(no subject)
Title: All That We Let In
Author: squish
Rating: PG-15 ? (NC-17 in later parts)
Characters: Jayne/Kaylee
Disclaimer: The real characters belong to other people. People, not me. I’m just playing, don’t sue.
Summary: Sometimes your strength surprises you. Sometimes you should let it go.
Note: This is the first chapter in a series. I've gotten a little stuck somewhere in the middle and I thought posting and getting some feedback might help. I really want to know what you guys think (you can be critical, as long as you send chocolate with it). Plot bunnies are helpful. Anyone interested in beta-ing, I would really appreciate it!
***
Her fingers glide over smooth muscle as she’s pressed back onto the bed. A calloused hand trails down her body, searing her skin.
She throws her head back, exposing her neck to his lips, his teeth, his tongue. “Oh God!” His beard scratches her as his head dips lower. She pulls him closer, her need building.
Her legs wrap around his strong frame, fingers digging into his back. His deep voice whispers her name, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Kaylee.”
“Kaylee.”
Kaylee’s eyes snap open as she realizes that it’s a different voice saying her name, a different hand touching her. And in a flash the dream is gone.
Simon’s voice brings her out of her reverie. “Kaylee, it’s time to wake up. We’re going to miss breakfast.”
***
“River, do you know anythin’ about dreams? I mean you always seem to have lots of ‘em and you’re real smart an’ all…” Kaylee’s voice was soft and she kept her eyes from River as she concentrated on a spot on the floor.
River tilted her head to look at Kaylee, “Images formed when neural circuits fire during the sleep cycle. Presumed to allow cognitive organization and maintain system requirements. Projections from the psyche of longing and desire.”
“Yeah, that’s them.” Kaylee sighed. “So, do you know what they mean?”
“They mean whatever you want them to mean, Kaylee.” With that River turned and made her way out of the kitchen.
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Go se! She wished she could just figure out how this had happened. How was it that she found herself sleeping with Simon but dreamin’ about Jayne? And not simple dreams neither, but them kinda dreams!
River’s soft voice drifted back the hallway to Kaylee, the melody of it drifting on the air. “You know how, Kaylee.”
And she did. The dreams had started right after she and Jayne had been snatched by the Feds.
After Jayne had nearly died.
***
**Earlier**
The day had started out like any other for Mal Reynolds. They’d landed on Three Hills early. Mal wanted to get the cargo off the ship as soon as possible. Fanty and Mingo were giving him another chance after all the trouble they’d caused and he wasn’t gonna waste it. The first part of the job had gone smooth, but not without a little gun play. Still, weren’t nothin’ his crew couldn’t handle. At least what were left of ‘em.
“Zoe, we ready?” Mal checked his holster for the third time as Zoe narrowed her eyes at him. The captain was nervous about something and that meant trouble.
“Yes Sir, everything’s in order. Is there a problem I should know about?”
“Just wanna make good on this job. We need the coin and those two boys might not be happy we had to shoot our way out of that warehouse.”
Zoe stepped forward. She’d been doin’ that a lot since Miranda. Questioning Mal, pushing him just that little bit that she had never done before. He supposed that was alright, it was the least of what he deserved after all the pain he’d caused her. Caused them all.
“Sir, they picked the cargo, they knew what we were walking into back there.”
“Yeah, I ‘magine they did. But I figure we owe ‘em a bit for the Operative working ‘em over like he did. ‘Sides, I’m tryin’ to improve our public relations image.”
“Thought that was what Jayne was for, Sir.” Zoe deadpanned.
See, Mal thought, that right there was good news, a hint of the old Zoe. His thoughts were interrupted by the rest of his crew making their way down from the mess
“Mornin’ Cap’n!” Mal grimaced, sometimes it was difficult to deal with a cheerful Kaylee before he’d had his morning coffee.
“Hey li’l Kaylee, you all set to pick up the supplies we need?”
“Sure thing, Cap’n, but I’ll need some help. Was thinkin’ maybe Simon and River would like to go along, you know, see the sights, get off the ship for a bit?” She bit her lip, hoping he would take the hint. Knew he’d say no if anyone else had asked.
“I ‘spose that’s not a bad idea. Town’s not that big and there ain’t much of an Alliance presence this side of the planet.” But Mal didn’t need this end of the job to go south. All they had to do was take the cargo to Fanty and Mingo’s people and get paid.
