Long Road Home – Chapter Eleven Do I need to say it? Well, just in case, I own none of these characters, etc etc -------------------------------------------- The as yet unnamed new Firefly of Reynolds’ Shipping was sailing along calmly on the voyage to her new home. Contrary to their normal luck, all systems had performed flawlessly, and the ship had made good time. Jayne, increasingly tense as trouble failed to appear, was actually starting to relax, though Kaylee wasn’t sure if they was due to him really beginning to believe that things were okay for a change, or to River’s gentle touch. It never failed to amaze Kaylee how River could seem to squelch Jayne’s temper when it threatened to flare. A touch, a word, even a glance, and Jayne’s anger would simply vanish. She recalled the terrible sight on the sidewalk, back on Persephone, when she’d been sure that Gabriel Tam had not been long for this ‘verse. River called out to him, and Jayne’s anger vanished. Just like that. Things like that, and her conversation with River at the shipyard, had more than convinced Kaylee that the two of them had something very special between them. And now they were engaged! Kaylee felt her smile swell up as she checked on her new girl’s systems. She’d never thought that Jayne would act so quickly, but River had been wearing him down. Maybe it took something bad, like on Persephone, to make Jayne see that he might not have all the time in the worlds. “Everything smooth, Kaylee?” She turned at Jayne’s voice to see him standing in the door to the engine room. He looked relaxed, she thought. A term she still had trouble applying to him. “Shiny, Jayne!” Kaylee smiled. “Just shiny! She’s doin’ good.” “Glad to hear it,” he nodded. “River says we’re about three days out, now. Made good time. Still too far to send a wave, but you may can do a voice only to Simon.” “Oh!” Kaylee shrieked, and ran past him for the bridge. Jayne smiled at her eagerness. He didn’t blame her. If he had to be separated from River that long. . . “You won’t,” her voice floated to him. He had made it back to the galley, where River sat curled up the sofa, the only furniture present other than the table and chairs. “I hope not,” he admitted frankly, and moved to settle in beside her. She instantly curled herself around him, forming herself to his side, and he placed an arm around her. She snuggled against him, as if burrowing for warmth. “We will be together for many years, Jayne,” she assured him. “Only a higher power can separate us, and that is something over which we have no control. So rest your mind, my love, and cease to fret.” She raised her head long enough to kiss him firmly, then resettled herself next to him. Jayne couldn’t help but sigh in contentment. ----------------------- Kaylee sat at the co-pilot’s chair, engaging the cortex. Jayne was right, they were still too far away for video, but maybe they were close enough to. . . “Yes?” Simon’s voice came through the speakers, his voice tense. “Simon!” Kaylee called in joy. “Simon, can you hear me?” “Kaylee?” the relief in his voice was evident. “Kaylee, my God! It’s so good to hear your voice!” Kaylee felt dizzy from the emotions in Simon’s voice. He had missed her. The ring on her finger had reassured her, of course, but there was nothing like real living proof. “Oh, Simon! It’s good to hear you too, ai ren. I have missed you so much!” “I’ve missed you too, Kaylee,” Simon’s voice was wistful, and she wondered of his eyes were as watery as her’s. “Where are you? Are you in orbit?” “No,” Kaylee replied, disappointed. “We’re still three days out, but we’re making good time. River says we’ll be there ahead of schedule.” “Well, tell her you better be!” Simon demanded, and she could almost hear the smile. “God I have missed you so much!” “Me too, Simon,” Kaylee said. “I need to go now, much as I hate to. But I’ll call again, when we’re closer! Love you, ai ren.” “Love you too, Kaylee. More than words will tell you.” Kaylee shut off the cortex feed and sat back. She felt better than she had since she’d left Argo almost a month ago. ----------------------------- “Gonna take an extra day for your maintenance and your port check, Captain Reynolds,” the Dockmaster on Astra informed Mal. “I’m sorry, but we’ve had a round of the Inviran Flu, and almost half my staff is out sick. We’re going as fast as we can, mind, but it’s still slow going.” Mal hid his grimace, nodding in sympathy. There was nothing the man could do about sickness. “So, day after tomorrow, then?” Mal asked instead. “At the latest,” the manager assured him. “And I’ll try and get to it faster.” Mal had been using the port’s facilities ever since he took the job on Argo. He’d become a familiar face, and was a good client. The manager knew how to take care of good clients. “Well, that’s fine,” Mal nodded. “Best you can do is the best you can do, no matter what. This flu strain, is it still makin’ the rounds?” “Word is that it’s on the decline,” the manager said cautiously. “But if you and your crew ain’t innocced, might not be wise to mingle. It’s a nasty virus. Ain’t normally fatal, ‘cept in the elderly and really young ones, and them what’s already weakened by some’at else. Still, pays to be cautious.” “That it does,” Mal agreed. “Well, we’ll stick to the ship this trip, then. See you later.” He shook hands and returned inside to deliver the bad news. For some reason, though, it didn’t seem like bad news. He had a twitching on the back of his neck, and odd little tingle that he usually only felt when something was. . .wrong. He put that aside, for now. They were as safe as they could possibly be under the circumstances, and there was no help for the delay. They’d just have to make the best of it. -------------------------------------- Later, as he reclined on the sofa in Inara’s shuttle, Mal decided the delay wouldn’t be that bad, maybe. “How ‘bout Wanderlust?” he asked, playing gently with Inara’s hair. “Not very strong, is it?” she giggled. “Thought a ship needed a strong name.” “Right,” Mal said quickly. “Well, I guess we could call her Lusty,” he grinned. “Or Lusty Lass?” Inara laughed. “It would attract attention.” “Well,” Mal’s face went a bit red, “that’s a bit more’n I had in mind.” Inara laughed again, and he marveled at the sound. “Well, do you want her to have a feminine name?” she asked teasing. “Should I be jealous?” He raised her head from his shoulder and kissed her gently. “Not even of Serenity,” he assured her. She blushed happily at that. “Could call her Private Companion,” Mal offered hesitantly. He’d thought on the name for a while, but was unsure how she would respond to it. Now, while she was happy, was probably the best time to try it out. Inara sat up sharply, looking at him. “What?” she stammered. “It’s just a thought,” he hurried to try and explain. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way, honey, I swear. It was supposed to be a compliment, and maybe a declaration. Of sorts. Maybe.” He stopped, feeling like he was falling further and further behind. “Declaration?” Inara asked, delicate eyebrow arching. “What sort of declaration, Malcolm Reynolds?” Her voice was neutral, and Mal was almost sure he’d be using his own bunk again for the foreseeable future. Too late to back out now, he decided. “Well. You know. Of, well, me and you,” he finished lamely, wondering where his resolve went so quickly. “You’ll have to do better than that,” Inara snorted softly. “Well, a declaration of. . .that is to say. . .well, what I mean is that. . .” he trailed off once again, then sighed. “I love you, Inara,” he said bluntly. “Have since I met you. These last few months have been. . .well, I ain’t ever had life be better, and it ain’t on account of a decent steady job either. If you wasn’t here with me, it’d just be a payday, and that’s all.” “But with you here, with me, like this? It’s so much more than that. It’s like a promise. Promise that the future might hold. And I don’t want to let that go. Not ever. I want to grab hold, and hang on for all I’m worth.” “I want us to be together always, Inara, wherever life might take us. Wherever we are, if we’re together, I know it’ll be fine. May not always look it, but. . .well, a man’s gotta have faith, Inara. Faith that life is good, at some basic level. You give me that, ai ren. That faith.” Inara looked stunned. In all the time she’d known him, Mal had never spoken so open, or so honestly. “And this declaration of yours?” she prodded gently. “You’re declaring what? That you wooed a Companion away from the