sat quietly, unaware she was being observed. Inara watched River warring with herself, and wondered what was wrong. Until she followed the younger woman’s gaze. Jayne. She was staring at Jayne. Inara looked down quickly to hide her smile. Simon would go nuts! Not to mention Mal. Controlling her features, Inara looked back up. Oh my, she thought wickedly. There are interesting times ahead.

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The Last Spartan – Chapter Three Author owns no rights to Firefly, receives no money for his work. All done I in fun. --------------- Kaylee lay awake in her bunk, staring at the ceiling. Serenity was on night cycle, and she listened to the thrum of her girl’s systems on reduced power. It had been a year since Miranda, and life had gotten back to normal. Or at least what passed for normal on Serenity since the wave. Wash was gone, and so was Shepard Book. Many of their friends away from Serenity had also died, including all the people she had known on Haven. It had taken them a long time to get Serenity space worthy, and even longer to rebuild a list of contacts who could provide them with work. Things had been thin for a while, but were now looking better. Inara had stayed with them, Mal having finally gotten his head out of hi pi gu and asked her too. She had given up being a Companion for him. Thanks to her, Serenity was doing well, moving cargo steadily and being paid without a hitch. Mal still took the occasional ‘questionable’ job, Kaylee thought more for the thrill than the money. She couldn’t deny the money was good though. Simon, on the other hand, had been unwilling to give up much of anything for her. The spark they had shared after Miranda had flared briefly, then fluttered, and finally died. She had chased him for so long, been like a moon-eyed girl for months in fact, that it had never occurred to her that Simon might no be quite as shiny as he appeared. He was a good man, there was no doubting that. Anyone who would give up all that he had for his sister couldn’t be anything less. He just hadn’t been the right man, that’s all. They had come to that conclusion together after two months. Things wouldn’t work out, and that was that. Sighing in frustration at her inability to sleep, Kaylee rose from her bed. Throwing on her robe to ward of the cold of the night cycle, she exited her bunk and went to the galley. As she rummaged through her food locker, looking for something to nibble on, she heard a faint noise from the cargo bay. She froze. Serenity had been invaded before. Her blood ran cold as she remembered the bounty hunter, Early. She still had nightmares about that, even knowing he was long dead. Carefully she eased the locker shut, and went to the doorway. I’ll just see what’s there, and then run and get Jayne, or the Captain, she promised herself. Might be someone else on the crew that, like her, that couldn’t sleep. She was almost on tiptoes in her effort to be silent, as she reached the door leading out to the catwalk. Down on the floor of the cargo bay was Jayne Cobb. He was shirtless, wearing some kind of baggy pants that looked to be tied at the waist and ankles. As she watched, he looked almost as if he was dancing. A slow, taunt dance. His arms moved with a precision she didn’t know Jayne could muster. His muscles were taunt with tension as his feet moved through an intricate series of steps, while his arms, hands extended and rigid, flowed back and forth around him. She almost goggled when Jayne’s body stretched out, legs to each side, and he held himself upright with only his leg muscles, while his arms continued to move. She’d seen River do something similar, when she practiced her dance moves, but this was like no dance she’d ever seen. Suddenly Jayne leaned forward on his hands. His weight went forward, and he brought his knees down, legs flying together and settling on the bay floor. He sat back on his ankles, back straight, and continued to moved his arms a bit, breathing long and deep. Kaylee realized she was staring, but she’d never imagined Jayne to be so. . .nimble. Flexible was the word that came to mind next. Another word entered her mind as well, unbidden. Erotic. As he came to his feet, Kaylee withdrew, lest he see her there. She made her way back to her bunk as quietly as possible. If he caught her watching, he’d like as not stop, and she didn’t want that. In fact, she wanted to watch him again. ------------------- From her spot on the opposite catwalk, River had watched Kaylee watching Jayne. Transfixed by what she had seen. She sighed, realizing that she would no longer have this time to herself to observe the big man in his true environment. Showing his true self. She’d been careful not to let on that she knew anything about Jayne, knowing he would likely be angry. The younger woman had been watching him for over two months, nearly every night, in fact, since the first. River had been as mesmerized as Kaylee that first night, having never suspected that Jayne was capable of something so intricate. So much more to Jayne than met the eyes. Some of the moves she now recognized as part of the Tai Chi routine she herself often practiced. But others were unfamiliar to her. The little assassin waited until Jayne was out of the bay before rising to return to her room. She no more wanted Jayne to see her here than Kaylee had. River liked Kaylee, thought of her as a sister even. But the idea of having to share Jayne’s workout with her was. . .frustrating, for reasons she preferred not to explore. Mostly because she didn’t understand them herself, as