BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

BADKARMA00

Long Road Home -- Chapters 16-22
Thursday, December 20, 2007

Final Reposting for Long Road Home, a little longer to avoid an extra post with the last two chapters!


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2134    RATING: 8    SERIES: FIREFLY

Long Road Home – Chapter Sixteen Owns no rights, etc etc etc. -------------------------------- Disposing of Jenkins’ remains took two minutes. Jayne simply hefted him over behind the crates stacked to the side, and that was that. Mal looked at his assembled crew. “I’ve had enough of this,” he said quietly. “I aim to end this once and for all. Jenkins’ ship is here somewhere, and likely his crew. I don’t know that they’ll leave without him, but I doubt they’ll go back to Argo. And there’s no reason to keep after us if they ain’t gettin’ paid.” He looked to Kaylee. “Mei-mei, see to Serenity. I want to be off planet the minute we can be. I’ll see the Dockmaster, see to having the Companion refueled. Then we head home. When we get there, we’ll see to Withe, and Ball. And that Sheriff if needs be.” “Mister Tarrant? Want that job?” Tarrant looked at Mal for a moment, then studied the assembled crew. His eyes came lastly to Zoe, who watched him, her face expressionless. Her eyes, though, were not. He looked back to Mal. “I’ll give it a shot,” he nodded. “Go with Kaylee, then,” Mal ordered. “No one in the ‘verse can get you trained up on a Firefly quicker than she can.” Kaylee beamed at that, and Tarrant nodded. Followed by Hollins, the mechanics set off. “Jayne, River, keep an eye on the ships, and an eye out for the others. Zoe, you’re with me.” ----------------------------------- “How’d you do that?” Jayne asked, as he and River followed the engineering trio back to the ship. “Do what?” River asked, though she knew what he meant. “Talk to me that way. In my mind, I mean.” “I don’t know, exactly,” she admitted finally. “I never have, before. With anyone. Don’t think I can with anyone else.” “Makes me kinda special, huh?” Jayne grinned. She stopped and stood on her toes to kiss him lightly. “Very special, Zhang fu,” she whispered, eyes shining. “So very special.” Jayne smiled at her, the real smile that he used only for her. The one where his face was alight, and his eyes shone so brightly. This was the real man, she knew. The one that drew her like a moth to flame. The one only she knew so well, and so few others rarely got to see. “Pretty special yourself, you know,” he told her quietly. He took her hand in his and the two continued on their way. “Yes, I am,” she giggled. “Gifted is the term, I believe.” “Well, you’re a gift. I know that,” he said seriously. “A gift from on High, one I don’t. . .can’t deserve.” She stopped again, and looked at him, her eyes bright. This man loved her more than anything in the ‘verse, including his own life. How could she have been so. . . “Blessed,” he finished for her, smirking. “That’s the word you’re looking for, River. We’re blessed, the two of us. To have found each other.” River’s eyes widened at that. “Did you. . .?” “Hear you?” Jayne asked quietly. “Yes, I did. Clear as if you were speaking.” He grinned a little. “That’s gonna take some gettin’ used to, baby girl.” “I. . .” River tried, but couldn’t find the words. Instead she reached up and gently stroked his jaw in wonder. How can this be? she wondered. You’re the genius, she could almost hear his smirk. Don’t ask me. “Jayne, this is. . .incredible!” she gasped. “I never imagined. . .I mean never in my wildest dreams did I ever think. . .” she trailed off, once again at a loss for words. “Take it as it comes, baby girl,” Jayne told her softly. “We’ll work it out.” She nodded, and the two of them resumed their trek back to the ships. ---------------------------- “How much work you ever done as an engineer?” Kaylee asked Tarrant as the three walked up the ramp. “Some,” Tarrant shrugged. “First started right after the war, on a Vigiro inter-system liner. Gradually worked my way onto a freighter, and afer the mechanic quit I sorta took the job on.” “But not on a Firefly,” Kaylee said, making sure. “I’ve helped with the work on a ‘fly,” Tarrant stressed. “But never done the job. I know the basics well enough to get by, I feel sure. Not enough to do your job, though.” “No problem,” Kaylee assured him cheerfully. “We’ll have you goin’ ‘fore ya know it.” “So how long has Shade been with you?” Tarrant asked casually. Kaylee shuddered at the name. “We call him Jayne,” she pointed out. “Been with us, five years? I guess. Give or take.” “Long time for him to be in the same place,” Tarrant said, more to himself than anyone else. “Must be a good job.” “Well, it is mostly,” Kaylee nodded. “And course, now him and River are together, he ain’t like to go nowhere,” she added with a giggle. “So you and him were in the war together?” Tarrant nodded. “For a while. I got hit a few months after he joined up. Year maybe. Never saw him again. Always figured he was gone.” “He has a knack for making it,” Kaylee told him. “Yeah, he was always good at that,” Tarrant agreed. “So, Mister Tarrant,” Kaylee began. “Please, call me Goldie,” Tarrant said suddenly, and wondered why he did. “Goldie, huh?” Kaylee grinned at him. “Well that fits. Okay, Goldie, this here is Serenity. Flagship of Reynolds’ shipping. As you can see, the plant’s been modified a good bit over the years. . .” ----------------------------- It was seven hours later when Kaylee’s grease smudged face popped up in front of Malcolm Reynolds. “All ready, Cap’n,” she chirped. “You can lift off when you please.” “Good job, mei mei,” Mal smiled. He looked at his crews. Plural. “Zoe, you’ll take the Companion,” he ordered, and the Amazon nodded. “Kaylee, if you’re sure we’re good, take Mister Tarrant aboard Companion and get him settled in. That’ll be his berth, once we get things sorted out. Make sure he’s familiar with the ship.” “I want us on Argo in three days. When we get there, everyone stays with the ships, Jayne, until we get ready to move. Dong Ma?” Everyone nodded, including Jayne, who frowned in hurt at Mal’s singling him out. Mal snorted at that. “Don’t give me that look, Jayne,” he said, emphasizing his point with a finger. “You the one most like to run off looking for Jenkins’ friends, and I don’t want this to play out like Zhang did.” Tarrant started at that. “That was you?” he asked Jayne. The big man shrugged, looking at the floor. “Figures,” Tarrant snorted, grinning. “You never could wait for. . .” “That’s a discussion for another time, I conjure,” Mal broke in. “Let’s get these ships on the fly. I wanna be off the ground in fifteen, and in the black in thirty.” He paused, looking from face to face. “Let’s go.” ---------------------------------------- Once out into the black, things settled down. Despite the charged atmosphere ground side, it was still three days to Argo. Long time to be worked up. “So, tell me about Zoe,” Tarrant asked, as he and Kaylee took a break from working through the engine room. “Whatcha mean?” Kaylee asked cautiously. “Tell me about her,” he repeated. “What kinda woman is she? What’s she like, not like. Gonna be working for her,” he added innocently. “Need to know a bit on how to not screw up.” “Uh huh,” Kaylee grinned. “Just business, huh?” “Of course,” Tarrant replied. “Just tryin’ to get by is all.” “Well, Zoe’s good people, Goldie,” Kaylee said seriously. “Strong, tough, able. She’s smart too. Sometimes you don’t see that, on accounta she’s always behind Cap’n in whatever he does or says. But don’t let that fool ya none. She’s sharp.” “Married?” Tarrant asked. Kaylee’s face fell. “Was,” she admitted. “Husband died about two years back. Killed by reavers.” “Man, that’s tough,” Tarrant grimaced. “Ran into them a time or two over the years. Bad business. I take it her and Reynolds served together?” “Yep,” she nodded. “Last place was called Serenity Valley. Where Cap’n’s ship got her name.” “Serenity Valley?” Tarrant’s eyebrows rose at that. “He’s that Reynolds? Sergeant Reynolds?” “One and the same,” Kaylee nodded proudly. “Well, how ‘bout that,” Tarrant mused. “Damn, he’s a hero, you know. To those of us who served, anyway. Imagine the Alliance don’t see him that way.” “Nope,” Kaylee grinned. “He’s a thorn in their side.” They both laughed at that. “Better get back at it,” Tarrant said finally, rising. “Got only so long to get myself up on the job. Can’t be wasting it.” ----------------------------- “Quite a sight, isn’t it?” Inara asked from the pilot’s chair. Mal was looking out the starboard bridge window where Companion held station, almost as if the ships were flying in formation. “Yes it is,” he turned to face her. “Makes everything feel different, somehow.” “Coming up in the world?” Inara asked with a raised eyebrow. “Moving forward, that sort of different?” “I guess,” Mal shrugged. “I don’t. . .I can’t really explain it.” He crossed over to her chair and kissed her lightly. “But I’d give it all up in a minute to keep you, ai ren,” he told her softly. She blushed at that. “You say the sweetest things,” she murmured, kissing him again. “Well, it took me long enough to learn, I admit,” he chuckled. “But I like to think I’m makin’ progress.” “Great progress,” she murmured again, her lips touching his. “Great, great progress.” “Conjure this thing can fly itself now?” Mal asked, his voice heavy with desire. “I’m sure it can,” Inara nodded, hastily throwing switches to activate the auto-pilot. “Then what say we adjourn to more cozy surroundings?” -------------------------- “How are you feeling, bao bei?” Simon asked as Kaylee entered the room the two were sharing for the trip back. “Tired,” she admitted. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that,” he told her, nuzzling her neck softly. He kissed her neck gently, hands rubbing on her shoulders. “Not that tired,” she grinned, turning to face him. “Oh, good,” he chuckled. “I didn’t want you to miss this.” ---------------------------- Zoe wandered the passageways of the new ship, looking it over with a critical eye. It was mostly a stripped bare version of Serenity, she knew, lacking the touches that had made the other vessel home. But that would come, she knew. She was the Captain now, she thought wryly. Mal owned the ship, true enough, but it was her’s in the sense that she was in command. She, River and Jayne would make it a home. And Butler Tarrant as well, she added to herself, if he chose to stay. She pondered on their newest crew member. There was no denying he was attractive. A lean, hard, good looking man. And not a kid, either. He had been a soldier, like her. Well, she reflected, not like her, exactly. The fact that he called Jayne ‘Shade’ was proof that Tarrant had been a Banshee during the war, at least part of it. She knew, in the way that all women knew those things, that he was attracted to her as well. She found herself wondering, again, why she’d extended the invitation to join them. True, she’d been grateful for his help, but there was more to it than that. There had been an instant, when he’d clasped her hand, that she’d felt a spark pass between them. It had taken her completely by surprise. She was almost ashamed of it, remembering Wash. “Wouldn’t want you to feel that way, Zoe,” River’s voice floated to her. With a start, Zoe realized that she had walked into the cargo bay without even realizing it. “No peekin’,” Zoe admonished with a grin. River shrugged. “Wasn’t. Emotions too strong to ignore.” “Sorry,” Zoe told her. “Just thinking.” “I know,” River smiled warmly. “Time to heal, Zoe. Wash was a good man. Loved you with all he had. He would not want you to be so alone in this world.” “I know, sweetie,” Zoe nodded sadly. There’s been a time when she couldn’t have talked to anyone, especially River, about this. Maybe that she could now was a sign she was healing. Some anyway. “What do you think of him?” Zoe asked suddenly. “I mean. . .” “Not like Jayne,” River assured her, knowing what Zoe feared. “To him it was a job. A mission. His way of serving, as you and Ba Ba served. No darkness in him save that which all of you carry, after what you have seen.” “I didn’t mean for that to sound like I was judging Jayne, River,” Zoe said quietly. “I know,” River replied, her voice light. “My Jayne is dark, Zoe. One of the reasons I love him, I think. We both have that darkness. Mine is not so bad as his, I think, but strong none-the-less. I want him, just as he is. Wild, free, unfettered. He loves me so strongly that sometimes it almost overwhelms me,” she added, face burning a little. “I am very lucky. Blessed, Jayne would say.” “Yes, you are,” Zoe smiled. “I never in a million years would have thought to associate the words ‘Jayne’ and ‘love’ in the same sentence. But you seem to have brought out at least some of the boy he must have been before. The man he might have been, had things not been what they were.” “We will make a life together,” River nodded firmly. “Have the life denied to both of us. It was no accident that we met, Zoe. Some things are simply meant to be, and no power in the ‘verse can stop them.” She paused for a moment. “There is no one, not even Simon, who can come so close to understanding what happened to me. To understanding me, period. No one who can make me feel safe simply by being nearby. Many men would be intimidated by me, if not fearful. My Jayne is not. He loves me with all his being, just as I am. Would not change me if he could, save to make me better. And he makes me better, just by being.” “It shows,” Zoe nodded with a grin. “He looks at you like you’re Christmas morning, River. And maybe like he’s a little bit hungry,” she added with a wink. She was rewarded by a furious blush that spread from River’s neck to her forehead. “He has a very vigorous. . .appetite,” she giggled. “Love it, as well.” “I wonder how many places on this ship the two of you. . .” Zoe started. “Lips are sealed,” River laughed outright. “But it was a very long road home,” she added with a wicked grin. Zoe laughed so hard that her eyes watered. “You should get to know him,” River suggested. “He might be. . .he might be your Jayne, Zoe,” she smiled. “He might be the one who heals you. Makes you whole again.” “We’ll see,” Zoe said, standing once again. “We’ll see.” As the warrior woman walked away, River smiled. Yes, they would see. River would enjoy watching. -----------------

