"String Theory." Chapter Four.
Story: String Theory
Chapter: Four: Double Talk (4/?)
Character(s)/Pairing: Zoe/Wash; eventual Rayne
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1720
Disclaimer: Not mine. (I do own Bonny and Mike, though.)
-Author's Notes: Yay! Wow, I'm surprised I got this done so quickly. Heh. I had a lot of it written, but it sort of sucked, so I just started over. I'm much happier with what I have now. (That's not to say it's great, but it's definitely better.) This might sort of drag on, but I thought it was sort of important. There are a lot of teeny tiny clue bits in there, though of course everyone already knows what's going on. Heh. (I still had a little bit of fun with it.) Anyway, hope everyone enjoys this!
-Recap:
"I'm sorry," Simon panted, right behind her, watching with desperation as River climbed onto the table, knocking plates off as she went. "I couldn't stop her."
Everyone else was too stunned to speak and they could only watch, aghast, as River pointed one thin, trembling finger at Michael.
She took in a shallow breath of air. "It's you."
String Theory
4. Double Talk
The whole crew stared. Michael blinked, apparently unfazed. “Yeah,” he said calmly, his voice devoid of any traces of hostility, “it’s me.”
River withdrew her hand, whimpering a little as she clutched at her head. “No, it’s you. It’s you!” Her eyes squeezed tightly shut and she drew her legs towards her chest, curling her body into a ball there on top of the table.
Simon lurched forward ineffectually, his hand not quite reaching his sister, grabbing only air.
“It’s only me,” Michael said tentatively, the gruff note in his voice slowly fading away. “I just - “
“No!” River let out a strangled cry, edging away from him, knocking plates and cups and clattering chopsticks down to the floor. “Stay out! I can’t… There are no sounds, no voices, no interference - the quiet. Everything is quiet.”
Michael leaned a little further back in his seat, one hand clenched into a tight fist on the tabletop. “An’ what’s so wrong with quiet?”
“River, please. Please mei mei, come down - we… we can fix this. Get off the table a-and let’s go to the infirmary; I want to help you, River, but - “
“There is nothing you can do, Simon!” she spat. She looked up at him, glaring darkly. “They do not belong here,” she said, pointing to Bonny and Mike. “And they are worried. Pounding, pulsing concern… Someone has wound their clock the wrong way around.”
Bonny stepped back towards Michael, color draining a little from her face. “What the hell does that mean?” Michael asked. “What in the sphincter o’ hell’s goin’ on here, captain? Who are these people an’ why are they in here causin’ such a commotion?”
“I’m the doctor,” Simon explained, edging sideways closer to his sister. “Serenity’s doctor. And this is my… younger sister.”
“Younger sister, huh? Well what the hell’s her damage?”
“I am crazy!” River announced shrilly, scowling and looking extremely perturbed. “Crazy, crazy - dig in her brain and refurbish the girl, give her two barrels but no silver bullets. Two by two…” She let out a dry sob. “Two by two!”
“Doc, what is goin’ on?” Mal shot Simon a worried look. “This ain’t gonna end well, I’m tellin’ you that now.”
“I don’t know, Mal. She… She’s never done this before. This sort of fit… It’s…” He let out a sharp, manic laugh. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
River shook her head and stood up. Quickly she jumped off the table and pressed herself against Simon’s side. “I am sorry, ge ge,” she said. She rubbed one of her eyes, sniffling a little as a thin arm wound its way around Simon’s bicep. “I can hear you again. All the bells and whistles and hums are back.”
“Hear…” Simon turned her a little, trying to get her to meet his eyes. “River, you responded to all auditory stimuli. Wh-what do you mean you can hear?”
She tapped his temple with her right index finger.
The entire crew let out a collective, inaudible breath. Simon gaped a little, gently pulling his sister’s finger down from his forehead. “Y-you mean… You couldn’t Read us. All the voices in your head… they were gone?”
“Doc.” Mal spoke sternly, his voice as dangerous as the cocking of a gun. “You best be quiet. Don’t say nothin’ you’re gonna regret us all hearin’.”
