BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

BADKARMA00

Shades of the Past -- Chapters 11-15
Friday, December 14, 2007

Reposting stories blanked by the hacker


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2020    RATING: 10    SERIES: FIREFLY

Shades of the Past – Chapter Eleven – Clearing the Air As always, all nods to Joss Whedon, the master of sci-fi. You da man, Joss! -------------------- When breakfast ended, the crew broke apart quietly. Inara stayed behind to do the dishes, as the rest filed away to their jobs, Kaylee taking time for one more venomous glare at her soon-to-be ex-captain. Mal said nothing, knowing he deserved it. Simon told River to come and see him when she wasn’t busy, concerned about her lapse into third person speech. She nodded absently, walking to the bridge in a near daze. Simon gave Mal a glare of his own, then departed quietly for the infirmary. Zoe simply left, probably following River to the bridge. After a long silence, Mal cleared his throat. “Inara,” he began. “Yes, Captain?” Inara replied neutrally, and Mal winced at that. Formality was her hiding place, trained into her over years of Companion study. Not a good sign. “I wanted to apologize about last night,” he managed to say it without gagging. Apologizing wasn’t something he cared for, as it meant admitting he was wrong. “I’m really not the one who deserves the apology, Captain,” Inara informed him with polite calm. “You do realize how badly you have upset River, I suppose? Noted her re-lapse?” Mal winced again, nodding. “I didn’t mean for that to happen,” he mumbled. Inara threw away her formality, then, anger lighting her dark eyes. “Damn you!” she hissed, and Mal recoiled. “She was so happy! Pursuing Jayne made her feel like a real woman, not some prize display! Everyone on this ship was happy, until your need to run every aspect of our lives ruined it!” “I over reacted, Inara,” Mal said lamely. “I heard you three talkin’. . .” “And that’s another thing! You have no right. . .” she stopped, and her mask slid into place again. “I’m sorry. I forgot. Only you have rights on this vessel. The rest of us are simply here to serve. Will there be anything else, Captain?” “Inara, I said I was sorry,” he stammered. “I’m trying to fix things! Please, just give me some time, here, and I’ll make it right.” “What if you can’t make it right, Captain?” she demanded icily. “What if your tirade has caused River to loose all the progress she’s made? Of course, all you will see is that you need a new pilot.” Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let him see her cry. “Damn you for this,” she said again, and fled. Mal watched her go, and dropped his head into his hands. Should have started somewhere else. ------------------ Mal went to see Kaylee next. He found the plucky engineer working through her tools, separating them into two groups. He realized, with a start, that she was separating her own tools from those belonging to the ship. “Mei-mei,” he began, and she looked up sharply, her normally cheerful beauty marred with a scowl. “I don’t wanna see you, Cap’n,” she informed him at once. “Not ‘less it’s about the ship, or my job. You and me ain’t got nothing else to discuss.” Her tone was adamant. “Kaylee, don’t be like that,” Mal pleaded. “I came to tell you I was sorry. I shouldn’a went off half-cocked like that. I was stupid, okay? The thought of Jayne and River. . .” “What about ‘em?” Kaylee cut him off. “Ain’t your right, Captain or not, to be thinking on them no how. People ain’t machines, Cap’n. We all got the right to what happiness we can find out here, and he makes her happy. Makes her feel safe. He don’t treat her fragile like, let’s her stand on her own, helpin’ when she needs it.” “Just cause you own this boat, don’t make us your property! We got the right to make our own choices, and live our own lives. On or off this boat, so long as we do our jobs. That oughta be all you care ‘bout.” “But you gotta try and run people, Cap’n. We ain’t in no army. Somewhere you done forgot how to be people, I guess,” she finished sadly, her fury spent. She’d never felt so bad in her life. “I’m sorry, Kaylee,” Mal mumbled. “I’ve always tried to look after everyone on this ship as best I can. I guess I took that too far.” “You did,” Kaylee nodded, relentless. “Whatever happens, Cap’n, is your fault. On your head. Now, ‘less you got somethin’ wrong with the ship, I got things to see to.” Mal turned and left, now really wishing he’d started with Jayne. Jayne might have shot him, made all this un-necessary. ----------------- When Zoe got to the bridge, River was at the helm, staring out into the black. The warrior woman sat down in the pilot’s chair, but River didn’t even acknowledge her presence. Zoe wanted to talk to her, but didn’t know what to say. She was alarmed at the girl’s behavior, and for some reason she wanted a sign, of any kind, that she was alright. “She is functional,” River said absently, Zoe’s thoughts having been too loud to ignore. Not that River was making much of an effort this morning. “Sometimes that ain’t enough,” Zoe said quietly. River slowly turned her head to face the older woman, and Zoe was shocked to see the despair in her eyes. “Always her fault,” River said quietly. “No matter how hard she tries, can’t stop the hurt. Wherever she goes, people get hurt, people die. All she wanted was to be a woman, to feel what others felt. To pursue her feelings. Like others.” She sighed and returned her gaze to the stars. “But she can never be like others. She will not try again. Tired of the pain, when others are hurt because of her.” Zoe didn’t know what to say to that. She was about to try and come up with something, when Mal came onto the bridge. “You are checking if she is able to do her job,” River said absently without turning. “She is. If she is not, she will call you.” “No readin’ me, little witch,” Mal tried to joke. River’s head shot around so fast that Mal jumped. “You will not refer to her in that manner any more!” she told him harshly. “You will address her properly, or not at all. She will answer to her name, or her title. Nothing else.” “Wasn’t trying to rile you, River,” Mal nodded. “I’ll do however you want. And I did want to know if my pilot was. . .” “She is not yours, nor shall she ever be,” River said, turning once more to stare out at the stars. “Do not make that mistake again.” Mal’s eyes went wide at that. “That sounded an awful lot like a threat, lil. . .River,” Mal stammered. “You may make that assumption, if you so desire,” River replied. Zoe arched an eyebrow at Mal. This was worse than she had thought. “River, I’m trying to make this right,” Mal said quietly. “You care too little for others feelings, yet expect them to obey your every whim,” River droned on. “She can no longer accept that. She will be departing when the ship grounds at Argo. You will need a new pilot.” With that, she rose from her chair, and glided off the