Prickles and Thorns Ch.8
Title: Prickles and Thorns (8/?)
Series: First Love
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is boss, I am but a lowly subservient.
Rating: PG ish
Summary: The crew picks up the pieces. Beta done by the lovely Elsibet34!
To catch up on events past: click here
They buried Inara’s father where he had fallen, high above the decaying corpses that littered the valley bellow.
Mal spoke a few words while Inara silently grieved. Her cheerless gaze remained downcast as she remembered her father’s dark speckled eyes, the way they shined before they shut to the ‘verse eternally. Everyone gathered around to pay respects to the man they never had the chance to meet.
Only two remained absent during the gloomy little gathering, Simon and Jayne. They resided in the infirmary overcoming the first crucial 48 hrs. Nolan had sent for the community Doctor. The small town man did the best patch up job he could with his level of expertise.
The crew expressed their deep gratitude before the doctor bid farewell. The only thing left to do was wait. The ladies took their turns playing nurse and tended to the unconscious men.
Nolan was at an enormous loss; his cargo had been destroyed in the initial bunker blast. He had also lost a man during the assault and had to hold a little funeral of his own.
As Mal, Zoë, Nolan and his remaining crew sifted though the destroyed hillside, they came across titanium a safe about the size of an outhouse. When they cracked the combo, its contents revealed enough coin to set them all for life.
Mal’s eyes gleamed momentarily before he realized it was all blood money. Each bundle represented a human life sentenced to vassalage for the rest of their bleak existence. It wasn’t easy, but he knew what he had to do. He accepted Nolan’s initial payment for the demolished goods and let him and his crew keep the loot with the understanding that the money would be put to good use.
After the exchange, Mal had a private conversation with Zoë about the whole conundrum. “Whatever you do, don’t go sayin’ a word to Jayne about this. Some things are better left unknown.” Mal kept his voice low as they spoke outside the bridge.
“I think Jayne might just do right to know. The man has come an awful long way, Sir.” Zoë countered. Her hands were folded across her chest, as they often were when she questioned the Captains orders.
“You might be right, but in any case, don’t think it would help his recoverin’ none. Might send the man into shock and with the Doc bein’ laid up, we’d lose the big guy for sure. Best to be cautious, is all.”
“None of us would want that, Sir. Mums the word.” Zoë couldn’t help but chuckle over Mal’s concern for the Merc, but, most likely it was his own skin he wanted to cover. Jayne could get a mite touchy on the subject of payment, and hard cash made the man all twitchy.
Zoë’s smile faded and her tone became more serious as she changed topic. “Came close out there, Sir. I don’t suppose we can find work somewhere war zone free for a while?”
“It don’t matter none. The battle always seems to find us Zoë. Won’t let us forget.”
---
No one in the crew seemed to take notice when River volunteered for most of the nursing duties. After all, it was her brother who lay wounded in the sick bay. They didn’t pay attention when she sat for hours looking between the two, fussing with their dressings and whispering mythos in their ears. Of course, the characters from the ancient tales had been appropriately recast. Mal was always Zeus.
After a few days, both men were sitting upright. At the moment, they were in cachinnates over River’s impressions of Mal. She was reenacting when the captain goes all commando on everybody.
“Oh! Do Wash next!” Jayne said, eagerly.
Rivers face took on a goofy like expression as she attempted her best Wash. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I’m your husband! You may wear the pants in this relationship, and pay for most of them, and well, look better in them. I had a point here. It’s gone. I lost it at the ‘you looking really good in pants’ part. Did I just start and finish this little spat all on my own? My god, maybe I am the woman in this marriage.”
This sent Simon and Jayne rolling in laughter, followed almost immediately with concurrent “Ouch!" And "Oh, that hurts!” Laughter may be the best medicine but when you’re healing from bullet wounds, it tends to be a bit painful.
River was pleased to see her brother and Jayne laughing together, but more importantly alive and breathing. She had time to reflect over the events of the past week while counting breathing patterns and checking for any inconsistencies in the depth and length. She determined that Jayne’s snore had a bit more vibrato than Simon’s. Simon made a nice tenor. They’d make a nice duet she giggled to her self. When her nonsensical thoughts faded, she began to entertain real emotions. She had locked them away safe. Now she was ready for further analysis.