“You said voices in her head. You sayin’ she’s a Reader?” Michael asked incredulously, staring at River as though she had two heads.
“That’s…” Bonny took a deep breath, visibly calming as she exhaled. “Mike, just calm down. It’s… It’s somethin’ we can deal with.”
“Hey.” Jayne stood up, spitting out a piece of dislodged protein onto the floor. “I ain’t got patience for none o’ this go se.” He rolled his eyes at the Tams. “You two - y’all got ruttin’ problems.” Then he moved to Bonny and Michael. “An’ the two o’ you best keep all o’ this to your gorram selves. Mal, deal with ‘em.” He shrugged and picked his plate off the floor, depositing it onto the plate in the setting next to his. “I’m gon’ be in my bunk.”
Kaylee swallowed as she watched Jayne leave. “River’s real nice,” she said, her eyes flicking back and forth between the young psychic and Bonny. “She just… she got in a bad spot o’ trouble and we hadn’t quite got her right again yet.”
“Um…” Wash grinned, trying to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere. “I don’t think you guys need me here. Mal, I think I hear the bridge… dinging. It needs me, Mal. I have to go.”
“Mighty brave of you, husband,” Zoë remarked, one sculpted eyebrow raised.
Wash just winked. “That’s me, lamby-toes. Always on duty.” And with another grin, he scampered out of the mess.
Simon cleared his throat. All attention turned to him and he looked down for a moment awkwardly, stroking River’s hair. She had taken to staring intently at Michael, hardly blinking as her eyes bored into his. “I… I think we should go, as well. There - “
“Now not just yet, doc,” Mal said, holding up one hand. “I’m thinkin’ we need to have a talk with our new passengers ‘bout your sister’s little predicament.”
“They will not tell,” River said, her gaze still on Mike. “They have secrets of their own to keep.”
“Well, y’might be right about that, you li’l witch, but I ain’t about to jus’ take their words without some good old-fashioned threatening.” He paused. “Kaylee, why don’t you go on back down to the engine? Make sure our girl’s still runnin’ smooth.”
“Okay, Cap’n.” She walked tentatively out, sending Simon a quick, hesitant smile.
“And… should I go, too, captain?” Book asked.
Zoë snorted a little. “Might be best, sir. That hair o’ his is liable to stir the poor girl up again.”
“Okay, shepherd. Go on an’ do…” Mal waved his hand around vaguely. “We’ll see you later, then.”
Book nodded and head tilted downwards he left, as well.
Zoë and Mal took their positions at one side of the table, standing tall and proud, intimidating in their solidarity. Simon and River were both looking unsure and a little lost, standing near the two former soldiers but not quite belonging in their formation.
Michael finally stood up, pushing his chair back in with slow purpose. He stood beside Bonny, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were nearly the same shade as Jayne’s, but they lacked the edge found there; his cloudy blues spoke more of the depth and desperation that could be found in Simon’s. Bonny was clearly second-in-command, though she hovered near Michael with a protective energy that had Zoë - if perhaps not Mal - wondering just how close the two really were.
“I…” Simon cleared his throat, coughing into his fist as surveyed the two new passengers. “I just want to preface this by saying that… that River is not normal. She’s never been average, but things have… been done to her that have changed her permanently.”
Mike clenches his jaw, holding onto the back of the chair with one white-knuckled hand. “I don’t really care,” he said callously. “Whatever happened already happened, an’ I’m just int’rested in what’s gonna happen now. She gonna hurt us?”
Simon rubbed his forehead wearily. “I… No. I-I don’t think she will.”
Michael’s eyes hardened. “That don’t sound real sure, doctor.”
“I can’t be sure!” Simon said angrily. “I… I don’t know much; I’ve given her what help I could, but I-I don’t think she can ever fully heal. I’m not an expert in neurology and out here, I don’t have the equipment I need to - “
“Then why are you out here?” Bonny shook her head a little. “If she needs so much help, why don’t you take her to a hospital ‘r somethin’ where you can get all the tech and meds you need?”