bridge. Zoe looked up at Mal with a look of pity. “You handled that very well, sir.” ----------- Jayne was the last one he had to talk too. Despite how traumatized River was, it was Jayne he had most wronged. He found the big man still sitting in the cargo bay, right where Zoe had said she’d left him. He stopped for a moment, not quite gawking. Jayne was sitting cross legged on a crate, hands in his lap and eyes closed. Mal had never seen Jayne so quiet or still, except on a hunt. For some reason that bothered him a great deal. He walked closer, not wanting to startle the man. He needn’t have bothered. Still a good ten feet away, Mal was frozen in his tracks by Jayne’s voice. “That’s close enough, Captain,” his voice rumbled. “Whatever you want to say, can be said from there.” Mal noticed that Jayne’s hand had suddenly drifted down to his side, near his gun. This was all wrong. Jayne should be frothing at the mouth, protesting his treatment. Not calm and collected. “Jayne, I wanted to apologize for last night,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm. “I reckon I stuck my nose in where it wasn’t needed, and I hadn’t ought to o’ done it. I. . .” “Your apology is accepted, Captain,” Jayne’s voice drifted across to him. “Will I have duties until we hit Argo, or will I need to pay for passage?” “About that,” Mal said lamely. “I already said I was wrong, Jayne. So there’s no need for any o’ that. You’re still a part o’ my crew. I shouldn’t have done any of that last night, should have made sure what was happening.” “I don’t think that’s wise, Captain,” Jayne’s voice still held that eerie-ass quality to it, Mal noticed, but was now harder. “Sooner or later, you will strike me again, and when you do, I’ll kill you.” The big man’s eyes opened, and Mal was shocked at the depth of violence he saw there. This wasn’t the Jayne he knew, Mal suddenly realized. He might be in trouble, here. ------------------- River had retreated to Inara’s shuttle when she left the bridge. The older woman had welcomed her warmly, and the two had sat in silence for a while, sipping the tea Inara had made. Suddenly River shot up from her seat, eyes wide. “Fury! Rage! Wolf is loose among the sheep!” She ran from the shuttle, with Inara running after, shouting at River to slow down. ----------------- “I’d prefer not to do that,” Jayne continued, “because then I’d likely be forced to kill Zoe as well, since she will back you right or wrong. It’s better I go, I think.” “You ain’t got to go, I’m telling ya!” Mal said with more force than he’d intended. Jayne rose slowly from his perch, and Mal noted, absently, how graceful the movement was. Like water, brought to life. The hair on the back of Mal’s neck rose. “Can you promise that you’ll never overhear a conversation, take it completely out of context, and hit me again in the future?” Mal looked at the floor. “I thought not,” Jayne rumbled. “Nor can I promise not to kill you when you do. There is only one solution to this problem, Captain. One of us must leave. It is your ship. By elimination, I am the one who leaves.” “Dammit, Jayne, I gave you a second chance!” Mal almost yelled. “Don’t I deserve the same consideration?” Mal’s words, spoken in desperation as his crew crumbled around him, struck home. Jayne cocked his head to one side, looking at Mal. Mal had seen looks like that before. When hawks had eyed his momma’s chickens. The look made his blood run cold. This was a side of Jayne he’d never seen, or even guessed had existed. “That is true,” Jayne suddenly nodded. “Such debts must be honored. Very well, Captain, you are right. I do owe you the same consideration you gave to me. If you wish, I will remain. In my present capacity. We will not speak of this again. So far as I am concerned, it never happened. I will be in my room should you need me.” With that, the entire situation was defused. Jayne walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving Mal standing in the bay, mouth hanging open. River came rushing into the bay as Jayne left, and stopped short on seeing him. She reached out, never realizing it, and touched his arm. He looked at her, eyes still smoldering, but otherwise calm. “You did not kill him,” she noted. “I was sure that you were about to strike him down. Could feel it rolling of you in waves. So dark. . .” she whispered. “So very dark.” “Don’t,” he warned her gently. “You got enough troubles without borrowing mine.” With that he resumed his trek to his bunk, leaving River shuddering. Inara finally caught up. “River, what’s wrong?” she gasped. “Nothing,” River said, her voice puzzled. “I was so sure. . .I felt Jayne’s anger, his decision to kill. Then. . .it was gone. Nothing. Nothing but darkness. I could see nothing but darkness. . .” she trailed off in wonder. For her part, Inara was thrilled to hear the little pilot using first person speech again. So happy was she that it took a minute for the girl’s words to hit home. “Kill?” she said weakly. “River. . .Mal!” Inara shouted, running toward the bay. River, already knowing that Mal was unharmed, turned her thoughts to Jayne. She had never felt such darkness before. It had been both frightening and exciting at the same time. It had made her shiver, not with fear or trepidation, but in anticipation. There really was so much more to Jayne than met the eye. ------------------ The troubles that Mal had started seemed to fade away as if by magic. The fact that Jayne had dismissed the entire affair out of hand had a similar impact on the crew. They figured if Jayne wasn’t holding a grudge, they shouldn’t either. Add to that the fact that River was back to normal, or what passed for normal, and the crew relaxed. It didn’t escape Simon’s notice that River sat as close as possible to Jayne, and that, for once, he wasn’t pushing her away. He sighed in acceptance. It was impossible for him to be angry with Jayne, after what the mercenary had done for him. And it was clear as day that this was what River wanted. He wasn’t sure about Jayne, but after all he had done for her in the last few months, Simon was certain that Jayne would never harm his sister. For now, that was enough. Supper that evening was as different from breakfast as night and day. It had started with Mal standing at the head of the table, apologizing to all and sundry, and promising to make a greater effort to ‘mind my own gorram business’. He had been forced to suffer through some good natured ribbing, but endured it with a genuine smile. He’d almost lost everything today. The fact that he had managed to save it left him feeling more alive than he had in years. Yet in the back of his mind, he could still see the look in Jayne’s eyes. He flickered a glance at the big man, but the stone killer he had spoken to was nowhere in evidence this evening. It was like he’d flipped a switch, and the good natured Jayne that had become such a presence in recent months was back. But for how long? -------------------------

