Imminent Violence
Title: Imminent Violence
Series Title: Partner Ship
Author: FabledFigment
Disclaimer: There is no original content, except for the original content. All Hail Joss.
Timeline: Six months post BDM.
Rating: PG
Series Rating: NC-17 (But not yet)
Previous
*
Jayne chose a shadowed table in the back corner of the bar. He lit his last cigar and let the soothing bustle of the place wash over him like a balm. The smoke, the smells, the rough crowd; he felt at home.
His first job had been in a little bar like this one back home when he was a teenager. He’d doubled as a server and a bouncer. Well, first job besides working the family herd.
He was hoping he might get a little perspective, do some thinking off the ship. Maybe he could find a card game later or a nice brawl. He frowned a little. It would be funny to do any fighting without Crazy around. He thought back, the last time must have been before Miranda.
One of the working girls at the bar had tried to catch his eye as he walked in. He’d ignored her and ordered his first round. Now the gal started towards him with that particular sway to her walk. Not what he wanted at all.
He frowned at her and shook his head a little.
She shrugged and turned back to look for a more willing prospect. Not too many to be had this early. Most of the tables had two or more patrons, eating or talking seriously. This was the after work crowd. The party crowd hadn’t really showed up yet.
The server brought him the whiskey he’d ordered, wiping at the table before he set it down.
Jayne nodded his thanks, and took his first sip. Good strong stuff. He was gonna need it tonight. He had some thinking to do and some courage to find.
Jayne surveyed the place. It was filling up quick. He wondered idly what the chances of a good brawl were.
“Twenty seven percent without further provocation.” River said quietly beside him.
He nearly dropped his glass as he stood up.
“Why didn’t I see you come in?” He asked grabbing her arm.
“Probability increases as provocative stimulus is applied.” She took hold of his thumb, pried her arm out of his grip and ignored his question.
“We have to get you back to the ship.” He hissed, feeling panicked.
She sat gracefully in the chair beside him. He noted with something like approval that she had also chosen to sit facing the room with her back to a wall. Somehow, she caught the server’s eye and got the fellow to come right over.
“She’ll have something non-alcoholic.” Jayne said before she could get a word in.
She kicked him under the table. Gorramit, that hurt. She must be wearing her boots for once.
River smiled sweetly at the server, as if every piece of her weren’t a deadly weapon.
“I’ll have the house gin.” She said, producing a coin. “Caustic, straight from the vat.”
The server glanced between them with the hint of a bemused smile, but took the offered coin.
“Why’d ya have to follow me anyway?” He grumbled.
River shrugged, glancing around the place.
“Come on, give.” He frowned at her. “You avoided me completely for the better part of a week, but now you can’t let me out of your sight?” He sipped at his whisky. “What the devil are you trying to pull?”
“Nothing.” She said sweetly, she folded her hands all innocent-like in front of her.
Jayne didn’t buy the act for a minute.
Her drink came. Faster than his had, he noticed. Jayne eyed the glass dubiously; something like steam was rising from the top.
“You really gonna drink that luh suh?” He asked, his gut roiling in protest.
She picked up the glass and took the daintiest little sip he’d ever seen.
He expected her to flinch or wince, but she didn’t. She rolled the liquor around her mouth for a moment then sighed and swallowed. She didn’t so much as cough or choke, but she did make the tiniest little whoosh sound when it finally went down.
Jayne was impressed despite himself. Looked awfully cute too.
He scowled anyway. “That stuff will rot away your insides.” He grumbled. “Tear up your stomach and give you a nasty hangover.”
River took another sip, faster this time.
“It’s what those girls are drinking.” She gestured slightly towards the bar and its painted ladies.
“They’re whores.” Jayne said in a low growling voice.
“I know.” She said, turning that sweet smile on him. “Now I’ll taste like a whore.”
He paused, glass mostly raised to his lips. Then he drank to give himself more time to answer that one. She… Did that mean…
“Doesn’t matter.” He said finally. “I never kiss their mouths anyway.”
River frowned. “That’s right. I’ve heard you say that.” She pouted. That might have been cute too, if not for the situation.
They sat quietly for a moment. Companionable. Jayne found himself relaxing, getting used to the idea of being out with her, maybe almost like a date. Maybe.
Then suddenly her eyes lit up in a way that scared him and attracted him at the same time, or maybe the attraction was the scary thing, but the look in her eye meant no good…
She dipped her finger into the glass and applied gin to her pulse points the way ladies applied perfume.
“Yeah, nice. Now you smell like a still.” He smirked down at her. “You’d need half a bottle of cheap perfume to smell like one of them working girls.” His eyes flicked towards the bar.
Now she sulked. Worse than that, she grabbed her glass and downed half of it.
“Whoa there, girl.” He said, stealing the glass out of her hands.
“Mine.” She said, glaring at him.
“Yeah, it sure is, now slow down just a hair.” He sniffed at the glass and set it back down on the other side of the table.
“You don’t need to smell like a whore.” He told her as gently as he could.
“You came here looking for a whore.” She replied angrily.
“No I didn’t.” He countered. “If I had, there would have been one on my knee even before you turned up.”
That stopped her. River looked startled. Now that didn’t happen every day.
“Truth.” She looked around. “Blonde in a red dress, end of the bar alone.”
