A/N 1: This is my first attempt at a totally original "Firefly/Serenity" story, although it is based on events from the main story I am working on (Firefly Season One), that is an adaptation of a previously published work.
While this is meant to be a supplement to "Firefly Season One," it can also be read as a "stand alone," but you will understand what's going on better if you have read the former, up through the conclusion of "Property Rights." If you have not, I would recommend that you do so, but it's not mandatory.
Also, if you have not read it and are thinking on doing so, I must warn you that this story contains spoilers for the former.
A/N 2: To those of you that have been following "Firefly Season One," first of all allow me to apologize for my tardiness in gettin started on the next episode (Perfect Sunset). I've been rather busy with life in general plus I've been "itching," as they say, to attempt a totally original work and have been putting my full attention into this story. I will get back to the former as soon as I have completed this one (One more chapter).
The time frame for this story is from very early the next morning, after the battle at the Luhan farm, to slightly after they leave Eris, at the end.
A/N 3: I am also planning a short story (One or two chapters) about River being taken to a dentist to get her teeth fixed, but I plan to get caught up with the next "Firefly Season One" episode first.
Please let me know what you think...Thanks.
...Disclaimer: The crew of the Serenity, the 'Verse in which they live, and their fellow inhabitants are the property of Joss Whedon, Universal Studios, and/or Fox Television. They are used in this work of fan fiction with love and respect, but without permission.
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Recompense: (Part one)
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Hera's bright turquoise, cloud streaked sphere, hovered high over Eris's inky black, gently rolling Eastern horizon. A wispy column of smoke, glistening in the ethereal, bluish green, "planet light," curled lazily into the cool, crisp, pre-dawn air, from the stone chimney of Levi and Katie Frye's homestead, as Katie saw to her early morning chores.
Off on a slight rise to the East, Serenity, surrounded by piles of junk, shimmering in the ghostly glow, sat in silence, broken only by the sound of an occasional lone cricket, patiently awaiting the break of a new day.
Her interior, however, was in stark contrast, to her outward peaceful repose...
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... "Kaylee!...Kaylee!... Mal shouted, as he stormed out of the engine Room, toward the aft stairwell.
It had been a long night, or perhaps a short night, however one might want to look at it; what with his four hour shift of sitting up with River, in the infirmary and trying to placate Duran Haymer, in the matter of the security of his property, despite his and Inara's unimpressive track record. Mal had gotten about two hours sleep and was generally in a foul mood. He swore that Haymer never slept; he had been dogging him every hour on the hour, until he had finally posted Zoe on guard duty, in the cargo bay, with orders that nobody comes in...or out, so he could finaly get some rest.
... "Kaylee!...Kaylee!... where in the Dìyù de xìngmíng you hidin' at!"... He ranted on at the top of his lungs, while clanging down the stairs to the common area.
Upon rising, Mal had knocked and shouted, at Kaylee's bunk to no avail, then checked the galley, shower and engine room. The only other place else he could think to search, unlikely as it might be, knowing Simon, was his room.
... "I'm in here...with River...Cap'n"... Kaylee lilted out pleasantly from the infirmary, in a "where did you think I'd be" voice.
Mal stopped cold, as he glanced in and Kaylee continued on...
... "Simon relieves you.. I relieve Simon...your orders, remember?"...
... "Uh.. ya"... Mal replied sheepishly, while rubbing the back of his neck, then continued...
... "Anyway, you need to be gettin' number two prepped an' ready. Got us lots to do an' no overabundance o' time to do it"...
He started to leave, on his next quest, when Kaylee protested...
... "But Cap'n!...Simon's orders were..."
... "Simon's orders!"...Mal shrieked, his voice jumping an octive...
... "I don't rightly recall makin' Simon the new captain! an' I don't conjure he's paying' your wage!"...
... "But he said River hadn't outta be left alone, till she's better an' ain't nobody come to relieve me yet."... She implored.
He softened up a bit as he looked down at River laying on the bed. Despite bags under her eyes, from sleep deprivation, she looked three hundred percent better, than when he had last seen her. Her color was back; she no longer had that deathly looking gray pallor and seemed in remarkably good spirits. Plus, when he had first looked in, she had been laughing slightly, at something her and Kaylee had obviously been gossiping about. After a slight smile creased his face, as he gazed down at his youngest, he Put his "I'm the captain and you will obey me" face back on and suggested...
... "Then I reckon you best find the good doctor, to relieve you."... With that, he turned and started back up the stairs while advising...
... "An' I wouldn't dawdle none, we leave for Kingston at first light."... and added, encouragingly ...
... "She'll be fine...really... take a powerful lot more 'an a little bump on the head, to put her down."... Then yelled out repeatedly, as he bounded up the stairs and through the dinning area...
... "Inara!... Inara!"...
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About five minuets prior...
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Jayne Cobb knew it was not going to be one of his better days, when he was awakened by the sound of Mal rampaging thru the ship. With an irritated grimace, he was about to roll back over and pull his pillow over his head, when he noticed his clock, propped atop of a pile of porno mags. It was nearly time to get up anyway.