Mal smiled sardonically. “Now that’s where it gets interestin’.” He cocked his head to one side, surveying the two with a muted interest. “Don’t much know if we can trust you two, but it don’t as if I’m bein’ given a choice. So y’all might be two fine, upstandin’ young Alliance-trustin’ citizens, but - “
“No.” Michael raised his chin, his eyes suddenly hard as blue steel. “We have nothing to do with the Alliance. An’ we never will.”
Mal raised one eyebrow, surprised by the force of the conviction before him. He and Zoë exchanged a significant glance. “That, uh… Well I’d say that’s definitely a point in your favor. The Alliance did this to that poor girl, an’ we don’t hold with any o’ those as support their cause.” He sighed, trying to gauge the reliability of the two young people before him. “They’re wanted. Got a mighty hefty bounty on both their heads. That change your mind?”
Both Bonny and Mike shook their heads. “Not even a bit,” Bonny said. Michael just grunted, his face set like stone.
“They will not hurt us,” River announced, picking at a bit of imaginary lint on Simon’s shirt sleeve. “The volume is turned down, but I can still pick up the frequency.” She smiled innocently at Mal. “Captain should allow them safe passage. Will be in his favor.” She pulled out of Simon’s hold, and went back to the table. She piled all the plates left on it into one big stack and then sat in the middle, dragging a cup towards her lap and dipping one finger in and out of the liquid in it. She frowned as she sucked on the finger. “The ape was not drinking water.” But as soon as she’d said it her manner changed and her head popped up, wild brown eyes locking on Michael’s face. Then she chuckled. “The girl with wings thinks you are acting too much like your father; is he an ape, as well? I think you are acting like the man they call Jayne.”
“Oh, you do?” He shifted slightly, though he didn't look away.
River nodded. “You are grumpy and unappealing to be around. I…” Her eyes narrowed. “This comparison displeases you. I do not trust you.”
Despite her attempts to quell it, Bonny let out a quiet chuckle. “He ain’t always this grumpy.”
“So, River,” Zoë asked. “They all right?”
For a long moment she was silent. “Yes, female Washburne,” she answered finally, plucking at her big toe and staring down at the table. “They are all right.”
~~~
Feedback always appreciated.
Previous ♥ Next
Chapter: Four: Double Talk (4/?)
Character(s)/Pairing: Zoe/Wash; eventual Rayne
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1720
Disclaimer: Not mine. (I do own Bonny and Mike, though.)
-Author's Notes: Yay! Wow, I'm surprised I got this done so quickly. Heh. I had a lot of it written, but it sort of sucked, so I just started over. I'm much happier with what I have now. (That's not to say it's great, but it's definitely better.) This might sort of drag on, but I thought it was sort of important. There are a lot of teeny tiny clue bits in there, though of course everyone already knows what's going on. Heh. (I still had a little bit of fun with it.) Anyway, hope everyone enjoys this!
-Recap:
"I'm sorry," Simon panted, right behind her, watching with desperation as River climbed onto the table, knocking plates off as she went. "I couldn't stop her."
Everyone else was too stunned to speak and they could only watch, aghast, as River pointed one thin, trembling finger at Michael.
She took in a shallow breath of air. "It's you."
String Theory
4. Double Talk
The whole crew stared. Michael blinked, apparently unfazed. “Yeah,” he said calmly, his voice devoid of any traces of hostility, “it’s me.”
River withdrew her hand, whimpering a little as she clutched at her head. “No, it’s you. It’s you!” Her eyes squeezed tightly shut and she drew her legs towards her chest, curling her body into a ball there on top of the table.
Simon lurched forward ineffectually, his hand not quite reaching his sister, grabbing only air.
“It’s only me,” Michael said tentatively, the gruff note in his voice slowly fading away. “I just - “
“No!” River let out a strangled cry, edging away from him, knocking plates and cups and clattering chopsticks down to the floor. “Stay out! I can’t… There are no sounds, no voices, no interference - the quiet. Everything is quiet.”
Michael leaned a little further back in his seat, one hand clenched into a tight fist on the tabletop. “An’ what’s so wrong with quiet?”