Jayne glanced up. Hmm, hadn’t noticed the dress. “Yeah, that’s the one gave me the ‘come on’ when I walked in.” He replied. “But ya don’t see her sitting on my lap, now do ya?”
“No.” She agreed, frowning slightly. “The conjecture that your behavior was problematic may have been faulty.”
She met his eyes with a clear, lucid gaze.
“I was jealous. I apologize. I do not have the right to curb your behavior.”
“No, you don’t.” He agreed, tensely. “Not at the moment.”
“You want me to go.” She said sadly.
He sighed. She began to stand. He covered her hand and she relaxed back into her chair.
“No.” He said softly.
“No?” She asked.
“You don’t have to go.” He said, realizing he very much wanted her to stay. Hell of a bad first date, but he didn’t want it to end.
She relaxed. “Interesting. My emotions interfere with reading your intentions.”
Intentions. There was that gorram word again.
“I don’t understand my intentions my own damned self.” He groused, drinking again.
She watched him curiously for a moment then turned away to survey the room at large.
“She's watching us.” River smiled at the whore and waved, just a tiny, friendly gesture.
Jayne let out a little distressed sound. “Great, now she’ll come over here.”
“I know.” The mischievous smile on her face tugged at his gut.
Then the woman swept up, smelling strongly of bad gin, cheap perfume and cheaper sex.
He hadn’t mentioned the sex smell to River, hadn’t seemed appropriate.
“Evening, folks,” She said in the drawling accent particular to this world. “Y’all ain’t from around here, are you?”
“No, ma’am.” Jayne said tightly. “Won’t be around long.”
“Ship crew?” She asked.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He just wished she’d go away again.
River smirked at him and he became even more uncomfortable.
“Please have a seat,” River said, like a gracious Core hostess. “I’m River, and this is Jayne.”
“Call me Staci.” She pulled out a chair. “Y’all sure you don’t mind?”
Jayne began to protest, but River’s boot unerringly found his bruise from earlier in the day and applied just the slightest pressure.
“We would be honored if you would let us buy you a drink.” River said, her voice even more a parody of the life she once knew.
Staci looked a little leery, but sat down anyway.
River performed her little magic trick again and the server appeared like a gorram genii.
“Drinks for my friends, please.” River said.
“And for you, ma’am?” The server asked leadingly.
“I…” She looked a little lost. Her eyes strayed to her half full glass.
“Something else, ma’am?” The server said gently.
Jayne thought the fellow probably regretted bringing her what she’d asked for. Gorram idiot.
“Yes.” She looked over at Jayne beseechingly.
The look shot heat straight to his groin.
“Sweet cider?” He suggested, starting to drown in her eyes.
“Hard cider?” The server asked, looking entirely too amused.
“Soft.” Jayne growled, tearing his eyes from River to scowl at the man. “Baby soft.”
“Middling.” River requested, grinning. She wrinkled her nose at Jayne.
The server bit back a laugh.
“I’ve got just the stuff.” The gorram man winked at her as he left.
“River.” Jayne hissed. “Your brother’s gonna kill me if I bring you home sloshed.”
“Not a problem.” River said, making a dismissive gesture.
“Yeah, for you.” He growled. “It’s me who’ll be dead.”
“Never fear, I shall defend you.” She whispered, then she continued in a louder voice. “Manners. We have a guest.”
She nodded towards the whore who was looking mighty uncomfortable. Good, Jayne thought.
“Have you always lived on Mulberry, Staci?” River asked sweetly.
“Yeah, my whole life.” The woman smiled. “Actually, I come from a little place a couple of miles away. Not even a town really…” Her voice trailed off.
“Do you want that?” River gestured towards the half full glass of gin by the other woman’s elbow. Staci looked at it uneasily.
River smiled encouragingly. “Go ahead, there’s no way the big lug will let me finish it.”
“That’s for damned sure.” Jayne growled, folding his arms.
“He thinks I’m young.” River said in a conspiratorial tone.
Staci shook her head. “Men usually don’t understand, honey. Some women were born old.” She reached for the glass. “Oh, girl, you ordered it raw? You are brave.”
River chuckled. “Sure did warm me up. I feel all tingly.”
The whore giggled. “Ain’t you ever been tipsy before?”
“Not recently.” River smirked. “Sheltered lifestyle.”
“I can believe it, as pretty as you talk.” Staci said.
“My brother and I used to sample Daddy’s liquors.” She admitted, mostly to Jayne, but eyes still on Staci. “Just a taste.” She gestured with her fingers. “One day we took a little too much. River got drunk, Simon got in trouble.” She laughed again and turned to Jayne who was smiling fondly down at her.
“Lots of trouble?” He asked hopefully.
“Oh, yes. The only physical punishment I can recall.” She shivered. “Daddy cried in his room afterwards, hiding from us. I guess I must have been seven or eight.”
Staci sipped at River’s gin and shuddered. “Terrence and Gareth were betting on whether you’d finish this. You trying to prove something to your man?”
River looked up into Jayne’s face and then back at her hands.
“Something like that.” She agreed, lips twisting. “Ineffectively arguing.”
“Ya know, I doubt I’m much older than you are, River-girl.” Suddenly she looked it, young and vulnerable. Then she shrugged and threw back the gin with a wince. “Might not know it to look at me I suppose.” She smiled. “Just had a different life than you. This is a good place. I’ve found a decent life for myself here. I ain’t on the streets or protectorless.” She bit her lip. “Damned sure beats the hell out of what I left behind.”