----------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Seventeen Author owns none of these characters or the ‘verse they live --------------------------- Butler Tarrant was sitting at the table when Zoe walked into the galley. She hesitated slightly upon seeing him, but if he noticed, he gave no indication of it. They were still a full day out of Argo, and while things were running smoothly, the tension was starting to build. “Cap’n,” Tarrant nodded to her politely. Zoe almost grinned at that. The title Captain would take some getting used to. “How are you today, Mister Tarrant?” Zoe asked, walking to the coffee pot. Fixing her a cup, she took a seat. “Call me Goldie, please,” Tarrant smiled. “Every time I hear someone say ‘Mister Tarrant’, I keep looking up for my father. Since he’s been dead nigh on twelve years, that’s kinda freaky.” Zoe chuckled. “Fair enough, Goldie,” she nodded. “I’m just Zoe, unless we’re in front of someone that ain’t crew. How are you liking things so far?” “It’s a good ship,” Tarrant replied. “And good people on both of them. Don’t know that I’ve had better work. Least not in a long time.” “Been in the black a while, then?” Zoe asked. “Since the war ended,” Tarrant nodded. “Wasn’t nothing to go home too, not really. No where else to call home, either. Most of the people I knew where dead, or scattered to the winds, so I drifted.” He shrugged. “Ain’t been all bad.” “Know how that is,” Zoe told him, taking a sip of her coffee. “Mal and I managed to stay together after the war, wound up working Serenity. Not for that, no telling where I’d be.” “Wind blows us about,” Tarrant agreed. “Never know when it’ll stop for a while, leave you somewhere interesting.” “So you and Jayne were in the same unit?” Zoe asked, trying to keep her voice casual. “For a little while,” Tarrant nodded. “I was on Stormy’s team when Sh. . .Jayne just showed up one night.” Jayne had filled Goldie in about how Stormy had died. He felt a small shadow move across his heart at her name. “He was about fourteen, I guess,” Tarrant continued. “Maybe fifteen. Wild as a buck. Quiet, too. So quiet it could get on your nerves, sometimes. Never saw no one could be so still for so long.” “Or kill so easy,” Tarrant added, suppressing a shudder at old memories. “Stormy was really the closest to him. They was like brother and sister, really. He would sit and talk with her, but rarely with anyone else.” He looked up at Zoe. “Don’t get me wrong, now,” he told her. “He was a good kid. Good soldier. Never left a man behind. When I got hit, he carried me back to the lines, got me to the aid station. Made sure I got attention right away. Then, he just faded away, and, until the other day, I never saw him again.” “He has a way of surprising you,” Zoe nodded. “He’s been with us a while, now. And, until we ran into Ami, not a one of us knew anything about his past.” “He’s like that,” Tarrant nodded. “Stormy knew, but most of the rest of us just had what we could glean from talking with him, which wasn’t much. He was. . .different. That’s all. Just different.” “He is that,” Zoe grinned. “Like as not, had he not been here a time or two, we’d not be here now.” “He’s like that,” Tarrant smiled. “Once he decides to be your friend, he’ll do anything he can for you. If he decides you’re his enemy?” he shrugged. “Yeah, I sorta got that part figured out,” Zoe commented. “Seen it myself, first hand.” She looked at him. “You know, during the war, we heard about Banshee’s, but never saw’em. Ami and Jayne were the first two people I ever knew who had been one. And now you.” Tarrant shrugged. “Wasn’t anything special,” he said evasively. “Just a job, like any other in the military. We did what we was told, best we could.” “So were all of you like. . .” she trailed off, unsure of how to continue. “Like Shade?” he asked with a knowing smile. “No. There’s no one like him, anywhere. Least not that I ever seen. Guys like him made us feared. Special. But none of the rest of us could do the things he did.” He shook his head. “Kid would just walk right into an Alliance camp, and start killing folk. Boy didn’t know fear of any kind, far as I could ever see.” “He’s much the same way now, really,” Zoe nodded. “He’ll let you think he’s afraid, maybe. But it’s a sham.” “No,” Tarrant shook his head. “No, I saw the way he looks at your pilot. He knows fear now. Not for himself, maybe, but he knows fear.” “I suppose you’re right,” Zoe said musingly, after a moment’s thought. “I hadn’t considered it in that light, but I suppose you’re right.” “Course I am,” Tarrant grinned wryly. “Didn’t I mention how smart I was when I signed on?” Zoe snorted, but couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “I must not have been paying attention,” she told him. “Well, that’s okay,” he shrugged. “It was all lies, anyhow.” He delivered the words with a deadpan. Zoe looked at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “I can see we’ll enjoy having you on board, Goldie,” she told him between laughs. “I hope so,” he smiled back. “I do hope so.” ------------------------------ “Sounds like Zoe and Goldie are gettin’ on pretty well,” Jayne observed. He and River were on the bridge, Jayne in the co-pilot’s chair, and River cuddled atop him as the gun man reclined. “Yes,” she sighed happily. “Think he is good for her. Maybe help her to heal, and move on.” “That’d be good for her,” he nodded. “Ain’t so sure Goldie’s the one to be helpin’ her though. He never was what you’d call. . .” He trailed off as River raised her head and gave him an appraising look. “Right,” Jayne mumbled. River smirked, and lay her head back down upon his chest. “My Jayne had hidden depths that only surfaced when the time was right,” she pointed out slyly. “Perhaps Goldie is the same. Zoe may bring that which is hidden to light, and in return he may help her move ahead, and leave the pain of the past behind her.” “You’re pretty smart, you know that?” Jayne chuckled, kissing her on top of her head. “A genius,” she nodded. “Everyone says so.” “Well, you’re more than that,” he growled softly, and River felt her spine tingle at the desire in his voice. She raised her head again, showing him a sexy pout. “No longer sate our hunger upon the bridge, Zhang fu,” she told him sadly. “Adventures are over, now that we are home.” “There’s other places,” he murmured in her ear, and felt her shiver. “This thing can drive itself for a while, I imagine. I got plans for my little genius, right now, that don’t include pilot duties.” “Oh my,” said River, eyes batting. “Whatever could you have in mind?” “Why don’t I just show you?” ----------------------------------- The two ships were on the pad less than ten minutes before plant workers were there to remove the empty crates making the return trip from Astra. The crews of both vessels gathered between the craft, and Mal looked at them closely. They were good people, he knew. All had been with him through thick and thin. The idea of losing another one was enough to make his heart ache. But he knew that if the feud that Withe and his minions was allowed to continue, that might just happen. He had to make a move to protect his people, and their future. They’d attacked two of his crew already. The fact that both had been women showed just what kind of men they were. They had been lucky, he knew. A bit of luck to the other side, and he’d have lost Zoe, and maybe River as well. He didn’t intend to give the rest of his unwanted enemies another chance. Might well be Inara next time. “You know the problem,” he said finally. “We got to handle this, ‘fore it gets any worse. Already struck at us twice, no reason to think there won’t be a third.” “But we ain’t goin’ about this half-assed, and flung about,” he warned, eyeing Jayne longer than the rest. “If we can get rid of the problem without having any more trouble with that Sheriff, that’s how I want it. We want to make a home here, and having him as an enemy could make that difficult at best.” “So, first, we find out where Withe, and Ball, been spending their time. Then we see what comes next. Dong ma?” Everyone nodded. “Okay then. River, Jayne, cover the ships. Kaylee, you and Hollie will make sure we’re still good, and make sure that our new man,” he nodded to Tarrant, “is ready to make it own his lonesome. Inara, I’d like you to monitor the Cortex for any news about Jenkins. Doc, I ‘spect you’ll be wantin’ to get back to the infirmary, so you can walk along with me. Zoe, you’re with me.” --------------------------- Jayne watched thoughtfully as Mal walked away. He knew Mal was right, mostly, but he still chafed at the idea of waiting. And as far as that no good Sheriff went. . . “Thinking will get you into trouble,” River singsonged lightly at his side, smirking up at him. He grinned. “Always seems to, at that,” he replied. “Wait for Captain Daddy, Jayne,” she admonished more seriously. “It’s his to do, not yours. Not this time.” “I know,” he sighed in agreement. “Just don’t like the idea of waiting, that’s all.” “Waited for me,” she noted, eyebrows raised. “That’s a bit different,” he flushed slightly. “No, it’s a lot different,” he clarified. “Then wait,” she told him, hand caressing his chest. “Do this as a family.” “Someone might get hurt,” Jayne pointed out. “True,” she nodded. “Might be you, if you go alone. Please promise me, Jayne. Don’t go off alone, not like last time.” River’s eyes were blinking as she fought the tears that threatened at the thought of losing him. Jayne’s arms encircled her, and she leaned into him. “I promise,” he assured her. “I’ll stay right here with you until Mal decides what he’s gonna do.” She looked up at him, and he knew she was reading him. Part of him was hurt at the lack of trust, but another part understood her need. “I trust you, Zhang fu,” she whispered. “Just fearful. Need re-assurance, that’s all. You can be very stubborn,” she added with a smile. “River, there was a time when I never gave a second thought to what might happen to me,” he told her honestly. “Didn’t go looking for anything, but never took a step out of it’s way, neither. But that was before you.” “I can’t bear the thought of not being near you. With you. Or of you being alone, without me. I’ll never willingly let that happen. And that includes not going off and doing something stupid. I swear.” River could feel the sincerity pouring from him, like water from a spring. Once again she was amazed at the depth of his love for her, and for a second she swayed slightly, as the raw emotion threatened to overcome her. But he was there, holding her in his arms. Safe. Always safe in those arms. “I cannot tell you. . .cannot find the words, my Jayne. . .” she shuddered and broke off. “Me too, Angel,” Jayne whispered. “Me too.” ------------------------------------ “Glad to see you back, Mal,” Harwell said as Mal walked in. “Manage to dodge the flu?” “Barely,” Mal nodded, shaking the proffered hand. “On the decline they say, and we’re all inocced.” Harwell smiled. “Good, good.” “Did have a mite o’ trouble, though,” Mal said quietly. He explained briefly. “I was afraid of that,” Harwell grimaced. “Mister Harwell, I don’t aim to leave this lie no longer. My crew has been attacked twice now. I had hoped this would all just die off, but that ain’t seeming to be likely.” “I understand completely. I’ll be glad to have a word with the sheriff, if you like. Maybe he can. . .” “Ain’t likely. He paid us a visit after the house burned. Laid all the ‘recent difficulty’ right at my feet. Went so far,” Mal added, “as to suggest that we had ‘taken’ work from Withe and the rest, and that folks felt resentful o’ that.” “What?” Harwell asked in surprise. “He said that?” “He did. Come as near to threatenin’ as he could, without just doin’ it. I don’t know how close you and him are, but. . .” “I’ve known Sheriff Grippen for years,” Harwell told him. “Decades, really. We’re not what I’d call close friends, but we’ve always got on.” “Well, I’m right sorry to have laid this on you then,” Mal told him. “But I wanted you to know. I don’t aim to be scared off. You’re the best employer I’ve ever had in the years I been in the black and on my own. I don’t want trouble with him, but I’ve a feeling it’s gonna happen whether I want it or not.” “And you’re concerned that will affect our relationship? Yours and mine, I mean?” “I’d be lying if I said otherwise,” Mal admitted. “Like I said, this is the best work we’ve ever had. I don’t intend to give it up without a fight. If the fightin’ is gonna cost us the job, though, then there seems to be no point. You’re an honest man, and have always dealt squarely with me. Figured I owed you the same in return.” George Harwell looked at Mal for a long minute, and Mal felt his heart sink. His greatest fear was that Harwell would not want to deal with them anymore if trouble cropped up again. It wasn’t their making, hadn’t been before. But the sheriff had made a point. Trouble just seemed to follow them, no matter how hard they worked to avoid it. “Captain,” Harwell finally said, “I appreciate your forthrightness. And I understand your concern. But let me make this perfectly clear. You and your crew came to us at a time when we were on the ropes. You took work from us knowing it was likely to cause you trouble.” “You endured that trouble, and defeated it. In the process, you helped save this company, and the jobs of over one hundred people. You deliver my goods on time and undamaged. So long as that continues, you are my transport service. Period. Whatever you need to do in order to protect your family will in no way affect that decision. Is that clear enough for you?” Mal fought the urge to wilt as his knees weakened. He’d hoped that would be Harwell’s answer, but. . . “I don’t know how to thank you, George,” Mal said quietly. “Keep my goods moving,” Harwell shot back with a grin. “Oh, and make sure that little mechanic of yours gets some time with young Tam. His face was so long while she was gone, I’m surprised he didn’t trip on it.” “Consider it done,” Mal laughed. “When does the next shipment go?” “Day after tomorrow,” Harwell consulted his schedule. “With another the day after that.” He looked up. “Thought I’d take advantage of your new vessel,” he said, smiling. “What I like to hear,” Mal nodded. “Until then, we got things to tend to.” “Then I’ll leave you to them.” --------------------