“River, please. Please mei mei, come down - we… we can fix this. Get off the table a-and let’s go to the infirmary; I want to help you, River, but - “
“There is nothing you can do, Simon!” she spat. She looked up at him, glaring darkly. “They do not belong here,” she said, pointing to Bonny and Mike. “And they are worried. Pounding, pulsing concern… Someone has wound their clock the wrong way around.”
Bonny stepped back towards Michael, color draining a little from her face. “What the hell does that mean?” Michael asked. “What in the sphincter o’ hell’s goin’ on here, captain? Who are these people an’ why are they in here causin’ such a commotion?”
“I’m the doctor,” Simon explained, edging sideways closer to his sister. “Serenity’s doctor. And this is my… younger sister.”
“Younger sister, huh? Well what the hell’s her damage?”
“I am crazy!” River announced shrilly, scowling and looking extremely perturbed. “Crazy, crazy - dig in her brain and refurbish the girl, give her two barrels but no silver bullets. Two by two…” She let out a dry sob. “Two by two!”
“Doc, what is goin’ on?” Mal shot Simon a worried look. “This ain’t gonna end well, I’m tellin’ you that now.”
“I don’t know, Mal. She… She’s never done this before. This sort of fit… It’s…” He let out a sharp, manic laugh. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
River shook her head and stood up. Quickly she jumped off the table and pressed herself against Simon’s side. “I am sorry, ge ge,” she said. She rubbed one of her eyes, sniffling a little as a thin arm wound its way around Simon’s bicep. “I can hear you again. All the bells and whistles and hums are back.”
“Hear…” Simon turned her a little, trying to get her to meet his eyes. “River, you responded to all auditory stimuli. Wh-what do you mean you can hear?”
She tapped his temple with her right index finger.
The entire crew let out a collective, inaudible breath. Simon gaped a little, gently pulling his sister’s finger down from his forehead. “Y-you mean… You couldn’t Read us. All the voices in your head… they were gone?”
“Doc.” Mal spoke sternly, his voice as dangerous as the cocking of a gun. “You best be quiet. Don’t say nothin’ you’re gonna regret us all hearin’.”
“You said voices in her head. You sayin’ she’s a Reader?” Michael asked incredulously, staring at River as though she had two heads.
“That’s…” Bonny took a deep breath, visibly calming as she exhaled. “Mike, just calm down. It’s… It’s somethin’ we can deal with.”
“Hey.” Jayne stood up, spitting out a piece of dislodged protein onto the floor. “I ain’t got patience for none o’ this go se.” He rolled his eyes at the Tams. “You two - y’all got ruttin’ problems.” Then he moved to Bonny and Michael. “An’ the two o’ you best keep all o’ this to your gorram selves. Mal, deal with ‘em.” He shrugged and picked his plate off the floor, depositing it onto the plate in the setting next to his. “I’m gon’ be in my bunk.”
Kaylee swallowed as she watched Jayne leave. “River’s real nice,” she said, her eyes flicking back and forth between the young psychic and Bonny. “She just… she got in a bad spot o’ trouble and we hadn’t quite got her right again yet.”
“Um…” Wash grinned, trying to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere. “I don’t think you guys need me here. Mal, I think I hear the bridge… dinging. It needs me, Mal. I have to go.”
“Mighty brave of you, husband,” Zoë remarked, one sculpted eyebrow raised.
Wash just winked. “That’s me, lamby-toes. Always on duty.” And with another grin, he scampered out of the mess.
Simon cleared his throat. All attention turned to him and he looked down for a moment awkwardly, stroking River’s hair. She had taken to staring intently at Michael, hardly blinking as her eyes bored into his. “I… I think we should go, as well. There - “
“Now not just yet, doc,” Mal said, holding up one hand. “I’m thinkin’ we need to have a talk with our new passengers ‘bout your sister’s little predicament.”
“They will not tell,” River said, her gaze still on Mike. “They have secrets of their own to keep.”
“Well, y’might be right about that, you li’l witch, but I ain’t about to jus’ take their words without some good old-fashioned threatening.” He paused. “Kaylee, why don’t you go on back down to the engine? Make sure our girl’s still runnin’ smooth.”
“Okay, Cap’n.” She walked tentatively out, sending Simon a quick, hesitant smile.
