The Awaited One: Waiting Forever Part 6/?
Author: hermione2be
Story: The Awaited One
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 5: Waiting Forever
Crossover: Firefly/Buffy - if you squint and look sideways
Timeline: Firefly-post BDM seven months after, Buffy - takes into account all of television series of both Angel and Buffy but no the comic books.
Summary: Five hundred years later there is a new light approaching. Rayne-S/K
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Buffy/Angel mythos and Firefly/Serenity are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Inc., etc.
“Excuse me?” Mal yelled looking at his merc, just imagining throwing him out the airlock.
“I had nothing to do with that!” Jayne snapped.
“How could yo-”
“She’s just a-”
“- a trip to the airlo-”
“- don’t touch crew-”
“-stupid ape-”
“SIMON!” Kaylee’s voice sounded above the rest.
The crew turned to find River thrashing on the examination chair and the monitor shrilling.
“Doc?” Mal asked.
“Her blood pressure spiked,” he grabbed a needle and vile.
Just as quickly the noise stopped. River sat up, looking pale and tearstained.
“Mei mei,” Simon approached her as he filled the needle.
“I do not require a smoother,” she pushed herself off the table.
“River, your blood pressure rose dangerously,” he pointed to the monitor.
“Your fault,” she looked at the crew peeking in, “all your emotions’ fault. Hurts, blames, lies. Spiders weave their webs around us. We wait to have the blood sucked from our marrow. Must stop, all are blameless.”
Inara’s eyes narrowed.
“Albatross,” Mal walked in, staying a distance from the pilot. “Do you know what is going on?”
She gave him a glare, but answered truthfully, “yes and no.”
The Companion frowned, “River, is this part of your mission?”
“Mission?” Simon looked between the two women.
“You said you would need help, that the blameless would be blamed.”
River cocked her head, “yes. This is part of that.”
“You said you didn’t know your mission,” she walked fully into the infirmary, “do you know it now?”
“No,” she sighed, “only clear objective is to protect.”
“River, who is the father?” Mal cut in.
She shrugged, “I’m not sure.”
Simon’s eyes bugged, “how can you be not sure?”
“Simon,” Kaylee distracted him, “Can you estimate how far along she is?”
“Of course,” he grabbed the portable monitor and pulled up information on the encyclopedia. He stared a moment then finally sighed, “Five or six weeks gestation according to her hormone levels.”
Zoe frowned, “We had three hauls around that time. But we didn’t stay on planet more than the time it took to drop off and pick up cargo.”
“Don’t take much time,” Jayne mumbled. A mistake on his part as it brought attention back to him. “Gorramit, I never touched her!”
“Had your hands all over her this morning,” Simon reminded him.
“We was asleep!”
“Stop!” River demanded. “Jayne and I have never had sexual intercourse.” She crossed her arms, “and even if we had, it’s none of your business.”
“None of-” Mal sputtered. “Jayne is not to touch crew.”
“Simon does!” River yelled back. “Inara would if you’d get your head out of the pi gu.” Mal’s face was red, but in anger or embarrassment was anyone’s guess.
“I do not,” Simon’s immediate retort came forth.
“What do you call Kaylee?” she asked snidely.
“River,” Zoe warned.
The pilot looked completely miserable. “I don’t know,” she answered the woman’s silent question, “I don’t know when.”
“I thought you was a virgin,” Kaylee spoke up, puzzled.
“Obviously not,” Simon snapped.
River went rigid. “Since you believe you already have your answers…” she faced the captain, “do not harm Jayne.” She continued out of the infirmary. Zoe grabbed her, “Ahh!” River ripped her arm away, her scream of terror freezing the crew in place. Tears filled her eyes, “if it was yours there would be joy. I’m sorry it’s not.”
She ran in the direction of her room.
It took several minutes for the crew to move. Simon bringing his hand to his face broke their frozen facades.
“My sister is pregnant,” he moaned. Kaylee guided him to a common room chair.
“Don’t say it like that,” Zoe said stonily.
“Why not?” he continued. “My barely stable sister is going to have a baby when she can’t even take care of herself.”
“Because,” Zoe’s voice took on a hauntingly sad note, “a baby is a blessing.” The first mate headed upstairs.
“Ai ya,” Mal sighed.
“What’s wrong cap’n?” Kaylee looked back at Mal.
“If Wash was…” he couldn’t finish the thought.
“It’s their anniversary,” Jayne finally dragged out, “today.”
“You remember?”
“River said something ‘bout it last night,” he shrugged.
“She’s a Reader,” Mal said suddenly, “what are the chances she knew?”
“No,” the mechanic denied, “she was shocked when she saw the scanner.”