yet. ----------------------------- The next morning, as the crew gathered for breakfast, Jayne was back to the semi-clumsy, grumbling oaf he’d always been. Kaylee had to bite her lip to keep from asking what he had been doing. While he might tell her in private, ( she doubted it ), he’d be angry if she mentioned it in front of the crew. As she fought with herself, she happened to glance over at River, and was surprised to see River staring at her with a half-amused grin. Did River know what she was thinking? Course she knows, ya twit, Kaylee scolded herself. She’s a reader! River smiled outright at that, and returned to her breakfast. When she was finished she excused herself and headed for the bridge. Kaylee wanted to follow, but it was her turn at the dishes. Once they were done, the Captain had grabbed her about some problem he was having, and Kaylee soon forgot about it. But she didn’t forget about Jayne. She was still thinking on what she’d seen the night before when River’s voice startled her. “So, what did you think?” the younger woman asked. Kaylee jumped. “You scared me, River,” Kaylee exclaimed. “Think about what?” River smirked at her, and then gave her the ‘boob’ look normally reserved for Simon. “Don’t play innocent with me,” River scolded playfully. “You know exactly ‘what’.” Kaylee flushed, realizing she was busted. “It was. . .interestin’,” Kaylee hedged. “More like mystifying,” River grinned, and Kaylee nodded. “I don’t think I ever seen nothin’ like that before,” she admitted. “And sure not from Jayne, of all people. Looked almost like you do, when you’re doing your dance stuff.” River nodded at the comparison. “It’s very close, actually,” the pilot said. “An ancient dance of sorts. Parts of it I recognize, other parts I don’t.” River’s words took a minute to sink in, and she grinned. “You been watchin’ him too!” she exclaimed, and it was River’s turn to blush. “Simply observing the mercenary in his natural habitat,” she blustered. “Observing without influencing.” “Uh huh,” Kaylee smirked. “You thought it was hot, too!” Both women broke out in giggles. “He is an attractive physical specimen,” River agreed. Kaylee nodded. “He’s all kinds o’ swai, no doubt.” The two women looked at each other for a long moment, then River smiled. “See you tonight?” “You bet!” ------------------------------------- That evening the two women met early, before Jayne came down. River had his schedule memorized, and they had time to hide effectively. As Jayne started his workout, River tried to hide a smirk. Kaylee was in for a treat tonight, if Jayne stayed with his regular schedule. Sure enough, after a half-hour of stretching that had both girls goggling, he reached into the large bag he had carried down with him, and withdrew the two swords. River’s hand shot out to cover Kaylee’s mouth as the engineer started to squeak. Below them, Jayne froze, cocking his head to one side and listening. Both women held perfectly still. Finally the big man decided it was nothing, and walked over to stand in the clear. As Kaylee watched, Jayne began to swing the long swords about, working faster and faster, cutting, slashing, stabbing and parrying invisible foes. It was obviously a routine he was long used to. Kaylee found herself immersed in the scene before her. She felt her throat begin to tighten as she watched him go through move after move. She began to feel warm, like the heat was still on, even though Serenity was on night cycle. The temperature was around sixty degrees Fahrenheit, and both she and River were wearing an extra layer of clothes. Just as Kaylee had decided she was gonna have to do something about that, Jayne stopped. Looking at her watch, Kaylee realized he’d been at it for over an hour. She and River stayed silent until Jayne was gone, then looked at each other. “Wow,” Kaylee said silently. River nodded agreement. “Makes quite a change from the bumbling and grumbling we’re used to, doesn’t it?” she grinned. “Sure does,” Kaylee was still whispering in awe. “That was something. Can you do all that?” “No,” River admitted after a minute’s thought. “One reason I was watching, in fact. I hope that I’ll be able to persuade him to teach me.” “One reason, huh?” Kaylee grinned wickedly. “Bet I can name another!” River blushed. “He is something to look at, isn’t he,” she murmured. “Such grace and power make a fine aphrodisiac.” Kaylee hadn’t gone to school in the core, but she knew what an aphrodisiac was. “River Tam!” Kaylee all but squealed. “You got the hots for Jayne Cobb!” “I do not!” River retorted. “My interest is in finding a way to convince Jayne to share his knowledge with me! You, on the other hand. . .” River trailed off, smiling wickedly. “Me?” Kaylee strangled. “Why, I ain’t got eyes for Jayne! And ‘sides that, he ain’t never. . .”Kaylee trailed off herself, remembering when Jayne had first come aboard. “Yes?” River prompted, causing Kaylee to turn an interesting shade of red. Suddenly both women sighed in unison. They fell into giggles at that. After a moment River rose gracefully from her seat, offering Kaylee a hand up. “Same time tomorrow night?” Kaylee asked. River shook her head. “He has the bridge watch tomorrow night,” River informed her. “Night after he’ll be back.” “How long you been watchin’ him, to have that all figured out?” River blushed under Kaylee’s gaze. “A while,” she admitted bashfully. Kaylee giggled. “I oughta be mad, you keepin’ this all ta yaself,” she laughed. “But I can see where you wouldn’t wanna share,” she added, and River’s flush deepened. “I’m for bed,” River said. “Night Kaylee.” “Night River,” Kaylee replied.

