I don't normally do this... but I really need to hear from you all! I'm begging, please comment so I can know what's good and bad! ********************* Firefly, Serenity, and all related proprietary characters are the intellectual property of Joss Whedon and corporations with whom I have no affiliation. Said property does not belong to me, and the fictional story below is of my own creation. (I don’t own ‘em, just like to play with ‘em!) ********************** “Albatross, why do you think you need to pack your things?” Mal looked at her with a curious expression, afraid he already knew what she was going to say. River didn’t disappoint him. “She is not to be trusted, and the standard punishment for mutiny is execution.” River’s voice changed to mimic Mal’s. “You know, I hear tell they used to keelhaul traitors back in the day. I don't have a keel to haul you on, so...” Jayne’s face went white at the memory of nearly being spaced, but no one else besides Mal knew the reference, and River changed back to her normal voice. “She disobeyed when she didn’t let you all out of your bunks the first night. Even if you’ve decided not to kill her, and even if the others wanted her to stay, you should be throwing her off the ship the next time we land. She wouldn’t want to delay your departure because her things were not packed and prepared to leave.” Mal frowned at this. “Nī zi, you’re not getting left anywhere, and we ain’t executing nobody. ‘Nara an’ I are gonna be your parents now, how could we?” Mal glanced around the table; everyone was looking at something other than him or River. “I know this ain’t exactly how I do things usually, but since everyone here has been affected by this incident, and some may have differing opinions on an appropriate punishment, I wanna hear from everybody ‘fore I make up my mind how we’re going to resolve this. Doc, you’re first.” Simon scratched the back of his neck, then looked at River. “Mèi mei, you could have caused a real disaster. What if you had a bad day or got sick while we were all locked in our bunks, and nobody could get out and help you? I’m very disappointed in you. I recommend a week of solitary confinement in her bunk and no meals with crew, and six months confinement to the ship after that. Oh, and banning her from the bridge unless accompanied by a crew member.” Mal leaned back in his chair, slightly baffled. “A week of solitary, Doc? I was goin’ crazy after two days, and I had ‘Nara with me. But I guess that’s your opinion, and I asked. Kaylee?” Kaylee looked very confused. “Cap’n, I know River did wrong, but I don’t know if she should be punished. She didn’t know any better, and nobody got badly hurt.” Simon looked at Kaylee like she was crazy. “Nobody got hurt? Bǎo bèi, did you forget the part where you, Zoë, and Inara are pregnant because she swapped the ship’s contraceptives supply with water?” Mal decided to interject. “Be that as it may, Doc, it’s still Kaylee’s choice. You sure about this, Kaylee?” Kaylee looked at Simon and shrugged, then at River. “Well… if River wanted there to be babies in our family, I think she should take care of them. I suggest permanent baby-sitting duty for whenever one of us needs a break until the kids old enough not to need one.” “Not entirely unreasonable, but we might need to tone that down a little. ‘Old enough not to need a babysitter’ is probably gonna end up bein’ around twelve to fifteen years, which to my mind is an awful long time. Your turn, Zoë.” Zoë didn’t look at River at all. “Whatever you decide, sir, your judgment is sufficient.” Mal shrugged, not really surprised. “Ok then, Jayne?” Jayne had been cleaning his fingernails with one of his knives, and looked up at Mal. “Oh, it’s my turn? Well, can’t say as I’ve been ‘ffected as much as the rest of you, but I still think she ought to do somethin’ to make up for everythin’. Book had a word for that, umm, 'pentrice' or somethin’?” Inara winced internally. I really need to work with him, or he’ll drive River insane. “I think the word you’re looking for is 'penance,' Jayne. It’s what Christians do after they have committed a sin to show they are sorry.” Jayne nodded. “Thanks, ‘Nara. Ya, she ought to do “penance,” maybe do extra chores or some such for a couple weeks. Like Kaylee said, she didn’t really know it was wrong when she did it, and solitary confinement seems a bit harsh now that I’ve done it. I wouldn’t wish that on nobody, ‘specially not a friend. And well, she’s my partner, so’s if she ain’t around to go on jobs, I’d be worried. Kinda got used to her bein’ there