Title: The quest had pitfalls and numerous perils – Part 1 Series: Code of Honor (8/?) Author: Gwenfrewi72 Rating: AO Fandom: Firefly Spoilers: None Summary: The countdown to River's 18th birthday begins. Jayne gets hit and threatened. Length: according to Word 892 Disclaimer: The great, almighty and powerful Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. own the universe and characters. I'm just playing with them. Please don’t’ take away my shiny toys Captain. Author's Note: For miss_strawberry & obsidianagirl for encouraging my writing. Copyright (c) February 2006 Patricia Flynn

Thanks to Obsidianagirl for beta-ing this for me. She’s the best in the ‘verse next to Mal, of course!

As always, feedback is shiny!

* * * * * * * * * * * * Thirteen Days ‘til River’s 18th Birthday

I planned to keep things goin’ pretty much the way they’d been. Now’t we’d gotten Simon’s okay, I figured I could start in on the kissin’ real soon.

My lil’ albatross apparently had other plans. Breakfast that mornin’ was a might easier as I didn’t have to worry about playin’ the gentleman with Zoe and Kaylee anymore. I’d noticed given Zoe some of my undivided attention had helped so Ill try an’ make more of an effort to spend some time with her.

So when we were sittin’, her by my side as was my want when I’d escorted a lady in, I was surprised when I felt her hand and fingers twine into mine as it sat on the table. I glanced swiftly at Simon. He hadn’t noticed us, so wrapped was he in Kaylee as he was, so I quickly slipped our joined hands down into my lap.

Zoe caught my eye; her body tense, ready to move at a moments notice. Her eyes flickered to Simon and then back to me, a question in her eyes. I gave her an imperceptible nod and she visibly relaxed. One eyebrow rose in amusement before she returned her attention back to her breakfast.

But apparently that wasn’t enough for River, what she did later, well it even shocked the gorram hell out o’ me for a moment.

Sometimes I feel like I’m adrift without a paddle and River’s just pushing me where she wills.

Understanding flows. For some it is simple and other difficult. All need to begin the journal to the goal. Need to make it plain to see, even for Jayne. His and Simon’s will be the longest journey.

Mal hid our joined hands, like we’d done something wrong for holding hands. If love isn’t right, than nothing in the ‘verse is.

It was my turn to do the dishes, so when I stood up with my spoon and bowl and leaned over to pick up Mal’s, I leaned in and kissed him. I felt him stiffen momentarily as my lips met his. I gently stroked the tip of my tongue over his smooth, firm lips. Tasting him and coffee before his lips opened and he deepened the kiss.

Lasted two minutes and 3 seconds, I felt the surprise, shock, glee and anger emanating from them but I didn’t care. I was lost in him.

Now it was just a brief kiss, thirty seconds at most and tweren’t nothing for everyone to get so het up about.

Zoe just smirked. Kaylee beamed, Simon and Inara glared and well, Jayne’s reaction ain’t worth mentioning without me thinkin’ happy thoughts about him outta my airlock.

Jayne had to blurt out and ask if “I was sexin’ the crazy girl up?”

I was about to drag his gorram ass to the airlock, when I saw Simon stand up and punch him.

Now he’d punched me a few times, so I knew Simon knew how to hit, but I was shocked when Jayne fell backwards in his chair.

River moved swiftly and planted a booted foot on his throat. Zoe and I rose quickly to intervene but River shot me a glance to let me know that she weren’t crazy, just mad.

Foldin’ my arms across my chest, I gave Zoe the old signal to stand down but still be ready to intervene if needed.

River was obviously applying pressure on Jayne’s throat because he was chokin’.

“Jayne, I can still kill you with my brain or seven thousand, six hundred and twenty-two ways with things on this ship, including your Vera.” River swiftly released him and nonchalantly returned to clearing the table.

Jayne sat up rubbing his neck with that scared look in his eyes again. He hadn’t looked that way since River’d tried to carve him up. He rose quickly and left.

Zoe and I shared amused glances and exited the mess.

Everyone but Inara’d left the kitchen. She was waiting to talk to me.

I knew she still loved Mal and intended to try and manipulate the situation to her own advantage.

“River,” Inara’s voice broke into my thoughts.

“Inara, I love him and I’m not gonna lose him. You want to fight for him, fine.”

“No bei bei, that wasn’t my intention.”

“Yes it is. You may fool everyone else, but I don’t need to be a Companion to know what you’re trying to do. You still want him and think that by discouraging me, it’ll open the field for you again.

“Not gonna work. He’s already told you how he feels. Believe it. I’ve seen the truth in him. He’ll always love you like a member of his family but he’s not in love with you. He’s in love with me.”

Inara’s face grew paler as I spoke. Her hands trembled as she placed them in her lap.

I could feel her trying to regain her calm.

She rose slowly and left the room.

I was happy as I worked on the dishes.