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The Last Spartan – Chapter Four Blah blah blah........you know by now I aint gettin paid, and don’t own it;) lol --------------------- River and Kaylee made a ritual of watching Jayne go through his routine over the next two months. During that time each woman was forced to examine her reasons for doing so. For River, her initial ‘urges’ had tempered somewhat. While she still found Jayne very attractive, those feelings had been doused a bit by the fact that Jayne gave her absolutely no reason to think he was at all interested in her, outside their friendship. True, they were becoming very good friends, to the point that Jayne would accompany here to town occasionally when they were on a friendly planet long enough to shop. He had helped her chose a number of new weapons and work clothes, and his choices had been much better for her than her own would have been. But there it ended. There was no indication, either visual or ‘underlying’, meaning that she could read, that he gave her any thought in a romantic way. He found her attractive, but that was it. Kaylee, on the other hand. . . River glanced at Kaylee, who was leaning forward, enthralled by the mercenary’s current workout. Jayne’s thoughts on Kaylee were much different. River had finally figured out that Jayne loved Kaylee. Loved her in a way that made the younger woman feel more lonely than she’d ever felt before. True, Kaylee was unaware of his affection, but River wasn’t. She had felt Jayne’s emotions for the little mechanic, in the rare unguarded moments the big man had. His feelings for her were so strong that more than once River had felt herself almost swept away in them. Such a love was rare in the ‘verse. Feelings that strong were the stuff that romance novels were famous for. Legends were made of. And it was Kaylee’s for the taking, if she wanted it. River wondered if she wanted it? ----------------------- Kaylee watched Jayne’s motions without a sound or movement. Mesmerized by his motions. So fluid and graceful that it was impossible to believe, considering that it was Jayne. She wouldn’t have believed it, had she not seen it with her own eyes. She knew that. She’d never had the inherent distrust and dislike of Jayne that most of the crew had harbored over the years. But she had never, ever, imagined that he was capable of something like this. At the moment, Jayne was sitting with each leg on a separate barrel, doing what gymnasts called the splits. That alone was enough to merit fascination. But while he sat that way, the barrels on their sides and trying to roll away from him, Jayne’s hands were steadily flashing before him, two short swords gleaming in the dim lights of the cargo bay. It was an awesome display of strength and agility. Even River was in awe, staring dumbfounded at Jayne’s demonstration. Kaylee sighed as she looked at the big man below them. Why had she chosen to chase Simon all over the ship, instead of Jayne? Big, strong, handsome, talented Jayne. Face it girl, you just can’t pick’em, she thought to herself ruefully. Not that there was anything wrong with Simon, she admitted. He just wasn’t the right man for her. Remembering the night they had finally reached that accord between them brought another sigh. So much wasted time. No, not wasted, she thought. If I hadn’t tried, I’d never have knowed. He mighta been all that an’ a bag o’ snaps, for all I knowed. The thought didn’t help much, though. Tearing her thoughts from such things, she concentrated on the show before her, thinking about Jayne in ways she’d never imagined before. -------------------------- River ‘heard’ Kaylee’s thoughts beside her, and sighed in disappointment. Yes, she wanted it. With that, River decided that she would have to help the two of them see each other a bit more clearly. It was bitterly disappointing, but both were her friends. They deserved happiness, if they could find it. And, she noted to herself, there might be a dividend for her as well. If she got the two of them together, then Jayne might feel indebted to her enough that he would agree to teach her. She smiled at that thought. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough. And who knew what the future held? ------------------------ The next day Serenity touched down on Persephone to deliver a cargo. The job went smooth, and Mal was feeling magnanimous. “We’ll all take a tour on the town, maybe stay the night,” he announced to the assembled crew in the cargo bay. “Need to stand a watch, but if we can work it out among ourselves, everyone should get some time.” “I’ll take the watch,” Jayne said quietly. “Ain’t got nothing I want to do, no way. Let everyone have the night in town, if it pleases you, Captain.” Mal nodded, having half expected such. He didn’t really like it, but Jayne was a man grown. If’n he wanted to stay on board, it was his own business. “I’d like Jayne to go with me into town first,” River said suddenly, drawing attention to herself. She pinked a bit under the scrutiny, but didn’t withdraw. “I want to visit the shop,” she told Jayne, meaning the weapons store they often frequented. He nodded, looking to Mal. “Won’t take long, Captain,” he said. “Ain’t far.” “Okay then,” Mal nodded. “I’ll stay aboard until you get back. Everyone else is free to go. Back here at