when I need help, seein’ as you seem to get shot at quite a bit and I have to save yer sorry ass when ya do.” Mal scowled at Jayne. “Let’s stay focused here. I can’t help but wonder if the fact that she just said she loves you has had any effect on your wanting to minimize her punishment. And when we’re done here, we’ll be having a discussion about that subject, and if you aren’t on your best behavior for the duration, you’ll be standing in the airlock when we do. That said, and River’s disturbingly odd interest in you notwithstanding… Inara?” Inara seemed to stare at River for a long time before she spoke. “Ever since you joined this ship, everyone has almost always treated you like a little girl, a child. It should come as no surprise to us that you might act like a child sometimes. You may have the intellect of someone twice or three times your age, River, but in many ways, your childhood got put on hold when you entered the Academy, and you have not developed the social skills that you need. With your birthday coming up in a few weeks, you’ll be turning eighteen, the age of adulthood and responsibility. It isn’t fair, but you need to use this time to catch up, so to speak. If you want to enjoy the privileges of being an adult, you need to undertake the responsibilities as well, which include understanding the rules of society, and accepting the consequences of your mistakes. Do you want to be an adult, River?” River looked at her feet for a moment, then back at Inara. “She does wish to be an adult, but she needs help. Listening to everyone else here has shown her that you are right; she is not ready to be an adult yet. She can’t ask you all to help her, not after what she did. That would be wrong, rewarding bad behavior.” Inara smiled towards River. “Assisting you to become an adult has nothing to do with your prior actions, except to teach you which ones you should repeat and which ones you shouldn’t. Admitting that you need help is a sign that you are beginning to mature, River. Helping you become an adult is something that I think everyone on Serenity should take a large part in, beginning immediately if they are able, and is quite separate from any punishment that might be handed out for the wrongs you have done. Having said that, I believe an appropriate punishment would be a week confined to your bunk, but people would be allowed to visit for a few hours each day if they chose to do so, as well as confinement to the ship except to go on jobs and extra chores for six weeks thereafter.” Mal noted Inara’s suggestion and looked around the table. “Anyone have anything else to add, or change their mind? No? Alright then, River, do you have anything you wish to say before I decide?” River wanted to cry very badly, but she didn’t think it would help. Unable to look Mal in the eyes, she looked at her feet instead. “She just wants to say again that she is very sorry, and that she knows she can’t really make it up to any of you. She’ll do whatever you want, and if she does wrong again, she fully expects further punishment, but please, please, please, don’t use her safe-word to punish her! It’s worse than the needles and the drugs and anything else on this whole ship. Tie her in a chair, dope her, put a bullet in her brainpan, push her out the airlock, anything. Just don’t use that word unless there’s no other way.” Mal put a finger underneath River’s chin. “Albatross, I want you to look at me.” River looked up, her eyes glassy; she knew she was going to cry if she didn’t stay focused. “I didn’t know before today about how bad it hurt you to use your safe-word. We won’t use it anymore, ‘less you’re about to have one your moments like in the Maidenhead. The point of this ain’t to torture you, dŏng ma?” River nodded. “Now, I want you to understand that everyone here loves you, because we are a family on this boat; you were right about that much. But sometimes we need to do things we don’t like because they are important.” Mal looked uneasily around the table before focusing back on the teen. “Here’s what gonna happen. You’re confined to your bunk for the next week. You will be allowed one visitor each day, if that person wishes to spend time in your bunk, and I’ll make a schedule of who can visit which day. Before mealtimes, you will come out of your bunk ten minutes early to set the table, you will eat with us, then you will have thirty minutes to clear the table and wash all the dishes. After you clear the dinner dishes, you will have a four hour shift on the bridge, accompanied by your daily bunk visitor. If