While muttering to himself, indistinctly, he sat up and swung his legs off the bunk, while grabbing his cleanest dirty shirt. His only consolation, was that the captain wasn't hollering his name, yet, and their resident lunatic probably wouldn't be pestering him today, as had become her custom as of late.
His rumbling stomach dictated his first priority, as he climbed up out of his bunk, to head for the galley. As the early morning fog cleared from his head, he remembered that they were still on Eris, at the Frye place. Mrs. Frye was an early riser and would be undoubtedly starting breakfast. He could almost taste her Eggs, homemade biscuits, gravy and fried potatoes; salivating, he quickly diverted down the forward stairwell. They would be back in the black soon enough and protein bars could wait. At least this crappy day would get off to a good start.
.
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... "Where ya goin' Jayne?"... Zoe's voice echoed through the cargo bay, as he was about to open the front airlock.
Startled, Jayne wheeled around to see Zoe, up on the catwalk, staring down at him dispassionately, with her arms crossed.
... "Gonna get me some breakfast is all; man can't go to work on a empty belly."... He replied, with a shrug.
... "Got food a-plenty in the galley... nobody's leavin' the ship... Captain's orders."... She replied evenly.
... "Aww!"... Jayne moaned, like a seven year old kid, that just found out Christmas had be canceled.
... "But why!"... Barrett's dead an' there ain't no more trouble."... He implored, with a puzzled look.
... "Captain don't want Haymer gettin' in an botherin' him none an' don't wanna take no chance on the merchandise disappearin'... 'fore we get paid."... She calmly explained.
Jayne gawked back for a second, with his mouth hanging open, then it dawned on him... River's little escapade with the Lassiter.
... "Aw hell Zoe!, I ain't got the gorram thing!"... He exploded, while throwing his arms out to his sides and turning around in a circle.
... "Do I look like a thievin' freak?"... he added
... "I don't think you want me to answer that Jayne."... she replied, as he angrily turned back around, to open the door, while stating defiantly...
... "I ain't eatin' no ruttin' protein when there's real food out there!"...
... "Ain't leavin' the ship Jayne, Captain's orders."... Zoe reiterated coldly, with a note of finality, as she cocked her rifle.
He glared back up at her for a moment, then furiously stormed back out of the cargo bay, toward the common area. Fuming, he made a mental note to encourage River to run off and take up with Badger, next time they were on Persephone. Hell, he figured that was his best plan ever. He'd get rid of a pain in the pìgu and get back at that little weasel, all in the same stroke.
The thought of protein bars, even with Shepherd Book's magical touch, paled in comparison to Mrs. Frye's home cooking, to the point that even Jayne Cobb's insatiable appetite had been totaly squelched by the thought of it. Regrettably, his next order of business, now that breakfast was just a pleasant memory, before it even happened, was to find Kaylee.
He didn't mind the company of their happy go lucky engineer. Actually, while he wouldn't admitted it to anyone, he actually liked being around her. Jayne had for some time now considered Serenity his home, another fact that he preferred to keep to himself and all those onboard, perhaps with the exception of the "Dynamic Tam Duo," his extended family. Kaylee was, however, the only one that he even remotely considered a friend,...not that he needed any, of course.
Still, the idea of asking her if she'd like for him to take her out shopping, was not the most manful thing he could think of and he was not looking forward to it, in the least.
River had been pestering him daily, like a broken record, about how he owed Kaylee a new dress, every since they had departed from the Gurick. Perhaps this would finally shut her up. Kaylee had a fresh batch of her special brew all cooked up and he figured he could talk her out of some. Before this day was over, he was sure he'd be needing it. However, the thought of Simon's reaction, when he learned of his and Kaylee's proposed "shopping date," filled him with self satisfaction. Maybe the day wouldn't be so bad after all.
As he started up the aft stair well, in route to the engine room, he glowered thru the infirmary window, at his least favorite person; in his mind, the cause of a magnificent mouth watering meal being "scrubbed." The one who seemed to have some mysterious knack for getting everyone and most importantly, himself, in trouble. He noticed something, however and a look of concern came over him.
River was laying on the bed, alone. She was asleep and he remembered the doc saying she was in a bad way, due to her injury. She was not to be left alone and she had to be kept awake, until she improved. She might turn into a comet and never wake up, or so he said. With apprehension, he came back down the stairs and stood in the doorway.
Where was that Bù zhíqián pasty faced brother of her's? wasn't he suppose to be lookin' to her?.. he though to himself.
... "Hey, you awake?"... he called out warily.
River just layed there, eyes closed, silent as tomb. Uneasily, he slowly stepped in by her bedside. Nervously, he took hold of one of her hands, that felt cold and clammy and shook it, while calling out, anxiously...
... "You ok?...you gonna wake up?"...