eight sharp, or walk. Now go.” The crew broke apart, heading to prepare for a trip out. “Ready now? Or need time to get ready?” Jayne asked River. “Ready now,” River nodded firmly. With that, the two set off. ----------------- As they walked along the road, River debated exactly how to go about her mission. She wanted to alert Jayne to Kaylee’s feelings, but she also wanted to began the process of easing him into acknowledging, at least to her, that he was skilled with a blade. Once he did, she felt certain that she could convince him to teach her. “Kaylee looked nice today,” she said suddenly, and instantly kicked herself mentally. How lame could she be? “Yep, she did,” Jayne agreed, his tone friendly. “Too bad about her and Simon,” River continued, taking his reaction as a sign that she might be okay. Jayne froze for a second, then nodded. “Hated to see her hurt,” his tone was even. “And Simon ain’t all bad,” he added for her benefit. “He’s a boob,” she sighed in exasperation. “Poor Simon, still trapped in the Core.” “Well, you can’t hold his raisin’ against him,” Jayne offered in Simon’s defense, surprising them both. River looked up at him. “Are you defending Simon, Jayne?” she teased. “I guess so,” he shrugged, rather than getting angry. “I ain’t never much cared for him, I admit, but he’s a good doc. Saved us all one time or another. Gotta give a man credit when it’s due, like him or not.” “Why Jayne,” she teased him again. “I didn’t know you had it in you!” “Lot you don’t know ‘bout me, girl,” Jayne said gruffly, and her alarm started tingling. Hit a nerve, she admonished herself. “That’s true, I suppose,” she agreed. “For all of us, I imagine. Like Kaylee.” Jayne stopped suddenly, looking down at his diminutive partner. “You got something on your mind, girl, just say it,” he ordered. “Don’t play around. Kaylee and the doc back together, are they?” “No!” River replied more strongly than she meant to. “No, not at all,” she repeated more calmly. “I was just thinking on her, that’s all. She’s a good person.” “She is that,” Jayne nodded firmly, resuming his walk. River had to hurry to catch up. “You like her?” River decided to just say it. “Course I do,” Jayne replied at once. “She’s a good person, like you said. Always smilin’ and happy. Makes me feel better just being in the room.” “Hmm,” River smiled, and Jayne looked at her sharply. “What’re you hummin’ for?” he demanded. “What the hell you playin’ at, River?” His temper was beginning to shorten, River knew. Throwing caution to the wind, she just told him. “Kaylee likes you, Jayne,” River said plainly. “A lot. And I know you like her. I can see it every time she walks into the room,” she added when his face clouded into the ‘no readin’ me’ look he often got when she pointed out something. “I don’t need to read you to see, Jayne,” she said softly. “It’s written all over you.” “You said anything?” he asked, not bothering to deny it. “Not my place,” River didn’t quite lie. “Nor my business.” “See it stays that way, then,” he ordered brusquely. “She ain’t got no need of a man like me. No woman does. Not like that. Now let’s get what you’re after, and get back. Mal’ll be wanting to get after Inara. He’ll snort and paw if we say it, deny it all, but he’ll do the same thing, we make him late.” She smiled at his joke, but inwardly she was confused. On the one hand, his lack of interest in the fact that Kaylee liked him was welcome news. On the other, the darkness that had settled on him when he ordered her not to say anything about it was unsettling. “Very well,” she nodded. “I wish to purchase a sword.” “What?” Jayne stopped yet again, so fast this time that River was three steps past him before she could stop. “A sword,” she repeated innocently. “I wish to purchase a sword, Jayne. And perhaps a quality knife or two as well, if available. I still have the Reaver blade, but I don’t care much for it’s balance. So I wish to purchase a better one.” “What do you need with a sword?” Jayne asked, his tone decidedly different from normal. “I don’t need it,” River clarified. “I want it. I enjoy the exercise. And one never knows when such skill can come in handy.” Her eyes were wide and guileless, which, Jayne knew, meant she was up to something. “Fine,” he said shortly. “Let’s get along and see what they got.” River nodded, and followed along. Things had not gone to plan, but they were going. And she had tried to fix Kaylee and Jayne up together, she comforted herself. Wasn’t her fault if he wasn’t as interested as she’d thought. She smiled at that. Who knew, after all? --------------------- “You don’t want that one,” Jayne told her flatly. River was examining a very finely made blade, a tanto pointed katana. “Why not?” she huffed. She liked it. “Too long,” he said at once. “Measure from the middle of your chest to the tip of your finger,” he told her. “Add the length of your middle finger to that, and that’s the length you need. Shorter puts you at a disadvantage. Longer makes the blade harder to wield. Makes your movements clumsy, more difficult.” “How would you know all that?” River challenged him. She was on dangerous ground here, she knew. He had already admitted knowledge of swordsmanship. Now she wanted to prod him into revealing it openly. That would be her chance to convince him to teach her. Most men enjoyed