Guild?” Her words sounded harsh, once she’d spoke them, but she hadn’t intended them that way. “No!” Mal objected. “It was meant to show you. . .it was meant for you, not anyone else! See I had this thought of you, not so long ago, where I thought of you as my companion. Not A Companion, like the guild, but my companion. My partner, my lover, my best friend. But more than all that, as someone I’d really like to spend the rest of my life with. Life companion.” “Are you asking me to marry you?” Inara asked suddenly, comprehension dawning. “Well, not if that’s a no,” Mal grinned. “I ain’t. . .I hadn’t really meant for this to happen this way, Inara. I don’t even have the ring yet, was ‘sposed to pick it up this trip, but with the flu and all, I can’t get to. . .” He broke off suddenly as Inara grabbed him by his shirt, and pulled her too him. Her lips met his with such force that he figured there’d be bruises come morning. They stayed that way until Mal was almost desperate for air, and then Inara released him. “Yes,” she said simply. “Yes?” Mal gasped, face rising in hope. “Yes,” Inara nodded. “Yes, I will marry you. Whenever you get around to asking me, of course,” she added with exaggerated nonchalance. “Well,” Mal recovered quickly, grinning. “That’s mighty pleasing information, that is,” he told her. He leaned forward and kissed her again, slower this time, with renewed passion. “Mal,” Inara mumbled around his kisses. “Mal!” “What?” he pulled away, face showing concern. “What is it?” “Sofa’s not. . .comfortable,” she winked, rising, and pulling him along with her toward the bed. “Right.” ------------------------------------------------- “So, since they’s living on ship, now, the only way to hit’em is at the plant,’ Withe said firmly. “And that’s not a smart move. Harwell’d be put off by that.” “If we get the job done, won’t matter,” Jenkins objected. “He’s got to have shippers, or he’s outta business, remember? That was how we come to be in this fix.” Withe reddened at having his words thrown back at him, but held his tongue. Jenkins was right, after all. He had said the very thing before. “That was different,” he tried after a minute. “We begged off sayin’ we was scared. Now, we go in there and do somethin’ ta Reynolds and his bunch, or damage their ship, he’ll know different. Gotta play this smart, we want back in.” “Then I see us back to square one,” Ball said quietly. “They don’t leave the ship much. Hell they don’t leave the plant area when they do leave the ship.” “Well, I bet they don’t stay on ship when they’re on Astra,” Withe remarked slyly. “Fact, I bet they’s livin’ it up there on coin that’s rightly ours,” he added, stoking the fire. “Hit them on Astra?” Jenkins’ face brightened a bit. “Yeah, that could work, right enough. Long as we did a real number on’em, Harwell couldn’t rightly blame us for it.” “One problem,” Ball put in. “If we ain’t here, then someone might notice. That will lay the light right back on us, when word gets out.” “So we stay here,” Withe shrugged. “We send some of our men, or hire it done.” “Ain’t got a man on my crew ain’t shed blood,” Ball frowned. “But they ain’t up to something like that.” “Well, my boy’ll go, if there’s a chance of a payoff.” Jenkins smiled. “Or women,” he added with a leer. “I’d rightly like to get hold o’ that merc’s little gal. She’d be a right sweet little. . .” “Are you crazy?” Ball asked, astonished. “Zhang’s men didn’t but hurt her, and look what happened. That big hundan would rip your head clean off. Reynolds wasnt’ kiddin’ ‘bout that. That one’s a killer, boys, cold as they come. And I don’t trust Reynolds’ hold on him that much.” “Point,” Withe nodded, looking at Jenkins. “Get your mind away from such, and right quick. We tryin’ to get rid of a problem, not cause another one.” Jenkins sat back sullenly, nodding his submission. But inwardly, he schemed. He still might find a way to get hold of the merc’s woman. She wouldn’t be much trouble, he reasoned, not without that gun of hers. “So, do we send our men?” Withe asked. “Or pool our coin and hire it done?” “I ain’t rightly got coin to pool,” Ball admitted frankly. “Ain’t even got what I need to fuel and stock my ship to look elsewhere for work.” “I’m ‘bout the same,” Jenkins agreed. “Mighty close to the blanket at the moment.” “I ain’t no better off than you two,” Withe grudgingly admitted. “So, we take from our own crew, and one of us goes along, with one ship. The other two stay here, and make sure plenty o’ folks see’s us.” “But who’s going, and who’s staying?” Jenkins asked, feigning disinterest. He was still thinking about that bit of a woman. And maybe that fancy woman of Reynolds’, too. “Don’t rightly care,” Ball said, “but the one what goes oughta be the one as will be least missed.” Withe stared at Ball for a minute, realizing the brute had said something sensible for once. “Right about that,” he nodded with a smile. “I guess that let’s me out. Been too vocal of late, about Reynolds. You?” “Been spending lotta nights over at Jovy’s,” Ball admitted. “Might look odd the one night I ain’t there, some’at happens to the source o’ my troubles.” Jenkins almost smiled with glee. He would be the one to go, after all. Withe could huddle in a corner all he wanted too. Trace Jenkins always got what he wanted, and he had decided he wanted that girl. “I guess that means I have to go,” he groused. “Fine, but you two have to help with the fuel, else once we get back to hauling Harwell’s freight, I won’t have enough for the first half-run.” “We can do that,” Withe nodded. “One of us makes the first run, and makes up your fuel from that,” he looked to Ball, who nodded in agreement. “Well, then, we got us a plan,” Withe smiled broadly. ------------------------------------

------------------------------------ Long Road Home – Chapter Twelve And here once again is where I say ::: I own none of the rights to the Firefly Universe, I’m just playing with the shinies.:) --------------------------------------------------------- Mal was almost beside himself in frustration. Over night was quickly turning into two nights, and stretching for three. If Kaylee was along, they’d not have had to wait, but their newest addition simply wasn’t up to Kaylee’s ability. Wasn’t his fault, and Mal didn’t blame the boy. Kaylee was just a gorram miracle worker. “Mal, you may as well calm down,” Inara chided gently, watching him pace back and forth in front of Serenity’s open cargo door. “There’s nothing you can do.” “I know that,” he admitted. “Just chafing, sittin’ here is all,” he told her with a grin. “And anxious to get back. Won’t be long now, till they get back with Companion.” He’d taken to calling the new boat that openly, now that he knew it wasn’t going to cost him dearly. “I know,” Inara smiled, secretly enjoying the new ship’s name. She had to admit it had a nice ring to it. “I know,” she repeated. “But, again, there’s nothing you can do about it.” “Don’t make it no easier to bear, darlin’,” Mal told her with a laugh. “But, ‘spect you’re right, as usual.” He sat down next to her, taking her hand in his. “And, I gotta admit, if I’m gonna be stranded on a ship, dockside, on a planet raging with the flu, I couldn’t have better company.” “Oh, be still my heart,” Inara fluttered her fan against her face. “You say the nicest things, Malcolm Reynolds.” Her gentle kiss took the sarcasm out of her words. “We still. . .oops,” Zoe cut her question off, realizing she had interrupted a ‘moment’. There had been a lot of those lately. She was used to Jayne and River on her runs, and while they were a passionate couple, they were usually very proper around others. “Nice timin’, Zoe,” Mal grumbled, but Inara just laughed. “I was just wondering are we still waiting on the yard, sir,” Zoe bit back a grin. “And if we are, is it safe to go off ship.” “We are still waiting on the yard,” Mal confirmed. “And I don’t know how safe it is. I haven’t been able to raise Simon, seems Argo is on the long leg of it’s orbit, or some other such nonsense, and it’s near on impossible to get a message through for the next day or so still.” “So we don’t know if our shots are good for this,” Zoe stated rather than asked. “That’d be the size of it,” Mal nodded. “Well, that’s. . .” “Annoying?” Inara offered. “Aggravating? Maddening?” “All of the above,” Zoe laughed. “But, it is what it is.” The first mate went back through to the galley, leaving Mal and Inara alone again. “Weren’t we discussin’ something, just afore my first mate walked in and interrupted?” -------------------------------------------------------- River