Their server returned. “Gareth sent this over for you, Stace.” He set a tall glass of water in front of her. “Thinks you ought to slow down some.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Terrence.”
He set down another whiskey for Jayne and a pint glass of cider for River.
River held up a bank note, “Will this cover us?” Jayne winced; he’d have to teach her not to wave money about like that. Especially when the bill was so big.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He said, taking the money, “You buying his first round too?”
“Yes, please.” River said cheerfully.
“I’ll bring your change.” Terrence smiled.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Jayne growled.
“I prefer not to skip out on the tab due to the inevitable brawl.” She said, sipping her cider. “Nice folk.”
“Brawl?” Staci asked, eyes widening. “What do you mean, brawl.”
River shook her head. “We don’t start ‘em.” She said, seeming to mimic Mal’s accent. “Trouble follows us around. The ‘Verse just likes to see us fighting.”
“I can buy my own damned liquor.” Jayne said, not done with that part of the conversation yet.
“Buy her something tomorrow.” Staci suggested dismissively. “Works for most women.”
Jayne squirmed in his chair. River soothed him with a hand on his arm. He was almost surprised at how well it worked.
“You should watch yourself, though, honey. A man like him doesn’t just fall from the sky. You don’t want to go offending him by flashing all that wealth and breeding.”
Jayne realized suddenly that the whore was a lot drunker than he’d thought. River’s castoff gin hadn’t helped her much.
Staci continued. “Sharp is what he is. Had me spotted and warned off before I scarce took a step. Not surprised once I saw you. He’s got what he wants already. Didn’t at all figure on you calling me over.”
“Wish she hadn’t.” Jayne grumbled.
“I know dear.” River said, patting his shoulder.
Terrence returned just then with her change.
“This is very good.” River said. “Do you brew it on site?”
“Yes, Ginny, Gareth’s wife, makes it every fall.” Terrence said. “I’ll let her know you like it.”
“Do you sell it by the barrel?” River asked, speculatively.
“Let me see that.” Jayne said, stealing the second glass out of her hand. “Huh, it is good.”
“We don’t usually sell barrels, but I can ask Gareth.” Terrence said, smelling a sale.
“If he’s interested, my name is River, he can find me on a Firefly called Serenity at the port.” She gestured towards the docks. “Afternoon might be better.” She said wryly.
Terrence nodded and headed back to the bar.
“What’cha doing, girl?” Jayne hissed. “Arranging cargo? Mal might not like that.”
“There’s a lot Mal doesn’t like.” River said evasively. “Could call it personal cargo.”
“Could call it trouble.” Jayne grumbled.
“I’ll always be your trouble.” She said sweetly.
She smiled at him in a way that made him want to taste her lips. Made him uncomfortable. He didn’t kiss women on the lips and that meant he shouldn‘t be thinking like that.
“Y’all are awfully sweet.” Staci drawled. Then she sighed. “Well, I don’t suppose you want a third for the evening?” She gestured to herself.
River looked curious, like she might seriously be interested.
Jayne felt like steam might come pouring out of his ears any second.
“No.” River said after a long moment’s consideration.
“Didn’t think so.” The whore sighed. “Too bad. He’s one shuai fellow. Hold onto him, honey.”
She shielded her mouth so Jayne couldn’t see her lips, and then whispered loud enough for him to hear. “Is he big all over?”
River grinned. “Naturally.” She said, sipping her cider.
The other woman sighed. “Thought he would be. You ever get a mind to share, you know right where to find me, qing ren.”
“Ta ma de.” Jayne growled.
The two women paused, glancing at him then at each other. Then they laughed together, giggling like school chums.
Jayne shifted in his chair. What now?
“Anytime, sugar,” Staci drawled. “Anytime.”
Jayne’s jaw dropped. He looked down at River. She was still laughing at him.
“But don’t forget your girl,” Staci said after a moment. “Now that I’ve seen you together, don’t try to come alone.”
Jayne threw up his hands in a defensive gesture.
“What about me?” River said in a seductive voice. She was smirking, looking half at Jayne. “I could come alone, couldn’t I?”
Staci was watching Jayne too. “Well, qing ren, that might indeed be different.” The whore grinned and stroked River’s hand.
Jayne groaned a little and shifted in his chair.
“Hum, very interesting, mi’love,” Staci said. “My eye tells me your man likes the images that thought conjures. Good luck, honey.” She stood and sauntered away.
“You…” Jayne said, picking up his glass. “Women.” He muttered, setting the glass back down when he realized it was already empty.
“She was nice.” River said almost wistfully.
“Most of them are.” He growled. “You wouldn’t really…?”
“No.” She sighed and drank deeply from her glass. “She was right, though.”
“What?” He watched her warily.
She touched his temple and drew her hand down to his jaw. “You liked the images.” She grinned, “Like with Inara’s councilor.”
He swallowed, hard. Didn’t help that she was right.
She nursed her cider for a moment, waiting for him to say something, knowing that he would.
“Gorramit, River,” He began in a low angry voice. “Do you realize you just boasted about the size of my man parts - which you still have never seen - to a whore?”