we get a job, you will be allowed to join everyone at the table for briefing day before. You may use the shower room only when accompanied by one of the female crew, so plan ahead and be considerate. During this week, you will do anything that any crew member asks of you, without question or argument. You have all that so far?” River nodded again. “Yes, fù qīn.” “Good. Any failure to comply with the above-mentioned rules earns you another two days of punishment. Once you finish your week of bunk confinement, you will regain all privileges of being crew, except for when we’re dirt-side you are only allowed off-ship for jobs, and that applies until all six crew members agree it’s enough. I’d highly suggest that you spend the next week remembering that. Furthermore, after you are released from bunk confinement, you will have septic vat cleaning duty and another four hour pilot shift besides the one after dinner, every day until your birthday. Finally, you will confer with Kaylee, Inara, and Zoë to work out a reasonable arrangement for babysitting duty, and said babysitting takes precedence over any shore leave or free time. Since you wanted this boat to have young’uns, you will help to take care of them. Anything else you want to say for yourself?” River blushed, and everyone at the table noticed because they were all looking right at her. “She… umm… needs to… err… use the facilities, but she does want to say something after that. May she please… umm… go? Or does she need to have an escort?” Mal rolled his eyes, earning a hard glare from Inara. “Albatross, what did you just tell ‘Nara about wanting to be an adult? You can use the bathroom by yourself, you’re not a child. Go on, do what needs doing, then come on back, we’ll wait.” Mal patted River on the head, mussing her hair, and she scampered out of the room towards her bunk. “Anyone else have something to say, while our resident troublemaker is occupied?” Jayne drummed his fingers on the table for a moment, staring at his boots, and stood up from his chair, and walked over to the counter to get a glass of water. “Can’t say that I disagree with the punishment, bein’ that it ain’t really my place, but I wan’ ta say thank you ta ya’ll fer not yellin’ at ‘er. Hard enough on her that she feels it in ‘er head every time someone’s pissed off, ‘specially if it’s her they’re mad at, don’t need people screamin’ at ‘er on top o’ that.” Jayne sat back down to find everyone staring at him. “What? She’s my partner, we back each other up. I feel bad ‘bout what happened, but I expect the rest of ya prob’ly ain’t near as sympathetic, and with good reason. Know how hard it is not to yell at ‘er or be angry when she messes up, but once she knows she’s done wrong, being angry just makes things worse.” Everyone else at the table stopped staring at Jayne, realizing there was truth to what he said. Mal thought the silence was making it awkward, so he decided it was his job to break it. “Well, it’s done now, so Jayne’s right. We should all try to focus on something else, something that doesn’t make us angry. River doesn’t need to have every single person on this boat being mad at her at once, probably suffocating. Maybehaps we ought to revisit our position on her not peekin’ inside peoples’ heads though. Way I understand it, all she feels when she’s not actively looking is strong emotion, but it don’t tell her nothin’ ‘bout why people feel that way. Doc, do I have that about right?” Simon nodded. “As much as I can understand about what they did to her brain from a purely theoretical view, I would say yes, you have the right idea. You think if we encourage River to actively read us when she doesn’t understand an emotion, she’ll get better, socially speaking?” Mal scratched the edge of the table with his fingers. “Can’t say whether it’ll help or not. But if she read my thoughts during the last two days, she might’ve let us out sooner, or at least tried to explain what she thought she was doing. Anyone see any downside to this, other than needing to trust her not to read things when she shouldn’t?” Kaylee looked around the table, searching for an ally who would talk for her, but found none. So she decided she would need to stand on her own. “Don’t know ‘bout the rest of us, but I trust River. She’s my friend, and if she tells me she won’t look at nothing that’s private, that’s good enough for me.” Jayne nodded in agreement. “Remember a while back, she wanted to look at my memories ‘bout my siblings? She practically begged me for permission, said it ain’t right to look without askin’.” Mal