teaching pretty women things, she knew. “Read it somewhere,” Jayne disappointed her. He looked off, feigning disinterest. She frowned. Was he stubborn? Or was it something else? Time to try something new. “Jayne,” she said softly. “This is very important to me. If you know the proper way to select a weapon such as this, then I would like your help. I want a sword, but what good is it, if it’s not the proper weapon for me?” Jayne looked back to her, and she was startled to see a deep sadness in his eyes. It was gone in the same instant, but it had been there. “Mastering a sword takes years,” he told her quietly. “It’s not something you take as a hobby, or a game, girl. It’s not like a gun. It’s. . .personal.” He took the sword from her, and returned it to the rack. Taking her by the hand, he led her to another rack, in the rear of the building. “Look at these blades,” he told her, pointing to a rack filled with dusty weapons. Most showed signs of neglect, but also signs of use. Hard use. “See these? All worn, and used, by people who thought swordplay was just shiny. Wave the blade around, talk big, and act tough. Know where they are now?” He looked down at her. “They’re dead. All of them. Killed by another blade, carried by a man, or a woman, who knew it wasn’t a game.” River had been almost angry at first, but as he talked her anger subsided into something else. She was sobered by the fact that he’d shown her something like this, and it explained why he was so. . .obstructive. “Then I must devote myself to proper learning,” she said after a time. She looked up at him, her eyes soft. “I will not make this mistake, now that you have shown it too me. I will work hard to master the blade, and not take it lightly.” She could tell he was faltering, and felt almost guilty. She hadn’t thought this through. It had not occurred to her, in her planning, that using a sword might hold bad memories for him. A flaw in her method, which she filed carefully away in a mental box she called ‘lessons learned’. “Please, Jayne,” she pleaded. “Help me pick the proper weapon. Help me avoid these mistakes.” Jayne sighed heavily, but nodded. “First thing, avoid all this junk,” he pointed to the racks teeming with blades that looked very fine. Designed to attract attention, to catch the eye. Not to fight to the death. “You need real steel, made by a master craftsman. Ideally, you need one made just for you, but that ain’t an option if you mean to get one today. And you need something to learn on. Fact is,” an idea came to him suddenly. He took her hand again. “C’mon,” he told her, exiting the store. “We need to see a man.” ---------------------- “‘ello, Cobb,” the grizzled man at the forge said, his voice flat. His eyes were friendly, though, River noted. “Taze,” Jayne nodded in return. “How’re things?” “Passin’ fair,” Taze replied, eyes taking in the girl with him. “What have we here?” “Got a bee in her bonnet. Wants to learn to use a sword, for some fool reason,” Jayne told him. Taze eyed River closely. She returned his gaze, sensing no danger. He was not looking at her as a man, but as an armorer. “How old are ya, girlie?” he asked, voice gruff, but not unkind. “I will be twenty years of age in two months,” River informed him. He looked to Jayne in surprise. “And just startin’?” he asked, his voice making his opinion clear. “Not exactly,” Jayne answered carefully. “She’s fenced a bit,” he lied a little, “and got some skill. But she wants to get into it more heavily. Needs the right blade. And a practice bok, too.” Taze looked back at her. “What for ye be wantin’ a blade, girlie? Ain’t a toy, ta be flashin’ about.” “I do not wish to flash it about,” River answered solemnly, sensing she was being tested. “Learning the sword will help teach me discipline. And control. I am an accomplished martial artist, but I wish to learn the use of a blade.” “Fer what?” he pressed. “To fight,” she said simply. “To defend my home. My family.” Taze looked at her for a long time. So long, in fact that River feared she had failed. Suddenly he looked up at Jayne. “You teachin’ her, Jan. . .Jayne?” Jayne frowned. He hadn’t considered this. River’s heart leaped. Could it be this easy? No. “I hadn’t thought about it,” Jayne replied, and she could feel his honesty. “You aim ta teach her, I’ll make ‘er a blade,” Taze stated firmly. “Otherwise, no. She’s too old to start now, ‘thout someone ‘as can teach ‘er proper. Take it you two ship together?” Jayne nodded. “We’re partners.” “Then them’s me terms,” Taze stated firmly. “Yer word she’s proper seen after, and I’ll make ‘er a blade. Better’n she could get anywhere else.” Jayne sighed in frustration. He turned to look down at River. She returned his gaze stolidly. There was real danger here, she knew. If he thought for an instant she was using ‘wiles’, to quote Mal, then he’d refuse. If he thought she was insincere, he’d refuse. Her best course was to remain calm and confident. Determined. Jayne studied River. Why in the Gods would she want this? Wasn’t she already a killing machine? What possible use could she have for a sword, or the knowledge in how to use it? She had enemies, he reminded himself. Warrants or no, the Blue Sun corporation still wanted her back. And a blade was quiet. Never run out of ammunition. Never jammed. He looked back to Taze. “I’ll do it.”