eased the new ship into orbit around Argo, taking her time as this would be only the second time she’d entered atmo in the vessel. Jayne was in the co-pilot’s chair, more to be with her than because she might need his help. Kaylee was in the engine room. “We’re good,” the engineer called over the comm. “Very well, Kaylee,” River replied. “We’re entering. . .now.” The ship shuddered slightly as the thrusters aligned for re-entry. The Firefly glided effortlessly into the moon’s atmosphere, and half-an-hour later they were settling onto the pad at Guilford’s. Simon was waiting at the ramp when it opened, and an enthusiastic Kaylee practically leapt into his arms. “Oh, Simon! I have missed you so much!” she gushed, eyes filling with tears of joy. Simon’s eyes were likewise wet as he engulfed his fiancé in a crushing embrace. “Welcome home, ai ren,” he breathed, trembling slightly in relief that she had returned safe and sound. Their lips met in a hungry kiss that lasted so long that River began to worry for their safety. Jayne just smiled in understanding. He knew if he and River had been separated that long, he’d be dragging her away already. “Love that animalistic instinct, ai ren,” River whispered, her voice husky, and Jayne suddenly thought about dragging her away, anyway. “I wouldn’t mind,” she grinned wickedly. Jayne shook his head in amazement. He’d never imagined being glad someone could read his mind. “But’s it’s such a naughty mind,” River went on, and Jayne growled low in his chest, making her sway slightly. He laughed and hugged her too him. “You really are something, little Angel,” he kissed her. “If I wasn’t, would you still want me?” she teased. Jayne looked at her seriously. “I can’t imagine not wanting you,” he told her frankly, and she leaned into him, sighing contentedly. Finally Simon and Kaylee broke for air, Simon red-faced from such a public display of passion, Kaylee smiling ear to ear. Simon noticed River and Jayne, and smiled sheepishly. “Um, hi. Welcome back,” he offered. “We’ve been here for an hour, already,” replied River, with a dramatic roll of her eyes, teasing. Simon smiled again, and stepped forward to hug his sister. “Welcome back, mei mei,” he said quietly. “And you Jayne,” he added with a smile. “Thanks for seeing to. . .things.” “We need to talk about that,” River said quietly, and Simon grew concerned. He looked at her cautiously. “Are you alright?” he asked. “Are you hurt? Sick?” “I am fine,” River nodded, “thanks to Jayne. If not for him, I would likely be on my way back to the academy.” “What?” Simon yelled. “What happened?” he demanded. Before River could explain, Harwell walked up. “Welcome back, gang,” he shook hands with everyone. “I’m glad you made it home. This young man has gone around here for weeks looking as if someone had shot his puppy.” Everyone laughed, including Simon, though he was still alarmed by River’s declaration. “I know you just got here,” Harwell went on, “but I was wondering if you feel up too making a run? I have a very urgent shipment that needs to go right away, and Captain Reynolds is overdue. Not surprising, as Astra has been hit by the Invarian Flu. He remarked he needed maintenance and fuel, and I suspect that the docks are behind on their work, if the situation is as bad as I hear.” Jayne looked to River and Kaylee. They were the ones who’d have to fly the bird. So far as he was concerned, it was up to them. River simply shrugged, as if it made no difference to her, and looked to Kaylee. “We can’t go full burn,” Kaylee hedged. “Ain’t got the fuel for it. We can go, though,” she said almost sadly, looking at Simon. “I think we can do without the good doctor for a few days,” Harwell said seriously, holding back a laugh. “Might do him good to get away from here for a while, anyway. He’s been cooped up too long.” “Cooped up?” Jayne asked warily. “A lot’s happened while you’ve been gone,” Simon told him. “If we’re going, let’s get started. We can swap stories on the way to Astra.” “Suits me,” Kaylee was instantly happy again, since Simon was making the trip. “I’ll get my bag, and some vaccine, just in case. I’ll innoc us before we leave, and take enough for the rest. Their current shots don’t include Invarian Influenza.” He offered Kaylee his hand, and she took it, leaning her head on his shoulder as the two went toward the infirmary. “I’ll get the crew over here with the load,” Harwell said, leaving as well. Jayne watched him go, then turned to River, his face concerned. “Something ain’t right,” he said quietly. River nodded. “House burned,” she said sadly. “Captain Daddy has troubles with former shippers. Feel like we stole from them, want old jobs back.” “That ain’t gonna happen,” Jayne said firmly. River nodded again. “Captain Daddy agrees, and has said as much. Harwell is on our side, refuses to break agreement. Believes that the others took pay from Zhang to leave him hanging.” “So we fight, then,” Jayne stated. River looked up at him. “Yes,” she said quietly. “We fight.” --------------------------------------------- “I really am sorry, Captain,” the Dockmaster was telling Mal. “We’re down to less than a third of our work force, with the outages. It will be another three days, at best. And that’s only if I don’t loose too many more workers.” “I thought the virus was on the decline,” Mal tried to keep his tone calm. It wasn’t this man’s fault. “It is,” the Dockmaster nodded. “New cases are being reported at a lower rate everyday. The trouble is that the virus was rampant before the Health Ministry caught on. As a result. . .” “I get it,” Mal nodded. “Seen it before, matter o’ fact, even Coreward. Well, can’t say I’m pleased to hear it, but I can’t rightly be upset with you for something beyond your control. We’ll just wait.” “I appreciate your attitude, sir,” the Dockmaster thanked him. “Not everyone was so understanding. And,” he added with a smile, “to show you my appreciation, your maintenance and fuel will be given you at cost.” Mal’s face lightened at that. “That won’t get you hung up, will it?” he asked, unwilling to see the man in trouble for his generosity. “No, it won’t,” the other man assured him. “I have that authority under adverse circumstances, and these are certainly trying times, in my opinion. And,” he added, “I value your patronage.” “Well, then I thank you for the kindness,” Mal said, offering his hand. As the manage went on down the line bearing bad news, Mal walked back onto the ship. “Well, we have the old good news, bad news. Which you want first.” “I’ll take any good news I can get,” Zoe said grouchily. The others nodded. “We’ll be three more days, looks like,” he said flatly, to the groans of all and sundry. “But, we get our fuel and fixin’ at cost,” he added, “which means a little bonus all around for the delay.” That cheered them somewhat, but it was still a hard blow. Hollins dropped his head. “My fault, Cap’n,” he stated sorrowfully. “If’n I could fix things, we coulda done been gone.” “Hush that,” Mal said at once, and the rest agreed. “You ain’t but been at this but a few months, and done a fine job.” And he had, Mal knew. “Ain’t your fault no more than the Manger’s there. Things just happen. Can’t be blaming yourself that you ain’t as good as Kaylee, no longer than you been at it.” He didn’t add that, as fine a job as Hollins was doing, he’d never be the mechanical genius that Kaylee Frye was. “Still,” Hollins said, refusing to be mollified. “None o’ that,” Mal said sternly. “Now let’s have no more fussin’. Stead let’s all up to the galley, and fix us some eatables. I done got spoiled to good food, and I’m hungry.” The rest grinned at that, and headed upstairs. “You took that well,” Inara offered, leaning against him as they walked toward the kitchen. “Amazing the effects a good woman can have on a man,” he told her, proving with a kiss. ------------------------------------------- “Reynolds new boat just got in,” Ball informed Withe. “Merc’s back.” “Well, Jenkins is already on his way, so he oughta be able to take Reynolds down before they can. . .” He trailed off as Ball shook his head. “Already loadin’ the new boat,” he said with a frown. “Be off the ground in an hour at most. We need to call Jenk and tell ‘im.” Withe nodded. “I’ll see to it right now,” he promised. “You get on over to Jovy’s. We gotta keep up our routines, or the finger’ll be laid right on us, for sure.” Ball nodded and left, on his way to see the waitress he was leeching off. Withe grinned an ugly grin as he watched Ball go. Yes, he’d get right on that, let Jenkins know. Soon as he’d had a nap, and a bite to eat. And checked his ship from bow to stern. Too bad that by then, the orbit lag would keep him from contacting his partner. Former partner he corrected mentally. Yeah, be a shame. He’d miss old Jenk. Now if he could just get rid of Ball that easy. -------------------------