He dropped her hand, when she didn't respond and her arm flopped limply off the side of the bed. Backing away, with trepidation and a look of shock, he wondered what he should do. His first thought was to find the doc, but he quickly dismissed that idea. He knew all to well who would get blamed for this development if Simon, or anyone for that matter, knew he had been in here with her. Besides, he remembered what happened last time he tried to do the right thing and was still "in the doghouse," despite saving the captain's hide last night, over the events with Anna and her father. He surely didn't need anymore trouble.
His only recourse, he figured, was to just leave the scene, as quickly as possible and pretend the had never been there. He turned to leave, in a panic, stepped out the door, nervously glanced around, hoping nobody had seen him when suddenly...
... "Boo!"...
Jayne nearly jumped out of his skin. He cursed and spun back around to see River sitting up, staring at him with her impish grin.
... "Be what you are and not what you're not. Those who do that are the happiest lot"... She sang out teasingly.
... "Now what the gorram hell that s'pose to mean?"... he snapped back, angrily.
A slightly forlorn look came over her, as she replied with a tired sounding sigh...
... "Treasure's buried too deep, can't dig it up."...
... "Uh...Ya.. best you remember that an' quit your yammerin'."... he snorted, while a slight unnoticed smile came over her face, momentarily.
River stared at him, approvingly, for a moment then stated...
... "Kaylee will be pleased."...
Jayne was about to ask her how she knew, but realized that was pointless. He simply shot back...
... "Ya, but that ain't none o' your concern an' I done told ya I was gonna do it already, so I'd 'preciate ya stop flappin' on 'bout it."...
... "Not enough"... she taunted.
... "Not enough!"... Jayne roared...
... "That's all you been squawkin' 'bout since we left there! gonna cost me a gorram fortune too!"... he grumbled on...
... "No, not Kaylee... The oranges.".. She clarified...
... "Hey!.. I done give ya that fruit...even 'pologized to ya...an' I don't 'pologize to nobody!"...
... "Forbidden fruit, not the same."...she countered, teasingly...
... "An' no, you ain't never 'pologized."... She continued on, needling him, in a perfect imitation of his speech patterns.
Everybody knew that River was insane, but up to now he had never realized how insolent she could be, on top of it. He had admitted to himself that he did owe her a favor or two, from her actions during and after the Gurick job, but a personal apology from Jayne Cobb should have been more than sufficient. It was in fact an apology, as far as he was concerned, regardless of what this little moonbrained witch thought and he was at an end to his patience with her...
... "Well you done got all you're gonna get from me!"... He barked...
... "An' if you don't see to your mouth, I swear to God I'll..."
... "Swear you'll do what Jayne?"... Simon inquired calmly, as he entered the room...
... "Hit her?... I didn't realize beating up little girls was your specialty too."... He added dryly, while shouldering past him defiantly, to check on his sister.
... "Not a little girl Simon, almost eighteen."... River protested.
... "Mei-mei, you need to lay down."... Simon admonished, while gently guiding her back down to a prone position, ignoring her comment.
... "So Jayne, may I ask exactly what it is you were doing in here?"... He queried, while shinning a light in River's eyes.
... "Oh I duno doc, guess maybe doin' your job?"... he retorted snidely...
... "Makin' sure your sis was awake an' not goin' into a comet or whatever?"... he concluded with a triumphant smirk.
... "Coma, Jayne."... Simon corrected, with an exasperated sigh.
... "Well ya...an' that too."... Jayne allowed, with a shrug and added...
... "Don't need her gettin' me in no more trouble is all"...
Simon looked up for a moment, shook his head slightly, in astonishment at the big ape's total insensitive ignorance, then went back to taking River's blood pressure.
... "She seems relatively stable now, although her blood pressure is a slightly elevated."... He stated, then added...
... "Which under the present circumstances is understandable."... While glaring at Jayne for a moment...
... "And while I must say I'm somewhat, shall we say... amazed... at your tender concern for River's well being."... He went on sarcastically...
... "I would rather think I can handle...my job, as you so astutely pointed out, quite well... If you have no objections that is."... He concluded, in a very dismissive tone.
Jayne saw his golden opportunity, to burrow a little deeper under the dandified core boy's skin and took it...
... "Aw hell no doc. I ain't got no 'jections. Need to find li'l Kaylee anyhow... talk out our plans for today in town."...
... "What!"... Simon gasped.
... "Oh, ya didn't know doc?"... Jayne furrowed his brow, in feigned bewilderment...
... "Her pa been takin' a powerful shine to me...promised I'd look to his baby girl...figured she could use herself some new clothes, she likes them sort o' things. Can't go back on my word, now can I?"... He concluded with a cocky smirk, turned and walked away.
With his jaw agape, Simon watched as Jayne calmly went up the stairs and out of sight. River rolled her eyes slightly, then gently took Simon's hand and piped up with...
... "He owes her a dress."...
Simon, brought out of his shock by her comment and comforting touch, commented...
... "The dress...oh yes of course... the dress... the one that got ruined, I'm sure she'll be... grateful."... He concluded, unconvincingly at ease with the situation.
