River's Match Part III
Two months of pure misery.
For each and every member of the crew.
John had suffered the most initially. After the initial shock of Cameron's leaving wore off, John was angry. At Cameron, then River, and finally Simon. Not getting any satisfaction from raging at them, John next directed his anger at Sarah and Derek before moving on to everyone else save little Emma.
That was all before waves of guilt overcame John. Despite all of River and Sarah's reassurances he'd done nothing to drive his wife away, John was inconsolable. Then the fear and worry started. Mal finally ordered John to stay away from the crew as much as possible, promising the first news they got of Cameron's whereabouts Serenity would go and find her.
Then there was River. Unable to have time alone with Cameron, River's mind began to show signs of strain from never having a companion she couldn't read. Derek was the first to suffer followed by Simon. River's tantrums were not as frequent or as long in duration as those before Miranda. Still, it was unnerving to the crew to watch River struggle for control of her mind.
In time, everyone on the crew missed Cameron. Most jobs no longer went bad when she was present. Part of this was the extra capability Cameron brought to the table. The other was the word was spreading about the dangers of double-crossing the crew of the Firefly named Serenity.
The crew with the two beautiful, twin killers, one psychic and the other a silent, emotionless mercenary.
When the signal arrived, River was so happy she spoke in first person as she broke the news to the crew.
"Everyone! Cameron signaled! She's waiting at the 'Plex."
Sarah immediately assumed mother mode. "John, it will all be okay. Tin Miss has never done anything without a reason that was logical to her."
"Logical to her, being the operative word, Mom. This was not logical," John snapped back.
"Now, let's be reasonable," Mal said, trying to calm his crew as the hubbub began to get louder with the news of Cameron's return. "We have to consider the fact Cameron might be held captive."
River turned and gave the Captain her best "you've got to be kidding look." "The Girl spoke to her on a wave. A hostage Twin is not. Cameron needs her John. Will explain everything to everyone, but patience is necessary."
Mal nodded, hoping River had assessed the situation correctly. "Well, we need another job anyhow. Might as well check the mail, find a job, and pick up Cameron all at once."
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Derek was the first to spot Cameron, sitting alone in the booth the crew usually occupied in the back corner of their favorite tavern at the 'Plex. Entering the tavern, Derek nodded to the barkeep. "She been here long?"
"On and off for the better part of two days."
Another nod from Derek and with caution he made his way over to Cameron. She looked up and tilted her head to the right.
"Nobody knows where you are," he answered. "So we each took a likely place and agreed to meet here if nobody found you."
"Thank you for explaining," Cameron monotoned.
"Are you okay?"
"I am 99.895 percent certain I am operating within design parameters. Simon will have to confirm that for me to be completely certain."
A sigh escaped Derek's lips. "What possessed you to just up and leave like that? Do you have any idea how sick with worry John and Sarah have been?"
"Yes."
"River has been under a strain thanks to you."
"No, River has been under a strain because she could not trust you to remain silent."
Derek shook his head twice with his mouth falling open. "Don't you dare blame this one on me! This is all your doing Tin Miss!"
Cameron shrugged, indicating her indifference, making Derek angrier.
"Of all the awful things…"
"Stop," Cameron ordered, her eyes flashing red. "I will explain to John first. In private. Then I will explain to everyone else. Do not make a scene."
"So, you just took off? Without explaining to John, the man you pursued all this time, you know, your husband?"
Cameron looked directly at the angry uncle of her John and smiled sweetly. "I did this in part for my own reasons. But I did it for John as well. Just be patient, Derek."
Noticing Cameron watching the concourse expectantly, Derek turned to see John running towards the tavern. Bursting through the entrance to the fortunately empty tavern, John ran to Cameron. She stood up quickly, taking a step towards her husband with open arms.
John embraced Cameron and squeezed her hard enough to have harmed a human female. Derek noticed the smile of relief on Cameron's face as she burrowed her cheek into John's shoulder.
"I love you, John," Cameron whispered.
Not replying, John patted his wife on the back several times before releasing her from his embrace. Cameron tentatively looked up at her husband with pleading eyes, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.
Relief gone from his countenance, John spoke with harshness in his tone. "You, have a lot of explaining to do."
"I know," Cameron answered meekly, alarming Derek. There was and had never been anything meek about Cameron unless it was a ploy. Sitting at the crew's booth, there was little doubt in his mind Cameron's newfound humility was not an act.
"Twin!"
Stepping away from Cameron, John made room for River to embrace her cyborg doppelganger. "Too long! Twin took too long!"
"Couldn't be helped. Simon's directions were too thorough. I could not settle for anything less than Simon's specifications," Cameron answered mystically. River nodded as if comprehending exactly what Cameron referred to.
"Well, if it isn't my missing Security Officer and gunhand," Mal roared, entering the tavern.
"Captain, I will explain everything," Cameron monotoned. "After I have had time with John alone."
"There'll be no sexin' till you've made things clear," Mal ordered. "To everyone, not just your John."
"No sexing," Cameron promised.
"Tin Miss!" An angry Sarah stormed into the tavern with Jayne not far behind. Taking each of Cameron's hands at arm's length, Sarah looked Cameron up and down then turned the terminatress around, inspecting her from behind as well.
"You gave John a fright! Gave me a fright! If you EVER do something like this again," Sarah lowered her voice to a harsh whisper. "I'll skin you and burn you myself."
"Yes, Sarah."
"What Miss Sarah done said," Jayne threatened.
From the entrance a happy squeal of delight was heard. Emma slipped from her mother's grasp, ignored Zoe's swearing at the child's disobedience, and ran to Cameron with her arms held up. Cameron lifted Emma with ease to her hip and kissed the little girl on the cheek.
Emma giggled and smiled happily at everyone.
"Well, I see the prodigal daughter, or is it wife, has returned?" Zoe said sarcastically, reaching for Emma who buried her face in Cameron's shoulder.
"Neither. I did not leave to live a life of sin. I left for very specific reasons."
"Cameron!"
Kaylee and Inara hurried in with a solemn Simon following behind. Every cheerful, Kaylee hugged Cameron. Inara frowned in disapproval and stood next to the Captain, watching Mal's response.
Finally, Simon was able to hug Cameron in welcome. He whispered in her ear, "did you find everything? Are you functioning within design parameters?"
Cameron nodded. It was a barely noticeable nod, but Sarah spotted it.
"Since we're all here, might as well eat," Mal announced. "Cameron's payin' of course."
Everyone took their regular seat except Simon who headed for the washroom to clean his hands. Sarah followed, grabbing the doctor by his elbow in the hallway to the restrooms, out of sight of the crew.
"Tell me what is going on!"
"I can't," Simon replied firmly.
"Don't give me that. You know exactly what is going on," Sarah snapped. "I order you to tell me."
"No."
"What?"
"Sarah, I have not, and I will not, break Doctor-patient confidentiality. Do not ask me again." Simon turned, paused and glanced back. "I misspoke. Never order me to do that again. I will tell you this much. Cameron did this for good reasons. That is all I will tell you."