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The Last Spartan – Chapter Five Author owns no rights to Firefly et.al, receives no pay or his work. ------------------- Jayne and River returned to Serenity a bit later than they’d intended, and Mal was pacing the ramp when they arrived. “Sorry, Mal,” Jayne said sincerely. “Took longer’n I thought. But I’m here, so take on off. Have a good time,” he added. Mal, for once, looked mollified, and simply nodded before setting off into town. “I’m sorry, Jayne,” River said quietly. “It’s my fault, and you took the blame for me.” “Don’t worry over it,” Jayne shrugged. “He’d a blamed me anyway. Always does.” With that the big man started for the stairs. “You going out?” he called over his shoulder. “If ya’re, how bout closing the ramp when you go.” “I will likely stay here,” she called after him. “Okay, lock up ‘fore ya come up then, ya don’t mind. I’ll check on the bridge. Maybe see about rustling something up ta eat.” River bit her lip at that. Something else for which she was to blame. All Jayne had wanted was to get a good meal. He had volunteered to stay aboard ship so everyone else could have a good time. She sighed. Picking up her packages, she started to peruse what she had, and think about what she’d ordered. Jayne had talked at length with Taze, before settling on her needs. In the end, she would have a katana style sword, with a matching short sword. She had acquired practice blades, wooden facsimiles, which would be used in her initial training. She had also acquired three knives, made with both combat and throwing in mind. Their balance was truly incredible. Fine weapons, she knew. Finally, Taze had measured her for armor. This had startled her. “Armor?” she blurted. “Aye,” the older man had nodded. “Find yerself in a passel o’ trouble, ye take on another fighter ‘thout some’at to protect yerself.” Taze’s brogue was thick, but she couldn’t quite place it. It was similar to several others. Yet different from all. Occasionally she’d caught him muttering in a completely foreign tongue. Despite her desire to know what it was, she had held her curiosity. Today had worked out just fine from her point of view. She wasn’t going to endanger that. She closed the ramp, securing the ship. Taking her purchases, River went to her room to put away her plunder. She was almost there when she realized with a start that she and Jayne were alone on the ship. A slow smile crept across her face at that. Who knew how things would work out? ----------------- Kaylee Frye was unhappy. To say the least. Simon had tried to accompany her, but she had flatly refused. Instead she had hooked up with Zoe, and the two had set off in search of a hotel with a nice bar and restaurant, and tubs. Yet, after a good meal, more than one drink, and her first hot soaking bath in longer than she cared to think on, she felt no better than she had before she’d left Serenity. Her head laying on the tub while the hot water did it’s best to ease her mood, she pondered why that was so. She was tempted to blame it on Simon, but that was a coward’s way out. And, it wasn’t so, either. No, Kaylee was afraid she knew what her problem was, all too well. River and Jayne had set out before the rest had left the boat, and hadn’t gotten back before she and Zoe had headed into town. Kaylee had been determined to try one more time to get Jayne to come into town with her. But he hadn’t come back. The engineer couldn’t help but wonder if that meant that the two most dangerous people on the ship, and probably on the planet, had found something to do. Together. Alone. Kaylee liked River, loved her even, like a little sister. But she felt a frustrated. . .something, at the idea that she and Jayne were. . .whatever they might be doing. Again she thought about the time she had spent mooning after Simon. The Doctor was like a fancy window display. You saw it, and immediately wanted to run into the store and get one. Only once you got it home, it didn’t seem nearly as shiny as it had in the store window. Simon just hadn’t been it. She had, before Simon had come on board, been interested in Jayne. The two of them had similar backgrounds, and similar interests. Much as Cap’n might not trust him, Kaylee knew in her heart that she had nothing to fear from Jayne Cobb. Man talked about his momma with that kinda love wasn’t no threat to no woman anywhere. Less’n she tried ta kill him, o’ course. But she’d never done nothing like that. She’d been almost sweet on Jayne, then Simon had shown up, and ‘poof’, she forgot all about Jayne. Thinking back on some of the things that Jayne had said to her after that, she figured she’d hurt him, mooning over Simon like a love sick child. She sighed again. Girl, you ain’t got sense enough to get outta tha rain, she scolded herself. Why would Jayne bother thinking on her now? After that? Wasn’t no way he’d believe he wasn’t a second choice. Someone she could pick up with after Mister Shiny didn’t work out after all. Jayne was a proud man, too. She’d well and truly over looked a good man, she told herself flatly. Look at how he’d changed after Miranda. She didn’t care what anyone said, a man didn’t just change, if’n he didn’t have it in him to be that way to start with. A truly bad man, he stayed bad. Her daddy had taught her that, and she reckoned he was some smarter than Malcolm Reynolds, ship captain or not! Now, she was watching as her friend managed to