“Though it would explain her sudden push for independence,” Inara said thoughtfully. “Jayne, did she talk to you about a mission?”
“Nah,” he shrugged, “and nothing about babies either. Though if she knew, I git why she di’n’t tell ya.”
“What?” Simon’s head snapped up.
“Look at yourself, doc,” Jayne said, “you ain’t happy for her or understandin’. Zoe looks and sounds like she’s about to take a walk in the Black. And Mal’s angry enough to feel like its fire bein’ poured into her head.”
“Fire poured into her head?” Inara scrunched up her face.
“It’s how she describes Mal’s red emotions and feelin’s,” he explained, “Kaylee’s bright and sharp.”
“Sharp?” Kaylee said, twisting her hands.
“Just how she sees it.”
“Oh,” she looked at the captain, “so whatta we do?”
“Way I see it,” Mal put a hand on the young woman’s shoulder, “not our choice to make.”
“River may not believe it is her decision either,” Inara added.
“This mission she been talkin’ ‘bout,” Jayne guessed.
“She just said the only thing she knew was that she must protect this child,” she nodded.
“Inara, what did she tell you about this mission?” Simon implored.
“Not much, she didn’t understand it when we talked.”
“Mayhap we should ask her,” Mal cut in.
“Let her be,” Jayne told him, “she’s been avoidin’ the doc for two months. Ya corner her and she may refuse to talk to any of ya.”
“Will she talk to you?” Inara asked.
“Maybe,” he shrugged.
“You are not allowed anywhere near her!” Simon snapped.
“Simon,” Kaylee tried.
“No,” he came to his feet, “for all we know he’s lying and River is protecting him.” He looked at Mal, “they’ve been keeping secrets, this could just be another one.”
“We’ll deal with this later,” Mal decided, “you two git breakfast started, if we’re goin’ to start the day this badly we might as well have food. Inara…”
“I have things to do until then,” Inara swept from the room.
Simon wanted to protest but Kaylee dragged him upstairs to the mess.
Jayne glared at Mal, “going to hit me and dump me in the airlock?”
“Don’t tempt me,” the captain dropped into the empty chair. “That girl seems to bring a heap a trouble on my boat.”
“Got the feelin’ she was preggers ‘bout more than a week back,” he admitted.
“What made ya think so?”
“My ma was always sick the first couple weeks,” he shrugged, “and had a thing ‘bout smells.”
“Smells?” Mal looked up at him.
“After I got back from the cathouse,” he scratched his neck, “River got a meter from me and got sick. Said I smelled like a cheap floozy.”
The captain raised an eyebrow, “someone has to go talk to her.”
“Long as it’s not Simon or Zoe,” he said, “She may talk.”
“You’re the one she seems intent on protectin’,” he smirked. “And you been ‘round more pregnant women than I have.”
“Only my ma.”
“Still more than me. And she seems to like you more than anyone else on this boat at the moment.”
“What do ya want me to say to her?”
“Don’t care much. Just calm her down enough to join the crew for breakfast,” Mal said as he stood and exited the common room.
Jayne rolled his eyes and headed towards the passenger quarters. He dragged open the thin material that served as a door. He frowned into the dark room. His eyes noticed a dark lump on the bed.
“You hidin’?” he asked.
“They won’t go away,” a whisper came back. “They tap, tap, tap on the glass. Water amplifies the sound through my bones.”
“Don’t think they mean to,” he stepped fully into her room. Talking like that it wasn’t likely to be a quick conversation.
“Sign says do not tap on glass. They do it anyways. Care not for the fish.”
Jayne leaned over the lump on the bed. “You talkin’ ‘bout the baby?”
Her eyes came into view, “he understands. He may stay.”
“Did they shake ya up?”
“My teeth still rattle.”
Sighing he shifted down pulling her to him and sliding onto her bed. It took a minute to settle on his back. River buried her face against his neck.
“Didn’t think you’d come,” she mumbled.
“Why not?”
“Can’t spar… no partnership.”
“I di’n’t mean it like that,” he rubbed a hand up her back.
“I’m glad you came.”
“It’s nothing,” he shrugged under her slight weight. After a moment he told her, “they don’t think ya know what’s going on.”
“Admittedly I am a little lost as to the specifics,” she crossed her arms and placed her chin on them watching him with wide eyes, “but I understand now. Fetal growth is stilted by regurgitation, stress, and impeded REM cycles.”
“Ya got a reason to put meat on your bony body.”
“I gained two pounds in the time you’ve helped me sleep,” she gave him a crooked smile. “And I’m not bony,” she jabbed a finger into his chest for emphasis.