------------------------- Shades of the Past – Chapter Twelve

Argo was a mostly agriculture based planet, typical of a lot of rim moons. Orbiting a larger body, in this case Astra, the moon’s primary customer, the people of Argo made their living producing foodstuffs for the larger, mostly industrial planet around which they revolved. Serinity’s hold this trip carried newly developed hybrid seeds for the people of Argo, as well as an experimental fertilizer. It was a heavy load, and a good cargo job. A well paying job at that, with little chance of any type of cross ups. Inara, having left her life as a Companion behind, had turned her contacts and people skills to managing the ship’s business. So far, she was doing great. As River gently lowered Serenity to the ground, Jayne and Mal stood in the cargo bay. Both were at ease, the events of three days ago clearly and firmly put to rest. “Touchdown, Captain,” River’s voice floated through the com. Mal reached up and hit the button. “Good job, Albatross. Zoe, we’re a waitin’ on ya,” he added. “I’m here, Captain,” Zoe announced, coming down the steps into the crowded bay. She eyed Jayne for a second, then turned back to business. “We ready?” Mal asked. Zoe nodded, and Jayne followed suit. The merc wasn’t a walking arsenal the way he usually was, but he was still well armed. Zoe had her carbine, and a small hideout pistol under her vest. Mal relied on his trusty pistol and winning smile. Might explain why I get shot so much, he thought wryly. “Shiny. Let’s go get paid.” He hit the ramp door release and the door opened to reveal Argo. He turned to see Kaylee coming into the bay. “Mei-mei, lock up behind us. I want everyone to stay on board, til we scope things out. Ain’t none of us been here before. Don’t want us walking into nothing.” “Okay Cap’n,” Kaylee smiled. She looked at Jayne, suddenly hitting him lightly on the arm. “Lighten up, Jayne,” she chirped. “Just a cargo run, not a heist.” Jayne grinned at the always cheerful girl, and winked. “Heard that before, lil Kaylee.” Mal, Jayne and Zoe walked down the ramp and started for the nearest building, intent on asking where to find the office. As luck would have it, that very building sported a small sign above the only door, which said ‘Business Office’. “Well, least we ain’t gotta go tramping all over the place looking for this Mister Guilford,” Mal nodded. “Consider that a good sign.” Zoe looked at Jayne who smirked. She returned the look, and the two followed their Captain through the door. A small, grey haired woman looked up as the three entered, and Jayne could feel the tension roll off of her. So much for good signs, he sighed mentally, and instantly took a stance to the side of the door, his back to the wall. Zoe stayed slightly behind Mal, alert as well. She hadn’t missed the signs. “Afternoon, ma’am,” Mal said amiably. “I’m Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of the cargo vessel Serenity. We have a cargo for you, directed to one Mister Braz Guilford. Would he be about today?” The woman eyed Mal suspiciously for another few seconds, then picked up a phone. “Sir,” she spoke into the phone, never taking her eyes off of the three, “there’s a Captain Reynolds out here in the front office, claims to have a cargo for us, for Mister Guilford.” Pause. “No, sir.” Pause. “Yes, sir. Right away.” She placed the phone into it’s cradle, and stood. “Please follow me.” Without a pause she started off to the rear of the large front office, toward a door marked ‘Manager’. She reached the door, opened it, and stood back, motioning for Mal to got through. Zoe followed, and then Jayne. “Hello, Captain Reynolds, was it? I’m George Harwell, acting Manager.” The man rose from his seat and shook hands with Mal, indicating the seat in front of the desk. “Please sit down. I’m told you have cargo for us?” “Yes, Mister Harwell, I do,” Mal smiled. “Here is the manifest,” Mal handed it over, “and the receipt. I’m sure you, or one of your people will want to look over the cargo before signing for it, and paying our wage. We’re ready anytime you are.” Harwell studied the invoice a moment, then looked up, nodding. “Yes, this looks correct. We’ve been expecting that seed and the fertilizer for some time. I’m glad there was finally enough to send some our way. I’ll send my foreman over right now to start unloading. As soon as that’s done, I’ll get your payment.” Mal nodded, smiling. “Shiny. We wait out front?” “Would it be possible for your. . .associates to handle the unloading? I’ve a proposition I’d like to talk over with you while you’re here. A shipping deal actually, a run over to Astra for us.” “Sounds fine,” Mal nodded, then looked up. “Zoe, you and Jayne take care o’ the cargo, whilst I see if I can’t reach an understanding with Mister Harwell, here.” “Sir,” Zoe nodded, stoic as ever. She and Jayne walked out, leaving Mal and Harwell talking about shipping and produce season. The two were quiet until they got outside, then waited for the foreman. “That strike you as any kind of strange?” Zoe asked quietly, looking around her. “Yep,” Jayne replied just as softly, also taking in the scene around them. “Something going’ on here, and that’s fer sure. See the way that ole gal eyed us? Like we was about to shoot the place up or somethin’?” “I did,” Zoe nodded. “Lot’s o’ people working here, Jayne. Don’t see the need for her to be so. . .antsy.” “Me either,” the merc agreed. “I can’t see anything wrong, mind. But. . .” Jayne’s introspection was cut short by the arrival of a tall, barrel chested man with a shock of the reddest hair they’d ever seen. “You folks off the cargo ship?” he asked. “Name’s Toller, Gus Toller,” he said when they both nodded. “I’m the foreman. Head us that way, and we’ll start unloadin’ and get the manifest cleared.” The two shipmates started off down the graveled road between the office and the landing pad, followed by Toller and perhaps a dozen hands. Jayne looked as casual as possible when he eased up beside the first mate and signed, too many, to her. She caught the signal and nodded. Reaching into her vest, she pulled her com. “River, come down to the cargo bay and open up for us, sweetie. Jayne and I are escorting a detail back to off load.” “On the way,” River’s voice shot back. Jayne grinned. If the toughs behind them started anything, they had a bad surprise coming. As they approached the ship, the ramp began to lower, revealing River standing in the door. Though wearing her pistol, a present from Jayne, she was otherwise unarmed. And smiling like the nineteen year old girl she usually was. “Hi, Jayne,” she drawled sweetly. “Your favorite girl is glad to see you. Maybe you can get some time to take her behind the work bench,” she added, throwing her arms around his waist. Several appreciative murmurs came from the crowd behind him. “Maybe I will at that, River girl,” he smiled back, kissing the top of her head. Damn that girl was smart. She’d laid Vera to hand, just in case. And apparently run Kaylee off as well, since the plucky engineer was nowhere in sight. “Here you go, Mister Toller,” Zoe waved. “Have at it. Here’s a copy of the manifest.” She handed the papers over with a smile. “Okay, boys. Loader and truck is on the way, let’s start getting these crates off. One at a time, now, and let’s call out the numbers as we go.” The men nodded and broke into pairs, seemingly practiced at their jobs. Maybe it’s on the up and up, Jayne thought to himself with a mental shrug. He’d rather be wrong anyway. This might be a quiet little job, with the hope of picking up another run in system. Two easy pay days right together would be. . . His thoughts of easy paydays and quiet jobs melted away with the sound of gunfire in the distance. Jayne bolted immediately behind the work bench behind him, finding Vera and a bandolier of ammunition, which he grabbed. Looking to the catwalk, he saw River stationed there with her own rifle, a 54R he had helped her refinish. She had a commanding position, one that would allow her easy access to the bridge if needed. Zoe had drawn her carbine as the gunfire echoed across the distance, but the work detail made no moves, other than to cease work and move to the ramp to see what was happening. Toller was the first to react. “It’s Zhang! He’s making a run on the plant!” --------------------