glanced around the table for any signs of disagreement and found none. “Reckon we oughta tell her then, so nothin’ like this happens again. Hold on a second, she’s coming back and she’s carrying a bunch of stuff.” The aforementioned teen dropped a pile of bags by the door, keeping one small bag in her hand as she walked to the table. “What’s with all the stuff, bǎo bèi? I already told you once, I ain’t kicking you off.” River struggled to hold back tears. “This is part of what I wanted to say to everyone. I’m really sorry, I messed up, and you all can’t trust me anymore. Sharing your things with me is a symbol of your trust, and I don’t deserve it right now. So until I earn that trust back, I think I should give back the things you all gave me. It wouldn’t be right to have them, at least not until I complete my penance, then maybe I can earn them back.” River opened the bag and started setting the contents on the table. “Jiě jie, these are your jacks and ball. Nǚ zhàn shì, these are your dinosaurs, well ‘little man’s’ really, but I feel like they’re yours too. Gē ge, these are your books. Hù wèi zhĕ and mŭ qīn, I left the things you bought me by the door. And fù qīn, I don’t have anything from you, likely because I never earned your trust to begin with, so I expect I’ll need to work even harder than before to earn it now.” River was slowly losing her battle against those tears. “May I please go to my bunk? If I understand and comprehend, I think I’m supposed to start my penance now.” A reluctant nod from Mal sent her running from the kitchen, and the crew collectively winced as her bunk hatch slammed shut behind her. Mal was completely lost. How did this all go to gŏu shĭ so quick? Everythin’ was all shiny for a couple hours, but then… The captain was startled out of his musing by Jayne getting up from his chair, apparently trying to sneak out to the common room. “Oh no you don’t. Jayne, get back here… everyone else, out! Go do whatever it is you want, so long as it ain’t here. Jayne, pick one—” “Please, ‘Nara?” Jayne hadn’t meant to sound quite so pitiful, but he was not taking any chances on upsetting his most powerful ally. Not when there was quite a reasonable chance Mal might take his anger out on any convenient target, and the hired gun was just that. “Person to stay here as a witness that I ain’t gonna shoot ya unprovoked.” Mal studied the mercenary for a moment, and discovered that the man was actually truly scared. Simon had immediately abandoned the room at the first opportunity, rushing off to the infirmary. Zoë got up and went to the bridge, leaving only Kaylee standing between Inara and Jayne. “Don’t worry, Jayne. Cap’n ain’t gonna kill ya, ain’t done nothin’ but happen to be on his boat. He can’t fault ya for what River thinks ‘bout ya.” Mal twitched a little, irked by the implication that he was not in complete control of his ship. Oh yes, he gorram can… “Run along now, Kaylee. Nothin’ to see here.” Turning to Inara as the mechanic departed for the engine room, he raised an eyebrow in question. “You stayin’?” “Of course. Jayne was polite enough to ask and say please, I see no reason why I should deny his request, particularly when I am not so stringent with other people’s demands.” As always, Inara maintained her outward mask of refinement, her words selected with the utmost care. “Fine then. Sit.” Having realized that last comment was directed at him specifically, the captain recognized it for what it was: a declaration as to who she might support on this particular issue. Mal was in no mood to have an argument with the new mother of his child—children—but he was not about to just let Jayne go off to do as he pleased. Said mercenary became the subject of a very angry gaze. “Did you touch her, tell her somethin’ she ought not have heard? God have mercy on your soul if you did, because I sure as gŏu shĭ won’t.” That nearly got Jayne right back out of his seat, if not for the calming hand of Inara on his arm. “Mal, I swear, I ain’t done nothin’! Ask ‘Nara, she’ll tell ya.” And that was nearly the end of the conversation right there. In an instant, Mal had his sidearm sighted right between Jayne’s eyes. “Now why would Inara have any knowledge of what you have or have not done concerning my daughter? Unless of course today’s little revelation was not something completely new and unexpected for you?” Inara neatly interposed herself between the two. “Malcolm Reynolds, put away your gun. And if you take it out again while we are having this discussion, I will take River somewhere very far away where