She eyed him over her glass. “Yes.” She said, amused. “I’m well aware of that. I’m right, aren’t I?” Her hand snaked out and investigated. “I knew I was right.”
“Gah!” He caught her hand and removed it, not letting go. “That is not appropriate touching, Lil’River.”
She sighed, “I know, I know, not mine.”
They sat quietly for several minutes, Jayne still holding her hand on the table.
“Probability of imminent violence just rose to fifty three percent.” River said, breaking their comfortable silence.
“Yeah?” Jayne asked hopefully. “How do you figure?” His stance didn’t change, but his eyes now eagerly swept the room.
“The three men approaching the bar are brothers. Their father owned land now belonging to red-shirt man at the second table.” She said quickly. “Chances are better than half that violence will erupt if they make eye contact.” She paused in her analysis. “Observe the locals exiting, aware of the volatile situation.”
“Whose side are we on, then?” He asked, massaging his hands.
“Red shirt, if and only if he does not deliberately provoke the attack.” She smiled. “Are you ready, qing ren?”
“Don’t call me that.” He said defensively, “What if the brothers don’t start it? We back them?”
“No, they are already at fault. It is unjust to resent red-shirt. Their father knew what he was doing, and he was not senile as claimed. A move by red-shirt precipitates a free for all. Contributions by all men at the bar, the large group near the door and at least two of the other tables. Plenty of heads to bash,”
“Huh. Nice.” He looked around as she listed off who they would be fighting. Good crowd. “So, do we wait here?”
“No,” She took a long pull at her cider and handed him the glass to finish. “Too far from the action.”
She handed him a coin from her pile of change, then swept half of it into a zippered pocket.
“We approach the bar. Dial number 146 on the music machine. Turn then ask me to dance.” She stood.
He finished off her pint and swept up more of her change and handed it to her. He left just a small amount as the tip. Weren’t right to leave more than the tab as a tip.
Jayne followed her instructions. Still holding her hand he led them to the bar and used her coin on the machine.
“Care to dance, huo ban?” He asked, a little uncomfortably, as the music started.
“Nothing in the ‘Verse I’d like better.” She grinned, stepping into his arms.
He placed a nervous hand on her waist and held her tiny hand with the other. He held her at a deliberate distance.
“Don’t know much about dancing.” He said, voice low. “No steps or nothing.”
“It’s a slow song.” River said. “You’re doing fine. Natural rhythm.”
He cleared his throat. “This part of the plan?” He asked quietly.
“Which plan?” She asked all innocent-like.
“The imminent violence plan.” He said warily.
“Uh huh, sort of, we need to remove non-combatants.” She gestured with her eyes towards a man with in wide hat.
“See the hat? He’s a regular of Staci’s. He walked in just after the brothers. He comes in most nights, but only goes upstairs with her if someone plays this song. She never puts it on herself. Too much like begging.” She met his eyes again. “She’s sweet on him.”
Jayne watched as the young man tossed back his drink and approached Staci. He hadn’t realized boy was so young until he stood.
“What about the dancing part?” He asked, now suspicious.
“I wanted to be in your arms.” She admitted.
“You are all kinds of disturbing.” He said, shaking his head at her.
She smiled up at him. “Glad to hear it.”
“You would be.” He placed her other hand on his shoulder too, and brushed a lock of hair off her face before settling his hand on her waist.
She tried to step closer but he wouldn’t let her.
“Nu uh,” He said, “You’re maddening enough over there.”
“You say such pretty things.” She simpered.
He turned them around. As they shifted, his thumb accidentally brushed the underside of her breast. They both gasped. Their eyes met, focusing tightly on each other.
A belligerent voice cut into their moment. “Why don’t you say that to my face, you ignorant whoreson.”
River sighed. “The violence ensues.” Her face took on that distant look that meant she was Reading the situation. “Red shirt is at fault. Free for all. I’ll watch your back.” She grinned up at him. Her eyes took on that feral joy he remembered from U-day. “I remember the rules.”
He couldn’t resist planting a quick kiss on her forehead. “You sure are something else.” He murmured.
He’d scarcely spoken before the first chair came flying their way.
“Conserve the furniture.” She said, turning to catch the chair. “I like this place.”
She’d been right about everybody joining in. They stood together on the tiny dance floor and repelled all comers. More than once he saw her save some piece of the furniture from smashing, feral grin firmly in place.
Wasn’t anyone here much of a challenge, but it felt good to be dealing mayhem. Even better with her at his back.
Soon, almost too soon, the biggest brother was the only one coming. Jayne dealt him one in the gut and River took him down with a wicked kick.
Damn she was beautiful.
He wasn’t sure if he reached for her, but suddenly he was kissing her. Desperately, although whose desperation, he couldn’t have said.
They broke apart again when they heard the applause.
A number of patrons had avoided the fight at the back of the room and Gareth and Terrence stood behind the bar, out of the way. They were clapping and whistling.
“Let’s go.” Jayne growled.
“Thanks for the party.” River called, waving at the room.
Story List : Next
Chinese Phrases
luh suh garbage
shuai handsome
qing ren lover (I used an online dictionary, so it is likely to be improperly used.)
ta ma de Fuck me blind. (some people give alternate translations, but the joke doesn’t work if another translation is used.)
huo ban Partner (See above, a platonic endearment for Pre-Rayne.)