------------------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Thirteen And here once again, I acknowledge that I own NO rights to Firefly or any of it’s related characters, and beg not to be sued for just having fun with my favorite show. -------------------------------------------------- River guided the Companion gently out of atmo, and within two hours of Harwell’s request they were on the way to Argo. Then, it was time for catching up. Simon insisted that River go first, since she’d dropped the bombshell about the Academy. When she’d finished the tale, Simon was white faced. “Our own father,” he almost whispered. “I knew he was adamant that I not try and help you, but I never thought. . .I mean how could he help them!” Simon was almost yelling. “That. . .” “Impression I got,” Jayne said quietly, “was that the Blue Hands were puttin’ a good bit o’ pressure on him, Simon. Might be he didn’t have a choice.” River knew instantly that Jayne didn’t believe that for a minute, but loved him all the more for offering that out to Simon. “Right,” Simon snorted. He wasn’t a reader, but he wouldn’t accept that. “Jayne took care of it, Simon,” River reminded him, squeezing Jayne’s hand as she said it. She had avoided telling Simon how badly she’d been affected by both the meeting with her parents, and the presence of the Blue Hands. “Yes,” Simon nodded, looking to Jayne. “I can’t. . .I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that, Jayne. That and, well, everything else.” Jayne looked uncomfortable. “Yes, Simon, you can,” River said, suddenly blushing. She lifted her hand, displaying her engagement ring. “You can give away the bride.” Simon looked at ring, stunned. Bride? His mei mei was getting married? He looked at River, then at Jayne. Back to River. Jayne. His mouth opened, but no words would come. Jayne frowned, though in disappointment rather than anger. He’d thought Simon would be okay with this. “That’s. . .” Simon found his voice, “that’s great!” he jumped up suddenly and hugged his sister tightly, then offered his hand to Jayne. The big man took it, caught off guard by Simon’s reaction. “And I’d be proud to walk you down the aisle, mei mei,” Simon added. River almost collapsed in relief. She had thought, for just a moment, that things were going to be bad. “Thanks, Simon,” Jayne said quietly. Kaylee ran to River, hugging her tightly. “I knew it’d be okay,” she gushed, taking Simon’s hand again. “Now, let’s hear what’s been going on while we been gone,” Jayne said, taking his seat once again. This time River settled into his lap rather than taking her own chair, allowing Jayne’s presence to soothe her. “Well,” Simon began, “it all started with a picnic.” ------------------------------ It took most of an hour for Simon to relay his story, as there were questions from all three at different points. Finally he had caught them up to date. “And that’s where we are now,” he concluded. Kaylee was weeping a little over the loss of the house, and River wasn’t doing much better. It hadn’t been like having a home of their own, what with all the crew living there, but it had been home. And now it was gone, and they were back to living on ship. “Well, Mal says it isn’t permanent,” Simon told them. “And we had emptied the house a day or two before the fire, so nothing was lost. Mal says once the trouble is over, we’ll either get another, or build our own. Whatever it takes. He is determined that we deserve this, and he won’t give it up without a fight.” “Honestly, he was waiting for you two to get back before bracing them,” he added, looking to River and Jayne. Both smiled ferally, and it shocked Simon to see how eerily alike their smiles were. While it was true that Jayne was likely the more dangerous of the two, especially when in that cold rage that seemed to hit him when River was endangered, he acknowledged that his sister was as deadly as an old earth cobra, and just as fast. “Good,” Jayne said in satisfaction. “Seems there’s a bit o’ payback needin’ to be dished out. Hate to have missed it.” “Me as well,” River grinned. “Make them sorry, we will,” she said firmly. “Well, once we get to Astra, I’m sure Mal will want to hold council,” Simon told them, rising. “But we’re three days from there, and I’m bushed.” He looked pointedly at Kaylee, who grinned wickedly. “Oh, me too!” she gushed, jumping to her feet and taking Simon’s hand. “See you two day after tomorrow,” she snickered, and Simon flushed red, but didn’t argue. The two left the bridge, leaving Jayne and River alone. “We could re-christen the bridge,” River suggested slyly, looking up at Jayne through her lidded eyes. “Yeah?” Jayne growled, and felt River shudder in his lap. “Yeah,” she whispered in his ear, her voice husky.

------------------------------------------- Trace Jenkins was almost smiling. He wasn’t of course, since that would go against the constant string of complaints he was mouthing to anyone within hearing distance. The Captain of the Remorseless was just that. He had never had a moment in his wicked life that he’d regretted, other than once or twice he’d not killed someone. He took what he wanted, however he had to, and that was that. And he aimed and intended to have the merc’s woman. Something about her just set him off. She wouldn’t be the first woman he’d taken without consent. He smirked at that thought. First, though, he had to get rid of Reynolds. The merc might be a dangerous character, but he was still on his way back from wherever. He would be easy enough to deal with, once deprived of Reynolds’ leadership. And, as he thought on it, Reynolds had a right fine little woman of his own. Might just have to see to her as well, he decided, hitching his pants a bit higher. He had his own crew, three of Ball’s men, and two of Withe’s. Ten men, all totaled, plus himself. More than enough to handle the crew Reynolds had with him. Once that was done, it was back to Argo, and deal with the rest. Trace Jenkins might not have been so smug, had he realized that twelve hours later his ship was overtaken, and passed, by Reynolds’ new vessel. And that onboard that ship was the ‘merc’ he so casually dismissed, as well as his current obsession. He might have lost even more confidence had he known that the two were aware that he meant harm to the crew of Serenity, and had no intention of allowing it to happen. Since he didn’t know, however, he slept comfortably, content that he would once again have what he wanted in a few days time. ------------------------------------ River contacted Astra Dockworks, and asked for berthing as near Serenity as possible. As luck had it, the berth next to Serenity was empty, and River took it gladly. The trip had been uneventful, with Simon and Kaylee spending a great deal of it making the most of their re-union. River smiled fondly at that, since she and Jayne had not been exactly idle during that time. “Well, that’s right pretty smile, ai ren,” Jayne whispered wolfishly into her ear. She giggled, slapping at the large arm that encircled her. “Make me crash Captain Daddy’s new ship, and you’ll be in trouble,” she told him playfully. “Get him another,” he mumbled back, nuzzling her neck, kissing it softly. River felt her spine tingle, and her breathing was suddenly funny. Her relationship with Jayne was everything she’d ever dreamed, and a bit more. “Need to. . .um. . .concen. . .ahhhhh. . .concentrate,” she managed. Suddenly he stopped and stood up. “Okay,” he said simply, and took a seat in the other chair. River growled in frustration, and shot him a death glare. “Don’t start something you don’t intend to finish,” she pouted. “Did I say I wasn’t intending to finish?” he shot back, eyebrows raised. “I’ll finish it, alright, darlin’. Once we’re safe on the ground, and you don’t need to um. . .concentrate, anymore.” Her mock scowl gave way at last to a sexy giggle that Jayne decided would always make his heart skip a beat. He’d never imagined anything like this, ever. “Wave Serenity,” River ordered. “Let Daddy see his new prize drifting into the berth alongside him.” Jayne nodded and opened a wave. Zoe’s face appeared on the screen, and her look of surprise was priceless. “Jayne? How’d you get