... "Your concerns are unwarranted, Simon. I know Kaylee, she's my friend, we talk."... River assured him, as she squeezed his hand.
... "Oh?"... Simon looked at her expectantly, with a raised eyebrow.
... "Can't talk...promised."... She replied, with a giggly mischievous grin.
As he stared down at her adoringly, for a moment, he was transported back to a happier time, back when it was just him and River. Although he was a mental midget, by her standards, it seemed as if he had always looked after her. Genius or not, she had always seemed to be a magnet for trouble, with all her unconventional and more often than not, unpopular ideas.
It had been a task; however, a task that he had always cherished, for when all else failed, he had her and likewise she had him. Nothing else really mattered, she had been a gift from God; she had been his strength.
It was times like this, when he saw peeking out through whatever it was the Alliance had created, that little girl that had been such a gift, that the sacrifices he had made were as if nothing. It renewed his hope, that someday he could bring that same girl back.
Now fully back in "doctor mode," his concerns about Kaylee taking off with Jayne were, at least for the moment, suppressed. With a few final checks on River's condition. he made his diagnosis...
... "Well Mei-Mei, aside from a healthy knot on your head and a severe case of sleep deprivation, I'd say you were nor... er, healthy. I'm certain it's safe for you to sleep now and that's what you need more than anything. I'll just give you a smoother and help you back to your..."
Before Simon could inject her, River swatted the needle from his hand. As it went skittering across the floor, she sat up and slid off the bed, saying...
... "No pointy needles!... I can walk"...
... "River no!"... Simon cried out as she hit the floor with wobbly legs. He caught her as her knees buckled and admonished...
... "I'm your brother, but I'm also your doctor and doctor's orders are that you don't try to walk unassisted yet. You're recovering from a severe concussion and you haven't slept in days. I suppose we can forgo the smoother"... He relented...
..."but you're still weak and we don't want you to fall and hit your head again."...
He wrapped his arm under her's and helped her out into the common area. As the they were approaching the passenger dorms, River mused glumly...
... "You don't."...
... "What?"... Simon queried with a perplexed look.
... "Don't want me to hit my head."... She clarified, with the same somber expression.
... "Well no Mei-Mei, of course not."... He agreed with a chuckle...
... "We all..."
... "No...you don't"...She countered...
... "They're afraid of me again, just like before...can't be trusted, always trouble, don't belong."... She fretted, glumly...
... "Oh no Mei-Mei!.. no! no!"... Simon assured while stopping and looking down at her...
... "You're not always trouble and everybody likes you here, River,... well almost everybody."... He amended, when he thought of Jayne.
... "No!.. always trouble!... Trouble for Serenity!... trouble for the captain!... even before!,...trouble for Mom!.. trouble for Dad!... trouble for you!... Steve Chin."... River carried on frantically, with tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
Simon thought back, for a moment to the 2513 staff Christmas party, at Saint Mao's General Hospital, back on Osiris. There had been a considerable amount of drinking and his main rival, "Steve Chin," who was also vying for the positing of "Chief Surgeon," had been going on about how River was well known for being an "Independent Sympathizer."
He had a sister-in-law that had been one of her teachers and he claimed she had commented, one time, on how the "Tam girl" had, on several occasions, disrupted class, with her rhetoric about how any planet that wanted to remain autonomous and independent from Alliance authority should be allowed to do so, that they didn't have the right to meddle in their lives.
Simon had more or less taken it in stride, calmly defending River's unpopular political views on the basis that, while she was extremely intelligent, she was still very young and naive, that she would eventually grow out of it. That was, however, until Steve made his final comment.
He claimed that Simon and his thirteen year old sister, a little "Browncoat loving whore," as he referred to her, had been having an "unnatural relationship" and he was no better than she was.
Soon after, Steve was laying on the floor with a broken jaw and several missing teeth.
He had pressed criminal assault charges and sued Simon for medical expenses and personal injury. It had taken every ounce of his father's political clout and influence, not to mention several very handsome "payoff's," to the right officials, to get the entire incident "swept under the rug" and to keep Simon's promising medical carrier from ending, right then and there.
Simon gently took hold of River's chin and lifted her guilt stricken face up to meet his gaze. He adoringly stared at her for a moment, wiped her tears then hugged her, while commenting with a sigh...
... "Well Mei-Mei, that's what big brothers do."...
River was still a bit distraught when they arrived at her room. He turned the bed down for her and as she slipped into it. He produced a bundle, from on top of her dresser, saying...
... "I know you're not a little girl anymore, but Kaylee told me to give these to you. She was hoping they'd cheer you up."...
He let an old pair of flannel pajamas, with a picture of "Oscar the Octopus" embroidered on the front, unfold. He held them up to her, commenting...
... "She said she wore these up until she left home, so they might be a little big for you, but..."
Before he could finish, River's face lite up, as she squealed excitedly...
... "Oscar!"...
She shot up to a sitting position, grabbed and snuggled them up against her cheek, while Simon commented happily...