-------------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Eighteen I do not own the rights to Firefly nor any of it’s related characters. Dang it. ------------------------------- Withe looked at the two Firefly ships sitting peacefully on the pad at Guilford’s, and spat, as if removing a foul taste from his mouth. Jenkins had apparently failed. He made his way toward the office with considerably lest luster than he had started his little trip. It had been his intention to approach Harwell about some work, seeing as how no one had spotted Reynolds lately. Now that wouldn’t hold. But he was already here, and to turn away and leave now would just cast suspicion on him. So he continued to the office, though he already knew the answer. But at least now Reynolds and his crew where here, where he could see them. He’d just have to take care of the problem himself. --------------------------- Withe might have been less confident of his intentions to take care of things had he been aware of a pair of cold blue eyes watching him. Eyes that held no hint of mercy, or forgiveness. Eyes that belonged to a man who wanted nothing less than to see Withe squirm in agony for the attempt on Zoe, not to mention Jenkins’ attempts, and thoughts, on River. Jayne watched the man he considered his enemy walking to the office, and thought for a moment about visiting the building himself. But he had promised, and he would never break a promise. Not to her. With a sigh of regret, he lifted his comm, and called Mal. ------------------------- Mal watched thoughtfully as Withe stormed away from the plant office, anger evident in his walk. He obviously didn’t like what he’d been told. Mal turned to his assembled crew, waiting for instructions. “Let’s go.” He, Zoe, Jayne and River climbed aboard the mule, and Zoe eased the vehicle away from the ships, following Withe at a discreet distance. River would warn them if Withe caught on to their being behind them, and Jayne was ready for any ambush that might happen. “I don’t want anyone making a move till I say, Jayne,” Mal ordered. Jayne put on his hurt face. “Why you always gotta call my name when you say that?” “Mostly cause it’s only you has a mind to go off on his own and cause mayhem and destruction. The keyword in this little covert operation is covert. I don’t want any trouble with the local law as can be avoided. Dong ma?” “He won’t be no trouble,” Jayne groused, but relented under the glare Mal threw his way. “Fine,” he huffed, and River giggled softly. “Gently, Jayne,” she said quietly. “He must think of all of us.” “Yeah,” Jayne mumbled, and she squeezed his arm affectionately. ---------------------------------- Unaware that he was being followed, Withe drove his mule along, fuming. Harwell had made it clear that there was no work for him or the others, nor was there likely to be. Reynolds had stood by him when they had not, and he needed dependable transport for his goods. Yet another issue that Ball and Jenkins would blame on him. If only Reynolds hadn’t stayed on! Or Zhang hadn’t underestimated him! Everything would have been fine by now. But things weren’t fine. Not at all. And likely to get worse. Withe admitted to himself that the gambit was lost, now. There was no way they’d ever get work from Harwell. The manager had all but said that he knew what was happening. There were few other places on the moon that could provide off-world shipping work, and none with the regularity of Guilfords. Withe had a contingency, of course. He’d hoarded enough money to fuel his ship, and provision it. With that he could take off and seek work elsewhere. But, he swore to himself, he’d damn sure settle with Reynolds, and Harwell, before then. --------------------------- “Angry,” River muttered, sensing Withe’s thoughts. “Defeated, but want’s vengeance. On us, and on Harwell. Plans to leave afterward.” “He shoulda planned to leave before,” Jayne noted grimly. This time, Mal nodded in agreement. “That he should.” Withe pulled off the main road twenty minutes later, onto a small back road that looked little used. Zoe carefully followed, working to keep from raising dust. With River along, it wasn’t necessary to keep him in sight to follow him. “Slowing,” River told her after five minutes or so. “Not far, now.” Zoe nodded, and pulled the mule off road, out of sight. They quickly covered the vehicle, and set out on foot, following River’s directions. After fifteen minutes of hard walking, River held up a hand, and they froze. She stood still for a moment, head to the side, as if listening to something only she could hear. Which, in effect, she was. Finally she pointed. “Other side of the hill,” she said softly. “Many minds. Including the lawman,” she added. Jayne almost smiled. Almost. Stealthily the four crept to the top of the small rise, and looked down. In the small hollow sat a tavern, of sorts. Several vehicles were around the place, including a mule they recognized as Withe’s. And one marked as the Sheriff’s. Mal took a small pair of binoculars from his jacket, and surveyed the scene. River had been right. Many minds. There were at least twenty people visible around the small building. Three were arguing heatedly. Withe, Ball, and Sheriff Grippen. “Well, now,” he muttered, passing the glasses to Zoe. “How ‘bout that?” ---------------------------- “Jenkins is dead,” Grippen snarled at Withe first thing. “Found on the docks this morning. No sign of his crew.” “We. . .” Ball started, but Withe cut him off with a glare. “That ain’t our doing,” Withe told the Sheriff. “I want to know what’s going on, Withe,” Grippen snarled. “I played along with all this after Zhang cause you told me you’d make it worth my while. I’m wondering, now, how you aim to make good on that.” “We’ll do it,” Withe nodded confidently. He was an accomplished liar. “How?” Grippen pushed. “Ain’t gotta share the work with Jenkins, now, for one,” Withe told him flatly. “Told him not to go off like that, but he always was a hothead. He had his eye on that merc’s little gal. You know how he gets.” Grippen nodded. “Likely he ran into the merc, then,” Grippen said thoughtfully. “Might be I can persuade the folks on Astra that he’s the likely suspect.” “That’d be good,” Withe nodded. “Meanwhile, it’s time we took care of Reynolds’ once and for all. Then we can get things back like they used to be. Only better,” he added, smiling at Grippen. The sheriff didn’t smile back. “No more screw-ups, Withe. I’m warning you now. And nothing is to happen out Guilford’s either. Had more’n enough of that with Zhang and his crew. I can’t have no more of it. Dong ma?” Withe nodded. “Wasn’t planning on nothing like that anyway,” he lied smoothly. “Just gonna make sure Reynolds don’t make no more runs, that’s all.” “I better be seeing some worth my while outta this ‘fore long, Withe,” Grippen warned. “Don’t even think of backing out now.” “Ain’t,” Withe assured him. “Need you on my side,” he added with a friendly wink. Grippen snorted. “Mind what I said about Guilford.” With that the lawman walked away. Ball watched him go, then looked to Withe. “So what are we gonna do?” he asked. “You do what you want,” Withe shot back. “I aim to rid the world of Malcolm Reynolds, and then hightail it away from here. Ain’t no work coming our way from Guilford’s, no matter what. That fool Jenkins fouled that up good and proper. We’re done.” Ball looked at him. “I ain’t got the fuel to get nowhere, ‘cept maybe Astra,” he objected. “Then that’s where I’d go, was I you,” Withe was unsympathetic. “Or you can stay. Makes me no never mind.” With that he stalked off to find his crew. Ball watched him leave, realizing for the first time what a mess he was in. ---------------------------- “Guess that answers the question ‘bout the Sheriff,” Jayne grumbled softly. “Guess it does,” Mal nodded. He looked at River. “Albatross, you manage to get any of that?” “Withe intends to hurt us,” she said quietly, “then run. Grippen told them of Jenkins’ death, and now intends to tell the Astra authorities that Jayne is the likely candidate.” She looked at Jayne, apology in her eyes. He shrugged. “Suits me,” he told her. “But it was me who. . .” “None o’ that,” Jayne hushed her. “And he ain’t called ‘em yet.” He looked over her head at Mal. Mal considered that. He hadn’t called. And he was a threat. And Jayne would only hold back for so long. Better, he decided, to have the big man under some control, than to lose all ability to direct his actions. “Him first,” he said finally, committing himself. He’d known it was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier. “Might be we can turn the others against him with this,” he went on, thoughtfully. “How’s that, sir?” Zoe asked. “We tell Grippen that Withe killed Jenkins on account of Jenkins was leaving. And that he told us that Grippen was gonna tell the authorities on Astra that Jayne did it, hoping we’d take care of him, too.” “Might work, sir,” Zoe said after a minute. “Worth a shot.” “Jayne?” Mal asked. Jayne looked annoyed. “I already told you, Mal,” he said with exaggerated patience. “You’re the boss. Long as River ain’t in danger, I’ll play it however you want. Why you gotta keep acting like I don’t never do what you say?” River took his hand in hers, and squeezed. “I don’t mean it that way,” Mal surprised everyone. “I just want to make sure you’re okay with this. I don’t need you to go all. . .Shade, on me.” Jayne’s face froze for a second, and Mal fought the urge to swallow. “Am I really that bad?” Jayne asked suddenly, his voice suddenly uncertain. River looked up at him, but discovered that his blocks were firmly in place. “Zhang? Boom?” Mal prompted, smiling in spite of himself. “Blue Hands? Do I need to go on?” “Fine,” Jayne huffed, his momentary lapse now gone. “What you want me to do?” “We’ll just go on into town, and have us a little chat with the good Sheriff.” ----------------------------- Inara walked into the galley, surprised to find Butler Tarrant sitting at the table. “Ma’am,” he nodded politely. She smiled. “Just Inara, Mister Tarrant.” “Call me Goldie, then,” Tarrant smiled. “Everyone does.” “Alright, Goldie,” she nodded. “How are you liking things so far?” “Good job,” he replied, finishing his meal. “That Kaylee is something else. Never saw anyone with that kinda touch that hadn’t been to some school or other.” “She’s gifted with machinery,” Inara agreed with a nod. “She’s kept this ship flying when it shouldn’t have been possible.” “She’s made more modifications than I’ve ever seen,” he laughed. “This boat is probably faster than it was new.” “She’s done a lot with a little,” Inara laughed lightly. “You’ll be aboard the Companion, correct?” He nodded. “Well, I expect you’ll soon be changing things there to suit you.” “Not likely,” he grinned. “I’d be out of my depth, and know it. Sides that, Zoe would likely object,” he added, smiling. Inara didn’t miss the way Tarrant spoke Zoe’s name. “Well, she’s not that bad,” Inara told him. “And I’m sure she’ll make a fine Captain. Jayne and River aren’t the kind to follow blindly, and they love working her crew.” “Well, I don’t mind working her crew,” Tarrant assured her, just a little too quickly, Inara thought with a secret smile to herself. Ah ha! Her matchmaking sense kicked into overdrive. “I don’t think I’ve thanked you for what you did for her, by the way,” Inara smiled sweetly. “I don’t like to think what might have happened if you hadn’t come along.” “Well,” he shifted slightly, “Jayne and River showed up right after I did. I imagine they’d have sorted it out quick enough.” “I’m sure they would,” Inara nodded confidently. “They’re a very formidable pair. But Zoe might have been injured in the mean time. She’s my friend. And Mal’s longest friend. And not everyone would have intervened like you did. So thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Tarrant said back, more to cover his embarrassment that any thing else. “Glad I could help.” “And I’m glad you decided to work with us for a while,” Inara went on. “We needed another engineer, since Kaylee will stay groundside for the most past now that we have two vessels.” “Well, I was looking for work, and you had it,” he smiled. “Worked out fine for both parties.” “Yes,” Inara nodded. “How did you like working for Zoe? On the trip over I mean.” “She’s good people,” Tarrant said evasively. “Didn’t see much of her, of course. Kaylee and I spent most every waking minute in the engine room, or on the systems. She was trying to get me up to speed quick as possible.” “She is good people,” Inara agreed. “I like her,” Tarrant surprised himself. “We spoke a little here and there. She always seemed a little withdrawn, sad like. But I enjoyed talking to her.” He was blushing, Inara noted with silent glee. “She is often sad,” Inara said somberly. “Or perhaps reflective is a better word.” “Kaylee mentioned her husband was killed some while back,” Tarrant told her. “Didn’t mention details,” he added at Inara’s raised eyebrow. “Wash, Zoe’s husband, was our pilot at the time. Probably the best pilot anywhere. He made this ship do things it shouldn’t have been able to do. Saved our lives more than once doing it. He was killed almost two years ago, in a Reaver attack. It hit her hard. They were a very close, and happy, couple.” Goldie considered that. Was she warning him not to pursue Zoe? “I’m not trying to warn you off,” Inara said, as if reading his mind. “In fact, just the opposite. I’ve seen how she looks at you, and how you looked to her before agreeing to take the job. You can’t tell me there’s isn’t an attraction there, Goldie.” “She’s a beautiful woman,” Goldie said before he could stop himself. “Strong, tough. Wasn’t afraid in the alley way, either. She’s got sand.” “She does that,” Inara said firmly. “She’s still healing. It can’t be easy on her, seeing the rest of us in relationships. She’s becoming restless, I think. Which means she’s healing.” “So I need to make sure I don’t hinder that?” Goldie asked. “Or get caught in a regret type of thing?” “Not at all,” Inara told him flatly. “Zoe isn’t the type to act impulsively, or rashly. And I don’t think you’d hinder her, or I’d say so. What I’m saying, I guess, is that I think you just might be good for her, if things happen to develop between you. Just take it slowly, okay? She’s still feeling her way. Don’t try to move too fast, or be discouraged if it takes a while.” “Why are you telling me this?” Goldie asked. “I mean, no offense, but you don’t know me from Adam. How do you know what I might do or not do.” “I’m not stupid, Goldie,” Inara smiled. “And I have great confidence in Jayne. If you were a threat, he’d never have given Zoe and Mal a chance to hire you. And I’m a decent judge of character myself, in all modesty. I’ve seen that look in your eyes before. Let me guess. You and Zoe ‘connected’ somehow. Am I right?” Goldie’s stunned look was answer enough. “How could you. . .I mean I haven’t said a word about. . .” “Like I said, I’m a decent judge myself. I know it because it was the same way the first day I met Mal. A spark. It was electric. I told you I’ve seen that look before, and I have. In my own eyes, looking back at me from the mirror.” “You’re right,” he nodded after a minute. “We shook hands, introducing ourselves after things were done. I thought she’d zapped me with something,” he grinned. “And I think she did, it just wasn’t mechanical.” “Just remember what I said, Goldie,” Inara smiled, rising from her seat, and placing her tea cup in the sink. “Take it slow. Give her time. She’s worth it.” “I already knew that,” he assured her. “And Inara? Thanks.” Inara nodded, smiled, and headed back for the bridge. Leaving Butler Tarrant thinking very hard about things. Very hard indeed. ----------------