“Oof!” he glared at her. “Are too!” His finger buried itself in her rib.
“Ahh!” she shrieked and wriggled. The continued attack made her roll off of him and to her feet. He lunged after her. With a hearty laugh she took off through the door. Stomping followed her through the common room, around the chairs, and into the cargo bay.
With a burst of speed and a growl Jayne got his hands on her. She laughed loudly using the merc’s body to try and push away his hands.
When it became a losing battle River went for broke. She pressed a hand into his clavicle and buried the heel of her foot into the back of his knee. She had misjudged his reaction. Instead of pitching backwards, he fell forward.
“Gorramit,” Jayne cursed. “You okay?”
Still laughing she looked up at him. “I feel light, but you are heavy.” She poked his chest. “Very heavy wall of muscle.”
He pushed himself onto his hands and knees. “Yeah. Yeah.” He softly poked her stomach, “and… it?”
She shrugged and indicated the top joint of her pinky finger, “fetus is only this big. And while the uterus will take up the entirety of my abdomen, at the moment it is mostly protected by the pelvic structure.”
Jayne rocked back to sit on his heels and pulled her up. “I’m goin’ to have to teach ya small words.”
“Why?”
“Because kids don’t understand them words,” he got to his feet.
“I did,” she stood looking up at him quizzically.
“And if the baby is more like its pa?”
“Prying will not help,” she told him. “I still do not know.”
“You hungry, yet?”
88888888
Kaylee and Inara pulled Simon and Mal bodily back to the mess.
“When did that happen?” Simon wondered.
“While everyone slept,” Inara explained pulling the water off the stove.
“The flies were spying,” River says cryptically as she walked into the mess.
“Breakfast ready?” Jayne asked as he threw himself into his chair.
“Yes,” Kaylee smiled brightly. “I was just goin’ to serve it up.”
“River, would you like some tea?” the Companion inquired.
“Please,” she nodded.
“Is anyone goin’ to git Zoe?” Kaylee asked as she set full plates on the table.
“No,” Mal shook his head, “give her time to cool off.”
River poked her food with a spoon, “not today. She will not listen today.”
“She’s not mad at you, Albatross,” he told her.
“I know,” she gave a half-smile. “It is easier, however, to be mad at me than Wash.”
The crew went quiet as they started eating, each thinking about the dead man.
Mal looked up, shaking off his feelings. “You know this means ya got to be more careful.”
“I am always careful,” River retorted. “And I am less prone to getting shot than you.”
“You can’t go on jobs,” Simon told her.
“More useful than sitting around here,” she told him.
“And if you get shot?”
“Already been shot,” she motioned to her shoulder. “I can take care of myself.”
“We ain’t arguing this,” Mal finally snapped. “Albatross you know the risks. You get to go on jobs as long as you want. Until you are only going to be stubborn and then you stay behind.”
River thought through his words, “acceptable.”
“Capta-” Simon started.
“Give it a rest, doc,” Jayne drawled, “ya ain’t won these arguments in the past, no sense in thinkin’ ya will now.”
Simon puffed up but didn’t speak.
88888888
Zoe came out of her cabin late that night. In front of her hatch she found a small stack of pictures. Some charcoal, others colored pencil. The last one in the stack was done on thick paper and paints.
She glanced at the cockpit, but it was dark and shut down for the night. She headed for the mess. She was not surprised the see Jayne and River sitting at the table playing cards. The foods spread out in front of them were a little unusual. An apple, protein chips, powdered milk, and cheese squares sat on a tray. But there was also a small cupcake shaped snack with chocolate frosting and a candle in the center.
Zoe lifted the papers, “These from you?”
River nodded, “I know you don’t have many pictures.”
“How did you get the one of our wedding?”
“Images I picked up when I was crazy.”
Jayne lifted a bottle of rotgut and poured Zoe a glass putting it next to the cupcake.
The first mate took the seat next to River. “Thank you.”
88888888
By the time they landed in Revello Port on Dyton. The entire crew had been avoiding each other for a week. Except River and Jayne who continued their nightly card games.
Dyton was a fair-sun planet on a thirty-eight hour day. They landed at the start of night in the city they were to meet their possible new boss. River sat in the pilot’s seat for several minutes after the engines had been shut off. Something big was about to happen, she could feel it.
“Albatross!” Mal called through the comm, “git down here!”
River pulled on her boots and straightened her shirt. She took her time heading to the bay.
“We need to get to the meetin’ place,” Mal announced loudly.
“Why does all the crew have to go?” Simon asked.
“This guy deals with everyone, not just the captain,” he reminded them for the third time that day. “Something about mutiny and being cheated out of merchandise.”