Series Title: Partner Ship
Author: FabledFigment
Disclaimer: There is no original content, except for the original content. All Hail Joss.
Timeline: Six months post BDM.
Rating: PG
Series Rating: NC-17 (But not yet)
Previous
*
Jayne chose a shadowed table in the back corner of the bar. He lit his last cigar and let the soothing bustle of the place wash over him like a balm. The smoke, the smells, the rough crowd; he felt at home.
His first job had been in a little bar like this one back home when he was a teenager. He’d doubled as a server and a bouncer. Well, first job besides working the family herd.
He was hoping he might get a little perspective, do some thinking off the ship. Maybe he could find a card game later or a nice brawl. He frowned a little. It would be funny to do any fighting without Crazy around. He thought back, the last time must have been before Miranda.
One of the working girls at the bar had tried to catch his eye as he walked in. He’d ignored her and ordered his first round. Now the gal started towards him with that particular sway to her walk. Not what he wanted at all.
He frowned at her and shook his head a little.
She shrugged and turned back to look for a more willing prospect. Not too many to be had this early. Most of the tables had two or more patrons, eating or talking seriously. This was the after work crowd. The party crowd hadn’t really showed up yet.
The server brought him the whiskey he’d ordered, wiping at the table before he set it down.
Jayne nodded his thanks, and took his first sip. Good strong stuff. He was gonna need it tonight. He had some thinking to do and some courage to find.
Jayne surveyed the place. It was filling up quick. He wondered idly what the chances of a good brawl were.
“Twenty seven percent without further provocation.” River said quietly beside him.
He nearly dropped his glass as he stood up.
“Why didn’t I see you come in?” He asked grabbing her arm.
“Probability increases as provocative stimulus is applied.” She took hold of his thumb, pried her arm out of his grip and ignored his question.
“We have to get you back to the ship.” He hissed, feeling panicked.
She sat gracefully in the chair beside him. He noted with something like approval that she had also chosen to sit facing the room with her back to a wall. Somehow, she caught the server’s eye and got the fellow to come right over.
“She’ll have something non-alcoholic.” Jayne said before she could get a word in.
She kicked him under the table. Gorramit, that hurt. She must be wearing her boots for once.
River smiled sweetly at the server, as if every piece of her weren’t a deadly weapon.
“I’ll have the house gin.” She said, producing a coin. “Caustic, straight from the vat.”
The server glanced between them with the hint of a bemused smile, but took the offered coin.
“Why’d ya have to follow me anyway?” He grumbled.
River shrugged, glancing around the place.
“Come on, give.” He frowned at her. “You avoided me completely for the better part of a week, but now you can’t let me out of your sight?” He sipped at his whisky. “What the devil are you trying to pull?”
“Nothing.” She said sweetly, she folded her hands all innocent-like in front of her.
Jayne didn’t buy the act for a minute.
Her drink came. Faster than his had, he noticed. Jayne eyed the glass dubiously; something like steam was rising from the top.
“You really gonna drink that luh suh?” He asked, his gut roiling in protest.
She picked up the glass and took the daintiest little sip he’d ever seen.
He expected her to flinch or wince, but she didn’t. She rolled the liquor around her mouth for a moment then sighed and swallowed. She didn’t so much as cough or choke, but she did make the tiniest little whoosh sound when it finally went down.
Jayne was impressed despite himself. Looked awfully cute too.
He scowled anyway. “That stuff will rot away your insides.” He grumbled. “Tear up your stomach and give you a nasty hangover.”
River took another sip, faster this time.
“It’s what those girls are drinking.” She gestured slightly towards the bar and its painted ladies.
“They’re whores.” Jayne said in a low growling voice.
“I know.” She said, turning that sweet smile on him. “Now I’ll taste like a whore.”
He paused, glass mostly raised to his lips. Then he drank to give himself more time to answer that one. She… Did that mean…
“Doesn’t matter.” He said finally. “I never kiss their mouths anyway.”
River frowned. “That’s right. I’ve heard you say that.” She pouted. That might have been cute too, if not for the situation.
They sat quietly for a moment. Companionable. Jayne found himself relaxing, getting used to the idea of being out with her, maybe almost like a date. Maybe.
Then suddenly her eyes lit up in a way that scared him and attracted him at the same time, or maybe the attraction was the scary thing, but the look in her eye meant no good…
She dipped her finger into the glass and applied gin to her pulse points the way ladies applied perfume.
“Yeah, nice. Now you smell like a still.” He smirked down at her. “You’d need half a bottle of cheap perfume to smell like one of them working girls.” His eyes flicked towards the bar.
Now she sulked. Worse than that, she grabbed her glass and downed half of it.
“Whoa there, girl.” He said, stealing the glass out of her hands.
“Mine.” She said, glaring at him.
“Yeah, it sure is, now slow down just a hair.” He sniffed at the glass and set it back down on the other side of the table.
“You don’t need to smell like a whore.” He told her as gently as he could.
“You came here looking for a whore.” She replied angrily.
“No I didn’t.” He countered. “If I had, there would have been one on my knee even before you turned up.”
That stopped her. River looked startled. Now that didn’t happen every day.
“Truth.” She looked around. “Blonde in a red dress, end of the bar alone.”