through? There’s some kinda orbit leg gibberish that keeps us from getting Argo.” “We ain’t on Argo,” Jayne replied smugly. “We’re about too set down right alongside. Thought you and the Captain, and everybody for that matter, might want to see us coming in.” “What are you doing here?” Zoe demanded. “Don’t you know there’s a virus on this ruttin’ planet?” “Got the Doc along, and he’s got the shot for that,” Jayne assured her. Zoe’s face lit up. “Well, hot damn! I’d kiss you Jayne, if I wasn’t scared of River.” River giggled. “It’s okay this time, Zoe,” she called from the pilot’s chair. “But no tongue.” Zoe made a face that Jayne was sure was an insult, but he didn’t really care. “We’re carrying cargo, by the way, so tell Mal his new baby is already makin’ coin.” “I’ll just do that,” Zoe nodded. “How far out?” Jayne looked at River. “Approximately thirty-five minutes and twenty seconds,” she called out. “Get that?” Jayne asked Zoe, who nodded. “We’ll be waitin’.” ----------------------------------------- Malcolm Reynolds reflected on the long, strange, and often bloody trip he had taken to where he was now standing. His second ship, Private Companion, was preparing to set down, right next to his first ship. Ships. He rolled the word over in his mind. Ships. Plural. He owned two ships now. Did that make him a line? A franchise? Was he now a CEO? He shrugged. None of that was important. The important thing was that his little family, the only people in the verse who meant everything to him, was about to be re-united. That was what was important. What mattered. As if she could read his mind, Inara gently took his hand. “Be good to see them,” she said softly. “Even Jayne,” Mal smiled, but there was no sting in the words as there once would have been. None of them knew, even now, what Book’s Letter had said, save maybe River. And if she did, she wasn’t sharing. But whatever it had said, or whatever had happened, Jayne Cobb was a changed man. Or maybe, Mal reflected on what he now knew, Jayne had never existed at all. It had simply been a way for Jayne to isolate himself. To deal with a lifetime of grief and pain. Companion flared out, and Mal smiled. River was putting on a show with the new girl, and it tickled him. The ship settled gracefully on the pad, her engines winding down. Zoe nodded in approval. “Damn fine crew I’ve got,” she said proudly. Mal looked at her. “You’ve got?” he demanded. “Since when do you have a crew?” “Since you gave me one, sir,” Zoe replied straight faced, eyes never leaving the new bird. “I gave you a shift,” Mal stressed. “Not a crew.” “Well, you ain’t gonna take’em away now, are you?” Zoe asked, eyebrows raising. “I mean, I’m good, but I can’t handle the ship by myself.” Inara snorted delicately, looking at the ground to hide her smile. “Well, no,” Mal replied, caught off guard. “Seems like you got a choice to make, sir,” Zoe told him, turning serious. “About where you’re gonna fly your pennant.” Mal hadn’t thought of that. Which ship would he take? There was no question that Zoe would command the other, and keep ‘her’ crew. But which one would Malcolm Reynolds take? He looked at Inara. “Doesn’t matter to me,” she smiled. “So long as I don’t change crews.” He smiled in return, and Inara rested her head against his arm. Together they all walked out to be re-united with their family. ------------------------------------ Inara, typically, was the first one to notice. “Mei mei, is that? River is that an engagement ring?” she asked, spying the very big rock on River’s hand. River blushed and held her hand up for Inara and Zoe to see. “Sealed the deal,” she quipped, a telling smile on her lips. Inara and Zoe laughed at that, though Zoe’s laugh was a bit sad. River felt the sorrow wash over the other woman, and regretted that he happiness caused her pain. Zoe must have noticed, because her smile brightened, and she hugged River to her. “Don’t fret over it, little one,” she said quietly. “I’m very happy for you. If someone had told me a year ago that you two would have ended up together, I’d have laughed. But, you two have something special, seems to me, and I wish you every happiness.” “Thank you,” River whispered, relieved. “So, finally got ‘round to making things right, I see,” Mal grinned, slapping Jayne on the back. Jayne surprised him by grinning sheepishly. “Yeah,” the big man replied. “Just. . .just felt right, ya know? I don’t ever want her anywhere but right by my side.” “She’s the same way, Jayne,” Mal replied seriously. “Though I still look at the pair of you and think I’m bound to wake up and find it’s all a nightmare,” he added with a laugh. Jayne joined him, something he’d not have done two years ago. “Well,” Mal continued, “conjure I’d like to see my new ship.” With that he and Inara walked up the ramp, followed by everyone save Hollins, who agreed to stay with the vessel. Simon went to retrieve the inoculations he’d brought along, and started dishing out shots. “How long before this takes effect?” Zoe demanded, suffering from a serious case of cabin fever. “Six days,” Simon replied with a straight face. At Zoe’s crestfallen look, Simon laughed. “Twelve hours, Zoe, and you’re good.” “Doctor, under other circumstances, I’d laugh,” Zoe said in mock anger, “but after so long cooped up on that ship, I’m sorely tempted to shoot you.” “Just wait til after he walks me down the aisle!” River called from outside, and Zoe and Simon both laughed at that. “Glad I’m important enough to take up for,” Simon said loudly, and was rewarded with a very River like giggle. Another thing I’ve got Jayne to thank for, Simon acknowledged to himself. The impact that Jayne had had on River was amazing. He shook his head slightly, wondering at the difference a year could make in one’s life. “Takes some gettin’ used to, don’t it?” Zoe offered, seeing the look on Simon’s face. “I’m just happy that she’s happy,” he admitted. “I worried for so long, about trying to help her, and keep her safe. I can’t. . .I’m not like the rest of you, Zoe. I can’t protect her, and I know it. And usually she can protect herself. But with Jayne there, I know that no matter what, she has someone beside her to take care of her when I can’t.” “I don’t like to think on what might happen to someone who tried to hurt her,” Zoe nodded. “The love those two share is so strong I swear sometimes you can just see it. Like a glowing that follows them around.” “Yes,” Simon grinned. “And I don’t think River has stopped blushing since Jayne proposed.” “Nice damn rock, I noted,” Zoe commented offhand. Simon agreed. “Yes, an emerald, rather than a diamond. River’s favorite.” Simon looked at her. “He. . .she told me that one of the things that makes her love Jayne so much is that he doesn’t try to change her. He accepts her the way she is, and loves her for that. He doesn’t try to keep her shielded away from the world, as she put it.” “I can see where that’d be very important to her,” Zoe nodded, recalling how Wash had been the same way about her. “She was attacked on Persephone,” Simon said quietly, and Zoe frowned. “By our father, of all people. Jayne almost killed him. And then, when Father called the Blue Hands, Jayne did kill them, both of them. Right in front of my father.” “River said she could feel Father’s fear when he was facing Jayne,” he smiled at the memory. “Said he wet his pants,” he added with a very un-Simon like chuckle. “I can see where that might be the case,” Zoe smiled. “Jayne killed two of the Blue Hands? By himself?” “With a knife,” Simon nodded, recalling River’s description of the Blue Hand’s disappearance. Jayne had been less forthcoming. “Killed them both with a knife.” “Conjure that took some doing,” Zoe commented neutrally. “Jayne take any damage?” “No,” Simon assured her. “According to River it was very quick. I suspect that the Blue Sun’s agents are now on intimate terms with our friend, Mister Shade.” Zoe suppressed a shudder at the mention of Jayne’s alter ego. Or was Jayne, in fact, Shade’s alter ego? Interesting question. “Well, I’m glad he was there for her,” Zoe said, rolling down her sleeve. “So am I,” Simon said quietly. “So am I.” -------------------------------