you will never see either of us again. Then you can explain to the rest of the crew exactly why that happened.” Mal knew from her tone of voice that the former companion was not bluffing, and would in fact follow through on her threat. With an angry glare, he holstered his weapon. “Tell me everything. Right now, every little detail, don’t leave out one word. And Jayne, you best not lie… not even a little one… because I will find out if you are telling the truth, and you know exactly what will happen if you ain’t.” In the next two hours, Jayne pieced together every single moment he had spent with River since the battle on Mr. Universe’s moon, including the night of Lord Harrow’s dinner on Persephone, up until River locked the rest of the crew in their bunks. Inara mostly listened, but added some commentary and explanation where she thought appropriate. Then it was Inara’s turn to speak, and she spoke about everything else that occurred since the funerals, most notably her private conversations with River. It was nearly dinner time before Mal said another word. “So am I to understand that my newly adopted daughter wants to… be courted… by you, Jayne?” Mal was working very hard to keep on an even keel, and had been successful so far. Jayne’s nod in response was short, but confidant, as though he believed he had outlasted the worst of the captain’s anger. “An’ her mother approves?” Inara replied just as Jayne had. “An’ neither of ya left even one word out, makes ya think this ain’t the best of ideas?’ “Aww hell, Mal! It’s the worst gorram idea in the history of the ‘verse. There, I said it. One day, either me or her, one of us is gonna do somethin’ stupid, one of us gonna end dead, and maybe a whole ton of other folk too. I already told ‘Nara this whole gŏu shĭ story, an’ she says River don’t care, long as I ain’t the one ends up dead. An’ all ‘bout how I ain’t good ‘nough for River, but she don’t care ‘bout that neither.” Jayne, tired and cranky from the long day, was straining to remain civil in his words. “But none of it ain’t gonna change the fact that she’s gonna do whatever the gorram she wants, even if ya tell ‘er she can’t. Especially if ya tell ‘er she can’t. An’ I ain’t gonna stand here an’ pretend that I don’t like her, ‘cause I do. An’ if she thinks it can work, who’m I to argue?” “You’re an adult, Jayne. Start actin’ like one. Can’t be indulgin’ in whatever idea crosses yer mind just ‘cause it might be fun.” Mal wasn’t as angry anymore, at least not as much as he was disappointed. River oughta have someone like… like ‘Nara, but her age an’ a boy, of course. Someone who’ll treat ‘er like a lady. “The ‘verse is full of fine female company, Jayne. I’m her father, an’ I think you oughta look elsewhere. Tell River whatever ya have to.” Inara rolled her eyes in disgust. “Mal, you cannot lie to her, she is a Reader. Whatever story Jayne comes up with, she will know it is not the whole truth. So she will start searching for it, and when she finds out, you will have a very unhappy daughter. Maybe not as much at the outcome, but an attempt to deceive River will lose her trust.” Mal resignedly slumped in his chair. “You’re her mother, tell me what to do if you think you know better.” “It is not about who knows better, or what you or I want, Malcolm. It is about what is best for our daughter, and the two of us need to decide what that might be together.” Inara got up from her seat and walked behind the captain, beginning to rub his shoulders. “In my opinion, Jayne has demonstrated that he can be a responsible member of this crew, so it would be wrong to claim otherwise. In particular, he has taken to looking after River’s interests, and in most cases, has been more concerned with her needs than his own, even when they might be in conflict. Is that not the type of person in whom you would want River to be interested?” “Suppose it is. Ain’t there anybody ‘sides my merc she’s ever been interested in? Why’s it gotta be him?” Jayne waved his arm in exasperation. “Mal, I’m sittin’ right here. If’ yer gonna bad mouth me, at least say it to my face.” Inara held up her hand and Jayne silenced himself. “Because she likes Jayne, Mal. Not just what Jayne does or says, because other people might be able to do the same, but Jayne.” Inara took a deep breath before willing herself to sit back down. “You also have to understand that River is never going to feel comfortable with someone who isn’t part of Serenity. Even if she ever found someone that could cope with her struggles and could be trusted not to turn her in, who’s to