spend time with the man she shoulda chose to start with. A small tear slipped from the corner of one eye, and she let it fall unimpeded. She deserved it. Hadn’t oughta just tossed Jayne aside like that. Mal or no, she shoulda talked to him. But she hadn’t, and it was too late now, it seemed. Kaylee rose from the now tepid water. She needed a drink. Nothing like a good drunk to make you forget. ----------------------- Simon Tam was drunk. He’d never been quite inebriated before, and found he enjoyed it. As he nursed yet another glass of. . .something, he mused on his life. Core educated physician, trauma surgeon, top three percent of his class at one of the finest medical schools in the whole verse. Flying around the rim, serving as a doctor on a cargo ship. He’d fallen a long way. He’d done it himself, of course. And, he acknowledged, he’d do it again. Without a thought. He had saved his sister from a terrible fate. He hadn’t been quick enough to save her from being hurt, terribly hurt. But she wasn’t left there to become a government issue assassin, either. And she was mostly sane, now. True she still had the occasional problem, but even then she recovered quickly. It seemed that her friendship with Jayne was helping her in that regard. Simon scowled at that. He still didn’t trust Jayne, but there was no denying that he had changed a great deal since Miranda. And he’d fought right alongside everyone else, saving Zoe from the reavers, and protecting them all even after being wounded himself. Simon’s scowl deepened at that. Jayne had been shot, and suffered a number of broken bones and bruises, yet he was on his feet again the next day. In fact, he’d been on his feet that day, helping River back to the ship, and watching over her and Inara while everyone else was in the Alliance hospital ward. Jayne healed amazingly fast, even for someone as healthy as he was. He was in tremendous physical condition, but still. No one healed that fast. Except Jayne. Simon wondered, through the drink induced fog of his brain, why that was. What was so special about the bumbling, grumbling oaf that made him heal so much faster than normal, more intelligent people? Had to be a reason. A cause. Maybe he, a top three percenter, could find that reason. Boy, that would be something to write about! Get his name in the medical journals on every planet in the core! Make his name famous, even. With something like that, he could write his own ticket, work at any hospital he chose. No, not hospital, he decided. University! Yes, with a discovery like that, he could go into research at his choice of medical schools. So engrossed was he in his thoughts of a successful return to real medicine, he failed to notice the two thugs eyeing him carefully from the corner of the bar. ------------------ Jayne had found something edible in the pantry, and was fixing a meal for him and the girl when River came running into the galley. “Simon’s in danger!” she exclaimed at once. Jayne looked up sharply. “You sure?” he asked. It didn’t occur to him to doubt she would know. “Yes,” River nodded firmly. “Inebriated. Drowning his sorrows. He is unaware of the danger.” Jayne turned the stove off. “Know where he is?” he asked, picking up his gunbelt and strapping it on. “Golden Fleece,” River siad after a moment. “He is preparing to leave.” “Stay here and watch the ship,” Jayne ordered. “I’ll go and get him.” “I should go,” River objected. “You gonna carry him back?” Jayne asked, not unkindly. River frowned. “I thought so,” Jayne nodded. “I promised Mal I’d watch the ship. She’s safe in your hands, so take my duty till I get back. I’ll get him.” Not waiting for an answer, Jayne headed to the airlock. The Fleece wasn’t far, but he needed to hurry. ---------------- Simon ordered on last drink, as a toast to his impending triumphant return to the world of real medicine. There was no longer a reason to stay on Serenity, after all. He and Kaylee were history. She’d made that perfectly clear. He still couldn’t figure out what he had, or hadn’t done, to bring that about, but it didn’t really matter. She’d made it plain that there was no repairing the damage. He sighed. She was so stubborn, sometimes. Why couldn’t she just tell him. . .what difference does it make? he shrugged the thought off. He was going home! He’d find someone else. He wasn’t unattractive as a potential spouse. Good family, fine education, and soon to be famous. He’d be fine. Tossing off the drink before him, he got shakily to his feet. Time to go back to the ship, wile he could walk. “You okay, friend?” the bartender asked. “Think sho,” Simon slurred. “Jush a little dizshy,” he added, using the bar for support until the room stopped spinning. “Maybe you oughta call somebody to come help you home,” the bartender suggested. “Ain’ got nobod’ ta call,” Simon shrugged, or tried to. “I’ll be fine, oncsh ‘a room settleshs down shome.” He giggled at his slurred speech, and the bartender shook his head. The two men who’d been watching Simon both rose, laying money on their table, and headed for the door ahead of their mark. He’d be easy, and looked to be prosperous. Core-bred. Probably have plenty of money. Unaware he’d been ‘marked’, Simon waved sloppily to his new friend, the bartended, and headed unsteadily toward the door. ------------------------