... "I can see now that Kaylee was not wrong. She was certain you would like them."...
... "Oh, I love them!"... River raved, then looked up to Simon, expectantly, signaling it was time he left her room, so she could change. A slightly more serious look came over him, as he sat down on the bed by her. Her look of joy was replaced by a slight sadness, for she knew exactly what it was that he wanted to talk about, before he even opened his mouth.
He took a deep breath and began...
... "I'll leave you alone so you can change into your new pajamas...and get some sleep."... he added pointedly, while giving her a very authoritative look...
... "But first there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about,...we need to talk about Jayne."...
Simon had noticed that she, since nearly their first week aboard Serenity, seemed to have had an odd fixation, with the big uncouth and potentially dangerous ape-man. He never really gave it that much though, or worried about it. He figured that she just marveled at his ignorance and enjoyed making fun of him, at times. There were even times that he himself, thought it was kinda cute and amusing, like one time when she was teasing him about his name. Her occasional predilection for sitting next to him at meal times didn't even bother him that much. He would get an inward chuckle when she stole food from his plate, while he writhed in impotent rage.
Teasing Jayne Cobb was like teasing a chained mad dog. If one was not careful it could have catastrophic results. After the talk he had had with the captain, however, when he had come back and rescued his sister and himself on Jiangyin and especially after his reactions towards Jayne's "recommendations" toward River, after she had shockingly slashed him up with a kitchen knife one time, it was clear to Simon that Jayne would have hell to pay from Mal, if he ever did lay a hand on her. He was sure that Jayne was aware of this as well, so the situation was held well in check.
River may have been a "black sheep," but Jayne was even blacker.
In Simon's estimation, however, Jayne was the type that when he woke up in the morning, didn't plan much past breakfast. It was impossible, for one as mentally challenged as himself, to foresee the consequences of his irresponsible actions. Their latest misadventure on the Gurick had proven that. On their last visit to Haven, he had been shocked to see him leering at River, as she wildly danced around a bonfire for a crowd of drunken miners. His rather lewd "comment" about her, later that night, back at Bernabe's place, had confirmed his growing fears.
It was well known that Mr. Cobb was at total mercy, to his disgusting biological urges and all moral considerations aside, simply didn't possess the wherewithal to control them. River, prior to her stint at the Academy, in spite of her unparalleled genius and talents, had been surprisingly naive and tended to gravitate toward the "wrong sort." When he had caught Jayne in the infirmary with her, alone and helpless, it became clear that the situation was becoming a potential recipe for disaster and it had to be addressed.
... "You have lots of friends here."... Simon began...
... "Kaylee, Wash, Sheppard Book, Inara, even the captain seems to enjoy your company."...
... "The hair awaits."... she replied and added inconsolably...
... "Captain's mad at me."...
... "The captain's always mad at somebody, Mei-Mei. I would tend not to think, as that being of any lasting consequence."... He assured her, with a chuckle...
... "But my point is, River, Jayne doesn't even like you. I should think that you would know that by now. Any... interest, that he may, on rare occasion show for you, I would highly doubt being motivated by anything I would feel to be appropriate for us to discuss. You have many other more... suitable friends."...
... "Sand's too deep, scared of the treasure, dig in the sand and it buries you too."... She quietly wafted, with a distant look in her eyes.
Simon stared at her for a moment, mystified. It came to him that she had retreated back to some hazy recess of her broken mind and had probably not even heard a word of what he had just said. He sighed deeply in frustration before he spoke, hoping she would listen...
... "Well, I think you need some rest, so I'll be brief about this,... I want you to stay away from Jayne, he's dangerous. It's not good for you to be around him."...
... "Hörður."... She mused, quietly.
Simon again stared at his sister, completely puzzled by her remark and then he remembered.
After the war, the Alliance, in a show of good will toward the defeated independents, embarked on a program of relocating war orphans and placing them with good upstanding, participating Core families. Hörður Eriksson was one of them. He was from the fiercely independent, but totally war ravaged border moon of Beowulf and one of the Tam's neighbors, the Camberson's, had taken him in.
While it was a noble enough idea, the kid was totally belligerent and beyond help. He was disruptive in school and prone to extremely violent behavior. He was finally expelled after an incident where he pulled a very large knife on his Phys. Ed. coach and nearly gutted him. That had been the first, out of three times he had been bound by law, by the age of fifteen. All the kid's parents, at River's school, had forbade their children to have anything to do with him, including Gabriel and Regan Tam.
It was on his third stay in a juvenile correction facility, that the Tams received a wave from a police station. River was being held, but due to their standing in the community and her young age, she would be released to their custody, with no charges filed.
She had apparently, at the age of thirteen, ditched school, stolen a hover car to travel hundreds of miles, to the city where Hörður was imprisoned and with the help of a perfectly forged ident card and credentials, attempted to visit him, posing as an eighteen year old, volunteer junior guidance counselor. What's more she would have succeeded, as she had many times before, had it not been for a lawyer that happened to be there, that was one of Gabriel's friends and recognized her. It was also learned that River had been seen, on several other occasions, long before Hörður had been expelled from school, in his company and even eating lunch together.