---------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Nineteen You know it by heart, but. . . .I own none of the rights to Firefly etc., and make no money from this labor of love. -------------------------------------- As they rode into town, following the sheriff at a discreet distance, Jayne was silent, lost deep in his own thoughts. River glanced at him carefully from the corner of her eyes. ‘What troubles you, my love’, she projected to him, and he glanced at her. ‘Just thinking’, came the reply. Mal was, as yet, unaware of the bond the two had discovered, and they had no plans to reveal it anytime soon. But it was a good way for them to communicate privately, no matter where they found themselves. ‘Thinking will get you in trouble’, he heard her singsong voice in his mind, and grinned in spite of himself. “What’s funny, Jayne?” Mal asked, noticing the look. “Nothing, really,” Jayne answered. “Just enjoying the ride, Captain.” Mal looked at the gun hand questioningly, but let it pass. ‘Nice cover’, River complimented. ‘He’s just too easy, is all, Jayne smirked back to her mentally. This time River giggled. “Okay, what’s the big joke?” Mal demanded. “You two playing footsie back there or something?” “No Ba ba,” River replied sweetly. “Just laughing at Jayne ‘enjoying the ride’.” “Whatever,” Mal rolled his eyes in surrender. ‘Nice cover’, Jayne threw at her, and she smiled. ‘What are you thinking’? she asked again. He pondered that for a moment. ‘Am I as bad as Mal seems to think’? he thought to her, hesitantly. ‘I mean, really? And does it bother you?’ ‘Captain Daddy fears you, Sean’, River thought back. ‘He can’t help that, anymore than he can help his fear of me. And I do not see you the way he does. Rather he cannot see you as I do’. ‘But does it bother you’? his thoughts pushed back, insistent. River realized then that Jayne was really worried about this. ‘Love you, Zhang fu, more than anything in the ‘verse. How can I be bothered by you, when you are the man who has my heart’? She felt him relax slightly at that, but the worry was still there. ‘I don’t want you looking at me, thinking of me, like he does, that’s all’, his thoughts returned to her. ‘I don’t think I could bear it, Angel’. ‘You needn’t worry, my love’, she assured him. ‘I will never see you that way, nor fear you. You are my love, and always will be. Remember what I told you. There will never be another. We are meant to be, you and I. We would have found each other no matter what’. He relaxed further at that, but River couldn’t help be concerned at his uncertainty. It wasn’t something she was used to from Jayne. ‘Sorry’, she ‘heard’ him say. ‘I just, all of a sudden, was afraid that you might. . .I mean that you would. . .’ ‘Fear you’? she asked, smiling for him to see. ‘I will never fear you, Sean. I have no need. You are my mate. My possessive, jealous, growly Alpha Male, and I love you with all my heart. More, I know that you love me the same way. I have no need to fear you, and never will. Others may, but never me. With you I will always be safe’. He sighed at that, and she felt the uncertainty slip away. She reached out for his hand, squeezing softly. He squeezed back gently, looking into her eyes. -------------------- Grippen, it turned out, was going to his office. Probably to send a wave to Astra about Jayne. He was exiting his mule as Mal and company eased in beside him. “Afternoon, Sheriff,” Mal nodded politely. Grippen looked like a deer in the flood lights for a moment. He glanced at Jayne, who returned the look with frosty indifference. “Reynolds,” Grippen nodded back. “Don’t often see you get to town.” “Don’t often make it this far,” Mal agreed. “But needed to talk to you, so here we are.” “Talk to me?” Grippen repeated. “What about?” “Well, something happened a few days back on Astra, and being as it may have a bearing on you, thought we’d share it with you.” “That so?” Grippen asked, his eyebrows raised. He glanced again at Jayne. “Yep. Seems ole Jenkins got hisself dead on Astra. Fact being, he was killed at the docks, not far from his ship, I hear tell. Thing is, our mutual friend Mister Withe saw fit to tell us, just a little while ago, that you figured on fingering Jayne here for it.” Grippen gaped. “Think he figured we’d ride on in here and take offense to that, likely cause you some problems of the more permanent variety. Thing is, that just ain’t how I do business. And,” Mal added, “it so happens that it ain’t true anyway. Fact is, I’m fairly sure that Withe did it. We saw Jenkins on Astra, and he claimed he was leaving, gettin’ shut of Withe for good. Only next thing you know, he’s dead, and a ship what looks an awful lot like Withe’s is breaking atmo.” “Is that a fact?” Grippen’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds mighty convenient for your man, there,” he nodded toward Jayne. “Well, if’n he was the guilty party, I’d agree. Thing is, we were all on board ship at the time, waiting for our innocs against that flu bug they had goin’ round. We didn’t even know Jenkins was still on planet, till the port authorities started asking around.” “Still sounds mighty convenient,” Grippen replied. “Your man is more likely to have done for Jenkins than anyone else, considering. . .” Grippen trailed of, realizing he’d slipped up. “Considering?” Mal asked innocently. “Considering what?” “Just thinking aloud,” Grippen tried to cover his mistake. “Known fact that your man ain’t much on talkin’. And Jenkins had a thing ‘bout women,” he looked pointedly at River. “Are you saying that Jenkins made threats on my crew, and you knew and didn’t tell me?” Mal asked, allowing anger to show. “I ain’t aware of any threats,” Grippen blustered. “Just statin’ the facts as I know’em to be.” “Well, you consider this, then,” Mal said sternly. “Withe just ratted you out to us, knowing as well as you do how unlike Jayne is to ‘talk’. Yet here we sit, telling you the unvarnished truth, rather than actin’ as Withe no doubt thought we would.” Mal looked at Grippen for a moment, then continued. “Like I said before, Sheriff, we ain’t lookin’ for trouble. Me and mine work hard, and tend to our own affairs. And that don’t include doin’ dirty work for the likes of Withe and his ilk. But just cause we won’t, don’t mean someone else won’t, Dong ma? So best you take care dealing with him. Ain’t tellin’ ya how to go about your business, just passing along a warning is all.” “Just cause you’re the neighborly kind,” Grippen said sarcastically. “Cause I want to be, yes,” Mal nodded. “I ain’t looking for trouble with you, nor is Jayne. We just want to go our way, and do our jobs. Trying to make us a place in the world, no different from other folks. I don’t like someone trying to play me like Withe is, and I conjure you ain’t the kind to appreciate it neither.” “Anyway, I wanted to tell you that, and warn you to be on your guard. But you got nothing to fear from me. Mister Harwell says he’s known you a long time, and that’s good enough for me. You take care, Sheriff.” Mal looked to Zoe, and nodded. She started the vehicle and eased back onto the road, heading for home. Grippen stared after them for a long while, then went inside his office. ---------------------------- “Well, ‘tross?” Mal looked at River once they were out of Grippen’s sight. “He is worried,” she smiled. “Confused. Will not call Astra. At least not now. Wants. . .wants to see what happens,” she said, uncertainly. “He thinks he may have gotten caught with his finger in the cookie jar, but wants to make sure one way or the other before acting.” “Well, that’s all we were hoping for,” Mal nodded. “Buys us some time, anyway.” “Some,” River nodded. “What now?” Jayne asked. “Now we see about dealing with Withe and Ball,” said Mal, his voice firm. “I’m tired of this hangin’ over us, and I want it to stop.” “Need to try and find someone on Astra can tell us if the authorities issue a warrant on Jayne,” Zoe observed. “And find an attorney there to represent him, and us, if the need arises.” “Conjure Harwell can help with that,” Mal said quietly. “Need someone there anyway. Might start picking up a few runs coming back. Make a little extra coin here and there.” “Yes sir,” Zoe nodded. Jayne, meanwhile, was worrying again. What if Grippen did call Astra? He didn’t like the idea of submitting to an arrest. But there was no way he’d let River be taken into custody, even if that meant having Simon sedate her until he confessed to having killed Jenkins himself. In jail, she’d be beyond his protection. The Blue Hands could swoop in and take her before anyone knew it, and she’d be gone. He’d never let that happen. ‘What are you thinking, Zhang fu’, he heard River’s voice in his head. ‘That I love you’, he replied honestly. She smiled and squeezed his hand. Jayne smiled back as if nothing was wrong. -------------------------------------