Jayne glanced up. Hmm, hadn’t noticed the dress. “Yeah, that’s the one gave me the ‘come on’ when I walked in.” He replied. “But ya don’t see her sitting on my lap, now do ya?”
“No.” She agreed, frowning slightly. “The conjecture that your behavior was problematic may have been faulty.”
She met his eyes with a clear, lucid gaze.
“I was jealous. I apologize. I do not have the right to curb your behavior.”
“No, you don’t.” He agreed, tensely. “Not at the moment.”
“You want me to go.” She said sadly.
He sighed. She began to stand. He covered her hand and she relaxed back into her chair.
“No.” He said softly.
“No?” She asked.
“You don’t have to go.” He said, realizing he very much wanted her to stay. Hell of a bad first date, but he didn’t want it to end.
She relaxed. “Interesting. My emotions interfere with reading your intentions.”
Intentions. There was that gorram word again.
“I don’t understand my intentions my own damned self.” He groused, drinking again.
She watched him curiously for a moment then turned away to survey the room at large.
“She's watching us.” River smiled at the whore and waved, just a tiny, friendly gesture.
Jayne let out a little distressed sound. “Great, now she’ll come over here.”
“I know.” The mischievous smile on her face tugged at his gut.
Then the woman swept up, smelling strongly of bad gin, cheap perfume and cheaper sex.
He hadn’t mentioned the sex smell to River, hadn’t seemed appropriate.
“Evening, folks,” She said in the drawling accent particular to this world. “Y’all ain’t from around here, are you?”
“No, ma’am.” Jayne said tightly. “Won’t be around long.”
“Ship crew?” She asked.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He just wished she’d go away again.
River smirked at him and he became even more uncomfortable.
“Please have a seat,” River said, like a gracious Core hostess. “I’m River, and this is Jayne.”
“Call me Staci.” She pulled out a chair. “Y’all sure you don’t mind?”
Jayne began to protest, but River’s boot unerringly found his bruise from earlier in the day and applied just the slightest pressure.
“We would be honored if you would let us buy you a drink.” River said, her voice even more a parody of the life she once knew.
Staci looked a little leery, but sat down anyway.
River performed her little magic trick again and the server appeared like a gorram genii.
“Drinks for my friends, please.” River said.
“And for you, ma’am?” The server asked leadingly.
“I…” She looked a little lost. Her eyes strayed to her half full glass.
“Something else, ma’am?” The server said gently.
Jayne thought the fellow probably regretted bringing her what she’d asked for. Gorram idiot.
“Yes.” She looked over at Jayne beseechingly.
The look shot heat straight to his groin.
“Sweet cider?” He suggested, starting to drown in her eyes.
“Hard cider?” The server asked, looking entirely too amused.
“Soft.” Jayne growled, tearing his eyes from River to scowl at the man. “Baby soft.”
“Middling.” River requested, grinning. She wrinkled her nose at Jayne.
The server bit back a laugh.
“I’ve got just the stuff.” The gorram man winked at her as he left.
“River.” Jayne hissed. “Your brother’s gonna kill me if I bring you home sloshed.”
“Not a problem.” River said, making a dismissive gesture.
“Yeah, for you.” He growled. “It’s me who’ll be dead.”
“Never fear, I shall defend you.” She whispered, then she continued in a louder voice. “Manners. We have a guest.”
She nodded towards the whore who was looking mighty uncomfortable. Good, Jayne thought.
“Have you always lived on Mulberry, Staci?” River asked sweetly.
“Yeah, my whole life.” The woman smiled. “Actually, I come from a little place a couple of miles away. Not even a town really…” Her voice trailed off.
“Do you want that?” River gestured towards the half full glass of gin by the other woman’s elbow. Staci looked at it uneasily.
River smiled encouragingly. “Go ahead, there’s no way the big lug will let me finish it.”
“That’s for damned sure.” Jayne growled, folding his arms.
“He thinks I’m young.” River said in a conspiratorial tone.
Staci shook her head. “Men usually don’t understand, honey. Some women were born old.” She reached for the glass. “Oh, girl, you ordered it raw? You are brave.”
River chuckled. “Sure did warm me up. I feel all tingly.”
The whore giggled. “Ain’t you ever been tipsy before?”
“Not recently.” River smirked. “Sheltered lifestyle.”
“I can believe it, as pretty as you talk.” Staci said.
“My brother and I used to sample Daddy’s liquors.” She admitted, mostly to Jayne, but eyes still on Staci. “Just a taste.” She gestured with her fingers. “One day we took a little too much. River got drunk, Simon got in trouble.” She laughed again and turned to Jayne who was smiling fondly down at her.
“Lots of trouble?” He asked hopefully.
“Oh, yes. The only physical punishment I can recall.” She shivered. “Daddy cried in his room afterwards, hiding from us. I guess I must have been seven or eight.”
Staci sipped at River’s gin and shuddered. “Terrence and Gareth were betting on whether you’d finish this. You trying to prove something to your man?”
River looked up into Jayne’s face and then back at her hands.
“Something like that.” She agreed, lips twisting. “Ineffectively arguing.”
“Ya know, I doubt I’m much older than you are, River-girl.” Suddenly she looked it, young and vulnerable. Then she shrugged and threw back the gin with a wince. “Might not know it to look at me I suppose.” She smiled. “Just had a different life than you. This is a good place. I’ve found a decent life for myself here. I ain’t on the streets or protectorless.” She bit her lip. “Damned sure beats the hell out of what I left behind.”