-------------------- Shades of the Past – Chapter Thirteen

Joss owns it all, right down to the rivets and rust on the good ship Serenity. ------------ Mal waited as Zoe and Jayne left, on their way to collect the foreman, then turned back to Harwell. “You were saying, Mister Harwell?” “Yes, well,” Harwell started, then stopped. Suddenly his shoulders sagged, his hands dropping to the desk in resignation. “I may as well tell you, up front, Captain Reynolds, what we are facing here. As I told you, I’m the acting manager. Braz Guilford is my father-in-law. I’ve been working for him for the last twenty years, started out as a warehouse hand, and worked my way up.” “Braz is a good business man, Captain. He is the only agro supplier on this moon that also buys and ships food products. It’s all done here, on the premises. We ship grains, meat, and poultry products, as well as milk and eggs. It’s a large and profitable business.” He sighed. “Maybe too profitable.” “Jian Zhang is probably the next largest operation in this business here on Argo. Over the last year, Zhang has made an ever increasing attempt to buy-out Braz. The offers weren’t really up to the value of the business, but they were. . .impressive. But Braz wasn’t interested. Isn’t interested, I should say. Firmly refused all offers.” “Unfortunately, Zhang isn’t a man to take no for an answer. Ten days ago, Braz was attacked, in broad daylight, right in the center of town. Though the law arrived before he could be fatally injured, he was still badly hurt. And no one seems to know who the attackers were, despite the deed being done in the height of the day, and in such a public place.” “So I take it you and this Zhang now have some hard feelin’s?” Mal asked. This could explain the odd behavior in the front office earlier. “To say the least,” Harwell nodded. “Our men are loyal, Captain, but they aren’t fighters. Most are simply hard working men, putting food on their families’ tables. Since the attack, almost twenty men and women have quit, two of them after twenty years with the company.” “And now, we can’t seem to find anyone willing to carry our products for us. Suddenly all the usual cargo ships are either busy, booked, or down for repairs. I think, mostly, they’re waiting to see who wins.” “Sounds reasonable,” Mal offered in a non-committing way. “Like as not they don’t want to be caught between you two.” “Agreed,” Harwell nodded. “As a result, we have a serious back-up of ready to ship products. Products that I need to get to Astra as soon as possible.” “I’d like ta help, Mister Harwell,” Mal shifted in his seat. “But the truth is, we ain’t set up to haul perishables in any size. Serenity is a bulk cargo vessel. I don’t see as we can help you.” “That’s not a problem, I assure you,” Harwell replied quickly, a spark of hope in his eyes. “All our products are shipped direct from here to our suppliers in pre-packaged refrigerated crates. Boxes, really. Fully self-contained and maintenance free. All you have to do is take them to our distributor on Astra, and unload them.” Harwell leaned forard onto the desk. “And I’ll pay you double the normal rate for this haul, and for any subsequent runs you make for us until this issue is. . .settled. I’ll also throw in provisioning from our own stocks for your ship. Fresh meat, eggs, you name it.” Mal fought the urge to whistle. Double pay for a short run like that? Good money, no doubting it. And maybe several more to follow. A few weeks like that could keep him and his ship and crew afloat for a while to come. Not to mention the chance to have fresh eatin’s along the whole way. He was about to ask exactly how much ‘double’ would amount to, when the shots erupted. Harwell was on his feet in a blink, with Mal following. Both headed toward the front of the building to see what the disturbance was. ---------- Mal bit back a groan as he noticed a number of heavily armed men on horseback, several of whom were paying far too much mind to his ship. Beside him, Harwell was cursing quietly. “Olivia, get on the comm and call the sheriff. Tell him we’re under attack!” The scared secretary nodded and began to fumble with the telephone. Mal noticed that three rather large looking men were dismounted, and headed for the office. “Mister Harwell,” he said quietly, drawing his pistol and clearing the safety, “you might want to make that call from another room. I get the feeling this one ain’t gonna be hospitable but for a few more seconds. . .” As if proving Mal to be a prophet, the door burst open, and the three walked in as if they owned the place. “Harwell!” the leader bellowed. “You got five minutes to clear out! Take your whore,” the man pointed to the secretary, “with you. You ain’t callin’ the shots around here no more. As for you,” he turned his gaze toward Mal, “the boss passed the word that no one was to ship for this bunch. Now you gonna have to answer for that.” “Well, now,” Mal smiled amiably. “Seeing as how I ain’t shipping so much ‘for’ as ‘to’, I can’t see how there’s anything to answer for. No one said anything to me ‘bout hauling or not, for them or anyone else. And besides that,” Mal lifted his pistol quickly, and shot the speaker right through the chest, “I ain’t keen on anyone much telling me where I can go, or what I can do.” ------------- “Jayne, we got trouble!” Zoe yelled from the ramp. The mercenary was beside her in an instant, cradling Vera in his arms. He muttered a dampened down curse as he watched twenty armed men heading for the ship. There was no indication they meant to be friendly. “Might as well cut the odds while we can, Zoe,” Jayne offered, looking to her for approval. The First Mate nodded grimly, and she and Jayne leaned out of the bay door. Only to duck right back in as a hail of gunfire met them. Jayne went right back around, Vera snapping out before him. Three quick shots were enough to kill two of their attackers, and put another down for the count. Jayne pulled back again as more gunshots rang out, and bullets sang and whined off the ships hull. “This is gonna be rough, Zoe,” he said quietly. He looked to the balcony where River stood, still waiting. He smiled briefly, and she returned it. A crazy grin, he thought. She was ready. He turned back to Zoe. “Want to wait for ‘em here? Or try and get to ‘em out there?” His question was in no way challenging. He looked to her for orders, nothing more. She was in charge. “Can’t see either way being better than the next,” Zoe admitted after a moment’s thought. “They outnumber us six-to-one, counting River, and they got plenty of places to wait for us to come out. We got too many blind spots from here.” Jayne nodded in understanding. He looked back to River, and his hands flashed briefly. She nodded, and ran to the upper airlock. Jayne turned again to Zoe. “River’s gonna narrow the odds a little, if that’s okay?” Zoe nodded, in no way angry with Jayne’s actions. They needed every edge they could get. Next, Jayne reached up to the com. “Inara, are you on the bridge?” “Yes, Jayne, I am,” Inara’s voice was calm. After all they had been through, it would take more than a little gunfire to rattle her over much. “Think you can lift off, maybe fifteen, twenty feet? Then hover, and rotate the ship slowly?” “I can,” Inara replied firmly. She had been learning to pilot the ship over the past months. She wasn’t as good as River, but she was more than capable of doing what Jayne asked. The merc looked to Zoe. “I gotta idea, Zoe, if’n you approve. Let her lift like I said, and I’ll take position here. As we rotate, it’ll allow both me and River a chance to take out these hundans without exposing ourselves to every rifle they got.” Zoe might have considered the idea for all of five seconds before nodding. “Do it. I’ll get these guys away from the ramp, and make sure we’re all under cover.” As she moved to do just that, Jayne hit the com again. “Okay, Inara,” he said. “Like I said, maybe twenty feet or so, and then turn us slow-like. River?” “Yes, Jayne?” River’s voice came back at once. “I’m gonna start trying to pick these guys off as we turn. You stay where y’are, and do likewise. ‘Tween the two of us, we oughta be able to cut the odds to somethin’ more survivable. Dong Ma?” “Sounds like a plan,” he could hear River grinning over the com. He smiled at that. Girl had grit, and he liked that. Serenity rumbled as the engines fired, and the ship shuddered slightly, tilting off the ground. True to her word, Inara lifted the vessel perfectly off the ground. When it was stable at twenty-two feet, she commed. “Ready when you are, Jayne.” Jayne set himself, belly down, on the still open ramp, still just inside the ship. Satisfied, he nodded, and called back to Inara. “Slowly now, Inara. Whenever you’re ready. Keep us in a slow turn until we holler.” The ship began to turn slowly to the right. As it did, several of the attacking thugs came into view, and Jayne began firing, his mind barely registering the firing of River’s rifle as well. ------------------- Mal ducked after his first shot, and just in time, as the speaker’s friends returned fire. Muttering under his breath, Mal suddenly leaned around the counter and shot a second man, this one in the leg. It wouldn’t incapacitate him, but it would distract him some. As he fell to the floor with a shout, the third man got off a round at Mal’s retreating head, showering the ship captain with splinters. Harwell and his secretary had crawled into his office, and probably behind the desk. He could hear faint murmuring, and not a little cursing, from the room, and assumed that the plant manager was calling for the local law. Moving quickly to the other end of the long counter, Mal tried to see around it, looking for the third gunman. This one was smarter than the other two, he realized with a grimace. He was neither firing blindly, nor yelling, to give away his position. He was patient. Not good. Mal risked a peek over the counter, and ducked again as a bullet tore a furrow into the wood before him. Definitely not good. Scrambling around the end of the counter, Mal took a deep breath, then lunged out into the open area between the counter and the door. His assailant hadn’t expected that. The gunman was crouching by the door, eyeing the counter carefully, his gun still aimed at the last place he had seen his prey. As Mal appeared on his flank, the startled shooter tried to bring his gun to bear. But Mal was quicker, and single shot to the head ended the fight. Mal hurried to the one he had shot in the leg, kicking the downed man’s gun away from his hand. The gunfire outside was starting to ease off, and Mal chanced a look into the yard. He was startled to see Serenity hovering a few feet off the ground. Then he realized that the upper airlock was open, and a slight figure appeared momentarily, firing a rifle. The cargo bay came into view, and Mal could see Jayne lying on the floor at the ramp. Just as Mal had decided that the merc had been shot, he saw Jayne shift his stance, and fire. He smiled. His crew were doing just fine without him. He turned his attention back to the man on the floor. “Seems to me,” he drawled casually, “we got some things to talk over.” -------------------------