“And… should I go, too, captain?” Book asked.
Zoë snorted a little. “Might be best, sir. That hair o’ his is liable to stir the poor girl up again.”
“Okay, shepherd. Go on an’ do…” Mal waved his hand around vaguely. “We’ll see you later, then.”
Book nodded and head tilted downwards he left, as well.
Zoë and Mal took their positions at one side of the table, standing tall and proud, intimidating in their solidarity. Simon and River were both looking unsure and a little lost, standing near the two former soldiers but not quite belonging in their formation.
Michael finally stood up, pushing his chair back in with slow purpose. He stood beside Bonny, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were nearly the same shade as Jayne’s, but they lacked the edge found there; his cloudy blues spoke more of the depth and desperation that could be found in Simon’s. Bonny was clearly second-in-command, though she hovered near Michael with a protective energy that had Zoë - if perhaps not Mal - wondering just how close the two really were.
“I…” Simon cleared his throat, coughing into his fist as surveyed the two new passengers. “I just want to preface this by saying that… that River is not normal. She’s never been average, but things have… been done to her that have changed her permanently.”
Mike clenches his jaw, holding onto the back of the chair with one white-knuckled hand. “I don’t really care,” he said callously. “Whatever happened already happened, an’ I’m just int’rested in what’s gonna happen now. She gonna hurt us?”
Simon rubbed his forehead wearily. “I… No. I-I don’t think she will.”
Michael’s eyes hardened. “That don’t sound real sure, doctor.”
“I can’t be sure!” Simon said angrily. “I… I don’t know much; I’ve given her what help I could, but I-I don’t think she can ever fully heal. I’m not an expert in neurology and out here, I don’t have the equipment I need to - “
“Then why are you out here?” Bonny shook her head a little. “If she needs so much help, why don’t you take her to a hospital ‘r somethin’ where you can get all the tech and meds you need?”
Mal smiled sardonically. “Now that’s where it gets interestin’.” He cocked his head to one side, surveying the two with a muted interest. “Don’t much know if we can trust you two, but it don’t as if I’m bein’ given a choice. So y’all might be two fine, upstandin’ young Alliance-trustin’ citizens, but - “
“No.” Michael raised his chin, his eyes suddenly hard as blue steel. “We have nothing to do with the Alliance. An’ we never will.”
Mal raised one eyebrow, surprised by the force of the conviction before him. He and Zoë exchanged a significant glance. “That, uh… Well I’d say that’s definitely a point in your favor. The Alliance did this to that poor girl, an’ we don’t hold with any o’ those as support their cause.” He sighed, trying to gauge the reliability of the two young people before him. “They’re wanted. Got a mighty hefty bounty on both their heads. That change your mind?”
Both Bonny and Mike shook their heads. “Not even a bit,” Bonny said. Michael just grunted, his face set like stone.
“They will not hurt us,” River announced, picking at a bit of imaginary lint on Simon’s shirt sleeve. “The volume is turned down, but I can still pick up the frequency.” She smiled innocently at Mal. “Captain should allow them safe passage. Will be in his favor.” She pulled out of Simon’s hold, and went back to the table. She piled all the plates left on it into one big stack and then sat in the middle, dragging a cup towards her lap and dipping one finger in and out of the liquid in it. She frowned as she sucked on the finger. “The ape was not drinking water.” But as soon as she’d said it her manner changed and her head popped up, wild brown eyes locking on Michael’s face. Then she chuckled. “The girl with wings thinks you are acting too much like your father; is he an ape, as well? I think you are acting like the man they call Jayne.”
“Oh, you do?” He shifted slightly, though he didn't look away.
River nodded. “You are grumpy and unappealing to be around. I…” Her eyes narrowed. “This comparison displeases you. I do not trust you.”
Despite her attempts to quell it, Bonny let out a quiet chuckle. “He ain’t always this grumpy.”
“So, River,” Zoë asked. “They all right?”
For a long moment she was silent. “Yes, female Washburne,” she answered finally, plucking at her big toe and staring down at the table. “They are all right.”
~~~
Feedback always appreciated.
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