After her father picked her up, River defiantly admitted that Hörður was her friend, that after he was released she would continue to see him and what's more, had been sneaking out at night, after everyone was asleep to meet up with him.
Gabriel Tam was horrified and he and Simon both adamantly forbade her to ever go near him, ever again. Her father reminded her about the amount of money he had to spend, to make sure this little scandal would stay out of the public eye and on how she was jeopardizing her future and the family's reputation, by associating with such unsavory characters. She countered by saying that even though she dreaded the thought of leaving Simon, if she had to, she would run away to the farthest corner of the Verse with Hörður, where they would never be found and it would only be by sheer luck, that they would be able to stop them.
Gabriel knew his brilliant and resourceful daughter all to well. When she set her mind to something, there was little anyone could do to dissuade her. Her threats were not empty, but he and Simon had another "ace" to play. The next day, after a few calls and payoffs to some of his influential Alliance friends, the young misfit was quickly transferred to another facility off world, never to be seen or heard from again.
Simon fully agreed with and supported his fathers actions, in the matter of protecting his sister. He had actually been the one to first suggest that particular course of action, although in passing, during his initial reaction to the knowledge of the situation. He never figured his father would actually go thru with it. When he did, although he offered no protest and was supportive, he also felt quite remorseful and had, at the time, commented...
... "I suppose it needs to be done, but I don't think the kid ever had a chance and poor River is going to be heartbroken"...
River was never told the reason Hörður had been sent away, but Simon was sure that she knew, even though she never spoke of it. While he didn't believe for a moment the captain's claim that she was psychic, that was pure superstition and scientifically impossible, she had always been extremely intuitive. She could read people with an accuracy that would shame the most skilled of companions. By the same token, he could never fathom why she would befriend a person like Hörður, she must have known that he was no good and could never even hope to be up to her standards.
When news came that he had been transferred to a facility off world, a long term penal colony on the Rim most likely, River, as Simon had predicted, was devastated. She never disclosed what the extent of their relationship was or how long it had been going on and he never asked. If she suspected that he, or their father, had anything to do with Hörður's disappearance and she probably did, she never showed it, or even seemed to harbor any resentment toward them.
Simon loved and lived for his sister and even though he was glad the threat to her had been removed, he shared in her pain and sometimes wonderer if they had done the right thing. She remained in a state of depression for months and it wasn't till she had discovered a new school for gifted youths, while aimlessly searching the Cortex one night, that she came out of her melancholia. It was a godsend, for all thoughts of her "friend," a common juvenile delinquent, seemed to disappear, as she totally immersed herself in the books, in preparation for the entrance exams.
The subject of Hörður Eriksson had not been brought up in years and Simon had nearly forgotten about it. He had long written it off as an early teenage crush, that River had even forgotten. She obviously had not and at the time the whole nasty business had caused her considerable mental anguish.
In her present mental state, he was more than a bit leery of broaching the subject with her, but it had been brought out in the open, once again and had to be dealt with. With extreme trepidation he started in, as innocuously as he could...
... "Uh...ya, kinda like him, but there's a difference. Although I didn't approve of him, I think that, unlike Jayne, he may have actually...well... liked you...and well..." Simon faltered, as he became fearful of River's reaction.
... "Yes, he did... We were friends"... She responded languorously, with no signs of a forthcoming fit.
Relived by her surprising lack of emotion, on a subject he though would be extremely painful for her to remember, there was something he had to do to clear his conscious. She had brought it up and now was the time...
... "River... Mei-Mei"...he restated, while gently stroking her cheek...
... "I'm really sorry for what happened back then...I mean that... I really do, but there's something I've never told you"... He faltered again and River supplied...
... "You and Daddy... I know... it was your idea."...
Simon looked down, consumed with guilt and shame. He looked back up and was trying to say something when River grabbed his hands and assured him...
... "It's ok Simon, you didn't know. You were taking care of me...Daddy too,.. afraid I would hate you,... didn't care, thought you were protecting me."...With that, she buried her face in his shoulder and hugged him.
As he gently rocked her, he recalled on how he had always know that she knew the truth, but had forgiven them from the start, for their impulsive and somewhat underhanded actions, but hearing her actually say it made all the difference in the verse.
Still, her forgiveness didn't erase the deed. It was wrong what they did and he had to get it off his chest...
... "You have no idea how that makes me feel, Mei-Mei, but it was wrong what we did. We should have resolved the situation... differently, I know that now. I think that sometimes I might be a little too... I might shield you too much, but..."
... "Yes,...That's what big brothers do."... She stated flatly, as she pulled away from his embrace, with a downcast look.
Simon looked stunned, by her sudden change in demeanor, then a suppressed laugh blurted out, from behind the curtain of hair hanging over her face. She threw herself back on her pillow, pointing at him, while singing out lightheartedly...