------------------------- Shades of the Past – Chapter Fourteen – Chance Encounter Not mine in any way. Just playing. Please don’t sue, no money changing hands. ------------------ The fight didn’t last long once Jayne and River started shooting. As the cargo ship turned in place, the two gun hands methodically picked off attacker after attacker. Finally, their numbers slowly dwindling, the remainder, six in all, fled. After one final turn to make sure the danger was dealt with, Inara settled Serenity onto the pad once more. Jayne eased out of the cargo door, and began to check the downed enemy fighters. As he had expected, none had survived. He also noticed the workers starting to stir again. Several, caught out in the open when the attack began, had been cut down, and their co-workers were scrambling to assist them. Jayne took his comm from his belt. “Zoe, looks clear. Might tell Doc there’s several casualties among the workers. Might be able to lend a hand.” “On it,” came Zoe’s brief reply. Jayne turned as the work crew boiled out of the ship. Several went to assist their comrades, while the rest started to unload the ship. That was for Zoe to look after, though. Jayne stood guard outside. “We make a good team,” River’s voice came from behind. He nodded without turning. “That we do, little bit,” he said. “You do good work.” “So do you, Jayne,” she told him, coming to his side. “We are well matched.” Jayne fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Think this is the best place for a conversation like that, River?” he asked, though not at all unkindly. She frowned. “There is no good place to try and make you see reason,” the girl told him bluntly. “There is no good time to talk to you, as you always seem to find something that simply must be done, right away. I am tired of this game.” “It’s a game, then,” Jayne asked, turning serious. She started at his response. “No!” she replied immediately. “Not what I meant at all! My intentions are quite serious, as you should know by now. I meant that I tire of your game, Jayne. I know you like what you see, when you look at me. You find me desirable, as I do you. Avoiding that is pointless, and un-necessary.” Jayne looked down at her for a moment, then surprised her by nodding. “You’re right, I do like what I see,” he admitted, and her eyes went wide. She had known it, of course, but his admission was. . .she felt her heart flutter, just a bit. “You’re about as perfect as any woman could be, so far as I’m concerned.” She blushed prettily at that. “Thing is, River,” he went on, voice serious, “I been thinking on things for a while now. ‘Bout how it’d be to have someone in my life permanent like. But I’m. . .well, I’m afraid, if I’m going to be honest. I got enemies, baby girl. And I don’t mean the people we meet working for Mal,” he added with a laugh. “Those enemies will never stop looking for me, River. Anyone I take up with on a permanent basis, will be targets for them as come after me. It’s. . .too much to risk, that’s all. Much as I might like the idea, it ain’t fair to expose someone to my past.” “Think I can take care of myself,” River said quietly. “You’ve made sure of that. And you will be there to watch over me.” She looked up at him, her face drawn up in serious contemplation. “Have to let me make my own choices, Jayne. Not a girl anymore.” Dammit, why did she have to be so perfect, he thought. “She can’t help it,” River grinned wickedly, having read his thoughts. “No fair, peekin’,” Jayne admonished with a grin. “Best check in with Zoe, see what’s doin’. I’ll keep watch out here until the off loadin’ is finished. With a sigh of exasperation, River turned and trudged up the ramp. But inside she was smiling. Jayne was starting to crack. It was only a matter of time. --------- “We have our own clinic here, Captain,” Harwell told Mal, when offered the services of Serenity’s sick bay and doctor. “Your doctor would be very helpful to our nurse, I’m sure. Thank you.” “I’ll call right now, and get him over here. Once things settle down, we’ll talk business.” Harwell looked back at Mal in near shock. “You mean, after this you’re still interested?” His surprise was evident. Mal laughed. “What, this?” he said. “It’ll take more than this to stop my crew.” Harwell looked out at the bodies of dead raiders piled around the ship. For the first time in weeks, he felt hope. “So I see, Captain. I’ll make it worth your while, I assure you.” “Never doubted it,” Mal nodded, then raised his comm to call the ship. --------- “Jayne,” Zoe called. “Captain wants Simon over at the company clinic to help out. You and River take him over there.” “Sure both of us should go, Zoe?” Jayne asked, frowning. “Leave you and Inara awfully vulnerable.” “Offloading is finished,” Zoe pointed to the bay. “Once you go, I’ll lock down tight. I don’t want Simon left alone. He’ll be busy, too busy to watch his back. The two of you can manage that, and be available if the Captain needs you. Plus, if we come under attack again, you two will be out there, ‘stead of cooped up in here.” “Makes sense,” Jayne nodded. “Guess that’s why you get the big money,” he grinned. Zoe rolled her eyes at that, but couldn’t fight off the grin his remarks kindled. “Get Simon and go already,” she mock growled, and Jayne left, returning her grin as he did. Zoe shook her head ruefully, and resumed her watch on the door. ---------- Mal followed Harwell into the company infirmary, where Mal was surprised to see a very professional setup. Harwell noted his look. “Agriculture is a dangerous occupation, Captain,” Harwell noted. “Good many machinery accidents, and such. We provide care for the surrounding area as well. We have a well stocked infirmary, and a full time nurse. Doctor comes from town every two weeks or so, or in an emergency.” “Quite a set-up,” Mal observed. “Looks like you people are ready for most anything.” Harwell nodded, then waved to a woman in a lad coat. “Our Nurse,” he explained. “Captain Reynolds, this is. . .” “Malcolm Reynolds!” the woman almost shouted, raising a blood covered hand to remove her mask. Tall, slender, and dark complected, she was almost stunningly beautiful. Mal’s shock was replaced by genuine pleasure. “Ami! Ami Weathers! What in the world!” Mal embraced the woman heartily. Amelia Weathers had been a nurse in the Independent Army, and had treated Mal’s wounds more than once. “I could say the same, Sarge,” Ami chuckled. “Last person I ever expected to see out here.” She hugged him back, a smile on her face at seeing her old friend. “Well, we work for your