say if they would love each other? And a relationship that does not work out could become a serious security risk.” This last part definitely caught the captain’s attention. “Wŏ de mā, I didn’t even think about that. Folk almost never get it right, the first person they date. Only way of makin’ sure a bad experience for her didn’t get her caught by the feds would be killin’ the guy, an’ that don’t sit right with me.” Mal rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. “Jayne, you best remember I ain’t happy ‘bout this. But… if River is still interested in you courtin’ her after her birthday, I ain’t gonna stand in yer way. How you deal with her brother, I leave entirely up to you, I’m not getting in the middle of that. ‘Nara, I’d tell you to stay out of it too, but ya ain’t gonna listen anyway, so I’m not gonna bother.” Mal got up from his chair and started for the door, but stopped in the entryway. “An’ before any courtin’ goes on, I expect we’re gonna have another of these palavers regardin’ what is an’ ain’t appropriate courtin’ behavior. Ask ‘Nara if you need that explained in more detail, ‘cause I’m going to check on our daughter.” Inara scowled after the retreating captain, inwardly cursing the man’s domineering attitude with regard to Serenity and its inhabitants, before returning her attention to the mercenary seated next to her. “With whom would you prefer to speak with first, Jayne? Zoë or Simon?” A puzzled glance in response indicated an explanation was necessary. “In my opinion, it would behoove you to get into Zoë’s good graces. Right now, she is quite understandably not River’s greatest fan. And while you do not necessarily need Simon’s permission to court River, if you do not have it, you are likely to make a difficult situation even more troublesome.” “Can’t I talk to ‘em later? They’re gonna be angry ‘nough already, after what just went down.” Jayne’s voice had become unintentionally petulant, almost a whine. “Either of ‘em liable to blame me for us gettin’ locked up, some way or ‘nother, and I ain’t fixin’ to get dead. An’ why ain’t I gonna talk to Kaylee? Of everybody, she’s least likely to try an’ kill me, so she’s prob’ly the safest.” The former companion rolled her eyes. “You are not talking to them all by yourself, and I thought we should see Kaylee last because she will be the most likely to be open and accepting of this situation. I will be there with you, and no one is going to blame you or try to hurt you. The goal of these conversations is to show the others that you care about what happened, and that you are a responsible person. But do not, under any circumstance, bring up the subject of courting today. Today you are just her friend, and you want to help her, as well as everyone else. Then if River would still like to court you, when that time comes, they will be far more likely to approve.” Inara exhaled with an audible sigh. “If this is going to work, Jayne, I need you to trust me and Mal, and we need to be able to trust you. So far, you have done nothing wrong, but no one is perfect. So we need to be able to talk if there is a problem.” “I got it, ‘Nara. I’m just… I’m ruttin’ scared, alright?” Hearing those words pass the mercenary’s lips was enough to visibly startle Inara and he punched the table in frustration. “Things like the last couple days… pretty obvious she ain’t all there all the time. Ain’t right, if she don’t know what she’s doin’… ain’t right doin’ nothin’ with her. It’d be like… like rape.” His friend opened her mouth to object, but he just kept talking. “So what’s gonna happen when we’ve been courtin’ awhile, and she wants me to… do stuff… with her? What am I supposed to say? ‘Sorry girl, but I ain’t gonna, ‘cause I only do that with non-crazy-folk.’ That’ll go over just great.” Inara grabbed his arm to get his attention. “Jayne, relax. The two of you have not even begun courting yet, and her birthday is not for another month. I understand that you are concerned, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I am not suggesting that you have given her any reason to change her mind, but a month is a long time, and by then she may decide that she is not ready to pursue a relationship.” Letting go of Jayne, Inara sat back in her seat. “Clearly you care for River as much as anyone else here, and you are concerned for her well-being if the thought of a physical relationship makes you a little uncomfortable. If nothing else, a person who cares that deeply is what I would like most for her, whomever she may eventually choose.” Jayne eyed Inara warily. “That