La Escorpiona/The Scorpion Author: Tinadoll (aka Tina- That’s me!) Setting: After BDM. Rating: R to NC-17. Spoilers: Yes.

Author’s note : Thank you all for reading my fic-Only a few chapters left(two at the most). Previous warnings are still in effect. No beta. Just me trying to write as best i can. Please comment- it helps me get motivated.

Chapter 24/25: My beloved life.

“They aren’t going like that you very much in your new life,” the ghost that was Jubal Early said. He was lying on the bed, with a look of triumph. Shepard Derial Book appeared out of the closet. He wasn’t wearing a Shepard’s cloak but the armor of an Operative. He took out a gun and fired several shots into Early’s torso. Thus killing whatever that was.

She didn’t flinch.

She actually felt relieved that Jubal was finally gone. She finally spoke: “Sucks to be him,”

“Indeed, as the good Lord says: “An eye for an eye”. He was evil, and he has paid for it. Now you do what you think is right. I have planted the seed and you are the one nursing the sapling. Read the book. I’ll always be here.” He said and then he disappeared.

She went back to her wave and he was no more.

“Captain Reynolds, she started. “Here are something’s you may be interested in. Yea. I know. Freedom isn’t free. But don’t mind me while I go take the bull by the horns again. See you ‘round the verse,” she said as she sent it along with copies of all the data she received. She wanted to say something else and a flash of bacl curls came into her mind. And a smile a sweet and intelligent smile. “And you can’t stop the signal…”. She turned off the wave and was smart enough to send the notes encrypted and under the radar. Stupid Alliance morons.

You’re never going to know what hit ya.

*** On Serenity, Captain Mal, sulked in the now empty pilots chair when the wave came through. He was surprised- nay, shocked to hear from her. Then he saw what she had sent and hollered for Zoë. Action. Browncoats unite.

*** Proximity alert.

“He’s here…” the Scorpion noted.

The bath she took was longer then she expected. She clothed herself in a traditional silk kimono. It’s white and has multicolored flowers on it. She does her hair in a braid that sweeps over her left shoulder and she goes and sits in a chair and quietly reads her bible. She has figured out that her favorite part is the Book of Revelations. Death to the wicked.

There was a knock on her door.

“Enter,” she said calmly and very lady-like as she put the marker in the Bible and set it aside.

He entered, of course and presented her with flowers. There was something about this man that halted her breathing and froze her blood.

“I thought we were meeting planet side,” she said, breezily.

“I couldn’t wait,” he said, as he gently touched her jaw line. She didn’t flinch but kept her emotions to herself. Something within her felt at ease, perhaps she wanted this life. Perhaps she could love him.

She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

**

She was again on Serenity; she saw she was lying down on the medical bed in the Infirmary. Her hands and feet were tied.

Jayne, of people, was standing there waiting for her. He didn’t seem like the same old Jayne that she missed. Yes, the clothes he wore were that of Jayne Cobb but his demeanor was different. He seemed to have an air about him and she didn’t like it.

“What do you want, Cobb?” she grimaced through her bonds. “Why have you invaded my brain?”

She snarled at him and struggled to get free. He approached her and bent down and planted one of the most passionate kisses on her lips. It was tender and approprite. She looked deep into his blue eyes and he smiled at her. His beard that he was regrowing,scratched her a little.She didn’t mind. She wondered- This wasn’t Jayne… who was it? She had never been the participant of something so moving.

She was flabbergasted.

“Hope,” was all he would say before she opened her eyes back to reality.

**

Jayne dropped Rivers arm with a start.

“I hope you’re happy, girl.” He said sadly and more even more annoyed.

“Yes, I am.” River said smiling.

** She broke the kiss as soon as she opened her eyes.

She started to cry, which completely undid West. He embraced her, as happy as happy can be.

“Take me home,” she said, whispering into his ear.

She meant to Serenity, but he didn’t know that.