boss,” Mal nodded to Harwell. “Least for a while. We ain’t worked out the details.” “Your handiwork, I take it?” she indicated the scene outside, though it wasn’t visible from where they were. “Just in the way,” Mal shrugged. “You know how it is.” “Ami, Captain Reynolds has a doctor aboard his vessel, and has offered his services,” Harwell interrupted. “Good,” the nurse turned business like. “Thanks, Mal. We have a couple of serious cases. I already sent for the doctor in town, but it may be some time before he arrives.” “Simon can take up any slack,” Mal assured her. “In fact, here he comes now.” Ami turned to see two men and a woman entering the hospital area. The studious dark haired man had to be the doctor. The looming man to his left would be muscle, she knew, but the slight, short woman with the wicked looking rifle was a shock. Could she really use that rifle, Weathers wondered? “Simon, this is Amelia Weathers, old friend of mine,” Mal told Simon. “She’s the company nurse. Said there are a couple of serious wounds, needs a doctor’s touch. Amelia this is Simon, our ship’s doctor. Our pilot, River, and this is our guardian, Jayne.” Ami nodded to each in turn. When she looked at the one called Jayne, she was startled by the paleness of his face. “Stormy?” ------------- Ami’s face went white at that. No one had called her that in years. No one should even know that name. She looked closely at the huge man in front of her, taking in his rugged appearance. Strong jawline. When her gaze reached his eyes, she gasped. Deep, piercing, cobalt pools looked back at her. Eyes that she knew as well as her own. “Sh. . .Shade?” her voice quivered. She reached up carefully to caress the rugged jaw, missing the withering look from the pilot altogether. “Shade is that really you, under all that?” “Stormy,” Jayne whispered, shock registering in his voice and on his face. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. “Shade, look at you,” Ami whispered in awe. “So big and tall,” she added. “All grown up.” Suddenly she collapsed into Jayne’s chest, sobbing. Jayne enveloped her in his arms without a thought. Mal looked on in wonder. How in the hell had Ami known Jayne? And what was it she called him? Shade? “I thought you were dead,” Ami sobbed, hugging the larger man tight. “I never heard from you again, and no one I’ve seen from. . .then, knew anything about you.” “I thought the same about you,” Jayne said quietly. “When you. . .after the transport blew, I never heard. . .no one ever said. . .” he finally gave up. He closed his eyes, and Mal and Simon were shocked, no, stunned, to see tears falling from his closed eyes. “Ami,” Harwell said softly. “I hate to. . .” Weathers straightened, wiping her eyes. “No, no,” she nodded. “There are injured people to see to. Doctor, if you will follow me, I’ll show you were the worst cases are.” She led Simon away, but glanced back more than once at the mercenary. “I have to talk with the law, Captain,” Harwell said, “and check on my people, then my operation. We’ll talk later today, if that’s alright?” Mal nodded absently, still in shock at the fact that Jayne and Ami Weathers knew each other. Really well, if their greeting was any indication. Thinking about that caused Mal to glance at River. The smaller woman hadn’t moved, or spoken. The look of hurt on her face was enough to break Mal’s heart. He was about to say something when Jayne turned and left. Walked out the door without a word. River stayed, reeling with sorrow and disappointment. ------------- There had been several casualties, but only three had been truly serious. A chest wound, and two stomach wounds. Simon worked for hours on those three, while Weathers had treated the minor wounds herself. It was obvious that she’d treated gunshots before. Her hands were quick and smooth, her actions those that spoke not just of training, but experience. Once the wounded were seen to, she had thanked Simon for his assistance, and then fled. Simon watched her go, wondering how she had held together long enough to treat the others, and then assist him with the three serious wounds. Suddenly all that had happened dawned on him. He hadn’t even looked at River, to see how she’d responded to Jayne and Amelia being. . .close. He looked frantically around the infirmary, relaxing as he saw River sitting in a chair near the door. He walked over and collapsed into a chair beside her. “How are you, mei-mei?” he asked softly. She looked at him. “I’m fine, Simon,” she answered. “Tired, but uninjured.” Simon frowned. He’d already known that. She was so distracted that she had forgotten it. “River. . .” he started, but she stopped him with a raised hand. “Don’t, Simon,” she told him forcefully. “There is no need. I cannot compete with someone like. . .her.” “You know that for sure?” Simon asked. “We don’t even know how they know each other, River. Maybe you shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” She considered that. In her wait for Simon to finish, River had contemplated her situation. Her first inclination had been to simply walk away. One she discarded before it was completely formed. No, she would not give up. But the nurse, ‘that woman’ was all River thought of her as, was everything she, River, was not. Tall, slenderly athletic, dark and beautiful. Her beauty would rival even that of Inara. While River knew she was pretty, she was also honest enough to know that she wouldn’t compare well with ‘her’. Jayne had left without speaking to anyone. She had reached out tentatively, seeking him out. While she could sense him, the blocks in his mind were solid, and she could not glean from him anything other than shock. He had clearly believed the woman dead. Since she was not, where did that leave her? River? “You may be correct, Simon,” River nodded thoughtfully. “I will wait, reserve further judgement until I know more.” With that she had risen from the chair and walked outside. Simon watched her go with apprehension. He didn’t want to see her hurt. But he couldn’t blame this on Jayne. He had shown little interest in River, and none until she had began pursuing him. He wanted to be angry with Kaylee and Inara for encouraging her, assisting her, but that wasn’t fair either. River was a grown woman, much as he hated, hated, to admit it. She’d soon be twenty years old. She was entitled to live her life. He would watch, and be there to help if she needed it. But, he promised himself, he wouldn’t interfere. Difficult as he might find it. He stood, and went to gather his tools and equipment. -------------------