... "I win again!... so easy!"...
He stared back down at her with a smile, shook his head slightly and commented with a sigh...
... "Yep...you're my sister, alright"...
After a moment of frivolity, Simon kissed her on the forehead and announced...
... "Well, I think it's time you got some rest."...
He went to leave, but stood in the doorway looking back for a moment. A serious look came back over him and he queried, before shutting the door behind him...
... "So... Jayne.. will you stay away from him like I asked?"...
A stunned look came over her, for a moment, then she brightened up and replied with a smile...
... "Yes Simon, I'll be good."...
With a look of relief, Simon smiled back, bade her goodnight...
... "Goodnight, Mei-Mei."... and shut the door.
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... "Inara!... you awake yet!"... Mal bellowed, his voice reverberating thru the hallway, as he approached her shuttle.
The door opened and Inara, still clothed in a nightgown, appeared in the doorway, with a bemused look on her face.
... "Yes, I assure you I'm awake Captain, along with everyone else onboard, I wound venture to say."...
... "Need to have us a little chat, quick like. Due out o' here in twenty minutes."... He stressed hurriedly, as he stormed past, into her shuttle.
... "And does this unprecedented emergency, once again, require your unannounced and uninvited intrusion into my shuttle?"... She protested, while trailing after him.
... "Hey! my uninvited intrusion was announced... You heard me commin'."... He quipped...
Inara was about to comment, but thought to herself "what's the point."
With an exasperated sigh, she threw on a black and gold housecoat, turned to her counter to start a morning pot of tea and inquired, sarcastically, while Mal rummaged around behind her tapestries, searching for the safe...
... "So now that you're here, making yourself at home, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, if I may be so bold to ask?"...
... "Just seein' to the goods is all... Makin' sure somebody remembered to lock 'em up, good an' proper like this time?"... He explained, while glancing over his shoulder to Inara accusingly...
... "Got us a big payday commin' up an' I ain't lookin' to see no undue surprises, come time to deliver"... He articulated.
... "Oh honestly Mal, it was locked, we've been over this before."... she retorted indignantly, thrust his cup of tea at him and knelt down at her table.
... "Funny thing Inara, accordin' to Haymer, the third bidder that your... associate so abundantly vouched for I might add,... this here fancified safe is impossible to break into, less you got a laser torch handy, if it's all locked up nice an' tight... and oh yes... the combination was known only to you"... He fumed on.
... "Mal, we both know how River is."... She reminded him, defensively.
... "Yes, but the combination changes daily Inara, also known only to you, at the time of the change. When was the last time you had close contact with her?... Before the Lassiter disappeared I mean"... He cross-examined.
... "I'm not sure, but since we landed here, I've been so busy that I haven't even spoke to her other than last night, when I went to see how she was doing. Other than the day we went to breakfast together I haven't seen her at all, except from a distance and even that day at breakfast, it was just briefly in passing." ... She explained, wondering where he was going with this.
... "Exactly my point, River's a reader, but she ain't perfect, has limits. I'm awful sure you need to be close, for her to see to the truth in you an' she even told me herself she can't always do it, which means it's not very likely she could have known the combination, which leaves me with the inescapable conclusion that somebody didn't lock it up, all nice an' shiny like."... He concluded, while crossing his arms.
Inara rolled her eyes as she rose up. Stopping by Mal for a moment, she reiterated, derisively...
... "It was locked, Mal"... then continued over to the safe.
She threw back a tapestry and her fingers danced across a key pad. After a few whirring sounds, an elongated card clicked out from a slot. She went back over to Mal, handed him the card and said...
... "Seeing as how you refuse to believe me, see for yourself"...
He gazed down at he card blankly, then back to Inara and queried with a lost look...
... "And what might this be?"...
... "Amateurs"... She muttered to herself, then sided up next to him, explaining...
..."It's a security log."... Pointing out different markings on the log, she elaborated...
... "This line is the time and date. The green shadowing is when it was locked, the red is when it was unlocked. These marks are when the door was opened and closed. Here, above the time line, is the total weight of all the contents, at any given time. Up here is where I removed the box and gave it to you, before you went to meet with Durham and here is where I replaced it, after you brought it back. Finally, down here is when I opened it during the auction and as you can plainly see, it had been locked up until that time."... She concluded.
Mal studied it for a minute or two and remarked...
... "Huh... shiny,... but I see a problem with this."...
... "Oh?...and what, praytell could that be?"... Inara questioned in mock bewilderment.
... "River, ... it ain't showin' where she opened it."... Mal intoned with gravitas.
... "And that Mal, is precisely my point."... She attested...
... "It was locked, like I've been trying to tell you and the Lassiter was indeed in the safe. It weighs exactly six point eight pounds and if you will notice here."... As she pointed at a spot on the timeline...
... "The the total weight of all the contents was reduced by exactly that amount, at that time"...
... "But the..." He started in.
... "Yes Mal."... She interposed, impatiently, marveling to herself on how the man could possibly be so obtuse...