still ain’t the point. If she loves me, but she ain’t of the right mind to say if she… if she wants to be with me, I don’t wanna just tell her no. But I don’t wan’ ‘er to if it’s ‘cause she thinks she has to, or she thinks I expect it or somethin’. There’s plenty enough gŏu shĭ she’s been through that I ain’t ‘bout to go addin’ to it.” “That’s exactly why you’d be good for her.” Both occupants of the table were startled by the first mate’s return to the kitchen as she wandered over to the coffee pot. You don’t even know it yet, Jayne, but you love her too… “You already look after her like she’s yours. Somethin’ to be protected at all costs.” Jayne’s face was nearly as pale as the doctor’s complexion. “Zoë, how much of that d’you hear? I swear, I ain’t touched her. We was just—” “Jayne, I ain’t gonna shoot you.” Cutting across the frantic mercenary, Zoë took her cup over to the table and set it down before settling into a chair. “As I was sayin’, you’ll be good for River. Give ‘er some structure, somethin’ to depend on, but not bein’ overbearin’. An’ of anybody, I’d expect you’d be first in line volunteerin’ to stand watch for ‘er when she has a bad day. Seems the two of you have an understandin’, an’ I’m not about to criticize you for bein’ a little nervous. Folk on this ship ain’t always given you benefit of the doubt in the past, but I reckon that oughta change, so I should lead by example.” Taking a drink of her coffee, Zoë got up from her seat, scooping the dinosaurs left on the table into her arms. “You look out for her, we’ll all watch your back.” And without another word, the first mate disappeared back to the bridge. Inara gazed after her for a moment before turning back to Jayne. “See, Jayne? Not so bad, right?” Jayne’s complexion had returned to normal, but he still looked rather unnerved. “Thought she was comin’ in here to shoot me. Probably still mad as all hell at xiăo hè, but she ain’t gonna take it out on her.” Inara smiled a little as she shook her head. “You really need to be less paranoid. What do you say, time to go visit Simon?” Jayne’s defeated sigh was the only response as the pair got up and made their way to the infirmary, the mercenary still visibly apprehensive. He worked up the courage to knock on the closed door while Inara simply stood at his side. A moment later, Simon opened the door, his face clearly indicating puzzlement. “Hey, doc. You… umm... have a minute?” The young doctor eyed the mercenary with some suspicion before stepping out the door and shutting it behind him. “I suppose. Perhaps we can sit in the bay. I’m waiting for the results of Kaylee’s blood-work to confirm her pregnancy, so I should not go too far.” He had been fortunate to catch the mechanic in the hall before she made it to the engine room, and the brief detour had allowed Simon to draw a blood sample. Inara smiled as she led the way, turning partially back to face Simon in the process. “Not to worry, Simon. I don’t expect this will take very long. However, when you are finished, I would appreciate it if you could do the same for me.” “Of course, Inara.” The group made their way to the bay, and the males took seats on crates to allow the newest crew member the much more comfortable weight bench. Simon looked between the two, a little confused by their joint presence. “Now how can I help… err, either of you?” Getting a nod of encouragement from Inara, Jayne cleared his throat. “I wanted to… say congratulations. Yer gonna be a dad now, ain’t nothin’ easy ‘bout that, but I’m thinkin’ you’ll do alright. An’ also that I’m sorry ‘bout yer sis… seemed like she was doin’ better.” Simon could only stare at the mercenary as though he had grown a second head. “Umm… thank you?” Jayne shook his head. “What? Did ya think I was gonna make fun of ya? You don’t joke ‘bout that kinda stuff, ain’t funny. ‘Specially not yer sister.” Quickly regaining his composure, the doctor smiled. “I know, Jayne, and I appreciate it. And for what it’s worth, I… I am sorry about your childhood. I cannot imagine it was easy leaving home.” Sensing that it would be a sore subject, Inara intervened before Jayne could respond. That went well, all things considered. “Try not to be too mad at her, Simon. Jayne, did you want to go see Kaylee? I’ll join you in a moment. Shall we go take care of that test, Simon?” He looked warily at the mercenary as he got up, but nodded his agreement before going back to the infirmary, leaving Inara and Jayne alone in the bay. The newest crew member and soon-to-be mother went to follow, but Jayne stopped her. “That