------------------- Shades of the Past – Chapter Fifteen Must give Joss et.al their due, all Firefly and Serenity stuff belongs to them. Only the mistakes are mine:) ------------------------- Amelia Weathers emerged from her room after cleaning up. Most of the wounds had been slight, but bloody none the less. She wanted to be presentable when she saw Shade. Or Jayne. Shade. The name rolled through her mind. She hadn’t thought of him in a long time, convinced he was gone forever. Left to die somewhere on some nameless moon, what he had wanted, the last time she had seen him. Something had changed him, somewhere. He wasn’t the same half-wild boy she had known. He was taller, stronger, and more reserved. He had cut his hair! She would have known him at once with that long braid, but the short, military style haircut was so out of place on the man that the boy had become. He looked so much older. Her heart ached at the lines around his face. He was too young to have known the pain that caused those lines. They all had been. But Shade most of all. She found herself stalling for time, when she had intended to rush right out and find him. What should she say? What was there to say, really? It had been nearly ten years since he’d thought she died aboard an outbound transport. Since she had accepted that he was gone, had finally found that ‘one’ he was seeking. The one who would be faster. Deadlier. Better than Shade. She shook her head at that. There’s no one, anywhere, better than Shade. “Ami?” She started at hearing her name, and turned to find Malcolm Reynolds looking at her. “You okay?” “No,” she said quietly. “No, I’m not. But that’s nothing new. Where is Sh. . .Jayne?” she asked, catching herself. “I’d like to speak with him.” “He’s about, somewhere,” Mal replied. “Likely on the prowl for any signs of a new attack, knowing him.” “Yes,” she nodded absently. “He always watched.” “Ami, I don’t mean to pry,” Mal said, though he did, “but I. . .I gotta be curious how it is that you know my merc.” “Merc?” she asked. “Is that what he’s become, now?” Somehow she was disappointed. She’d never imagined Shade working as a gun for hire. “Well, he was,” Mal admitted with a shrug. “Like to think he’s found a home with us now. Ain’t sure, but he seems inclined to stick with us.” “He would never abandon his family,” she told Mal. “If you treat him right, he’ll fight to the death for you.” “How would you be knowing that?” Mal asked carefully. “I’ve known Sha. . .Jayne, since the second year of the war,” Ami replied bluntly. “Longer than I’ve known you, in fact. Jayne and I served together, before I became a nurse.” “Served together?” Mal didn’t quite screech. “He told me flat out that he never fought for either side, the lying hun dan!” Despite his best intentions, Mal was furious at that. Ami’s next words put his fire out immediately. “Those were our orders,” she told him softly. “No one was to ever know. He was still following orders, after all this time.” “And why is that?” Mal demanded. His anger was squelched, but his curiosity was aroused, now more than ever. Ami looked at Mal, a sad smile on her face. “Mal, I won’t tell you that,” she said at last. “If he wants you to know, he’ll tell you. But, a word of advise? If he doesn’t want to tell you, leave it lie.” “He’s part of my crew!” Mal shot back. “I deserve to know!” “No, you don’t,” she whispered, walking away, leaving Mal to ponder that. ---------------------- She found him outside, nearly hidden among the pallets in the yard. She doubted anyone else could have found him. He looked up as she approached, and a lazy smile flitted across his features. “Jie Mei,” he said. “Come to visit?” “Xiao Xiong,” she replied, instantly transported ten years and more into the past. --------------------- Stormy looked up from her dinner to see a tall, slender kid standing just outside the light of her fire. She hadn’t seen him come up, and had no idea how long he had been there. He was raw-boned, and wild looking. His hair hung in a single braid, ending near his belt. His face bore signs of paint. She realized with a jolt that he wasn’t a soldier. Had somehow made his way into their camp un-noticed. “Who are you?” she asked warily. He was armed only with a bow and knife so far as she could see, but that meant nothing these days. “I am called Ironhorse,” the kid replied, nonchalant. “I’m Stormy,” she replied. “Wanna sit?” she motioned to another chair near the fire. He regarded her carefully. “You need have no fear,” he told her plainly. “I mean you no harm. Nor your fellows. I wish to fight them,” he waved his hand toward the Alliance lines, “and you are in my way. I will pass through, and be gone.” He started on his way again. “Wait a minute,” Stormy ordered. Ironhorse stopped, and turned cold eyes on her. Bottomless eyes of blue fire. She resisted the urge to take a step back. This. . .boy, was a killer. The hair on her neck rose slightly at the realization. “You can’t just go wandering through a military camp like this! For all we know, you’re here to spy on us, and report back to the Alliance!” “I spy for no one,” he informed her quietly. “Especially the Alliance. As I said, I go to kill them, and your camp is between me and my prey.” “Your prey?” she blurted. “Yes.” He offered no explanation. “Look, I understand you don’t like the Alliance, but you still can’t go waltzing through a military encampment. A sentry sees you, and he’ll shoot you.” “No one will see me,” he said simply. She found herself believing it. He had made it this far un-noticed. She hadn’t even seen him approach her fire. Didn’t know how long he had been standing there, even. He could have kept going and she’d never have known he had been there. The thought scared her. And intrigued her a little. “You wanted me to see you,” she said, a statement rather than a question. He studied her carefully, then shrugged. “You reminded me of someone,” was all he offered. His stillness was beginning to damage her calm. “Why don’t you sit down, then,” she asked again. When he hesitated, she smiled. “The Alliance will still be there tomorrow, Ironhorse,” she told him. “And likely the day after, and the week after. You got time to sit with me, and talk.” She didn’t know it, yet, but Stormy Weathers had found her greatest friend. A kid, of all things. ------------------ Hey, Stormy.” Shade’s voice drifted through