River hadn’t anticipated feeling so strongly when Jayne was hit. It caught her off guard almost as much as the act itself. When did her feelings of weariness move to that of concern? She had grown to care more deeply for most everybody on the crew, but this was something different. Half pain and pleasure conflicted and pulled at her heart.
As confused as she was, there was something more definable, happiness. An emotion she had not felt so freely and easily for such duration. What this all computed to was undecided. The only thing she was certain of was she did not want the feeling to fade. So, she continued to remain close to its source.
---
The next day, a faint knock sounded on Inara’s shuttle door and River peeked her head around the entrance. Inara took one look at the girl from her seat on the couch and surmised the reason for the visit.
“You would like to talk about Jayne.”
River simply nodded and slipped past Inara into the warm inviting space beyond, and situated herself in the middle of the companion’s bed. It was her usual place; she took to spending a lot of time with Inara, even more so after Miranda.
River looked to Inara as more then just a friend, but also as a surrogate mother. It was especially fitting now that she took to calling Mal and Inara, Mommy and Daddy. This always seemed to get a rise out of the captain. He’d say something like, “Look here little albatross, if I ever took to havin’ me some children of my own, I’d sure to hell hope they wouldn’t be as unruly as yourself.” Inara would smile to herself at this, because she knew in truth, Mal was very proud of his ‘daughter’.
Normally, in the past no one who was not a paying customer or Inara herself would be privy to rest in such a private area, but for River there was always an exception. She had a way of making propriety seem nugatory. She lived and explored in the moment, and chose to seek out the things that made her feel most connected to the ‘verse. For that, Inara both admired and envied her.
“I don’t know if I am the best person on the ship to give counsel anymore. I tend to offer sound and logical advice, but never follow my own instruction. I feel as if I am masquerading, a hypocrite.” Inara looked shamefully at the girl.
“You're hurt. Pain is a wall obstructing the river that wants to flow. When the damn breaks, Mal will be one happy man.” River beamed all knowingly towards Inara.
Inara could not help but smile at the girl’s intuitiveness. No, not a girl anymore, she thought as she re-examined River. She was filling out more, as any soon to be nineteen year old should.
The young woman had astuteness beyond her years yet a striking innocence. It was a paradox. It made for an interesting dynamic, and River was definitely one of the most intriguing people she had ever met. That is why it did not surprise, nor shock her, that River had come for a little tête-à-tête. It is easy to read others, but difficult to swim through the torrent that rages within.
“Alright then, where would you like to start?” Inara urged.
“There is confusion, feelings, contradiction….I am usually very good at formulating things. It doesn’t add up.” River puzzled.
Inara moved over to the bed and put her arms around River. River sunk against the soft silk fabric, and sighed.
“Well, let me see if I can help clarify things for you a bit. Indulge me a little. I get to play Doc. Do you find yourself light headed and perhaps a little nauseated when Jayne is around?” Inara gently inquired.
“Yes, I thought he might be up to something again.” River affirmed.
“Do your insides feel as if they are bound in knots when he looks at you?” Inara probed further as she soothingly ran her fingers through River’s hair.
“They do. Jayne was a tree; he sheltered me from the burning bits after the blast. Don’t think he wishes me hurt now.” River resolved.
“Do you find yourself trying to stay away to avoid these uncomfortable feelings, only to find you cannot?”
“I like being near him. It is warm. The sun shines bright,” the girl confessed.
“River, haven’t you ever been in love before? Surely there must have been some boy growing up that caught your fancy?” Inara inquired, genuinely curious.
“There was just Simon. I thought we should get married once, but that was a misunderstanding.” River paused and shivered. “Could not feel much of anything but pain until now.”
Inara winced at that. How could she forget?
River looked up inquisitively at Inara. “Why Jayne? He is a boy like any other. We fight a lot. He says hurtful things and I purposely do things to make him mad. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Sounds vaguely familiar.” Inara laughed. “I’m afraid the heart cannot help whom it chooses. Sometimes it appears to have made an illogical choice, but we should always trust in the thing keeping us alive.”
River quietly contemplated Inara’s words.
“Don’t you find him attractive?” Inara nudged.
