Understanding and Forgiveness

Summery: After Objects in Space AU, Jayne is now in the Infirmary.

Disclaimer: Joss.

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Jayne Cobb wasn't a good man. Hell, according to his own personal view of himself, he wasn't even a decent guy (but he would never admit that out loud, anyway). But after Ariel, he began thinking about his life, and what exactly he was doing with it. Sure he was making money for his Ma and little Mattie, and getting all the trim he could possibly handle when planet side, but what had he done other then be the kind of person his Ma always said he would end up as?

The blue eyed Merc look over at Simon as he prepared to dope him up for the coming operation. "No drugs, Doc." Jayne said quietly.

Simon arched a brow. "Excuse me?"

"I said no gorram drugs. I deserve this. The pain I mean." He said rather sullenly.

Simon realized what he was talking about. "You know Jayne. What you did was brave. And… I appreciate it. But let's just put it this way. Jayne, what you did on Ariel; it was deplorable, and selfish, but you could have left us. I realize that now. You could have unlocked your cuffs and left us, but you didn't. And…And that's good enough for me. If River says you're forgiven in her eyes," He sighed loudly, "then I guess you're forgiven in mine."

Jayne looked at the doc. "Deplorable? Never mind, don't rightly know what that means, and I'm pretty sure it ain't exactly nice. Shiny then. Let's uh… get this here bullet outta me then, 'fore I go and get all sissified by your fancy-talkin'."

Simon hid a small grin behind his mask and gave Jayne the shot, and then got to work. Just as the large man fell asleep, River poked her head in, dressed once again in a too-large dress, this time one with pink flowers all over it. Simon's taste in clothes was horrendous, but he tried. "Is the large one going to be alright?" she asked shyly.

Simon looked up from now red surgical gloves. "Yes, mei-mei, he'll be fine. We had a talk as well." His eyes went back down to the wound, as he used the scalpel to widen the wound in order to fit the clamps in.

"I know." She stated. "The boy is growing a sense of right and wrong, well not growing, but remembering."

Simon merely looked at her quickly before speaking in a distracted tone. "You mean to say he had one before?"

River smiled sadly, her eyes dark. "Life beats on even the brightest of stars."

Simon grunted, which was a little out of character to him. "I agree. This situation is a lot different then I first imagined. I thought I would be working in a hospital saving people, not aiding and abetting criminals. But it was worth it, just to know that you are safe… well as safe as can be on a ship with a Captain whose plans usually end with him getting shot."

River giggled a little. "Captain Daddy tries his best."

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Zoë looked at her Captain. "Something wrong Sir? Other then the fact that we just pulled a body from Jayne's bunk and spaced it?"

Mal nodded absent mindedly. "Yeah. Jayne himself."

The Soldier arched a brow. "I don't understand, Sir."

Mal gave her a withering glance. "I don't rightly know what's going on with him. Usually he wouldn't give a second thought 'bout them two, but he went ahead and saved their lives. For some reason it just ain't sittin right."

Zoë gave the captain a small grin. "Change usually doesn't."

Mal looked at her shock etched on his features. "Jayne Cobb, the Mercenary, the most amoral son of a bitch I ever did meet, changing?"

The Warrior Woman shrugged. "Serenity Valley." She stated.

Mal just sighed. That was really all that needed to be said. He saw things there that he thought wouldn't ever happen. Men came away from that battle… well the 150 that were left, changed. Some of them, the most steadfast and set in their way kind a folk he ever met. Mal himself had an unshakeable faith in the Lord above and that battle killed every scrap of belief in him.

"Sir, maybe, now just maybe, he's finally seen something. Something he ingnored for a long time." the First Mate added.

"Serenity Valley." He agreed.

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After Simon finished his sutures, he turned and washed his hands, like any good doctor would, and announced he was going back to sleep. "He should wake up in another two hours or so, Book. Could you get me then? There are some final post-op procedures I would like to-"

The Preacher held up a hand. "Get some sleep son. I will do as you ask. You're recovering from a wound yourself now."

Simon nodded and walked stiffly from the room and towards his own. Book turned to River. "You can go on a get some sleep now, as well. I'll watch him."

River looked up at Book a nodded not really paying attention. She ran her hand slowly down Jayne's face, now relaxed in from deep dreamless sleep. "Knight in rusty armor. Needs cleaning."

Book arched a brow but said nothing. She stood and kissed the Merc's forehead. With a parting shot of "Keep the hair restrained." She left and twirled to her own room.

Book shook his head and sat down, opening his bible to read.

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A/N: You wanted pre-Rayne-y sequel, you get pre-Rayne-y sequel. I likea da comments.

Con-Crit is a must. Second venture into this universe, so be a little kind please!