“Still, better take Jayne with you.”
“Aw Mal! Why’s it always gotta be me gets stuck with the baby sittin’?” Jayne whined.
“Cause you’re the closest thing we got to a baby.” Mal climbed into the mule alongside Zoe, ignoring Jayne. “Be good, kids, and be back on the boat in two hours, dong ma?”
“Sure thing, Cap’n, have a good time.” Kaylee called as the mule pulled out. She turned to look at the others “Well, let’s go see what we can find that’s interestin’.”
***
It was a small town with an open market.
Kaylee loved markets.
First there were the people, bustlin’ around. Felt like back home when she’d go to town with her folks. Then, there were the booths. Little portable shops with everything a planet had to offer. Trinkets and baubles. Perfumes and insense. Fruits and vegetables. There was even one with some spare engine parts. What more could a girl ask for?
***
Jayne hated towns like this. Ones with open markets and people. Too many people crowding around, made his job harder trying to keep an eye on three greenhorns and be on the lookout for Feds or bounty hunters. Just his ruttin’ luck.
Still, River was being good and Kaylee was smiling over some engine parts. And he didn’t give a good gorram what the doc was doin’, long as he wasn’t gettin’ snatched by hillfolk again.
Next thing he knew his hands were full of some packages Kaylee had pushed at him and the crowd around them had changed. Something was wrong.
***
Kaylee had found just the thing she needed for Serenity. She was handing Jayne the bulk of her packages when she smiled up at him and knew by the expression on his face that something was wrong.
Then things happened fast. But it felt like time stretched out.
Someone shouted River and Simon’s names. River was whispering something in Kaylee’s ear as Jayne dropped the packages and drew his weapon. Simon grabbed River’s arm and yelled at her to run.
Then River was falling, collapsing into Simon’s arms, unconscious. Kaylee saw an Alliance soldier with a stunner aimed at them. Jayne fired near her, drawing the soldiers away and yelling at Simon to get out.
As the soldiers overpowered Jayne and grabbed her by the arms, all Kaylee could think about were River’s words. “Remember Kaylee, Alice fell down the rabbit hole and came out the other side.”
***
Comments?
Author: squish
Rating: PG-15 ? (NC-17 in later parts)
Characters: Jayne/Kaylee
Disclaimer: The real characters belong to other people. People, not me. I’m just playing, don’t sue.
Summary: Sometimes your strength surprises you. Sometimes you should let it go.
Note: This is the first chapter in a series. I've gotten a little stuck somewhere in the middle and I thought posting and getting some feedback might help. I really want to know what you guys think (you can be critical, as long as you send chocolate with it). Plot bunnies are helpful. Anyone interested in beta-ing, I would really appreciate it!
***
Her fingers glide over smooth muscle as she’s pressed back onto the bed. A calloused hand trails down her body, searing her skin.
She throws her head back, exposing her neck to his lips, his teeth, his tongue. “Oh God!” His beard scratches her as his head dips lower. She pulls him closer, her need building.
Her legs wrap around his strong frame, fingers digging into his back. His deep voice whispers her name, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Kaylee.”
“Kaylee.”
Kaylee’s eyes snap open as she realizes that it’s a different voice saying her name, a different hand touching her. And in a flash the dream is gone.
Simon’s voice brings her out of her reverie. “Kaylee, it’s time to wake up. We’re going to miss breakfast.”
***
“River, do you know anythin’ about dreams? I mean you always seem to have lots of ‘em and you’re real smart an’ all…” Kaylee’s voice was soft and she kept her eyes from River as she concentrated on a spot on the floor.
River tilted her head to look at Kaylee, “Images formed when neural circuits fire during the sleep cycle. Presumed to allow cognitive organization and maintain system requirements. Projections from the psyche of longing and desire.”
“Yeah, that’s them.” Kaylee sighed. “So, do you know what they mean?”
“They mean whatever you want them to mean, Kaylee.” With that River turned and made her way out of the kitchen.
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Go se! She wished she could just figure out how this had happened. How was it that she found herself sleeping with Simon but dreamin’ about Jayne? And not simple dreams neither, but them kinda dreams!
River’s soft voice drifted back the hallway to Kaylee, the melody of it drifting on the air. “You know how, Kaylee.”