the haze in her mind, and she turned to him. “Where was ya?” he asked with a smile. “Thinking about a campfire discussion,” she admitted with a grin. His smile grew larger. “Figures,” he snorted. “You always was one to ponder,” he added. “What happened to you, Shade?” she asked plainly. He regarded her for a moment, then shrugged. “War ended,” he said finally. “No where to go, no family left. No. . .” he stopped. “I took to the black, Stormy. Hired on as a gunhand for a shifty freighter. Took jobs that let me keep huntin’.” “War’s over, Shade,” she told him gently. “Got to move on.” “I ain’t fightin’ a war, Storm,” he admitted. “And, truth be told, I ain’t even huntin’ him anymore. Ain’t got the inclination. Found me a good job, nice folks, and figure to stay. If I don’t wind up killing the Captain, that is.” “Mal?” she lifted her eyebrows. “Figured you and him’d get along like brigands, Shade. Peas in a pod.” “He’s weak,” Shade/Jayne replied at once. “Leaves too many live enemies behind him.” Ami nodded at that. Shade abhorred weakness. In himself, and others. “He’s not a bad man, Shade. . .Jayne,” she added suddenly. “How’d you get that name, anyway.” He shrugged. “J-a-y-n-e C-o-b-b. You work it out.” Ami worked through the letters with a frown, her face creasing in pain as she realized where the name had come from. “Oh, Shade,” she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. “I’m so sorry. I never even thought. . .” “No problem,” he assured her, returning his embrace. “Long time ago, now. Water under the bridge, and all that.” She sat up. “Mal wants to know,” was all she said. He nodded. “Figured that would happen, after I got over the shock of seeing you alive. How’d that come to be, anyway?” “Got bumped,” she shrugged. “Some fancy officer, a Colonel I think, decided it was more important that he get off the rock than it was for me to live.” “Hundan,” Jayne growled. “Hey, I owe him,” she laughed, punching her adopted brother on the arm. “Wasn’t for him, I’d be space dust.” He laughed. “Hadn’t thought about that.” “Thought about what you’re gonna do?” she asked, getting back on track. “Mal’s gonna want to know.” “I suppose I may as well tell him,” he shrugged. “What’s the point in hiding it anymore? He ain’t gonna like it, I expect. Probably loose my job,” he grinned. “I can guarantee that, after today, George will hire you in a second for security around here,” she laughed. “I’ll put it a good word for you.” “Well, here he comes,” Jayne nodded to where Mal was walking across the yard, heading for Serenity. “Come with me?” he asked hopefully. “You know it.” ------------------- Mal watched the two walking toward him, noting the ease of their. . . relationship? They were holding hands, which might be taken to mean any number of things. Then he saw Ami reach up and slug Jayne on the arm. He feigned being hurt, then grinned as she called him ‘you big baby’. “Mal,” Jayne nodded as they walked up. “Stormy says you wanna know something.” “I want to know why you never told me you was in the war,” Mal said quietly. “More’s the point, why you told me a flat out lie, saying you wasn’t.” “That all?” Jayne asked, and Mal’s temper threatened to boil. “Dammit, Jayne!” he shouted, and immediately regretted it as Amelia flinched. “Jayne,” he went on quieter, “we, as in all of us on this ship, we deserve to know what you been hidin’ from us.” “Okay,” Jayne nodded. “You want me to tell you, and you them, or want me to tell everybody at once? I’m only gonna go through it once.” Mal was caught off guard by Jayne’s agreement, having expected more resistance. He glanced at Ami, who smiled faintly. She must’a talked Jayne into it. “You got a preference?” Mal asked. “Not ‘specially,” Jayne shook his head. “All one or the other to me.” “Let’s get aboard then,” Mal waved. “Might’s well tell us all at once.” -------------------------- The crew gathered in the galley at Mal’s order. River stiffened noticeably when she saw ‘her’, but took her seat. A glance at Jayne showed his tension, and fear fluttered within her. She tried to read him, but found nothing there but black. “Jayne’s got some’at he wants us to know,” Mal informed them, after everyone was seated. “Better listen close, as he says he ain’t gonna go over it again.” With that he sat down. Surprised the crew looked to Jayne. He stood, walking to the end of the table where everyone could see him. “Time you knew the truth about me,” he said quietly. “My name ain’t Jayne, first off, nor Cobb either. My name is Ironhorse. Sean, Michael, Ironhorse. I’m twenty-eight years old, soon be twenty-nine.” “I told you all I wasn’t in the war,” he continued, ignoring the murmurs around him. “That was a lie. My orders were not too, and I just kept following ’em, even after the war was over.” He looked suddenly to Ami, who nodded her encouragement. “I belonged to a special operations unit called the Banshees,” he told them. Mal and Zoe exchanged looks of astonishment, while the others looked baffled. “I’m a half breed Yaquay, born and raised on Tokala, son of Bow-bender Ironhorse, of the Cuchillo de Muertos. As far as I know, I am the last of my kind. The last of my clan in existence.” The silence in the room was palpable. No one wanted to speak. No one knew what to say. “Anything else?” he turned to Mal. Mal shook his head, face red as he realized he’d once again stuck his nose where it had no business. Jayne nodded to Ami, then turned and walked away, heading for his bunk. The crew watched him depart, then all eyes turned to Ami. She knew Shade’s nod to her was his tacit approval to answer their questions. She decided that she would. For two reasons. First, it was time her adopted little brother stopped living a lie. It was time to for him to live again, live the life denied him by the war. And second, she thought with a stab of pride, it was time this crew learned what kind of man they had living among them. How glad they should be that they had someone like him to watch over them. Looking at the table, she slowly began to speak.

COMMENTS

Friday, December 14, 2007 4:40 PM

CRAZYMOONBRAIN


LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!...and thanks again for the fast re-post...I was feelin' kinda down after realizing that I'd have to wait awhile till u posted again....you made my weekend! Cheers!


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