The Last Spartan – Chapter Twenty-One Author owns no right of any kind to Firefly nor it’s related characters. He writes for his own pleasure, uncompensated for his work. -------------- Jayne stood outside the door of River’s suite, unsure of himself for the first time in longer than he could even recall. Finally, he screwed up his considerable courage, and opened the door. River was nowhere to be seen in the sitting room, as he walked into the suite, closing the door softly behind him. He stood silently for a moment, listening carefully. He heard faint sobbing sounds emanating from the bedroom. He crossed the distance to the door in a flash but stopped short of opening the door. Instead, he knocked gently, his hand trembling. “My Lady?” he called gently. “May I enter?” He heard a squeak from inside, and then the door flew open, and River was in his arms. “Jayne, oh Jayne, I am so sorry,” River sobbed, squeezing him tightly, as if she feared he would run away. He wrapped one arm around her, and stroked her hair with the hand of the other. “Don’t cry, my Lady,” he soothed gently. “I am the one who must apologize, not you. Despite my long years, I am nothing short of a fool. Please, forgive me my rashness, and my old and often foolish ways. Nothing was ever meant to hurt you, or cause you discomfort.” “No!” she cried, though leaving her head buried in his chest. “No, Jayne, Janos my love, it was not you. It was never you, I was so stupid. All I could think of was the worst things, and not until you had gone that I realized what you had said, what you had done! And only then could I see how badly I must have wounded you! I am so sorry,” she sobbed again, her small body heaving with her tears. “No more tears, my love,” Jayne replied. “Let us lay this behind us, once and for all time, that it never raises it’s ugly head between us again. I am so buried in the past that I oft forget that the times have long since passed me by.” He pulled her gently away far enough that he could see her face. “I was talking with Inara before I came here. In fact I left my business with her unfinished I fear, as soon as she told me of your state. I have offered her a position here as house manager, with the goal of moving myself and my estate forward, into the present. I hope that pleases you.” “Not for me,” River shook her head, her tears finally abating. “Do not change for me, Janos. It is unnecessary. I am not so naive as I have looked today.” “I never thought that,” he assured her, moving a stray strand of hair back from her face. “But it is the truth, you know. I have clung to customs and fashions that are long dead, save for here. It is time that I caught up with the rest of the universe. And I pray that you will be at my side when I do.” She looked up at him with wide eyes, trembling. Searching for signs of uncertainty, hesitation, doubt. There were none. He stood bare to her, emotionally and mentally, allowing her to see. Her hand swept up to his face, shaking slightly with her emotions. “Oh, how I had hoped that you would say that, still feel that way after this morning,” she whispered. “I cannot live without you, I fear, Janos. Tell me that we will be together, always.” “We shall,” he nodded, smiling slightly. “For so long as you desire, my Lady. That decision shall always be in your hands, rather than mine.” “Then it will be so,” she said softly, “for I could never leave you.” “Never is long time, my Lady,” he reminded her gently. “Especially now.” “It could be ten thousand years, and yet it shall remain unchanged,” she breathed huskily, looking into his eyes. He pulled her to him, kissing her. Softly at first, then deeper, more passionately. Before either knew it, they were into the bedroom, and against the bed. Frantic hands began to pull at clothes that suddenly seemed to be useful only for interfering. As she pulled him down beside her, Janos’ last conscious thought was simple. My love. River ‘heard’ him and smiled, whispering back; “Forever.” ------------------- Kaylee and Simon had finally made it out of their tub. They dressed and went downstairs, eager to see more of the house. They found Inara busy giving orders to the staff. “Takin’ over already, ‘Nara?” Kaylee giggled. Inara spun to see the two, noting their wrinkled skin. “Found the bath tub, I see,” she told them, and smiled at Simon’s blush. Kaylee simply grinned. “Yup,” she nodded. “It’s great!” “So I see,” Inara murmured, and Simon’s blush deepened. “And yes, as a matter of fact, I am taking over,” she added, to Kaylee’s startled gasp. “What!” the two love birds exclaimed in unison. “Jayne