River finally arrived at Jayne’s elbow.
“Thank you,” the captain rolled his eyes, “Zoe what’s the name of this place?”
“The Scourge Pub,” she said as they crew disembark Serenity.
“It’s on the main street from the port,” Inara supplied, “you can’t miss it.”
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?” Kaylee asked.
“Five or six years,” she smiled.
River checked the ship was sealed up before following behind everyone. Jayne dropped back to ask, “something goin’ to go wrong?”
“I don’t think so,” she frowned at the dirt road beneath her feet, “but something is happening. I can’t sort it out.”
“It’ll come to ya,” he gave her a smirk. He doubled his steps to catch up with Mal and Zoe as they reached the bar.
At the door a bouncer gave them all a long look, before leading them upstairs to a large lounge. “The Boss will be with you in a moment.”
“Wow,” Simon studied the paintings, “these are amazing replicas of Earth-that-Was artists.”
“They’re not replicas,” River said, “they are older than this world or any other we’ve been on.” She looked around the room. There were three doors, the one they came through, one to a bathroom, and the other supposedly leading to the Boss. The room could comfortably fit fifteen people with various sized chairs and couches. On the far wall was a cabinet with various canters and alcohols. The walls were decorated with paintings, drawings, and pages from books that were older than anything River had ever seen.
“This is Latin,” Inara announced looking at one of the pages. “I can’t read it but I recognize it.”
“Do ya think they’re rich?” Jayne asked from his spot against the wall which gave him the best view of all three doors.
“Old,” the pilot shrugged, “like everything around them.”
“River!” Simon scolded.
The door on the other side of the room opened. Mal and Zoe stepped forward. River felt a chill and slipped to the back of the group. Jayne didn’t move from his vantage place.
“’lo all,” a cockney voice greeted. The man was younger than the captain, as skinny as River, but his muscles showed it was not as a result of sickness. He wore black pants and a blue sweater. “Well, aren’t you lot jumpy.”
Jayne studied the young, thin man, he had blue eyes and short ruffled sand-colored hair. He was pale and wore a tight smile. Instantly something in him itched, he didn’t like this guy.
“I’m captain of the ship Serenity, name’s Malcolm Reynolds,” Mal introduced himself.
The man stuck his hand out, “Nice to meet you, captain.”
“This is my first mate, Zoe Washburne.”
“Mrs. Washburne,” he smiled crookedly.
“Jayne Cobb, our gun-hand. Kaylee Frye, our mechanic,” he gestured to the crew as he went. “Inara Serra a Companion who flies with us.”
“Ms. Frye, Ms. Serra,” his eyes intently studied everyone he was introduced to.
“Doctor Simon Tam is the ship’s medic,” Mal frowned, “and at the back is our pilot River Tam.”
“You two haven’t been on the Cortex in near a year,” the man nodded, “good to see the gov’ment left ya be.” He shook Simon’s hand. “Do I get to meet your pilot?”
“River git up here,” the captain demanded.
“Shy one are ya?” he smiled and stepped forward to get a look at her. He got within two meters before he froze, ice blue eyes going wide. He whirled around and ran out the door he’d come from.
The crew looked around at one another then back at River. The genius was frowning. “I can’t see his mind. I can feel things around him, and see events, but I am only reflected by his thoughts.”
“Ya think it’s a trap?” Jayne asked.
“Too late if it is,” Zoe looked around with a soldier’s eye.
The sound of running feet brought their attention back to the door. The blue-eyed man and a dark haired man stood in the doorway.
“Mate,” the blue-eyed one was telling him, “I think it’s her, but you’ve got to tell me I’m not just crazy.”
The dark haired man walked forward. He looked scary and Kaylee pushed herself as far as she could away from him. This new guy bothered Jayne just as much as the first.
The dark haired man came to a stop in front of River. He fixed her with a gaze meant to intimidate and cow. The genius stared back, eyes narrowing. The man made a small motion forward. River stepped into a punch that threw him across the room.
Everyone stared at River as she continued to glare at the dark haired guy. The man in question stayed on his back where he landed, hands covering his face.
The blue-eyed one ran forward and folded his arms around River. Laughing the entire time, “I can’t tell you how long we’ve been waiting for you.”
River felt the darkness recede slightly. If Jayne only made the world soft this guy was like being alone in steel box. And it felt wonderful.
“Get your hands off my sister,” Simon seethed.
“She wants me off. She can bloody well send me across the room like Peaches.”
“Peaches?” Kaylee asked.
“My name is Angel,” the man on the floor growled. “Spike is just an ass!”
The one, Spike, just laughed and tightened his hold on River.