------------------------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Fourteen And here is where. . .Oh you know! Not mine, no pay, just fun! ------------------------------------ The crew’s reunion was still going into the night as they gathered for dinner. Their first meal together in a long while. As they sat celebrating in Serenity’s galley, the Remorseless touched down, settling into a berth on the far side of the docks. Jenkins walked down the ramp, taking a look around. It was dark, now, and he smiled at that. Dark was good. He liked to operate at night. First things first. He didn’t like the idea of mixing it up with Reynolds in the Dockyard. Too many witnesses, and too much chance of the local authorities interfering. He would set a man to find and watch Reynolds’ ship. When the crew left for town, that’s when he’d strike. --------------------------------------- Jayne and River returned to Companion after dinner, walking hand in hand, totally at ease with the silence between them. River knew that Jayne was up to something, she could catch a glimmer of smugness once in a while, but she couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. As they boarded the ship, and locked up for the night, she squeezed his hand. “What are you thinking, Zhang Fu,” she asked slyly. He smirked at that, but shook his head, leading her up the steps without a word. River went willingly, knowing that whatever it was, she’d like it. “Wait here,” Jayne ordered, when they reached the galley. She pouted slightly for show, but sat down. Jayne went to the bunk they’d shared on the way home, and returned presently with a box. River smiled. “Shoulda give you this on the way home, really,” he said, handing her he small package. “But, well. . .I mean we were so busy, and all. . .,” he broke off with that damnable sexy smirk of his, and River felt her face heat, again. She’d decided that blush was her knew natural skin tone. She took the box and eagerly tore into the wrapping. When she opened the box, she gasped in delight. Lying inside were the two handmade daggers, each now inscribed. On one was the name River, in flowing script. On the other was the name Sean, in identical fashion. Also in the box were two garter belts, designed especially to hold such blades tightly to a woman’s thigh. She looked up with a smile. “Oh, Jayne, they’re beautiful!,” she exclaimed, and ran to hug him tightly. “Not as beautiful as you, ai ren,” he whispered softly. “I saw them, and thought of you right off. It was like they said, ‘take me to her’. So, I did.” “Such gifts make a girl’s head dizzy,” River told him coyly. He smiled. “Good thing you ain’t a girl, then,” he said seriously, and her blood run hot. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her to him as if she were weightless. Her legs wrapped around his waist of their own volition as she placed her lips to his. “I believe,” she whispered, “that you have some unfinished business, my great bear.” Jayne growled softly in his chest, and she felt a shiver rip through her. “Best I take care of that, then,” he whispered back. “Bunk?” “We could christen the dining room,” she giggled in his ear. “Yeah?” he asked, voice gruff with desire. “Yeah,” she whispered huskily. ---------------------------------- “We got a problem,” the scar faced man told Jenkins when he returned from his scouting mission. “Such as?” Jenkins asked. “‘Nother Firefly in port, right next ta Reynolds’ boat. Saw the merc and that girl o’ his going aboard just as I got there. Looks like the rest o’ his crew done back.” Jenkins considered that. True, it complicated matters, but it didn’t change anything. If anything, it simplified matters a great deal. He could deal with that mercenary, and take the woman. In fact. . . “Get everybody together,” Jenkins ordered suddenly. “Got myself a fine idea, and I think everyone will like it.” He smiled evilly, and the scarred man smiled in return as he set out to gather the rest. ------------------------------------------ Morning dawned bright and clear on Astra, an autumn chill in the air. It wasn’t outright cold, Mal decided as he stood on Serenity’s ramp enjoying the sunrise. Just nippy. Made for clean air, and easy breathing. “Morning,” he heard Inara’s still sleepy voice behind him and turned. Since leaving her life as a Companion behind, Inara had stopped wearing her ‘face’, as Mal often called it. Without the makeup she had always worn, he thought she was even more beautiful. Her hair was still slightly tousled, and Mal wondered if there was a more erotic sight in all the ‘verse. “Mornin’ darlin’,” he whispered. He kissed her lightly, and wrapped her form in his arms as both stood looking out at the world. “Beautiful this morning,” Inara said quietly, and Mal nuzzled her neck slightly. “Always beautiful, lately,” he told her, and Inara smiled, blushing slightly. Mal had taken a long time to get started, but once he had, she couldn’t have asked for better. “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she informed him just as quietly. “Ain’t flattery at all,” Mal shot back. “Just plain truth. You’re the best thing ever happened to me ai ren. If I never get another blessin’ for the rest o’ my life, you more than make up for that.” She turned to look at him. “Mal, things like that make me feel more special than you can imagine.” “You are special,” he assured her, kissing her once again. “And however my poor ole words make you feel, it ain’t enough.” She leaned against him, head on his shoulder, and sighed. Life was good. ------------------------------------------ Zoe was up early as well. Being cooped up on ship was grating on her nerves. She’d been clock watching ever since Simon had given her the shot, and the time was up. Time to get out and about. She dressed quickly, strapping her mare’s leg on, and, at the last moment, deciding to wear the little pistol Jayne had gotten her. Jacket on against the cold, she headed out of her bunk. “Headed out?” Mal asked. “You know it,” Zoe smiled. “Gonna stretch my legs some. Breathe air that ain’t been through here,” she added with a laugh. “Don’t blame ya none,” he nodded. “Gonna do the same myself after while. Watch yourself, Zoe,” he warned more seriously. “Don’t take it for granted that Withe and his crowd won’t try something here.” “Sir,” she nodded in affirmation, heading down the ramp. ---------------------------------- “One of them’s leaving, now,” Jenkins heard over his com. “It’s the soldier girl, the browncoat.” Jenkins smiled. “Might as well start with her,” he ordered the two men with him. “She’s a looker, so be careful. Bring a good price, once we’re done,” he winked. --------------------------------- Zoe had been cooped up on the ship for days, and was so glad to be off that she hadn’t even considered where she would go or what she would do. Once, such a decision would have been unnecessary, since the only reason to go off ship was to grab whatever they needed. These days, though, things were decidedly different. They were working more than steady, and the pay was better than they usually managed for even one job, let alone steady employment. So, she wandered, window shopping, stretching her legs, and generally just enjoying being off ship. She would likely always think of Serenity, as home, of sorts, but had to admit that she had grown accustomed to having a place to call ‘home’ other than a bunk. She sighed sadly, wishing that Wash had lived to see these days. The pain had ebbed over the last two years, but there would always be a hole in her heart for her Wash. Her funny man. So engrossed in her walkabout, Zoe didn’t realize that she was being stalked. Jenkins and his two henchmen were trailing along at a respectable distance. Zoe’s tall figure was hard to lose, so they could hang back. As Zoe moved from store window to store window, lost in her musings, she failed to notice that she was steadily moving away from the crowds. Traffic was becoming slower and farther apart, and there were fewer and fewer people on the sidewalks. Had she been slightly more familiar with the area, Zoe would have realized that she was steadily moving into a less desirable part of the city. But then Zoe wasn’t accustomed to being fearful. She’d been a soldier, and knew how to take car of herself just fine, thank you. But her ambling frame of mind wasn’t conducive to awareness, and without realizing it she had been careless. When the attack came, she didn’t react at all for an instant. And that was long enough for the three men to overwhelm her. ---------------------------------- River sat bolt upright, hair billowing behind her in an effort to catch up. “Zoe,” she gasped, and Jayne rose from the bed beside her. River looked at him. “Zoe’s in trouble.” ----------------------------------- Zoe was indeed in trouble. She had elbowed on of her attackers in the nose, felling him at least temporarily. But the other two were stronger than she, and