And she did. The dreams had started right after she and Jayne had been snatched by the Feds.
After Jayne had nearly died.
***
**Earlier**
The day had started out like any other for Mal Reynolds. They’d landed on Three Hills early. Mal wanted to get the cargo off the ship as soon as possible. Fanty and Mingo were giving him another chance after all the trouble they’d caused and he wasn’t gonna waste it. The first part of the job had gone smooth, but not without a little gun play. Still, weren’t nothin’ his crew couldn’t handle. At least what were left of ‘em.
“Zoe, we ready?” Mal checked his holster for the third time as Zoe narrowed her eyes at him. The captain was nervous about something and that meant trouble.
“Yes Sir, everything’s in order. Is there a problem I should know about?”
“Just wanna make good on this job. We need the coin and those two boys might not be happy we had to shoot our way out of that warehouse.”
Zoe stepped forward. She’d been doin’ that a lot since Miranda. Questioning Mal, pushing him just that little bit that she had never done before. He supposed that was alright, it was the least of what he deserved after all the pain he’d caused her. Caused them all.
“Sir, they picked the cargo, they knew what we were walking into back there.”
“Yeah, I ‘magine they did. But I figure we owe ‘em a bit for the Operative working ‘em over like he did. ‘Sides, I’m tryin’ to improve our public relations image.”
“Thought that was what Jayne was for, Sir.” Zoe deadpanned.
See, Mal thought, that right there was good news, a hint of the old Zoe. His thoughts were interrupted by the rest of his crew making their way down from the mess
“Mornin’ Cap’n!” Mal grimaced, sometimes it was difficult to deal with a cheerful Kaylee before he’d had his morning coffee.
“Hey li’l Kaylee, you all set to pick up the supplies we need?”
“Sure thing, Cap’n, but I’ll need some help. Was thinkin’ maybe Simon and River would like to go along, you know, see the sights, get off the ship for a bit?” She bit her lip, hoping he would take the hint. Knew he’d say no if anyone else had asked.
“I ‘spose that’s not a bad idea. Town’s not that big and there ain’t much of an Alliance presence this side of the planet.” But Mal didn’t need this end of the job to go south. All they had to do was take the cargo to Fanty and Mingo’s people and get paid.
“Still, better take Jayne with you.”
“Aw Mal! Why’s it always gotta be me gets stuck with the baby sittin’?” Jayne whined.
“Cause you’re the closest thing we got to a baby.” Mal climbed into the mule alongside Zoe, ignoring Jayne. “Be good, kids, and be back on the boat in two hours, dong ma?”
“Sure thing, Cap’n, have a good time.” Kaylee called as the mule pulled out. She turned to look at the others “Well, let’s go see what we can find that’s interestin’.”
***
It was a small town with an open market.
Kaylee loved markets.
First there were the people, bustlin’ around. Felt like back home when she’d go to town with her folks. Then, there were the booths. Little portable shops with everything a planet had to offer. Trinkets and baubles. Perfumes and insense. Fruits and vegetables. There was even one with some spare engine parts. What more could a girl ask for?
***
Jayne hated towns like this. Ones with open markets and people. Too many people crowding around, made his job harder trying to keep an eye on three greenhorns and be on the lookout for Feds or bounty hunters. Just his ruttin’ luck.
Still, River was being good and Kaylee was smiling over some engine parts. And he didn’t give a good gorram what the doc was doin’, long as he wasn’t gettin’ snatched by hillfolk again.
Next thing he knew his hands were full of some packages Kaylee had pushed at him and the crowd around them had changed. Something was wrong.
***
Kaylee had found just the thing she needed for Serenity. She was handing Jayne the bulk of her packages when she smiled up at him and knew by the expression on his face that something was wrong.
Then things happened fast. But it felt like time stretched out.
Someone shouted River and Simon’s names. River was whispering something in Kaylee’s ear as Jayne dropped the packages and drew his weapon. Simon grabbed River’s arm and yelled at her to run.
Then River was falling, collapsing into Simon’s arms, unconscious. Kaylee saw an Alliance soldier with a stunner aimed at them. Jayne fired near her, drawing the soldiers away and yelling at Simon to get out.
As the soldiers overpowered Jayne and grabbed her by the arms, all Kaylee could think about were River’s words. “Remember Kaylee, Alice fell down the rabbit hole and came out the other side.”
***
Comments?