Feedback is greatly sought
Story: The Awaited One
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 5: Waiting Forever
Crossover: Firefly/Buffy - if you squint and look sideways
Timeline: Firefly-post BDM seven months after, Buffy - takes into account all of television series of both Angel and Buffy but no the comic books.
Summary: Five hundred years later there is a new light approaching. Rayne-S/K
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Buffy/Angel mythos and Firefly/Serenity are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Inc., etc.
“Excuse me?” Mal yelled looking at his merc, just imagining throwing him out the airlock.
“I had nothing to do with that!” Jayne snapped.
“How could yo-”
“She’s just a-”
“- a trip to the airlo-”
“- don’t touch crew-”
“-stupid ape-”
“SIMON!” Kaylee’s voice sounded above the rest.
The crew turned to find River thrashing on the examination chair and the monitor shrilling.
“Doc?” Mal asked.
“Her blood pressure spiked,” he grabbed a needle and vile.
Just as quickly the noise stopped. River sat up, looking pale and tearstained.
“Mei mei,” Simon approached her as he filled the needle.
“I do not require a smoother,” she pushed herself off the table.
“River, your blood pressure rose dangerously,” he pointed to the monitor.
“Your fault,” she looked at the crew peeking in, “all your emotions’ fault. Hurts, blames, lies. Spiders weave their webs around us. We wait to have the blood sucked from our marrow. Must stop, all are blameless.”
Inara’s eyes narrowed.
“Albatross,” Mal walked in, staying a distance from the pilot. “Do you know what is going on?”
She gave him a glare, but answered truthfully, “yes and no.”
The Companion frowned, “River, is this part of your mission?”
“Mission?” Simon looked between the two women.
“You said you would need help, that the blameless would be blamed.”
River cocked her head, “yes. This is part of that.”
“You said you didn’t know your mission,” she walked fully into the infirmary, “do you know it now?”
“No,” she sighed, “only clear objective is to protect.”
“River, who is the father?” Mal cut in.
She shrugged, “I’m not sure.”
Simon’s eyes bugged, “how can you be not sure?”
“Simon,” Kaylee distracted him, “Can you estimate how far along she is?”
“Of course,” he grabbed the portable monitor and pulled up information on the encyclopedia. He stared a moment then finally sighed, “Five or six weeks gestation according to her hormone levels.”
Zoe frowned, “We had three hauls around that time. But we didn’t stay on planet more than the time it took to drop off and pick up cargo.”
“Don’t take much time,” Jayne mumbled. A mistake on his part as it brought attention back to him. “Gorramit, I never touched her!”
“Had your hands all over her this morning,” Simon reminded him.
“We was asleep!”
“Stop!” River demanded. “Jayne and I have never had sexual intercourse.” She crossed her arms, “and even if we had, it’s none of your business.”
“None of-” Mal sputtered. “Jayne is not to touch crew.”
“Simon does!” River yelled back. “Inara would if you’d get your head out of the pi gu.” Mal’s face was red, but in anger or embarrassment was anyone’s guess.
“I do not,” Simon’s immediate retort came forth.
“What do you call Kaylee?” she asked snidely.
“River,” Zoe warned.
The pilot looked completely miserable. “I don’t know,” she answered the woman’s silent question, “I don’t know when.”
“I thought you was a virgin,” Kaylee spoke up, puzzled.
“Obviously not,” Simon snapped.
River went rigid. “Since you believe you already have your answers…” she faced the captain, “do not harm Jayne.” She continued out of the infirmary. Zoe grabbed her, “Ahh!” River ripped her arm away, her scream of terror freezing the crew in place. Tears filled her eyes, “if it was yours there would be joy. I’m sorry it’s not.”
She ran in the direction of her room.
It took several minutes for the crew to move. Simon bringing his hand to his face broke their frozen facades.
“My sister is pregnant,” he moaned. Kaylee guided him to a common room chair.
“Don’t say it like that,” Zoe said stonily.
“Why not?” he continued. “My barely stable sister is going to have a baby when she can’t even take care of herself.”
“Because,” Zoe’s voice took on a hauntingly sad note, “a baby is a blessing.” The first mate headed upstairs.
“Ai ya,” Mal sighed.
“What’s wrong cap’n?” Kaylee looked back at Mal.
“If Wash was…” he couldn’t finish the thought.
“It’s their anniversary,” Jayne finally dragged out, “today.”
“You remember?”
“River said something ‘bout it last night,” he shrugged.
“She’s a Reader,” Mal said suddenly, “what are the chances she knew?”
“No,” the mechanic denied, “she was shocked when she saw the scanner.”