It was a long ride back to the ship. Once they arrived, Jayne pulled Mal to the side. “What is it, Jayne?” Mal asked in some annoyance. “Got things to see to.” “I need you to promise me something,” Jayne said quietly. “Don’t like making promises not knowing what they are,” Mal said testily. “Look, Mal,” Jayne frowned. “I don’t ask you for much. Think you can spare me a minute or two here?” Mal’s attitude mollified at that. It was true Jayne rarely asked for anything these days. He nodded. “I don’t know how this is gonna play out,” Jayne told him. “Could be I wind up gettin’ pinched for Jenkins’ death.” “You didn’t. . .” “If it comes down to me takin’ the fall, or River going to jail, then yes, I did. And I’ll confess to it. I won’t let her be taken, Mal. Once she’s locked away, even for a short time, she’ll be vulnerable. Damn Blue Hands will have her and be gone before we can think it.” “What I need from you is a promise that you’ll do whatever it takes to keep her from running in and telling the truth, if things come to that. Dong ma? And that you’ll. . .keep an eye on her, after I’m. . .after. Will you do that for me?” Mal was stunned. Of all the things he’d expected, this wasn’t on the list. Thinking about it, he wondered why it hadn’t been. “Let’s worry about that when the time comes,” Mal tried to temporize, but Jayne wouldn’t be put off. “No,” he shook his head. “And if I get killed, you swear I killed Jenkins’, you hear? Promise me, Mal. Please?” When Mal didn’t answer Jayne frowned. “Don’t make me lay this at Inara’s feet, Mal. It ain’t right. But I will do it, if I have to. I know that you’ll do it if you promise me you will. Always been a man o’ your word, ever since I knowed you.” Mal had frowned himself at mention of Inara, but as he listened, he realized how important this was to the big man. “I swear, Jayne,” Mal looked him in the eye. “No matter what, River won’t go to jail. I’ll do things the way you want, if there’s no other way.” Jayne seemed to relax all at once. “Thanks, Mal,” he said quietly. Mal looked at Jayne closely. “Conjure that’s a powerful love, Jayne,” he risked saying. “So much it scares me,” Jayne admitted, his face serious. “I can’t imagine life without her.” “Come a long way since you met,” Mal smiled, and Jayne grinned. “Yeah,” he nodded. “Mostly her doin’. I can’t remember how life was before, nowadays. And I’d be like to curl up and die was something to happen to her.” More like someone else would die, Mal thought. He had a recurring nightmare where something happened to River, and his gun hand went on a killing spree. It was enough to give him gray hair. Not that he needed that worry to give him gray hair, as there was plenty to worry about. “I’ll take care of her, Jayne, worse happens. I give you my word,” Mal offered his hand, and Jayne took it, grateful. “Thanks, Captain,” Jayne replied, formality back into place. “Rest easier knowing that.” With that, the two walked on into the ship, no one the wiser to the agreement between them. -----------------

