Engagements Chapter 1: Well hell, I'd marry ya!, a firefly fanfic

I own nothing these are other people's characters that I am toying with because . . . . . well . . . . . they didn't get enough episodes.

Engagements is going to be a series of one shots showing different scenarios that end up in Rayne engagements of some sort or another.

Set 2 years after BDM:

The crew is able to do mainly legit cargo and passenger transportation since the alliance no longer has much sway outside of Core planets and even there has to use most of its resources to keep itself intact and not worrying about minor crime. Hoban Jacob Washburn is about 16 months and goes by Jake. Everyone loves Jake even Uncle Jayne. Simon and Kaylee have been engaged for over a year and their wedding will be on Kaylee's home world in 6 months. Mal and Inara are together. River is off med's, she still talks strangely and has the occasional "crazy time breakdown". Jayne has taken on the responsibility of family protector and no longer drinks heavily although he still pays for sex it's not as often. He keeps it pretty discrete and gets back to Serenity as soon as he's done.

Engagements Chapter #1: Well hell, I'd marry ya!

It was a regular evening on Serenity. The crew was taking care of their separate bits of business but still congregating together as was often the case since Miranda. Simon and Kaylee were relaxing while going over details for their wedding as Zoe returned from putting Jake down for the evening. Inara was helping a grumbling Mal with some paperwork at one end of the table. Jayne and River were quietly working together cleaning their weapons on the other end. Zoe headed for an open seat at the table reflecting on how comfortable their little family had become. She wondered how long it would be before Kaylee convinced Simon to make it bigger. It never crossed her mind that Jayne and River may beat them to it.

Kaylee: "River, you'll have to catch the bouquet its good luck you know!"

Kaylee was rattling on about what type of arrangement they would use when it just flew out of her mouth. She wished it hadn't when she'd witnessed the pained expression on River's face. Honestly she should have known better if she'd stopped and thought. River had yet to show any interest in men that way and still didn't put much effort into how she looked or dressed. She even avoided social contact with anyone who wasn't crew.

River: "She will not be chosen to participate in traditional bonding ceremony."

Kaylee: "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure lots a young men ull be trippin over themselves to get a dance at the wedding."

Simon: "Just give it time River. You've made wonderful progress and your social comfort will increase as you continue to recover."

Inara: "River you are an attractive and accomplished young woman. I have no doubt that you could attract whatever young man you desired if you chose to use your intelligence and intuition for that purpose. If you are interested I could give you plenty of tips and pointers on how to get and keep a man's attentions.

Jayne frowned to himself as he realized what Inara was suggesting. There was nothing wrong with her the way she was. River'd work just fine fer someone looking to have a family. If a man couldn't get past her funny talkin and weird dressin to see that then she'd be better off without em. Why didn't Mal tell her that? He never seemed to shut up any other time. Zoe was lookin sympathetic but must a figured she had nothin to add.

River: "Recovery is as complete as it will ever be. She will not engage in social deception to later be determined an unqualified partner when the truth becomes apparent. She has looked inside many and knows that she is not what is wanted."

The room was frozen and silent. None of them seemed to know what to say. How do you argue that point with a mind reading psychic? Jayne looked at River for the first time since Kaylee's outburst. She held her head up refusing to hide the hurt from her family but also refusing to pity herself or except their pity. Seeing her inner strength on display caused something with in Jayne to misfire. If he had a choice he wouldn't have said anything but no decision was necessary as the sound of his voice shocked everyone including his own self.

Jayne: "Well hell, I'd marry ya!"

Jayne could feel all six sets of eyes boring into him at once while he tried to make sense of what he'd just said. River was looking at him intently. He knew she didn't read crew if she could help it and she was starting to look almost sick or hurt as he stared back stupidly. She must a thought he was jokin but he weren't really. River'd be a right nice wife if a man were lookin to get hitched. He couldn't stand the look on her face and before he could stop himself he was talking again.

Jayne: "I mean if in a man wanted family or some such, couldn't do no better an River."

River's face softened as she realized that Jayne really believed that. He kept his thoughts and emotions closely guarded since Miranda. Hearing him express something like that in front of everybody, which he obviously felt she needed to know, made her feel special. Jayne didn't trust people in general let alone women and although he changed a lot in the last couple of years he like her didn't reach outside their small group other than his letters home. She felt warmth fill her up as the understanding of how much Jayne respected and held her in high esteem fully sunk in. Of course it meant that he hadn't thought through what it would really mean to be attached to her permanently and that didn't sit well with her. She had to do her best to explain it in a way that he would understand.

River: "Thank you, but she isn't fit for such. This girl is dangerous, deadly and could accidentally hurt her mate. Still unstable, still crazy at times and still difficult to understand. Physical bonding will result in psychic binding and he would not be able to hide anything from her. His thoughts would no longer be his alone.

Jayne couldn't understand why her telling him stuff he already knew would change his mind. He also didn't bother to stop and wonder why he felt the need to convince her she was wrong.

Jayne: "Go se River, them's all yer sellin points!"

River: "Not desirable traits in a life mate, no one would wish to purchase."

Jayne: "Some guys need a woman who can keep em in line . . . . n can't never have nough pi gu kickers round."

The room was still silent and River was just studying him so he must not have made his point well enough.

Jayne: "Yain't crazier than any other woman really plus ya got a real excuse n ya haven't hurt any us since ya been off med's. . Ahh. . The talkin is kind a intrestin once ya get used ta it cause yer smart."

What the hell was he doing? She was still studying him so he tried once more.

Jayne: "Well that mind readin stuff dats the best thing. Ya can just tell what a guy really means. Know he were the right one from the get go. Could see that he really were sorry when he screwed up. Be able to figure out what yer little ones want even before they's talkin."

Finally she was smiling and he could shut up. He chanced a glance around the room but nothing had changed since the last time. Seemed they were all happy to quietly watch him make a fool of himself.

Jayne was confused by what he'd just done but it was making perfect sense to River. A predatory smile bloomed across her features..

River: "Why did you never marry, Jayne?"

Jayne: "Huh . . . a guess I learned not to trust women none."

River: "Meaning at some point you wanted to have a family?"

Jayne: "Seem ta member figurin on it growin up like everyone else."

River: "If one could be trusted would you reconsider what broken trust caused you to discard?"

Jayne: "What's that now? . . . . .Oh ahh guess but I'm gettin a bit old now n ain't like to find a gal worth marryin who'd be willin."

River: "Kaylee. Thank you for the offer of good luck and good fortune but it will not be needed."

Kaylee: "umm, alright mei mei."

River: "Jayne-Man come along now. This girl has considered your offer, found herself willing and is one that you trust. We must out line general relationship rules, decide on proper number of progeny and chose our symbols of unity."

River took Jayne's hand and began to drag him along to a more private setting. The rest of the crew had trouble finding their voice as it dawned on them that Jayne and River had just gotten engaged. Jayne stared back helplessly at them over his shoulder as he followed River along and she began to prattle again.

River: "Don't be scared my Jayne but there will be kissing on the mouth. It is not negotiable so this is a chance for you to learn that compromise in married terms means doing what the wife says."

The End.

Authors Notes:

Thanks for reading hope you've enjoyed it.