“Though it would explain her sudden push for independence,” Inara said thoughtfully. “Jayne, did she talk to you about a mission?”
“Nah,” he shrugged, “and nothing about babies either. Though if she knew, I git why she di’n’t tell ya.”
“What?” Simon’s head snapped up.
“Look at yourself, doc,” Jayne said, “you ain’t happy for her or understandin’. Zoe looks and sounds like she’s about to take a walk in the Black. And Mal’s angry enough to feel like its fire bein’ poured into her head.”
“Fire poured into her head?” Inara scrunched up her face.
“It’s how she describes Mal’s red emotions and feelin’s,” he explained, “Kaylee’s bright and sharp.”
“Sharp?” Kaylee said, twisting her hands.
“Just how she sees it.”
“Oh,” she looked at the captain, “so whatta we do?”
“Way I see it,” Mal put a hand on the young woman’s shoulder, “not our choice to make.”
“River may not believe it is her decision either,” Inara added.
“This mission she been talkin’ ‘bout,” Jayne guessed.
“She just said the only thing she knew was that she must protect this child,” she nodded.
“Inara, what did she tell you about this mission?” Simon implored.
“Not much, she didn’t understand it when we talked.”
“Mayhap we should ask her,” Mal cut in.
“Let her be,” Jayne told him, “she’s been avoidin’ the doc for two months. Ya corner her and she may refuse to talk to any of ya.”
“Will she talk to you?” Inara asked.
“Maybe,” he shrugged.
“You are not allowed anywhere near her!” Simon snapped.
“Simon,” Kaylee tried.
“No,” he came to his feet, “for all we know he’s lying and River is protecting him.” He looked at Mal, “they’ve been keeping secrets, this could just be another one.”
“We’ll deal with this later,” Mal decided, “you two git breakfast started, if we’re goin’ to start the day this badly we might as well have food. Inara…”
“I have things to do until then,” Inara swept from the room.
Simon wanted to protest but Kaylee dragged him upstairs to the mess.
Jayne glared at Mal, “going to hit me and dump me in the airlock?”
“Don’t tempt me,” the captain dropped into the empty chair. “That girl seems to bring a heap a trouble on my boat.”
“Got the feelin’ she was preggers ‘bout more than a week back,” he admitted.
“What made ya think so?”
“My ma was always sick the first couple weeks,” he shrugged, “and had a thing ‘bout smells.”
“Smells?” Mal looked up at him.
“After I got back from the cathouse,” he scratched his neck, “River got a meter from me and got sick. Said I smelled like a cheap floozy.”
The captain raised an eyebrow, “someone has to go talk to her.”
“Long as it’s not Simon or Zoe,” he said, “She may talk.”
“You’re the one she seems intent on protectin’,” he smirked. “And you been ‘round more pregnant women than I have.”
“Only my ma.”
“Still more than me. And she seems to like you more than anyone else on this boat at the moment.”
“What do ya want me to say to her?”
“Don’t care much. Just calm her down enough to join the crew for breakfast,” Mal said as he stood and exited the common room.
Jayne rolled his eyes and headed towards the passenger quarters. He dragged open the thin material that served as a door. He frowned into the dark room. His eyes noticed a dark lump on the bed.
“You hidin’?” he asked.
“They won’t go away,” a whisper came back. “They tap, tap, tap on the glass. Water amplifies the sound through my bones.”
“Don’t think they mean to,” he stepped fully into her room. Talking like that it wasn’t likely to be a quick conversation.
“Sign says do not tap on glass. They do it anyways. Care not for the fish.”
Jayne leaned over the lump on the bed. “You talkin’ ‘bout the baby?”
Her eyes came into view, “he understands. He may stay.”
“Did they shake ya up?”
“My teeth still rattle.”
Sighing he shifted down pulling her to him and sliding onto her bed. It took a minute to settle on his back. River buried her face against his neck.
“Didn’t think you’d come,” she mumbled.
“Why not?”
“Can’t spar… no partnership.”
“I di’n’t mean it like that,” he rubbed a hand up her back.
“I’m glad you came.”
“It’s nothing,” he shrugged under her slight weight. After a moment he told her, “they don’t think ya know what’s going on.”
“Admittedly I am a little lost as to the specifics,” she crossed her arms and placed her chin on them watching him with wide eyes, “but I understand now. Fetal growth is stilted by regurgitation, stress, and impeded REM cycles.”
“Ya got a reason to put meat on your bony body.”
“I gained two pounds in the time you’ve helped me sleep,” she gave him a crooked smile. “And I’m not bony,” she jabbed a finger into his chest for emphasis.