were basically overpowering her. She fought them, but without much success. Jenkins was snarling, holding his broken nose with both hands, while his men fought the amazon first mate of Reynolds’. The fight was moving steadily away from him, as Zoe kicked and punched to fight off her attackers. Just as Jenkins got to his feet, he heard someone yell. Not stopping to see who it was, Jenkins ran. Things hadn’t worked out as he’d planned, and he wasn’t staying around to see what happened next. The two idiots he’d chosen to help him were Withe’s men, so they weren’t a loss, so far as he was concerned. He started back to his ship, leaving the other two to fend for themselves. ------------------------ Just as Zoe had decided that she was beaten, one of her attackers seemed to just leave. With her left arm now suddenly free, she delivered a hard fist to the other’s face, sending him reeling. Following it up with a kick to his mid-section, Zoe followed him, lifting her knee sharply into his face while he was doubled over. Seeing her target fall, she whirled to see what was happening behind her. The other assailant had his hands more than full as a man not quite so large as Jayne was pummeling him relentlessly. Even as she watched, her rescuer lifted the man over his head, sending him flying into the brick wall behind her. He fell to the ground with a groan, then lay still. The other turned to her. He was a roguishly good looking man, she decided, tall, blond hair and bright blue eyes. His face was slightly tanned, and she noted in passing that he filled out his clothes awfully well. Not, perhaps, so much as Jayne did, but still. . . “You okay?” he asked suddenly. He wasn’t even breathing hard. “Thanks to you,” Zoe nodded, warily. “If you hadn’t been around, might be different.” “Just passing by, ma’am,” the man replied, eyes twinkling a little. He offered his hand. “Name’s Tarrant. Butler Tarrant.” Zoe took the hand carefully, but Tarrant merely clasped her hand slightly, and released it. “Zoe Washburne,” Zoe replied. Just then running feet were heard from the entrance to the alley way where the fighting had led them. Zoe whipped out her carbine, while Tarrant merely turned. Jayne and River were there, breathing heavily and showing signs of having dressed hurriedly. “Zoe, are you alright?” River asked, looking at the men on the ground, and then to the one standing. “Fine, sweetie,” Zoe assured her, holstering her mare’s leg. “Thanks to Mister Tarrant, here.” She turned to him. “Mister Butler Tarrant, these are two of my crew. River Tam, and Jayne. . .” “Goldie?” Jayne said suddenly, and Zoe noted Tarrant tense. “Goldie, is that you?” ------------------------------- Jenkins arrived at his ship to find several of the men off to find entertainment. Cursing at his luck, he headed into the ship, considering. Washburne probably hadn’t gotten a close look at him. He’d been behind her, and she’d nailed him with that elbow right off. Not likely she spared him another glance after that. But the other two, they probably were down. And they’d lead the cops straight back to him. Here, on Astra, where he had no connections at all. The only choice left open to him was to run. But he couldn’t manage his ship alone. He had to find his crew, and find them in a hurry. Which meant going back out, which meant possibly running into trouble. Shaking his head at the poor choices before him, Jenkins started back the way he had came. This day was getting worse all the time. -------------------

-------------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Fifteen Yeah, yeah, I know. I don’t own these characters or the verse they live in. Happy now? ------------------------------------ “Think you got the wrong man, friend,” Tarrant said evenly, eyes riveted on Jayne. “Like hell,” Jayne grinned suddenly. “I’d know that ugly mug o’ yours anywhere, Goldilocks.” Tarrant stiffened slightly, and Zoe’s hand dropped again to her carbine. “Like I said,” Tarrant didn’t quite growl, “you got me mixed up with someone else.” “Ain’t no way there’s two o’ ya,” Jayne snorted. “You mean to say you don’t recognize me, ge ge?” Tarrant started at that. He peered closer at Jayne, eyes narrowing slightly. “Only one person ever called me that,” he said after a minute. “A raggedy, half-wild kid I knew a lifetime ago. You can’t be. . .Shade?” Zoe and River groaned in unison. Jayne ignored them, stepping forward with a smile. “Never thought I’d see your ugly mug again,” Jayne said smugly, and pulled the slightly smaller man into a bear hug. After a few seconds Tarrant returned it. “I’ll be damned,” he said softly. “That’s likely,” Jayne laughed. “Thought you was dead for sure,” Tarrant said wonderingly. “After I got released, they told me what had happened. Seen Stormy after a while, and she was asking ‘bout you. Never could find you, just figured you was gone.” The re-union was interrupted by a groan from the man Zoe had put down. Tarrant moved to him, and helped him sit up. “Looks to me like you got some explaining to do, friend,” Tarrant said gently. “You always go ‘round beatin’ on women, or was this more a spur o’ the moment kinda thing?” The thug looked up at Tarrant with dazed eyes. As they regained their focus, he lunged upward, only to sit back down abruptly as Tarrant gouged him in the neck and twisted. “Now, you’re gonna be paralyzed a while, friend,” Tarrant smiled. “But you can still feel pain, if’n you follow me. Having said that, this lady’s friends seem a might put out by you. That one,” he pointed at Jayne, “is especially nasty, by the way. Don’t rightly know ‘bout the women. Course one of’em did kick your ass pretty good, so draw your own conclusions.” “What about it, Zoe?” Jayne asked, slipping his knife from it’s sheath. “No point,” Zoe said after a moment. “We know who he’s working for already. Likely the one who ran was one of them.” “Leave’em?” Jayne asked. “Or. . .” “Leave’em, Jayne,” Zoe said firmly. “No sense in attracting attention. Let’s just get back to the ship.” She looked at Tarrant. “Coming?” she asked, and immediately wondered why. “Sure,” Tarrant nodded. “Despite the poor company you keep,” he added, with a smirk at Jayne. “Still the funny man,” Jayne growled, but his grin robbed the words of any sting. “And who might this lovely young lady be?” Tarrant asked, looking at River. “Mine,” Jayne said, and his good humor was instantly gone. Tarrant looked at Jayne appraisingly, and nodded. “Good enough,” he nodded, and an unspoken communication seemed to pass between them. “I’m River,” River said sweetly. “Please forgive Zhang fu, he means well.” “I sincerely doubt that, River,” Tarrant snorted. “But I don’t blame him one bit for being possessive of you,” he added with a wink. “I assure you I am equally possessive of him,” River giggled. Tarrant’s eyebrow raised in surprise. He looked at Jayne. “Looks like you did good, kid,” he nodded in approval. The four were walking down the street now, and fell into a easy banter, all the while watching the street around them carefully. “What you doing out here, Goldie?” Jayne asked. “Well, right now I’m looking for work. Came in on an old Mitari class boat, but I’d had enough of it.” “What were you doing?” Zoe asked. “Engineer,” Tarrant replied. “Captain was a Scrooge, though. Wanted the ship to keep flyin’ without parts, and after a couple months I got tired of that. Decided this was as good a place to get off as any. Been here about a week.” “Engineer, huh?” Zoe asked. “Ever shipped aboard a Firefly?” Jayne’s ears perked up at that. “Not as an engineer,” Tarrant answered. “Been on one or two as crew. Good ships, if they’re well maintained.” “That they are,” Zoe nodded in approval. “We just happen to be looking for an engineer for one,” she added, carefully not looking in Tarrant’s direction. What the hell am I doing? she thought. She was honest enough to admit she was attracted to the man, but the fact that he knew ‘Shade’ should have been enough to turn that right off. He did save me from something ugly, she admitted to herself. But I ain’t no school girl to be swayed by that. “Well, that’s mighty convenient,” Tarrant said idly. “But like I said, never served as engineer on one. Like as not, I couldn’t do the job. Not that I wouldn’t likely enjoy being onboard,” he added, grinning at Zoe. She found herself grinning back before she realized it. “What say we talk about it when we get there?” she temporized. Tarrant studied her carefully for a heartbeat, then another. Finally he nodded. “Works for me.” In front of them, River