Their server returned. “Gareth sent this over for you, Stace.” He set a tall glass of water in front of her. “Thinks you ought to slow down some.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Terrence.”
He set down another whiskey for Jayne and a pint glass of cider for River.
River held up a bank note, “Will this cover us?” Jayne winced; he’d have to teach her not to wave money about like that. Especially when the bill was so big.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He said, taking the money, “You buying his first round too?”
“Yes, please.” River said cheerfully.
“I’ll bring your change.” Terrence smiled.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Jayne growled.
“I prefer not to skip out on the tab due to the inevitable brawl.” She said, sipping her cider. “Nice folk.”
“Brawl?” Staci asked, eyes widening. “What do you mean, brawl.”
River shook her head. “We don’t start ‘em.” She said, seeming to mimic Mal’s accent. “Trouble follows us around. The ‘Verse just likes to see us fighting.”
“I can buy my own damned liquor.” Jayne said, not done with that part of the conversation yet.
“Buy her something tomorrow.” Staci suggested dismissively. “Works for most women.”
Jayne squirmed in his chair. River soothed him with a hand on his arm. He was almost surprised at how well it worked.
“You should watch yourself, though, honey. A man like him doesn’t just fall from the sky. You don’t want to go offending him by flashing all that wealth and breeding.”
Jayne realized suddenly that the whore was a lot drunker than he’d thought. River’s castoff gin hadn’t helped her much.
Staci continued. “Sharp is what he is. Had me spotted and warned off before I scarce took a step. Not surprised once I saw you. He’s got what he wants already. Didn’t at all figure on you calling me over.”
“Wish she hadn’t.” Jayne grumbled.
“I know dear.” River said, patting his shoulder.
Terrence returned just then with her change.
“This is very good.” River said. “Do you brew it on site?”
“Yes, Ginny, Gareth’s wife, makes it every fall.” Terrence said. “I’ll let her know you like it.”
“Do you sell it by the barrel?” River asked, speculatively.
“Let me see that.” Jayne said, stealing the second glass out of her hand. “Huh, it is good.”
“We don’t usually sell barrels, but I can ask Gareth.” Terrence said, smelling a sale.
“If he’s interested, my name is River, he can find me on a Firefly called Serenity at the port.” She gestured towards the docks. “Afternoon might be better.” She said wryly.
Terrence nodded and headed back to the bar.
“What’cha doing, girl?” Jayne hissed. “Arranging cargo? Mal might not like that.”
“There’s a lot Mal doesn’t like.” River said evasively. “Could call it personal cargo.”
“Could call it trouble.” Jayne grumbled.
“I’ll always be your trouble.” She said sweetly.
She smiled at him in a way that made him want to taste her lips. Made him uncomfortable. He didn’t kiss women on the lips and that meant he shouldn‘t be thinking like that.
“Y’all are awfully sweet.” Staci drawled. Then she sighed. “Well, I don’t suppose you want a third for the evening?” She gestured to herself.
River looked curious, like she might seriously be interested.
Jayne felt like steam might come pouring out of his ears any second.
“No.” River said after a long moment’s consideration.
“Didn’t think so.” The whore sighed. “Too bad. He’s one shuai fellow. Hold onto him, honey.”
She shielded her mouth so Jayne couldn’t see her lips, and then whispered loud enough for him to hear. “Is he big all over?”
River grinned. “Naturally.” She said, sipping her cider.
The other woman sighed. “Thought he would be. You ever get a mind to share, you know right where to find me, qing ren.”
“Ta ma de.” Jayne growled.
The two women paused, glancing at him then at each other. Then they laughed together, giggling like school chums.
Jayne shifted in his chair. What now?
“Anytime, sugar,” Staci drawled. “Anytime.”
Jayne’s jaw dropped. He looked down at River. She was still laughing at him.
“But don’t forget your girl,” Staci said after a moment. “Now that I’ve seen you together, don’t try to come alone.”
Jayne threw up his hands in a defensive gesture.
“What about me?” River said in a seductive voice. She was smirking, looking half at Jayne. “I could come alone, couldn’t I?”
Staci was watching Jayne too. “Well, qing ren, that might indeed be different.” The whore grinned and stroked River’s hand.
Jayne groaned a little and shifted in his chair.
“Hum, very interesting, mi’love,” Staci said. “My eye tells me your man likes the images that thought conjures. Good luck, honey.” She stood and sauntered away.
“You…” Jayne said, picking up his glass. “Women.” He muttered, setting the glass back down when he realized it was already empty.
“She was nice.” River said almost wistfully.
“Most of them are.” He growled. “You wouldn’t really…?”
“No.” She sighed and drank deeply from her glass. “She was right, though.”
“What?” He watched her warily.
She touched his temple and drew her hand down to his jaw. “You liked the images.” She grinned, “Like with Inara’s councilor.”
He swallowed, hard. Didn’t help that she was right.
She nursed her cider for a moment, waiting for him to say something, knowing that he would.
“Gorramit, River,” He began in a low angry voice. “Do you realize you just boasted about the size of my man parts - which you still have never seen - to a whore?”