has decided that he needs my help to propel himself and his estate out of the long distant past, and offered me the position of house manager,” Inara said with a smile. “Prim and I are just making some calculations, and adjustments.” “Indeed,” Prim nodded. He was aware that his Lord Janos and the Lady River had re-united, so to speak, and that Inara Serra was responsible for that. In his eyes, she could do no possible wrong, after that. She had won a life long friend in Prim Vatorian. “Well, ain’t that shiny!” Kaylee exclaimed, hugging her friend. “That’s just awesome. What can we do to help?” Simon groaned at that, but Prim held up a hand. “You may do nothing,” he told them bluntly. “My instructions are very clear. All of you are guests of My Lord Janos. You are not to lift a hand at anything. And are to be given full run of the estate, save the security building, servants quarters, and the Bunkhouse. And Lord Janos’ armory, of course,” he added as an afterthought. “Bunkhouse?” Inara asked? “The security team quarters,” Prim clarified. “That is their name for it. I’m afraid that your carte blanche will expire completely at their door. Master Janos allows the security teams a free hand in their quarters.” “Well, it’s not a public area, anyway,” Inara shrugged, and Prim smiled. “Indeed not. The House Guard is a very select group of men and women. And there has not been a security breach here in well over three hundred years.” “Well, that’s good ta hear!” Kaylee smiled, and Prim nodded. He liked the younger woman, he decided. Someone so cheerful had to have redeeming qualities. “Where’s River?” Simon asked, looking around. “Ah, I believe that she and Master Janos are in her quarters, working over some . . . details,” Prim offered, and Inara mentally congratulated the man on his quick thinking. “Oh, well,” Simon shrugged. “She doesn’t need me, anyway,” he smiled. “What is there to do and see here on the estate, Mister Prim?” “Just Prim, Master Tam,” the older man corrected. “We have many diversions you may enjoy, sir. There are stables, of course. A hunting preserve. We maintain a marina on the Beraline Sea, with a few small pleasure craft. There is a shooting range, as well as a golf course, and of course the gardens. We have a well stocked library, as well as a comfortable reading room.” “The is a gymnasium, of course, and an indoor as well as outdoor swimming pool. And there are various yard games kept on hand for your enjoyment. There is a theater, with downloads available from the cortex as well as hard copies of much older selections.” “Wow!” Kaylee whistled. “I don’t see how Jayne kept from going nutty on Serenity.” Prim looked at her kindly. “Master Janos rarely avails himself of these amenities, Lady Frye. They are here for his guests, and for his servants.” Kaylee blushed at the ‘Lady Frye’ tag, but nodded. “Spartan to the last, then,” Inara murmured where only Prim could hear. “Indeed, Lady Inara,” Prim nodded sadly. “For as long as I have known him.” “And how long is that?” Simon asked, curious. Prim gave him a sharp look. “A very long time, indeed, Master Tam,” was all he said. Simon flushed, realizing he had asked a nosy question. “I didn’t mean to pry, Mis. . .Prim,” Simon stammered. “I just have a habit of sticking my foot squarely in my mouth on a regular occasion.” “No foul,” Prim smiled. “Now, what would interest you two?” ---------------------- Mal peeked out the cargo bay door, as if seeing if anyone was around. Seeing no one at the moment, he stepped just off the ramp, taking in the scenery around him. “Good afternoon, Captain.” Mal whirled around, hand reaching for his gun. He paused at the sight of the grey-haired man standing to the side of his ship. “Ought not be sneakin’ up on folks,” Mal groused. The man smiled. “Force of habit, I fear, Captain. I am Prim, Lord Janos’ personal assistant. Is there anything I can do for you?” “Just lookin’ around,” Mal waved to the scene before him. “Likely be leavin’ shortly, soon as I get my crew together.” “I am sorry to hear that,” Prim told him, though he was nothing of the sort. Still, Lord Janos’ orders were clear. “Why?” Mal asked, surprising himself. “You are a guest of Lord Janos, Captain,” Prim told him. “He entertains very few people here, save for the occasional ball or charity event. It is a rare thing for us to have actual guests here at Sapor Parco.” As he spoke those words, Prim wondered to himself how much longer the estate would be known by that name. “Charity?” Mal asked, trying not to snort. “Indeed,” Prim nodded. “Society’s elite will offer much to be seen on