“Oof!” he glared at her. “Are too!” His finger buried itself in her rib.
“Ahh!” she shrieked and wriggled. The continued attack made her roll off of him and to her feet. He lunged after her. With a hearty laugh she took off through the door. Stomping followed her through the common room, around the chairs, and into the cargo bay.
With a burst of speed and a growl Jayne got his hands on her. She laughed loudly using the merc’s body to try and push away his hands.
When it became a losing battle River went for broke. She pressed a hand into his clavicle and buried the heel of her foot into the back of his knee. She had misjudged his reaction. Instead of pitching backwards, he fell forward.
“Gorramit,” Jayne cursed. “You okay?”
Still laughing she looked up at him. “I feel light, but you are heavy.” She poked his chest. “Very heavy wall of muscle.”
He pushed himself onto his hands and knees. “Yeah. Yeah.” He softly poked her stomach, “and… it?”
She shrugged and indicated the top joint of her pinky finger, “fetus is only this big. And while the uterus will take up the entirety of my abdomen, at the moment it is mostly protected by the pelvic structure.”
Jayne rocked back to sit on his heels and pulled her up. “I’m goin’ to have to teach ya small words.”
“Why?”
“Because kids don’t understand them words,” he got to his feet.
“I did,” she stood looking up at him quizzically.
“And if the baby is more like its pa?”
“Prying will not help,” she told him. “I still do not know.”
“You hungry, yet?”
88888888
Kaylee and Inara pulled Simon and Mal bodily back to the mess.
“When did that happen?” Simon wondered.
“While everyone slept,” Inara explained pulling the water off the stove.
“The flies were spying,” River says cryptically as she walked into the mess.
“Breakfast ready?” Jayne asked as he threw himself into his chair.
“Yes,” Kaylee smiled brightly. “I was just goin’ to serve it up.”
“River, would you like some tea?” the Companion inquired.
“Please,” she nodded.
“Is anyone goin’ to git Zoe?” Kaylee asked as she set full plates on the table.
“No,” Mal shook his head, “give her time to cool off.”
River poked her food with a spoon, “not today. She will not listen today.”
“She’s not mad at you, Albatross,” he told her.
“I know,” she gave a half-smile. “It is easier, however, to be mad at me than Wash.”
The crew went quiet as they started eating, each thinking about the dead man.
Mal looked up, shaking off his feelings. “You know this means ya got to be more careful.”
“I am always careful,” River retorted. “And I am less prone to getting shot than you.”
“You can’t go on jobs,” Simon told her.
“More useful than sitting around here,” she told him.
“And if you get shot?”
“Already been shot,” she motioned to her shoulder. “I can take care of myself.”
“We ain’t arguing this,” Mal finally snapped. “Albatross you know the risks. You get to go on jobs as long as you want. Until you are only going to be stubborn and then you stay behind.”
River thought through his words, “acceptable.”
“Capta-” Simon started.
“Give it a rest, doc,” Jayne drawled, “ya ain’t won these arguments in the past, no sense in thinkin’ ya will now.”
Simon puffed up but didn’t speak.
88888888
Zoe came out of her cabin late that night. In front of her hatch she found a small stack of pictures. Some charcoal, others colored pencil. The last one in the stack was done on thick paper and paints.
She glanced at the cockpit, but it was dark and shut down for the night. She headed for the mess. She was not surprised the see Jayne and River sitting at the table playing cards. The foods spread out in front of them were a little unusual. An apple, protein chips, powdered milk, and cheese squares sat on a tray. But there was also a small cupcake shaped snack with chocolate frosting and a candle in the center.
Zoe lifted the papers, “These from you?”
River nodded, “I know you don’t have many pictures.”
“How did you get the one of our wedding?”
“Images I picked up when I was crazy.”
Jayne lifted a bottle of rotgut and poured Zoe a glass putting it next to the cupcake.
The first mate took the seat next to River. “Thank you.”
88888888
By the time they landed in Revello Port on Dyton. The entire crew had been avoiding each other for a week. Except River and Jayne who continued their nightly card games.
Dyton was a fair-sun planet on a thirty-eight hour day. They landed at the start of night in the city they were to meet their possible new boss. River sat in the pilot’s seat for several minutes after the engines had been shut off. Something big was about to happen, she could feel it.
“Albatross!” Mal called through the comm, “git down here!”
River pulled on her boots and straightened her shirt. She took her time heading to the bay.
“We need to get to the meetin’ place,” Mal announced loudly.
“Why does all the crew have to go?” Simon asked.
“This guy deals with everyone, not just the captain,” he reminded them for the third time that day. “Something about mutiny and being cheated out of merchandise.”