Jayne caught sight of the Fleece just as Simon staggered out the door. The big man smiled, seeing Simon drunk. The smile faded as he noticed two men leave the shadows, moving toward Simon. He eased up behind them, quietly. Simon started toward the ship, at least remembering roughly where he was going. The two thugs were waiting at the entrance to the next alley. “Where ya headed, friend?” one asked, his voice friendly enough as he looked around. He failed to notice a rather large man lurking in the shadows. “Ship,” Simon managed, looking at the two men in front of him. “I know yoush?” “Sure you do,” the other smiled. “Don’t you remember us?” Simon looked thoughtful. Did he remember them? Suddenly they were gone. One was lying on the ground in front of him, the other a few feet away in the alley. Simon looked around, only to find Jayne standing before him. “Jayne, ole’ buddy,’ Simon greeted him enthusiastically. “Jush the man I. . .hic. . .needed to shee.” Jayne smiled at the doc’s slurred speech and unusual affability. “Well, good, doc,” he nodded. “Been lookin’ for you to. What say we head back to the ship?” “Shounds good,” Simon nodded, still smiling. “Wanted to talk to yoush anyway.” “Okay,” Jayne slipped an arm under Simon’s shoulders and started toward the docks. “What say we talk on the way?” “Fine, fine,” Simon nodded. “I been thinking, you know, ‘bout. . .hic. . .scuesh me. Thinking about how quick you are to heal. Fashi. . .hic. . .scuesh me. Fashinatin’ subject, really. You sheem to heal lots faster than resh of ush, you know that?” “Just lucky, I guess,” Jayne replied. This wasn’t good. “No, no. Don’t. . .hic. . .scuesh me. Don’t think sho, Jayne. I think you got a natural predishposition ta healing. Shomething ‘bout you makes it easier for you to recover from injuries. And I don’t. . .hic. . .scuesh me. Don’t think I ever seen you sick, all the time I know you. Why ish that, you think?” “Like I said, doc, just lucky, that’s all.” Jayne was worried now. He didn’t need the doc digging into his health matters. “Nah,” Simon waved an arm. “Gotta be more’n ‘at. What shay you and me, we try an’ figure it out? Huh, pal? You an’ me. We figure it out, and we’ll be rish and famush. How that sound?” “Sounds like you’ve had one or two too many, doc,” Jayne forced a laugh. “What say we just worry about getting you back home, and think on this stuff later?” “Okay,” Simon attempted to shrug. “But oncsh I’m gone, it’ll be too late.” “Gone?” Jayne asked. “Goin’ home, Jayne,” Simon said as seriously as his drunken state would allow. “Got no reashon to stay no more. River don’ need me no more, thank goodness. Shesh doin’ good. And all grown and all. Ready to be a woman, on her own. I know she haesh the way I hover, but I love’er, you know? My baby sister. You know that, though, right?” “I seem to recall you mentioning it,” Jayne remarked drily. “Thought I had,” Simon nodded, missing Jayne’s sarcasm. “Anywaysh, sin’ me and Kaylee ain’t. . .you know ‘bout that, right? ‘Bout me and Kaylee? She said we didn’t ‘fit’. Whatever tha’ meansh. Guess shesh right. I’m too uptight, she said. Did you know River calls me a boob?” “I’d heard that,” Jayne was trying not to laugh. “Shesh right, you know,” Simon said somberly. “I can’ help it though, Jayne. I don’ mean to be that way. Just don’ know how to be like you and the rest. Tried to learn, but I can’ seem to keep from meshing up.” “Ain’t nothing wrong with you, doc,” Jayne told him. “Just used to a different way is all.” Simon stopped and looked at Jayne seriously. Which, in his condition was not very serious. “You pretty shmart for’n ape, Jayne. I like that.” “I have my moments, doc,” Jayne laughed. “Just don’t tell nobody.” “I won’,” Simon assured him with a nod. “You an’ me, weesh gon’ be pardnersh Jayne. I’m ‘ona find out what makesh you ti. . .hic. . .scuesh me, tick, and weesh both gon’ be famoush. Me an you, buddy.” “Doc, why don’t we just concentrate on gettin’ back to the ship for now, and worry about all this later.” “Ship,” Simon nodded. “I live on a ship, Jayne. Did you know that?” “I’d heard it, somewhere,” Jayne chuckled, starting again toward Serenity. “My girlfriend, no,” Simon shook his head. “My ex-girlfriend is the mesh. . .mechah. . .engineer on the boat I live on. Shesh purty, Jayne. I ever tell you that? How purty my girl, my ex girl is? I tol’ you that, right buddy?” “I’ve seen her,” Jayne replied. Simon gave him a piercing glare. “Whash you doin’ lookin’ a’ my girl, Jayne?” he demanded. “Ain’ right, you lookin’ at my girl. Friensh hadn’ oughta do that.” “Well, I ain’t been,” Jayne assured him. “Just happen to be on the same ship, so I see her now and again.” “Oh! ‘Ash right! I forgot ‘bou that, Jayne. I’m sorry, buddy. Shouldn’a jumped on you like that. I know you wouldn’ do me that way. Not ole Jayne.” Jayne rolled his eyes. He wondered which was worse. That the doc was thinking that he and Jayne were friends, or that he likely wouldn’t remember it tomorrow. Then he frowned. He didn’t want him to remember some things. Like why the mercenary healed quicker than the rest of them. Why he was never sick. Thinking about that, Jayne reached a sad conclusion. It might be time to move on. Leave Serenity and Jayne Cobb behind.

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Well, here I go, reposting. I will post chapters 1-5 together, and then 6-9 together, trying to avoid flooding the list so to speak. Hope you enjoy. Sorry that all your great feedback was lost in the hack, but know that I read them all, and appreciate every word! Happy Reading!