was too easy. Call me paranoid, but I’m gonna wait for ya right here.” Inara smirked as she turned to leave. “Jayne, Kaylee is not going to give you any problems. I am going with Simon, then I am starting dinner, as it is my turn to cook. I will see you later.” The mercenary resisted the urge to mouth off, reminding himself that Inara was his main supporter on the ship at the moment. Sulkily he got up from his crate and departed for the engine room, in search of the perpetually perky mechanic. ***Minutes earlier…*** River was lying on her bed looking at the pictures that adorned her walls and ceiling when she heard a knock on her hatch. “Come in, please.” Grabbing a tissue from the nightstand, she wiped her face, unsuccessful in hiding the tear tracks which stained it. A moment later, Mal had descended the ladder and walked across the small bunk to her. Sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, the teen remembered to look up to the captain’s face when speaking to him as she gestured to the place at her side. “Please, fù qīn, sit here.” Mal complied as he gazed around the room, the first time he had ever been in either her old passenger dorm or her new crew quarters bunk. “I’m guessin’ this is how you spend most of your free time, huh?” His eyes fell on a charcoal drawing of himself and Inara sitting at a table, clearly enjoying each other’s company. “Yes, sir.” River knew this was not going to be a mere social visit, and she did not wish to further inconvenience anyone with pointless delays. She had caused enough trouble for one day. The captain was taken aback by the change of address, the formality most unusual for the teen. “River, you don’t need to call me ‘sir’ or ‘fù qīn’ or anything else you don’t want to. ‘Mal’, ‘Captain’, ‘chuán zhăng’, any of those are fine if you want.” “The formality is a gesture of respect, fù qīn. I wish to demonstrate compliance.” River slipped a little in forgetting to keep her eyes on Mal, but quickly corrected herself. Mal shifted a little, nervous in his own right, but he could find no reason for it. “About that… compliance… seems to be the case you’ve been complying with somethin’ that maybe ain’t such a great idea. Talked about it with everyone, and decided it might be good if… well, when you feel somethin’ you don’t completely understand, you should ask about it, or if you have to, just read us. No need to be embarrassed ‘bout it… better that you know than not.” River’s look of astonishment nearly matched the one that was presently on Jayne’s face as Zoë came back into the kitchen. “But… it’s wrong! Thoughts are private, should not intrude without expressly given permission!” On any other day, Mal would have found the response amusing, but he was just too tired. “Just don’t go peekin’ if it ain’t necessary, that’s all that folk care ‘bout. Ask questions first if you can, but we trust you not to be lookin’ if you don’t have to. There’s your expressly given permission, from everybody on board. Dŏng ma?” “Yes, fù qīn.” River glanced at the chronometer she had hung on the wall opposite her bed. “It is nearly time for me to prepare the table for dinner. Is there anything else?” “Actually there is…” Mal paused for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. But in typical Mal-fashion, it was decided that brutal honesty was the best policy. “I can’t say I understand what it is you see in Jayne. But whatever it is, he cares ‘bout you, and your mother thinks he would be good for you. So after your birthday… if you still wish to go out with Jayne, I will not stand in your way.” Mal stopped to put on his best stern and intimidating face. “But ‘til then, two of you are just friends, and it’s gonna stay that way. Already warned Jayne, so don’t go thinkin’ you can convince him to ignore me. That man has a powerful instinct for self-preservation.” River grinned a little as she got up. “Understood. No attempts will be made to seduce hù wèi zhĕ until permission is given. Time to set the table?” “Sure, River… sounds like a plan.” Mal could only smile, in spite of everything in the last three days, as the pair left her bunk for the kitchen. *************************************** gē ge – brother (older); jiě jie – sister (older); mèi mei – sister (younger)

piào liang fū ren – pretty lady; chuán zhăng – captain

nǚ zhàn shì – female warrior; hù wèi zhĕ – bodyguard

bǎo bèi – precious; nī zi – little girl; xiăo hè – little lotus

mŭ qīn – mother; fù qīn – father; rú nǚ ér zhĕ – daughter

Dŏng ma? – understand?; gŏu shĭ – shit; Wŏ de mā! – My god! (lit. My mother!)