----------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Twenty As always, I remind all and sundry that I own none of the rights to Firefly. ------------------------ “Everybody clear on what’s to be done?” Withe looked at the men around him. Three were from his own crew, and six more were hired thugs. All nodded in the affirmative. “Remember, Reynolds has got a gunhand, and he and that soldier girl ain’t no slouches either, so take them first if you can. But I want all of ‘em dealt with. If’n you can catch the women, keep’em. They ain’t important, so long as the job gets done.” “And the plant?” one of his own men asked. “We’ll take care o’ that,” Withe nodded. “Reckon a good fire will light the place up allright.” The assembled men grinned at him in the fading light. Withe nodded again in satisfaction. He knew they’d go for the deal, once he threw the women in. “Let’s go, then,” he ordered. “Want to get there right after dark.” ------------------------------ Jayne was outside, hiding in a good spot where he could see approaching trouble. He didn’t know what was coming, but he could feel trouble. It would be tonight, he knew. He’d warned Mal, before slipping outside and taking up a watch. Mal had likewise informed the guards around the plant. He’d also ordered Simon and Kaylee to stay on ship tonight, rather than in the small apartment over the infirmary. Jayne looked up sharply as a slight movement caught his eye. He relaxed when he saw River ghosting up beside him. She wrapped herself around him, warming herself against the chill of the night with his body. “Missed you,” she said softly. “Wondered where you were.” “Waitin’,” he shrugged. “Something’s out of place, just can’t put my finger on it.” “Feel it too,” she nodded. He wrapped an arm around her, feeling to make sure she was wearing her armor. She smiled softly. “Promised,” was all she said, and he smiled back, kissing her forehead. “That you did,” he agreed. “I will watch with you,” River said, slipping her rifle off her shoulder, and settling in beside him. “Sounds like a plan,” he nodded. Together the two resumed the watch. ------------------ Mal was sitting in Serenity’s cargo bay, trying to relax. Jayne’s warning had struck a nerve, and he was keyed up. If Withe was planning on leaving, then he would be likely to hit them quickly, and run. Tonight was as good a time as any. Zoe and Tarrant were aboard Companion, watching and waiting just as he was. Tarrant was an unknown quality in his mind, but Jayne had reassured him on that point. ‘He’s good, Mal,’ Jayne had said. ‘Really good. Fast as a lightning bolt, too.’ If Jayne was satisfied, then so was he. And Mal hadn’t missed the looks passing between Tarrant and Zoe. He didn’t know if that meant he was being more observant these days, or if they were just so obvious even he couldn’t miss it. Mal had mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, it looked as if Zoe wasn’t being true to Wash. Deep down he knew that was just silliness talking, but still the thought persisted. On the other hand, though, it was good to see Zoe looking more alive. She’d been withdrawn in the time since Wash had died, and Mal had worried many a night over his oldest and dearest friend. Maybe this was a sign she was coming out of that shell she’d built around herself. And Tarrant was completely different from Wash, aside from his blond hair. Bigger, stronger, completely different background. So there wasn’t much chance she was just seeing Tarrant as a substitute for Wash. It wasn’t really any of his business, anyway, he reminded himself, other than to make sure Zoe didn’t get hurt. And really, that was all he cared about. Zoe was old enough, and smart enough, to make up her own mind without any guidance from him. He smiled, remembering how he’d tried to prevent her and Wash from getting together. Zoe hadn’t taken kindly to that at all. Mal had protested that he was only looking out for her. Zoe had thanked him for his concern, then punched him. Hard. His jaw had ached for a week afterward. So this time, he had promised himself, he’d keep his mouth shut. He’d almost wrecked his whole crew a while back, jumping to conclusions about romantic entanglements, and he’d sworn never to do it again. And he meant to stick to that. “Copper for those thoughts,” Inara broke his train of thought. He looked up to see her standing beside him. He hadn’t even noticed her walk in. “Ain’t worth it,” he smiled back, and she settled in beside him. “Cool tonight,” she remarked, drawing her shawl closer. He hugged her to him. “Yep,” he agreed. “Be winter ‘fore long, I expect. Harwell says most winters are passin’ mild in these parts, though. Once this trouble is behind us, we’ll look to get another house, or else build us one of our own.” “That’d be nice,” Inara smiled. “It was good to have a place to call home that didn’t move.” “Never thought I’d say it, but I agree,” Mal nodded. “I miss it too. I’m sorry things worked out the way they did.” “Not your fault, Mal,” Inara told him. “This wasn’t your doing. You have done all you could to avoid trouble of this sort, and more than most men would have. It was just a house, and it can be replaced. It’s the people that matter. Nothing else is important.” He looked at her proudly. He was a lucky man. “I love you, woman,” he said softly, hugging her tightly. “You know that, right?” “It’s still nice to hear,” she murmured, lifting her head to press her lips lightly to his. “Well, I’ll make it a point to say it more often,” he promised as their lips parted. “Good.” ---------------------------- Barum Ball had never been accused of being overly smart. Despite having managed to have his own ship, and make a passing stab at making a living from it, he’d just never been the brightest bulb in the room. But he knew that, and he figured that made his smarter than some might think. Right now, he was smart enough to know he was in trouble. He’d let Withe lead him into a hornet’s nest. Now he was stuck, without enough funds to get away, except to Astra. He didn’t figure that was far enough. He needed enough to get him clear out of the system, and tide him and his small crew over until they could find something somewhere else. Anywhere else. The last thing he wanted was to be here if that merc of Reynolds’ survived whatever Withe was planning. With that in mind, he had waited until Withe and his men had departed, and then went aboard the other’s ship. Heading toward the bunk Withe used, Ball entered and began looking. He knew that Withe wouldn’t trust anyone on his crew with his coin, so whatever he had, it would be here. He didn’t feel the least bit bad about what he was doing, either. Withe had led him and Jenk both into this mess with promises of coin to be made. And then left them hanging. He knew Withe hadn’t called Jenk to warn him about Reynolds’ other boat being inbound. If he had, Jenk might be alive right now. Ball didn’t really feel bad for Jenk’s loss, but it was whatever he’d done that had stirred Reynolds’ bunch up. Likely had to do with that girl. Ball shook his head at that. Never had met a woman he thought was worth that much trouble. He opened a drawer under Withe’s desk, and there lay a small leather bag. Ball picked it up, gauging it’s weight. He opened the sack, and was rewarded with the sight of platinum. Several hundred, if he was any judge. “Thanks, Withe old buddy,” he smirked softly, pocketing the bag. He eased his way back off the ship. He’d taken two steps off the ramp when the voice stopped him. “Evenin’ Ball,” Grippen said quietly from the shadows. “Sheriff,” Ball stammered, wondering is Grippen was watching the ship for Withe. “Seen Withe?” Grippen asked, as if answering Ball’s question. “Nope,” he shook his head. “Just went onboard to look for him, but no one’s about. And that’s a mite odd, being as he never leaves his boat unguarded.” “You wouldn’t be puttin’ one over on me, now. Would you?” Grippen’s voice was too friendly. “Not me, Sheriff,” Ball assured him. “Maybe ain’t the smartest around, but I’m smarter than that.” “Suppose you prove that by telling me where your buddy is, then,” Grippen ordered. “I’d imagine he’s on his way to Guilford’s place,” Ball replied without hesitation. “He was planning on doing in Reynolds, and maybe Harwell too.” “Told you all that, did he?” Grippen demanded. “Not in so many words,” Ball replied. “But he took on several thugs over to Jovy’s. Told ‘em he wanted men who didn’t mind the sight o’ blood, nor an odd bit o’ fire settin’.” “Cuttin’ off his nose to spite his face, is he?” “He ain’t planning to stay,” Ball told Grippen bluntly. “Says our bolt is shot here, and he’s takin’ out soon’s he gets ‘even’, as he put it.” “Leavin’ huh?” Grippen’s voice was mild. “What he says,” Ball told him. “Said I was on my own. Came over to try and talk sense to him, but he’s gone. Likely doin’ whatever it is he’s plannin’. Don’t know that he’s over there, just sayin’ Guilford’s is the most likely place.” “So you leavin’ too?” Grippen asked. “Can’t,” Ball shrugged. “Ain’t got no way to go. Not enough fuel, and not enough coin to get any. I’m here, like it or not. Still kinda hopin’ to get back in with Harwell, despite everything.” “Well, you see Withe, tell him I’m lookin’ for him,” Grippen said suddenly, and turned to go. He stopped after a few steps. “And Ball?” “Sheriff?” “You can’t lie worth a damn.” --------------------------------- Jayne was just starting to feel comfortable when he heard it. It was just a small noise, one that most people might have ignored. Or not heard at all. But Jayne was not most people. He knew that the metal on metal sound was out of place in the still of the night. He turned to River, only to find her alert, rifle in hand. ‘I heard it’, her voice came to him. ‘Go and tell the others’, he told her. ‘And be cautious. We don’t know where they are, or how many.’ She nodded, and slipped away silently. Jayne turned his attention to the ground before him. The ‘yard’, as they referred to the area to the front of the landing pad, was fairly well lit, but various crates, boxes, and equipment provided ample shadows that would serve to hide an enemy. Jayne himself was hidden in a cluster of such crates. His ears straining to catch the slightest noise, he scanned the area for movement. He smiled faintly as he saw a figure scurry forward, dropping behind a crate. They had no patience, whoever they were. He knew they likely worked for Withe, but that didn’t mean that Withe himself was around, or that the men were from his crew. But I might get lucky, and see him, he thought. He raised Vera to his shoulder, sighting the crate where the shadow had hidden. ‘The others are aware’, River told him. ‘We are ready.’ ‘Wait for them,’ he thought to her. ‘No count yet, could be few, or many.’ ‘I’m guessing few’, her thought came back clearly. ‘Withe will not waste money on hired help.’ She was likely right, he nodded to himself. ‘Of course I am’, he could almost hear her giggle. ‘I know. Genius.’ He smirked back, shaking his head. ‘And don’t forget it,’ she teased. Jayne allowed himself another second to wonder at the link between their minds, then settled in. He had only seconds to wait. The figure rose again, and scurried closer to the pad. Jayne allowed him to get almost to the next cover, then opened fire. Vera spoke, and the running figure stopped running, clutching his chest as he fell to the ground. Suddenly the night exploded in gunfire. Jayne counted at least seven muzzle flashes, though none so close as the man he’d shot. ‘One down,’ he pushed his thoughts to River. ‘At least seven more,’ he added, sighting on one of the muzzle flashes and firing again. He was rewarded with a loud yelp of surprise as the heavy round burst through the crate, showering the hidden gun man with splinters. Another figure ran forward, and this time there were no splinters, as Jayne put a bullet in the man’s head. He felt River’s presence behind him, and heard the familiar chugg of her silenced rifle. Another assailant fell. That was three down, at least four to go. Mal had alerted the security guards around the plant that something might happen, and the three men on duty were all inside the plant. Gunfire from that direction told Jayne that someone was making a run at the facility. He hoped the guards were up to defending it. River’s rifle hissed again, and he heard the mental chagrin as her target ducked back just in time to avoid a head shot. Jayne was ready as the man peeked back around, and his own bullet caught him. It wasn’t a killing shot, Jayne noted, but it should keep him still for the time being. Idly, Jayne wondered how Mal was doing. ----------------------- Zoe and Goldie had slipped outside as soon as River had warned them trouble was coming. Taking a position from behind some nearby machinery, the two watched and waited. Night fighting wasn’t something that could be done in a rush, or without care. It was too easy to mistake friend for foe. “Look,” Goldie hissed, pointing toward the factory. “Three men, just past that pole light.” Zoe spotted the men, and nodded. “Mal told the guards to stay indoors if shooting started,” Zoe noted. “So they aren’t friendly. Probably,” she added with a grimace. “Don’t think so,” he agreed. “They’re watching the plant, not the gunfight. You wait here, guard the ship. I’ll just slip over and say hi.” Before Zoe could object, Goldie was gone, disappeared into the night. She watched him go, anger starting to rise, until she realized why he had acted so. He wasn’t trying to protect her, or tell her how to do her job. He was just better at this than she was. She smiled ruefully at that. Goldie had disappeared in less than five steps. Just melted away into the dark. She knew she wasn’t capable of that. And he’d known it too. With that thought, she turned her attention back to the gun battle. She knew roughly where Jayne and River were, but roughly wouldn’t cut it. So she gathered her patience, and waited. ---------------------------- Mal resisted the urge to charge outside as he listened to the sound of gunfire rattling around him. Jayne and River were both in a better position than he was, and he new better than to go charging out into a night fight. No sense in his getting shot by his own people. Especially when those two were likely to hit him in the head or heart. He could see Zoe in the dim light from Companion, but again fought down the urge to join her. His place was here. They’d agreed that someone would guard each ship, while the others fought the battle outside. His job was to watch over Serenity. That didn’t make waiting any easier. --------------------- Goldie fought the urge to smirk as he slipped up behind the first man hidden in the shadows. His knife in hand, he grabbed the man from behind, and ran the blade along his throat. The surprised attacker had barely a second to realize his predicament before Goldie finished him, and lowered him to the ground. Cleaning his blade on the dead man’s shirt, Goldie surveyed the scene before him. The remaining two men were steadily exchanging fire with the guards inside the plant. He’d have to be careful not to get shot by the ‘good guys’. Easing deeper into the shadows, he began to work toward his next target. -------------------- Jayne and River had now accounted for four of the seven men trying to hit the ships. There were at least three more, though Jayne was sure one was wounded. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t another one out there somewhere. He looked at River. ‘Three more before us,’ she pushed the thought toward him. He nodded. ‘At least four others, still,’ she added. ‘Goldie has downed one, and is working his way toward another.’ ‘Any idea where the fourth is?’ he queried. ‘Know he is there, but faint,’ she replied. ‘Watching. Waiting.’ He nodded. That would be Withe. River nodded, catching his thought. ‘I’ll take these three’, he told her. ‘You watch for that fourth one.’ She nodded her assent. Knowing that she would find the hidden Withe quicker than he could, Jayne would concentrate on those to their front. One of whom chose that moment to expose himself. Vera boomed again, and the count was one less. ----------------------- Withe bit back a curse as his plan came apart. He hadn’t counted on anyone being outside except for those guards that Harwell had hired. And he hadn’t expected any trouble out of them. Somehow Reynolds must have known he was coming. Damn him! He debated on whether or not to run. His crew were all here, though, some likely dead already. He couldn’t fly his ship alone. Or could he? Once in the black, he could head to Astra, likely hire a new crew. Then he would be able to get out of the system, and leave this colossal blunder behind him. With that thought in mind, Withe began to withdraw. He could be in the black in an hour. ------------------------ ‘He runs,’ Jayne heard River in his mind. ‘Let him,’ Jayne surprised her. ‘Protect the ships, and the plant. We get the chance, we’ll deal with him.’ River nodded, pleased with Jayne’s attitude. She had feared he would run after Withe. ‘Made you a promise,’ she felt his annoyance. ‘Won’t break it, not to you,’ he added. She glowed with that knowledge, even as she cut down another of the men facing them. Promise to her was inviolate. Her Jayne always kept his promises. -------------------- Goldie had taken another of the men attacking the factory, but the third had seen him. And got off a shot at him. He held his free hand over his wounded shoulder to staunch the blood flow. It didn’t feel too bad, but there was a lot of blood. He needed to get this guy quick, before he grew too weak. He levered himself up from his resting place, only to duck as a shower of bullets rained around him. He was taking fire from the guards as well as the bad guys now! Swearing under his breath, Goldie worked his way around behind a large tractor, hiding in the wheel well, while trying to figure out where the last target was hiding. He heard a whisper of sound to his right, and turned just in time to see his intended victim flying at him, knife in hand. Acting on instinct alone, Goldie threw himself backwards, bringing his own knife up in his bad hand. There was a satisfying thunk as the blade sank home, but he felt a sharp fire across his chest, and knew that his assailant had also found his mark. Now bleeding from two wounds, Goldie checked his attacker for a pulse, but found none. His strike had done it’s work. Now if he could just make it back to the ship before he passed out. He was nearly there when his legs grew watery. He managed to gasp out Zoe’s name before the ground came up to hit him. And then the world was black. ---------------