River looked down, a blush spreading over her cheeks. “He is, like an animal, un-caged. His eyes pierce me, and I want to touch his skin to see if it is made of leather.” River’s intoxicated look faded as a new thought entered her mind. “I am just a crazy girl to him. Broken. It is all ill-fated.”
Inara gently lifted the girl’s chin. “You are an amazing woman River. Don’t ever think any less. I think you just might be surprised to find the attraction is mutual.”
“How will I know?” queried River.
“Trust me. When it happens, you will know.”
“How should I behave until then?”
“Just enjoy each and every moment. They are priceless.” Inara hugged the younger woman tighter. They sat there together silently as Inara allowed the meaning of her own words sink deep within.
---
It was late when Kaylee finished soldering up the last breech in the ship’s hull. Stray gunfire had nicked up Serenity quite a bit and Kaylee had to tend to her wounds before they could leave world. Where she really wanted to be was with Simon but it eased her some knowing River had been taking good care of him.
Working on her girl helped keep her mind busy. If she were to think more on what had gone down, she would lose it completely. So, she diligently pressed on, trying hard not to think what her ‘verse would be like if Simon had been lost for good.
Crawling out of the cramped vent space, she made her way through the sleeping ship down to the infirmary. Stopping just short of entering, she rested her hand on the doorframe and peered into the dim room.
Jayne was turned away towards the wall scrunched up on his side, his breathing slow and labored. Probably fast asleep, dreaming about shiny guns and pretty women, thought Kaylee.
She then turned her attention toward Simon who lay sleeping flat on his back in the middle bed. He looks as peaceful as an angel, Kaylee considered as she made her way over to the stool and situated herself close. She lightly traced her fingers down the side of his face, following the curve of his jaw. Simon stirred at this and opened his eyes. He smiled up at Kaylee, taking her hand in his.
“Sorry sweetie, didn’t mean to wake ya. I know ya need your rest.”
“No, I’m glad for it. I’ve missed you like crazy. All this quality bonding time with Jayne has been lovely, but I think I prefer to have my greasy mechanic by my side.” Simon said playfully.
Kaylee sighed and laid her tired head on Simon’s chest so she could his heart beat.“Ya know, before ya went and got yourself all shot to bits, I had this big ole elaborate plan. Thought I needed to push ya a little more, ya know, to be more communicative and all. None of it seems to matter much anymore.”
Kaylee looked up into Simon’s eyes, her lips quivered and tears swelled in her eyes. “I’m just glad now you’re ok.”
Simon reached up and ran his thumb over Kaylee’s bottom lip, appreciating how adorable she looked in that moment. “When I look at you, there are a million and one thoughts racing through my head. I always assume you know just what I am thinking or feeling. I forget that I should actually vocalize these sentiments, and show you just how exultant you make me feel. I love you, Kaywinnit Lee Frye. This isn’t exactly the way I pictured it, or even a remotely romantic setting, but will you, I mean… would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Oh, Simon!”
“Oh, barf!” Sounded an annoyed grunt from the corner of the room. Apparently Jayne had not been sleeping.
Kaylee, un-phased, wrapped her arms around Simon and squeezed him tight.
“Ow, ow.”
“Sorry.” Kaylee apologized. “Oh, Simon, it don’t matter none if you can ever speak again!”
“Can’t a man heal in peace around here?” Jayne groaned.
“I need to learn to trust in us, in this.” Kaylee continued as she leaned in and planted a joyous kiss on Simon’s lips.
“If ya’ll gonna keep on with this mushy crap, can ya please just shoot me again and put me out of my gorram misery?”
Kaylee, her head still in the clouds went over and shared a hug with the big guy. “Oh Jayne, don’t you worry. You’ll get yourself a girl one day real soon. Then you can stop pretendin’ that you’re all prickles and thorns. You just need a girl that can make ya bleed, make ya feel somethin’.” She leaned over and planted a platonic kiss on Jayne’s cheek before she went back over to Simon.
“Yeah, well, I feel plenty right now, and most of it’s nausea.” Jayne tried to keep his irritated tone, but he was losing the battle.
After Kaylee left, he just lay there, eyes wide open, thinking on what she had said. A girl that will make me bleed, huh. I know me one of those.
TBC
---
Next Ch. The All Nighter