River finally arrived at Jayne’s elbow.
“Thank you,” the captain rolled his eyes, “Zoe what’s the name of this place?”
“The Scourge Pub,” she said as they crew disembark Serenity.
“It’s on the main street from the port,” Inara supplied, “you can’t miss it.”
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?” Kaylee asked.
“Five or six years,” she smiled.
River checked the ship was sealed up before following behind everyone. Jayne dropped back to ask, “something goin’ to go wrong?”
“I don’t think so,” she frowned at the dirt road beneath her feet, “but something is happening. I can’t sort it out.”
“It’ll come to ya,” he gave her a smirk. He doubled his steps to catch up with Mal and Zoe as they reached the bar.
At the door a bouncer gave them all a long look, before leading them upstairs to a large lounge. “The Boss will be with you in a moment.”
“Wow,” Simon studied the paintings, “these are amazing replicas of Earth-that-Was artists.”
“They’re not replicas,” River said, “they are older than this world or any other we’ve been on.” She looked around the room. There were three doors, the one they came through, one to a bathroom, and the other supposedly leading to the Boss. The room could comfortably fit fifteen people with various sized chairs and couches. On the far wall was a cabinet with various canters and alcohols. The walls were decorated with paintings, drawings, and pages from books that were older than anything River had ever seen.
“This is Latin,” Inara announced looking at one of the pages. “I can’t read it but I recognize it.”
“Do ya think they’re rich?” Jayne asked from his spot against the wall which gave him the best view of all three doors.
“Old,” the pilot shrugged, “like everything around them.”
“River!” Simon scolded.
The door on the other side of the room opened. Mal and Zoe stepped forward. River felt a chill and slipped to the back of the group. Jayne didn’t move from his vantage place.
“’lo all,” a cockney voice greeted. The man was younger than the captain, as skinny as River, but his muscles showed it was not as a result of sickness. He wore black pants and a blue sweater. “Well, aren’t you lot jumpy.”
Jayne studied the young, thin man, he had blue eyes and short ruffled sand-colored hair. He was pale and wore a tight smile. Instantly something in him itched, he didn’t like this guy.
“I’m captain of the ship Serenity, name’s Malcolm Reynolds,” Mal introduced himself.
The man stuck his hand out, “Nice to meet you, captain.”
“This is my first mate, Zoe Washburne.”
“Mrs. Washburne,” he smiled crookedly.
“Jayne Cobb, our gun-hand. Kaylee Frye, our mechanic,” he gestured to the crew as he went. “Inara Serra a Companion who flies with us.”
“Ms. Frye, Ms. Serra,” his eyes intently studied everyone he was introduced to.
“Doctor Simon Tam is the ship’s medic,” Mal frowned, “and at the back is our pilot River Tam.”
“You two haven’t been on the Cortex in near a year,” the man nodded, “good to see the gov’ment left ya be.” He shook Simon’s hand. “Do I get to meet your pilot?”
“River git up here,” the captain demanded.
“Shy one are ya?” he smiled and stepped forward to get a look at her. He got within two meters before he froze, ice blue eyes going wide. He whirled around and ran out the door he’d come from.
The crew looked around at one another then back at River. The genius was frowning. “I can’t see his mind. I can feel things around him, and see events, but I am only reflected by his thoughts.”
“Ya think it’s a trap?” Jayne asked.
“Too late if it is,” Zoe looked around with a soldier’s eye.
The sound of running feet brought their attention back to the door. The blue-eyed man and a dark haired man stood in the doorway.
“Mate,” the blue-eyed one was telling him, “I think it’s her, but you’ve got to tell me I’m not just crazy.”
The dark haired man walked forward. He looked scary and Kaylee pushed herself as far as she could away from him. This new guy bothered Jayne just as much as the first.
The dark haired man came to a stop in front of River. He fixed her with a gaze meant to intimidate and cow. The genius stared back, eyes narrowing. The man made a small motion forward. River stepped into a punch that threw him across the room.
Everyone stared at River as she continued to glare at the dark haired guy. The man in question stayed on his back where he landed, hands covering his face.
The blue-eyed one ran forward and folded his arms around River. Laughing the entire time, “I can’t tell you how long we’ve been waiting for you.”
River felt the darkness recede slightly. If Jayne only made the world soft this guy was like being alone in steel box. And it felt wonderful.
“Get your hands off my sister,” Simon seethed.
“She wants me off. She can bloody well send me across the room like Peaches.”
“Peaches?” Kaylee asked.
“My name is Angel,” the man on the floor growled. “Spike is just an ass!”
The one, Spike, just laughed and tightened his hold on River.
Feedback is greatly sought