--------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Twenty One Author owns no rights to Firefly or. . .why do I keep writing this when you already know it? ----------------- Jayne watched the area in front of him closely. He and River had accounted for all he could see, but how many more men were there? He looked at her, eyebrow raised in question. ‘No more’ he ‘heard’ her say in his mind. ‘All who faced us are down, one still lives but is wounded. Goldie has. . .’ The voice broke off. “Goldie is injured,” she told him openly. “Come, we must get to him quickly.” Jayne raced after River, already running to the last place she’d sensed Goldie’s presence. They found him face down, blood already pooling around him. Jayne quickly gathered his old comrade in his arms, and started for Serenity. “Go and tell Simon,” Jayne grunted. What the hell did Goldie eat, anyway? River nodded, and ran ahead. Jayne made a few more steps and Zoe was at his side. “What happened,” she asked, her voice showing her concern. “Ain’t rightly sure,” Jayne grunted. “Looks like a gunshot on his shoulder, and that’s a knife slash ‘cross his chest. He’s lost a good bit o’ blood. River’s gone to get Simon alerted.” Zoe nodded, not wasting anymore time or breath on questions. Simon was waiting in the infirmary, along with Inara, who often assisted him when things went sour. Which, unfortunately, was often these days. “Get him on the table, Jayne,” Simon nodded, already gloved and gowned, as was Inara. Jayne gingerly laid Goldie’s still form on the table, and stepped back. His own clothes were now bloody, but he ignored that. He’d been bloody before. “Gunshot to the shoulder, knife to the chest,” Jayne informed him. “Slash wound, not stabbed, but he’s lost a lot of blood.” Simon nodded, already working to staunch the flow of blood. “Okay, we’ve got it,” Simon said tersely, his normal tone when working on a patient. Jayne and River left at once, heading back out to secure the area, but Zoe hovered. “Zoe, you really shouldn’t be in here,” Inara said softly. “It’s not something you’ll want to see, I’m sure,” she added when Zoe’s piercing gaze fell on her. Zoe stood for a moment, hovering on arguing, but Inara’s words, and intent, sank in finally. The warrior woman nodded, her eyes asking Inara to let her know when they knew. Inara nodded in affirmation to the unspoken question and Zoe left, walking slowly out of the infirmary. Her feelings were in a tangle, she knew. On the one hand, Goldie was a member of ‘her’ crew, and she was responsible for him. And he had been wounded defending ‘her’ ship, and their livelihood. On the other hand were her feelings for the man himself. Butler Tarrant. He wasn’t an enigma, like Jayne had been. Just a former soldier, like she was. A man who had seen a great deal in his life, and not only survived, but came through the stronger for it. And, if she was honest, was a very good looking man. She’d been lonely without Wash, but her feelings for her late husband had kept her from seeking out any sort of companionship. Her feelings for Wash would never die, never fade, but his memory had, a little. And the pain that struck her so often when she remembered him was growing less with each passing week. At first she’d felt guilty about that. But River was right. Wash would not want that. He’d want her to live, even if he hadn’t. She knew that she would have felt the same way, had the situation been reversed. She wouldn’t have wanted Wash to go through the rest of his life alone, with nothing but her memory to keep him warm, keep him company. When she’d met Tarrant, there had been an undeniable spark between them. She’d felt it even if he hadn’t. Something almost electric had passed between them. His touch had been as shocking as a live wire in Kaylee’s engine room. And she had seen the same look in Tarrant’s eyes. He might have recognized it, or might not, but he’d felt it, none the less. And now he was lying in the infirmary, hovering near death if she was any judge. How unfair was that? How unkind could the ‘verse be? she wondered. “You okay, Zoe?” Mal’s voice broke into her train of thought. “Fine, sir,” she nodded, stoic formality sliding firmly into place. “Got a man down, is all.” Mal nodded. “Simon’ll see to him. Jayne and River are policing the action,” he told her. “Jayne thinks at least one is still alive, but for how long he don’t know. River says Withe was along, but lit out when things didn’t go so well. He’s likely hitting atmo by now.” “Orders?” Zoe asked stiffly, trying to force her worry aside. “Just waitin’,” Mal shrugged helplessly. “Harwell’s on his way, already notified the law. We’ll have to host that damn Sheriff Grippen again, I conjure. All we can do is let it play out.” “I’ll be with my ship,” Zoe nodded. “All my crew are off, so someone has to stand the watch.” “I’ll let you know,” Mal said softly. Zoe wondered, as she walked the short way back to the Companion, if Mal meant about Goldie, or the Sheriff. -------------------- “Well, lookie here,” Jayne said, standing over the one survivor of the attack. The man looked up at the big gunman, and grimaced. “Need a doctor,” he gasped out. “An’ that’s a right shame, too,” Jayne nodded. “Seeing as how he’s so busy working on a friend o’ our’n. A friend that your pals laid up. Might be so busy that you die in the meantime.” “You can’t just let me die,” the tough whined. “Ain’t right!” “Look at me close,” Jayne growled. “See any concern about lettin’ you pass on my face? I’m the one what shot you, hundan. Think I meant to just wing ya?” The tough paled at that. “Reckon I’d be more amenable to helpin’ ya, was you to tell me who it was hired you, and where I might find him. If,” Jayne added with an ugly smile, “I was inclined to look for him.” “Don’t. . .don’t know what yer talkin’ ‘bout,” the man on the ground gasped out. “Just got caught up in the fight s’all.” “Uh huh,” Jayne grunted. “Just happened to be out here, shootin’ at me and mine, in the middle o’ the night, all on your lonesome. And just happened to run into a buncha others wantin’ to do the same, I conjure.” The man didn’t answer that. There wasn’t any point. “Get me a doctor!” he exclaimed again, instead. “How ‘bout I just put you outta your misery, instead?” Jayne asked, drawing his knife from his belt. “Seems like a more fittin’ thing to do, from my point of view.” “Withe!” the man didn’t quite yell. “Withe hired us! Wanted to kill you all, and set fire to the place! Paid us, and promised us your women if we could take them alive!” Jayne’s eyes hardened at that, and the man realized that he’d been a bit too forthcoming. “I wasn’t aiming to. . .” he tried to hedge, but Jayne wasn’t buying. “Like hell,” he snarled. His hand was moving when another voice spoke. “Jayne,” River’s voice was soft, but carrying. She’d ‘felt’ the coldness surround her lover. The blackness that meant that his hidden alter ego was loose. Jayne’s movements stopped, but he didn’t back away. His eyes were so cold that the man beneath him shivered. “Jayne,” River said again, just as softly. “Do not. There is no need. Not like this.” Jayne still didn’t move, and River was afraid that even she would not be able to stop him. ‘We want this to be our home, ai ren.” she pushed the thought at him. ‘We cannot take a step like this, and expect to be accepted here. We have defended ourselves, now we must show restraint. Do not do this, bao bei.’ Jayne withdrew. Slightly. River sighed in relief as the darkness surrounding him brightened somewhat. “‘Spect the law’ll have use for you,” he said flatly, laying the knife away. “Just you lay here, and try not to die. If the doctor ever gets where he’s got a minute, and I can remember that long, I’ll tell him you need to see him.” With that Jayne stalked away, leaving the man lying on the cold ground, trying to stop the blood streaming from his shoulder. He tried to get up, but that voice stopped him. “I wouldn’t,” a woman’s voice said from the darkness. “He spared you for now, but knows no forgiveness. Or mercy. Stay down, stay quiet, and you may yet live.” He sank back to the ground. He didn’t want to get up so bad anymore, anyway. ------------------- Simon worked feverishly. Butler’s wounds would not have been so serious had he not lost so much blood. And, Simon hadn’t known his blood type. He’d started plasma right away, and then used one pint of Universal O-negative type blood to help try and stabilize the man. He’d type his blood as soon as he could. The shoulder had been relatively easy. Remove the bullet, repair the damage, and sew it closed. The slash wound, though, was more problematic. The problem with knife wounds of this sort was the clean-cut edges around the wound. There was little to work with, and the cut was deep. Had, in fact, been a good deal deeper than first inspection had revealed. It had nearly been mortal. It wasn’t the first knife wound Goldie had ever gotten, Simon noted in abstract. His body was cris-crossed with old wounds, much as Jayne and Mal were. That wasn’t really surprising. He was a friend of Jayne’s, after all. “Simon?” Inara asked quietly. “It’s a bad wound,” he grunted, working. “Went deep. Very deep. I’ve repaired the damage, but now I’ve got to double stitch it. With a wound this deep, surface stitches aren’t sufficient. What a mess,” he added, more to himself than Inara. “Will he make it?” Inara asked. “Maybe,” Simon was non committal. “If we can get him stabilized. His blood loss has put a strain on his system. If we can keep him from going into shock, then he should be okay. Won’t be working on any engines for a while, though.” “But he’ll recover?” Inara pressed. “If he lives, then yes. He should recover fully.” Inara wished she hadn’t asked, now. ‘If he lives’ wasn’t something she wanted to tell Zoe. ------------------- Withe was almost to his ship when a familiar voice stopped him. “Goin’ somewhere?” Withe whirled at once, hand dropping to his gun. Grippen shot him as he turned. Withe hit the ground hard, a slug in his abdomen. Grippen walked over to him, kicking the ship owner’s gun away. “Told you not to go over to Guilford’s, didn’t I?” Grippen growled. “Told ya not to even think o’ backing out of our deal, didn’t I? And here on the same day, you go and do both.” His head shook in mock exasperation. “That just ain’t no way to do business, Wit,” he said, looking down. “Now here you are, all shot. See what happens when you cross me? Bad things happen.” “G. . .go t...to hell,” Withe managed to gasp. Grippen smiled at that. “Well, as you’ll be gettin’ there first, be sure and save me a good spot,” he said, and raised his pistol. Withe never felt the bullet. ------------------------ “Funny how trouble seems to keep popin’ up around you, Reynolds,” Grippen said, eyeing Mal sharply. “Used to be a nice, quiet little place, here.” “Conjure that went south ‘fore we dropped in,” Mal replied evenly. “Seein’ as how we was struck upon within the first hour we landed. And then as did it hadn’t followed us here, neither.” “I allow for that,” Grippen nodded in agreement. “Wasn’t your fault what happened then. But since? Things has been a bit noisy with you around since then.” “Ain’t our doin’, and you well know that, Sheriff,” Mal shot back. “We look after what’s our’s. That’s all.” “Look after in a mite permanent way, I can’t help but notice,” the Sheriff observed, as bodies were being trucked away from the plant grounds. “Sheriff,” George Harwell said, stepping around Serenity from where he’d been listening. “How are you?” “Fine, Mister Harwell,” Grippen nodded, recovering quickly. “Just trying to get a handle on what happened. Was telling Reynolds here that his bunch seem to have brought a good bit o’ violence to our fair home.” “That’s a load, and you know it, Grippen,” Harwell dropped his forced nicety. “Malcolm Reynolds has done nothing, nor has his crew, that hasn’t been in defense of themselves, or myself and those who depend on me for work. Something,” he stressed, “I might add, that you weren’t able to do.” Grippen’s face reddened at that. “Did what I could about your difficulty, Harwell,” he growled, also dropping the false amenities. “You got no right questioning that.” “I have every right, Sheriff,” Harwell smiled. “I’m a voter, taxpayer, and business owner. And I’m tired of this foolishness. I don’t know if you were in on Zhang’s plot against me or not, and don’t really think I want to know.” He eyes narrowed. “But I’m giving you notice, right now. Any more ‘incidents’ that are beyond your ability, and I’ll be taking the problem higher. Is that clear? Whatever you’re doing, I don’t expect it to involve me, or my people, in the future. And ‘my people’ include Captain Reynolds, and his crew. His entire crew. I trust I make myself clear?” Grippen looked apoplectic. George Harwell was a powerful man, well connected in the planetary government. The Sheriff had been surprised that he hadn’t called for help in dealing with Zhang. He might have, had it not been for Reynolds. “You got no call to threaten me, Mister Harwell,” Grippen blustered. “Nor interfere in my obligation to do my job. Laws against it, in fact.” “There are laws against corrupt officials, as well,” Harwell shot back, unfazed. “I don’t know, for a fact, that you are one. But listening to your little tirade against my ship owner and his crew, when you know damned well what happened, makes me wonder. Wonder a great deal, in fact.” “That’s a harsh charge to be makin’ against a man for doing his duty,” Grippen snarled. “I’m only tryin’. . .” “Enough,” Harwell raised a hand. “I’ve made no such charge, yet. If your persecution of my shippers continues, I will ask for an investigation, however. Have in fact already made a record of everything that’s happened in the past year, and forwarded it to a trusted friend, just in case anything ‘untoward’ should happen to me. If you take my meaning,” he added. Grippen was furious. But he hadn’t been Sheriff so long by being stupid. He knew his ‘office’ couldn’t bear any close scrutiny by the planetary judiciary. And he knew Harwell had the connections to make such scrutiny happen. “Ain’t no call for threats,” Grippen grated out as politely as possible. “Like I said, just doing my job. Speaking on which,” he turned to Mal, “I owe you a thanks for that information on Jenkins. Turns out you were right. It was Withe that did him in. At least according to their partner, Ball.” Mal started at that. “Glad to be of help,” he nodded, to cover himself. He was glad George had heard him say that, seeing as how it meant Grippen couldn’t use it against them later. It also meant that he wouldn’t have to keep his promise to Jayne. “Well, I’d better be goin’,” Grippen nodded. “Got that one to talk to about his boss. Won’t matter much, I expect. I got enough from Ball to arrest Withe on sight when I see him, and hold him for Astra. Be seein’ you.” Mal watched the Sheriff walk away, wondering just when they’d see him again. -------------------