smiled. Zoe was healing. ------------------------------ Mal was unhappy to say the least. He turned to Jayne. “Thought we talked about going off alone,” he stated. Jayne returned his gaze steadily. “Wasn’t alone, Cap’n,” the big man said casually. “River was protecting me.” His fiancé giggled at that. “That ain’t what I meant!” Mal sputtered. “You shoulda told us!” “We were in a hurry, Captain Daddy,” River told him, looking up at him with her impossibly large eyes. “Zoe was in great danger when we left. There was no time.” “Don’t trot out them puppy eyes at me, Albatross,” Mal shook his finger. “Ain’t gonna work.” “Always have,” she pointed out. Mal’s face turned red at that, as the rest of the assembled crew laughed. Finally Mal relented, joining in. “Don’t do it again,” he said, trying to regain some authority. “Yes, Ba Ba,” River said, puppy eyes still turned on. Mal couldn’t stay mad at the puppy eyes, and everyone knew it. He turned to the stranger. “I’m right obliged to you, Mister Tarrant,” he said. “Not for you, things might have gone south for Zoe ‘fore Jayne and River could have reached her.” “She was doin’ fine for herself, Cap’n,” Tarrant assured him. “Fightin’ tooth and claw.” Mal nodded. “She does at that,” he agreed, lookin’ at his best friend. “Not like you to get snuck upon, Zoe,” he told her. “Distracted, sir,” Zoe said quietly. “Too much thinking.” “Do it every time,” Mal agreed. He was about to say something else when River suddenly perked up. “Being watched,” she said quietly, looking carefully out at the dock around them. “Feel him, watching. Waiting.” She trailed off as the thoughts began to impress upon her. “Wants me,” she whispered. “What?” Jayne growled. “Watching for me, waiting for me to come out alone,” River said quietly. She looked at Zoe. “Nose is broken,” she smiled. “Hurts.” “Good,” Zoe nodded once, firmly. “Know where this gentleman is, Albatross?” Mal asked, being careful not to look himself. “Almost,” she said. “But can’t quite find him. Need to draw him out,” she looked at Mal. “Wants me. We should give him what he wants.” ------------------------- Trace Jenkins stood slightly hidden in the crates of parts and pieces stacked against the dock fence, watching the two boats belonging to Malcolm Reynolds. He had managed to find some of the men from his ship, and they were looking or the rest. As he had considered the odds, he’d changed his mind about running. With the men assembled, he would still outnumber Reynolds’ outfit slightly. If he returned to Argo without having accomplished his mission, Withe and Ball would be unpleasant to say the least. And, he admitted, he still aimed to have the merc’s woman. The attack on Washburne hadn’t gone as planned, and he regretted it. At the time he’d been thinking on lowering the odds, and on how much a looker like her would fetch on the slave market. In hindsight, he should have forgone the money and killed her. But hindsight was. . . Jenkins thoughts left him as a slight figure emerged from Reynolds’ boat. It was her! He rubbed his hands together, marveling at his good fortune. Here she was, all alone! He watched closely as the object of his obsession came closer and closer. He decided rather than follow her, he’d simply grab her, and take her to his own ship. Once there, she could be held until he managed to get his work done and get off world. After that? He smiled, an ugly leer on his face. After that, well, he’d have three days or more on the trip back to Argo. Lot could happen in three days. ----------------------------- River fought a smile of her own as she felt the watching man take the bait. Jayne had almost been apoplectic at the thought of using her to draw Jenkins out. She was sure that’s who was watching, based on the Captain’s description of him. An utterly ruthless and evil man, she decided, fighting off a shudder at his thoughts. He liked to prey on women. Well, River decided, it was time to teach him that there were female wolves, as well. She grinned at that thought. ------------------------------- “I don’t like this, Mal,” Jayne growled yet again. “So you’ve said,” Mal nodded. “I don’t care much for it, myself. But Albatross says she can take him, and that he’s stalking her. You want to let him keep running around, knowing that?” “You know what I want,” Jayne snarled quietly. “And you won’t get within ten feet of him,” Mal shot back. “You know she can handle herself, Jayne,” he reminded the big man. “Comes to that, knew what you were gettin’ at the start.” Jayne nodded reluctantly, remembering a promise he’d made what seemed a lifetime ago. He wouldn’t go back on his word. But. . . “Anything happens to her. . .” “I’ll give you leave to do what you please, to who you please,” Mal assured him. Slightly comforted by that, Jayne fell silent. It will be fine, ai ren, he suddenly heard in his mind, and was struck nearly dumb as River’s thoughts projected their way into his head. How the hell is she doing that? he wondered. I’m very gifted, came the reply, along with a very River-like giggle. Jayne shook his head ruefully, grinning. The perfect woman. And don’t you forget it. -------------------------------- As River reached Jenkins’ hiding place, he reached out suddenly and grabbed her. “Don’t make a sound, girl,” his breath was in her ear. “You do, and it’ll be your last. Me and you, we’re gonna ease over to my boat, real quiet like. Hear?” River nodded, showing fear. Jenkins bought it, and started to drag her away. He’d gone only a few steps, however, when she tore loose from his grip. He started, and turned quickly to pursue, only to find that she wasn’t running. “Surprise,” he heard quietly, then her fist slammed into his nose. His already painfully broken nose. “You bitch!” he screamed, swinging wildly at the woman before him. River easily side-stepped the blow, laughing lightly. “What’s wrong, bad man,” she taunted, her foot connecting with his mid-section. Jenkins felt the air rush from his lungs, and doubled over. “Surely a tough space pirate like you can do better than that,” River chided mockingly. Jenkins’ rage was easy for her to glean, and she added to it, raising her foot again to connect with his forehead. Jenkins straightened with the blow. “Wanted me so bad,” she continued. “Whatever will you do now that you have me, big man?” She spun, roundhouse kick slamming into Jenkins’ kidney. He groaned again, mind reeling. Who the hell was this bitch? What was she? “I’m your worst nightmare come true,” she whispered, her elbow impacting solidly with his solar plexus. “A woman who can fight back. Something you fear. Right, tough man? Beater and violator of women? Used to docile targets, are we?” Her fist slammed into his jaw, and Jenkins heard bones break, felt teeth give. “Picked the wrong one, this time, yui di hundan,” River taunted again. “Worried about what Zhang fu might do to you, when you should have been more concerned with me.” Her foot lashed out again, striking the side of Jenkins’ knee. He heard it pop, and bit off a scream. “Right to fear Zhang fu, of course,” River said as she circled her target. “Should have let him have you. More man than you will ever be. But he promised you to me, and he always keeps his promises.” Jenkins struggled to get to his feet on his ruined knee. River danced to his other side and kicked his good knee out from under him. Her ‘attacker’ moaned in pain as his weight settled fully upon his injured joint, and he dimly heard the girl laugh. Laugh at him! “You’re very funny,” she told him, as if reading his thoughts. “Wanted to hurt me, make me scream. Show me who was in control.” River lashed out with her fist, breaking his other jaw. Blood spurted from Jenkins’ mouth. River leaned into him, whispering in his ear. “So, who is in control now?” she asked, and the heel of her palm found his broken nose. The cartilage in his shattered face shifted, driving upward. Piercing his brain. Trace Jenkins never felt the pavement beneath him come up to meet his face. His last thought before he died was almost poetic. She’s just a girl! -------------------------------- “Yesu,” Tarrant whispered, watching River from the ramp. He turned to look at Jayne, who was beaming proudly. “Best watch your step, kid,” he told Jayne with a smirk. “That girl will kick your balls off, you don’t.” “Yep,” Jayne nodded. “C’mon,” Mal waved to the others. “She’s had enough fun. Time to put paid on this once and for all.” Jayne, Zoe, and Tarrant followed Mal up the docks to where River was patiently waiting. Time indeed. Time to set things right.