She eyed him over her glass. “Yes.” She said, amused. “I’m well aware of that. I’m right, aren’t I?” Her hand snaked out and investigated. “I knew I was right.”
“Gah!” He caught her hand and removed it, not letting go. “That is not appropriate touching, Lil’River.”
She sighed, “I know, I know, not mine.”
They sat quietly for several minutes, Jayne still holding her hand on the table.
“Probability of imminent violence just rose to fifty three percent.” River said, breaking their comfortable silence.
“Yeah?” Jayne asked hopefully. “How do you figure?” His stance didn’t change, but his eyes now eagerly swept the room.
“The three men approaching the bar are brothers. Their father owned land now belonging to red-shirt man at the second table.” She said quickly. “Chances are better than half that violence will erupt if they make eye contact.” She paused in her analysis. “Observe the locals exiting, aware of the volatile situation.”
“Whose side are we on, then?” He asked, massaging his hands.
“Red shirt, if and only if he does not deliberately provoke the attack.” She smiled. “Are you ready, qing ren?”
“Don’t call me that.” He said defensively, “What if the brothers don’t start it? We back them?”
“No, they are already at fault. It is unjust to resent red-shirt. Their father knew what he was doing, and he was not senile as claimed. A move by red-shirt precipitates a free for all. Contributions by all men at the bar, the large group near the door and at least two of the other tables. Plenty of heads to bash,”
“Huh. Nice.” He looked around as she listed off who they would be fighting. Good crowd. “So, do we wait here?”
“No,” She took a long pull at her cider and handed him the glass to finish. “Too far from the action.”
She handed him a coin from her pile of change, then swept half of it into a zippered pocket.
“We approach the bar. Dial number 146 on the music machine. Turn then ask me to dance.” She stood.
He finished off her pint and swept up more of her change and handed it to her. He left just a small amount as the tip. Weren’t right to leave more than the tab as a tip.
Jayne followed her instructions. Still holding her hand he led them to the bar and used her coin on the machine.
“Care to dance, huo ban?” He asked, a little uncomfortably, as the music started.
“Nothing in the ‘Verse I’d like better.” She grinned, stepping into his arms.
He placed a nervous hand on her waist and held her tiny hand with the other. He held her at a deliberate distance.
“Don’t know much about dancing.” He said, voice low. “No steps or nothing.”
“It’s a slow song.” River said. “You’re doing fine. Natural rhythm.”
He cleared his throat. “This part of the plan?” He asked quietly.
“Which plan?” She asked all innocent-like.
“The imminent violence plan.” He said warily.
“Uh huh, sort of, we need to remove non-combatants.” She gestured with her eyes towards a man with in wide hat.
“See the hat? He’s a regular of Staci’s. He walked in just after the brothers. He comes in most nights, but only goes upstairs with her if someone plays this song. She never puts it on herself. Too much like begging.” She met his eyes again. “She’s sweet on him.”
Jayne watched as the young man tossed back his drink and approached Staci. He hadn’t realized boy was so young until he stood.
“What about the dancing part?” He asked, now suspicious.
“I wanted to be in your arms.” She admitted.
“You are all kinds of disturbing.” He said, shaking his head at her.
She smiled up at him. “Glad to hear it.”
“You would be.” He placed her other hand on his shoulder too, and brushed a lock of hair off her face before settling his hand on her waist.
She tried to step closer but he wouldn’t let her.
“Nu uh,” He said, “You’re maddening enough over there.”
“You say such pretty things.” She simpered.
He turned them around. As they shifted, his thumb accidentally brushed the underside of her breast. They both gasped. Their eyes met, focusing tightly on each other.
A belligerent voice cut into their moment. “Why don’t you say that to my face, you ignorant whoreson.”
River sighed. “The violence ensues.” Her face took on that distant look that meant she was Reading the situation. “Red shirt is at fault. Free for all. I’ll watch your back.” She grinned up at him. Her eyes took on that feral joy he remembered from U-day. “I remember the rules.”
He couldn’t resist planting a quick kiss on her forehead. “You sure are something else.” He murmured.
He’d scarcely spoken before the first chair came flying their way.
“Conserve the furniture.” She said, turning to catch the chair. “I like this place.”
She’d been right about everybody joining in. They stood together on the tiny dance floor and repelled all comers. More than once he saw her save some piece of the furniture from smashing, feral grin firmly in place.
Wasn’t anyone here much of a challenge, but it felt good to be dealing mayhem. Even better with her at his back.
Soon, almost too soon, the biggest brother was the only one coming. Jayne dealt him one in the gut and River took him down with a wicked kick.
Damn she was beautiful.
He wasn’t sure if he reached for her, but suddenly he was kissing her. Desperately, although whose desperation, he couldn’t have said.
They broke apart again when they heard the applause.
A number of patrons had avoided the fight at the back of the room and Gareth and Terrence stood behind the bar, out of the way. They were clapping and whistling.
“Let’s go.” Jayne growled.
“Thanks for the party.” River called, waving at the room.
Story List : Next
Chinese Phrases
luh suh garbage
shuai handsome
qing ren lover (I used an online dictionary, so it is likely to be improperly used.)
ta ma de Fuck me blind. (some people give alternate translations, but the joke doesn’t work if another translation is used.)
huo ban Partner (See above, a platonic endearment for Pre-Rayne.)