------------------- Long Road Home – Chapter Twenty Two Not mine, not being paid, no infringement intended. ------------------ Zoe sat in the lounge outside Serenity’s infirmary. Jayne and River were aboard the Companion, and River had told her pointedly that she should be on Serenity. ‘No point in denying that you have feelings for him, Zoe,’ the little assassin had told her bluntly. ‘Go. Danger is past, and Jayne and I will be here.’ So Zoe had gone. Simon and Inara were still working when she’d arrived, so she took a seat in the lounge to wait. Now, waiting, she again tried to sort out her feelings. She was too old and wise to call it love at this early stage. But there was no denying the attraction between them. Butler Tarrant was a man. Had taken out three attackers with just a knife, even after being wounded himself. Despite the hardness of that act, there was also a softness there. Zoe had seen it, felt it, whenever she spoke with him. Tarrant wasn’t so cold as Jayne, nor so dark. Hadn’t likely lived the kind of life Jayne had, she knew. True, Jayne had a soft side, but no one ever saw it except River. The little psychic had the key to Jayne, and she wasn’t sharing. But Tarrant’s softer side didn’t need unlocking. It was always there, whenever she looked at him, or spoke to him. It wasn’t weakness. No one who had done what he’d managed to do during the battle could be thought of as weak. It was simply another side to him. One she had to admit she liked. A lot. That’s what it was, she nodded firmly to herself. She liked him, that’s all. She was still assuring herself of that when she drifted off to sleep. ---------------------- Zoe awakened to Simon shaking her shoulder gently. “Zoe,” he was saying. She straightened. “I’ve done what I can,” he told her bluntly. “The wounds weren’t so serious, except for the blood loss. I’ll have to keep a close eye on him for a day, to make sure his system doesn’t go into shock. I’m giving him blood slowly, so his system doesn’t shut down.” “So he’ll make it?” Zoe fought to keep her tone professional. “If we can keep him stable until his system recovers, yes. He’ll be fine. Like I said, the next day or so will tell. Why don’t you get some rest?” “Can I see him?” Zoe blurted, and Simon blinked. Hard. “Simon,” Inara said quietly. “You should rest, at least some. I’ll watch for a while, and call you at once if anything changes.” She guided him toward the passenger dorms. “Go and rest, Simon. Goldie may need you again.” Simon nodded finally, and went. Inara watched him out of sight, then turned to Zoe. “Go on in,” she smiled faintly. “He’s so heavily sedated that he won’t know you’re there, but you will. Go on. I’ll hover here at the door, just where I can see the monitors, but not hear. If you wanted to say something, I mean,” she added. Zoe nodded her thanks, not trusting herself to speak. She rose, straightening her jacket, and crossed to the infirmary, where she stopped. Tarrant lay on the table, tubes and wires running back and forth. Blood and plasma fed slowly into his arms, and various monitors provided information on his vital signs and body systems. Slowly she entered the room. Looking down at his peaceful face, Zoe wondered what she should do. Or say. How could she be so. . .she barely knew the man! What was she doing in here? The thought almost drove her away, but just then Goldie moved. It wasn’t much, but it affirmed that he was alive. She sat down on a stool next to his bed. Of it’s own volition, her hand reached up to stroke the yellow hair away from his forehead. “Damn fool,” she muttered. “Running off and nearly getting yourself killed like that. Should know better, a man your age. With your experience.” She felt a tear slip from her eye, and wiped it away angrily. “I don’t need you, or any other man, watching out for me, dong ma?” she told him tersely. “Been doing right fine watching out for my own self. Ain’t no ‘girl’ to be set up on a pedestal and kept safe. I’m a grown woman. Been a soldier, and now I’m a ship’s captain.” Tarrant didn’t move. Inara had mentioned the sedative he was under, and Zoe knew he couldn’t hear her. But she needed to say these things, and it was better, she figured, that she said them now. Get them out of the way. “Next time you get the need to feel all heroic, you just get over it, instead of sneaking away and nearly getting yourself dead. You hear me? You work for me, don’t forget. That means I tell you to do something, you do it.” She smiled at the words, realizing she sounded like Mal. “God help me, I even talk like him now,” she muttered. “No more of this, Butler Tarrant. And don’t you dare die. You can consider that an order.” On impulse she leaned down and kissed his exposed forehead. Then she rose, and walked out of the infirmary. Oddly, she felt better. Behind her, Butler Tarrant slept on, unaware of his visitor. When Inara walked back in to check on him, though, she could have sworn he had a faint smile on his face. Odd. ----------------------- River watched as Zoe left Serenity, returning to Companion. The struggle of emotions in her was strong, and River sighed. Poor Zoe. So confused. “What is it, baby girl?” Jayne asked at once, hearing the sigh. River smiled gently at the concern in his normally gruff voice. “Zoe,” she replied softly. “Feel her pain, her confusion. Wish I could help, but she must do this alone.” “Well, Goldie’s tough,” Jayne commented, placing his arm around her gently. “He’ll pull through.” “It’s not just that,” River looked up at him. “She is unsure of herself. Unsure what to do, and it’s not a feeling she is used to. She feels a pull toward him, but cannot completely escape feelings of guilt.” “About Wash?” Jayne asked. River nodded. “Can’t blame her for that,” Jayne observed. “Her and Wash were close. Soul mates I always thought.” “Not quite,” River frowned. “I think that’s part of the problem. She loved Wash unconditionally. But Wash wasn’t comfortable with Zoe’s choice of jobs. And all too often, jealous of the relationship between her and Ba ba.” “Mal and Zoe?” Jayne looked at her in wonder. “Nah, can’t be.” “Wasn’t,” River assured him. “But the heart can’t help who it loves, and Wash was a bit insecure about it. Zoe wonders now if she’s being untrue to him by moving ahead.” “That’s. . .” Jayne started, then trailed off. River looked up at him again, eyes shining. “Yes,” she said simply. She knew that if something happened to her Jayne, she would have trouble ever moving on. “I. . .” Jayne tried again, but finally shook his head in frustration. “Me too, my love,” River leaned against him. “Me too.” The two of them stood like that for a very long time. It had been a long road, but they were home. Home at last. ------------------ Sheriff Grippen was at his desk, looking over the cortex alerts. He was still fuming at the way things had gone at Guilford’s. He’d been intent on forcing Reynolds off world, getting rid of him once and for all. Maybe even arresting that merc of his for Jenkins death, and shipping him off to Astra. Now that was just off. No way he could touch Reynolds without pissing off Harwell. And Harwell had made it plain that he’d like nothing better than stir up a damn hornet’s nest all over the local sheriff. And he had the clout to do it with, too. Worse, he’d used the damn Jenkins murder to throw both men off, and now he’d admitted in front of Harwell that Ball, who had departed for parts unknown, had told him Withe was responsible for Jenkins demise. So he couldn’t use that against Reynolds without stirring up Harwell’s wrath. Damn! He had to get control of this situation! He couldn’t let this get away from him. It would undermine the authority he used to keep the riff raff in line, and ensure a steady flow of income into his pockets. He’d been perusing the cortex all the while he was thinking. Suddenly he saw a familiar face flash by. Backing up, he studied the picture. It was a young woman, really just a girl. Why did she. . . “Well, I’ll be dipped,” Grippen muttered to himself. It was the merc’s little woman! It wasn’t a criminal warrant, he noted sadly, but a bounty poster. Quite a bounty, too, he realized with raised eyebrows. Man could do a lot with that kind of money. Grippen sat back in his chair, mulling over his newly discovered options. Interesting. Mighty interesting. ---------------------------- Simon was in the infirmary when Goldie groaned. The bigger man’s eyes fluttered briefly, then opened slowly. “Well, Mister Tarrant,” Simon smiled. “Welcome back.” “Were’ve I been?” Goldie mumbled. “Don’t recall leavin’.” “Well, you didn’t. But your were injured pretty badly. Lucky for you, there’s an excellent doctor in these parts.” “Really? Shiny. Love to meet him.” Simon laughed at that. “I think you’re going to be okay, Goldie,” Simon turned serious. “You lost a good deal of blood, and had a nasty cut across your chest wall, but you’re out of danger. My greatest fear was that you’d go into shock. I managed. . .” “Doc, that’s all really interesting,” Goldie interrupted, “but I’m starvin’. Reckon I could get something to eat while you go over all this?” Simon smiled. Yes, Goldie would be just fine. Shouldn’t have been a surprise, he decided. He was a friend of Jayne’s, after all. ----------------------- Goldie was just finishing up his meal when he felt a presence. He looked up to see Zoe Washburne standing in the infirmary door. Watching. “Hi, Cap’n,” Goldie smiled. Zoe didn’t smile back, and his own faltered. “You don’t look happy to see me all awake and feeling better, Cap’n,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “Something I said?” Zoe didn’t answer, but she did almost grin, which was an improvement. She walked into the room and over to his bed. “You like to died,” she finally spoke. “Well, it wasn’t that. . .” he broke off at her glare. “Don’t,” she ordered. “I ain’t no girl to be comforted by lies. I know what I saw.” “Well, I’ve had worse,” Goldie told her. “Not lately, I admit, and not much. But I have. I’m a tough old bird.” “Don’t do it again,” she ordered tersely. He looked at her for a long time, searching for something. What he didn’t know. But when he saw her eyes, he knew then. “Do my best,” he nodded seriously. He snaked out a hand and took hers in it. She let him. “Do my best,” he repeated, and was finally awarded a smile. ----------------- Word of Goldie waking traveled quickly, and soon the crew were drifting in and out of the infirmary, wishing him a speedy recovery, and bringing food items and luxuries. Zoe stayed with him for a while, then eased away as the others began to drift through. Goldie didn’t ask her to stay, though he wanted to. Inara had told him not to push. He wouldn’t. “She needs time,” River told him, seeing his eyes follow her from the room. “Give her that time. She’s worth it.” “Second one that’s told me that,” he groused. “Is everyone around here of the opinion that I can’t figure that out on my own?” “You’re a man,” River giggled. “Need instruction on these things.” “How much instruction you give ole’ Sha. . .Jayne?” he sneered good naturedly, and cackled at River’s blush. “Had to pursue him,” she admitted. “Hard to convince.” “You’re kidding me,” Goldie’s jaw dropped. “You had to convince him? I’d have thought it’d be just the opposite!” “See? You obviously need help in these matters,” River’s own laugh was gleeful as well, as Goldie had just proved her point. He grinned. “Point made,” he nodded. “And I’m patient.” “Good,” River nodded, and left him to ponder. --------------------------------------- The two Blue Sun agents read the message together. The Tam subject had been spotted, positively identified. The larger of the two looked at the astrographic image. “A great distance,” the smaller noted. “Small surprise she has not been spotted in sometime.” “Agreed,” the larger nodded. “She still has the large one,” he noted, looking to his comrade. “This is a dangerous man. It is the same man, I am sure of it.” The smaller sighed. This again. “Very well,” he reluctantly said. “We will make every effort to take him as well. But the Tam subject must be our priority. Agreed?” The larger nodded. “Very well. I suggest that we enlist at least one other team. This mission has a low probability of success without additional resources.” “I concur. Contact them, and arrange a meeting, here,” he pointed to the primary. “From there, we will proceed.” “Agreed.”

------------------

And so another story comes to a close. What a wild ride it’s been. Thank God for Excedrin Migraine. And thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on my work, I can’t thank you enough. There is another story coming in this ‘verse, but likely not until after deer season. I’m a hunter, can’t help it. We southern boys eat red meat, lol. The next story will be up soon as I can, but no promises. If I hit the bag limit early, then I’ll start posting early. Deal? Until then, Happy Reading, and Long Live Serenity.

COMMENTS



POST YOUR COMMENTS

You must log in to post comments.

YOUR OPTIONS

OTHER FANFICS BY AUTHOR

Archangel Forty-Two
The battle ends, for all but one.

Archangel – Chapter Forty-One
Monty arrives, but is it too late?

Archangel – Chapter Forty
The battle takes a turn for the worst, and time begins to run out for defenders.

Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Nine
Things heat up, and not just on Osiris!

Unneeded
Jayne decides to leave after the damage from Miranda is put right.

Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Eight
The Battle Rolls on, and friends and foes alike began to fall.

Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Seven
THe Battle for Osiris is joined

Archangel - Chapter Thirty-Six
The Battle Begins

Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Five
Simon and River reach an understanding, and the crew separates, starting their parts of the mission.

Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Four
The Crew decideds to help. River gets help from an unexpected source.