the guest list of an event here. Lord Janos allows certain such charity funds use of the grounds for fund raising events.” “Any I might know ‘bout?” Mal asked, wondering what tree, bug or flower such folks would be worried about. “Some,” Prim allowed. “The Independent Soldiers Home, for one,” Prim said softly, and Mal started. “The Widows and Orphans of Independent Veterans fund for another. And the Rim Planet Medical Mission.” Mal was stunned. Jayne did all that? Or helped? “I see you know very little about him, Captain,” Prim smiled knowingly. “Pity.” “Well, he ain’t never spoke o’ such to me,” Mal said defensively. “Nor would he,” Prim assured him. “Lord Janos is of the opinion that charity for the sake of attention or praise is not charity at all, but bribery.” “Makes sense,” Mal nodded. “You should stay for a while, Captain,” Prim encouraged. “Time costs you nothing, and you will be safe here, I assure you.” “Been lookin’ after myself for many a year, now,” Mal informed the servant, looking put out. “I’m sure,” Prim murmured, and Mal flushed red. “At any rate, please at least join us for dinner,” he added. “It is the least we can do for you, having returned Lord Janos to us once more.” “He paid me for that,” Mal objected, and Prim offered another smile. “Yes,” he nodded, and Mal got the impression that Prim didn’t hold him in high regard for accepting that money. Not that Jayne would likely miss it. Seemed like Prim was a man of principal. Mal had always thought himself such a man, but under Prim’s knowing eyes, he wondered if that were still true. “Well, I can’t see as it would hurt, takin’ a meal and such,” he answered, almost against his will. “Excellent!” Prim smiled yet again. “I shall call the car for your baggage. You may take the car, of I’ll be glad to escort you, and show you the grounds along the way!” “Need a minute to grab some what nots,” Mal said. “I have all the time in the world, Captain.” ------------- Jayne and River emerged just before dinner was served. Inara noted immediately River’s flushed and glowing appearance, and smiled knowingly. It seemed that Jayne and River had, indeed, made up. “That’s a nice glow you’re sporting, mei mei,” Inara teased, and River blushed so deeply that she looked red. “Yes,” she murmured. “I suppose it is.” “That good, then,” Inara asked with a smirk, and River couldn’t stop the giggle that boiled out of her. “Indeed,” she replied with a smirk of her own. “Amazing the things a man can learn over so many years.” Now it was Inara’s turn to giggle. “I can only imagine.” “I doubt it,” River smirked again, eyebrows raised. “That good, was it?” Inara herself was blushing now. “That good,” River nodded firmly. “Jayne tells me that he has asked you to stay on and manage his household for him.” Inara studied her for a moment, then nodded. “If that’s all right with you?” she asked, hesitantly. “I told Jayne that if you had any objections. . .” She trailed off as River grinned. “One, I doubt I could do it, and know it would fall short of your own abilities. Two, I’d hate it. And three, I will have much more pressing matters to deal with for a long while. There is a great deal for me to learn about my. . .new self. And there is still the sword to master.” “Then, yes,” Inara smiled happily. “I’m staying.” River hugged her fiercely at that. “I’m so glad,” she told Inara quietly. “I know that Simon and Kaylee will likely go, and Zoe as well. It saddens me to see us all part ways. But you and I will be here together, at least.” “I’m glad it pleases you,” Inara smiled. “I suppose I should start calling you ‘My Lady,” Inara added. “Don’t you dare!” River laughed. “I am not a lady! Not by any definition.” “But you are,” Prim said firmly from the doorway. “You are the Dame of Sapor Parco, Lady River,” he smiled. River blushed at that, but didn’t correct him. Prim smiled knowingly. “I have come to tell you that dinner is almost prepared. And that Master Reynolds has agreed to join us for the meal,” he added. Inara started at that. “How on earth did you manage that?” she asked in wonder. “I’m very persuasive, Lady Inara,” Prim smiled, and departed. Inara watched him go, wondering how old he really was. “Are you sure you want to know?” River asked softly, and Inara looked at her. “I thought that was under control,” she scolded. “Contact makes it difficult to block out, even now,” River smiled, and Inara made a great show of jerking her hand from River’s. “No peeking,” she admonished with a pointing finger. “Yes, Lady Inara,” River teased, and went into the dining room, leaving Inara sputtering in her wake.