... "The safe was never unlocked, much less opened. The box, it was in, was also never opened. The keys, as I have also previously stated, never left my person. She removed it, somehow, without ever opening either."...
Mal stared at Inara in disbelief of what he has hearing, but he recalled back to the time River had thwarted Jubal Early and more recently, Adelai Niska. In both instances, there had been some rather inexplicable and bizarre events surrounding her actions that had never been explained. When he had attempted to talk to her about them, she became increasingly vague and reticent in her response. He had assumed that she either didn't know, couldn't remember or, most likely, the things he had witnessed were nothing more than the product of an overly active imagination, brought about by a stressful situation.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
Looking back, absently, at the security log, while slowly shaking his head, Inara broke in, pulling him from his musings...
... "Mal, I'm sure you won't believe this, but I think she's..."
... "Have you told the other's about this?"... Mal smartly cut in, with a note of concern.
... "Well... no, I..."
... "Then I'd rightly 'preciate it if you didn't."... He appealed.
... "Well... yes, of course Mal, You know I can keep a secret."...She replied, somewhat taken aback, by Mal's sudden change in demeanor."
... "I surely do,"... he agreed...
... "Which reminds me, our next stop would be New Melbourne an' I believe you have another secret, that's beggin' to be told."...
... "Inara was about to start in with her "I'll tell them when I'm ready" line as Mal continued on...
... "But presently there's a greater issue at hand. Me, Jayne an' Zoe will be headin' off for Kingston shortly, for the payoff an' to tie up some loose ends. In the meantime, Wash has the ship. He has orders to keep the bay door locked an' nobody is to leave the ship. I want you to remove the merchandise from your safe an' remain in your shuttle, with it in plain sight. Ain't takin' no chances this deal goin' south on us."
... "I visited River last night in the infirmary and she seemed deeply disturbed over the trouble she caused."...Inara went on...
... "She thought she was helping and wanted it to be a surprise. I can tell that she's lonely and only wants to be useful. She didn't mean any harm Mal...she's a sweet kid but just doesn't realize what she's doing sometimes."...
... "I'm abundantly aware o' that Inara, fact o' which I ain't said no more to her 'bout it... but that's exactly what gets me a-worryin'... she don't know no better an' 'till she does, we need to be treatin' her mighty carefulsome."...
... "I really don't think she's going to try that again."...Inara defended...
... "She really feels bad about it and honestly Mal, don't you think you're overreacting... just a bit?... I don't think it's quite necessary to have everybody confined to quarters. This is not..."
... "Ta ma de hun dàn!"... Mal bellowed out...
... "First Kaylee now you!... what the joo fuen chse is happenin' with my crew!... Did they forget who owns this ship!... Who the captain is?"... He exclaimed, while throwing his arms in the air.
... "Oh, so I'm on your crew again?" ... Inara sarcastically inquired...
... "Quite frankly I think you need to work out a schedule...Captain... and give me a copy, so I can prepare for the days I'll be expected to submit to your petty whims and on which I may retrain the status of a...
... "Whore."...Mal snidely supplied.
Inara was preparing her next volley of insults, when a timid voice caught their attention...
... "Excuse me?"...as Kaylee peeked meekly in through the open door.
... "I ain't interruptin' nothin' am I?"...
... "Kaylee!"... Mal barked...
... "I seem to recall askin'... no, tellin' you to do somethin'."...
... "Oh!...everythin's all shiny Cap'n!... Simon's lookin' to River an' number two's A-Ok an' ready to go. I just come to see Nara is all." ... she chirped, but her countenance fell slightly as she continued...
... "But I 'spect I can come back latter, if this ain't a good time, that is."...
... "Not at all Kaylee, please do come in."... Inara insisted, graciously, while stepping over to the door and ushering her in.
... "Our captain was just leaving."... She added, while giving Mal a very communicative glance.
... "Ok."... Mal acquiesced...
... "But remember, you be extra careful like"... He added while turning to leave... and called back over his shoulder, as he headed down the hallway...
... "No more surprises... Dohn-lu-mah?"...
And he headed toward the cargo bay, hollering...
... "Zoe!... Zoe!"...
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Jayne, unsuccessful thus far, in his quest to find the cheerful little mechanic, had finally succumbed to his gnawing hunger and made his way to the galley. Actually it was more of a "procrastination stop" than anything else. The clock was ticking and soon enough the captain would be calling his name. Of course he would have no choice then, but to obey and get his pìgu aboard the shuttle, leaving Kaylee behind. He could then explain to River that it was "captain's orders" and she'd "let him off the hook."
... "Not likely."... He grumbled to himself.
Trying to reason with their resident "bat brain" was like trying to explain the internal workings of a Callahan full-bore auto-lock to a soil sample. While stuffing a "Fruity Oat Bar" into his mouth and slurping on a king sized mug of coffee, he considered another possible option.
Lying.
Just say the captain had forbid taking Kaylee along. In less it was a "shore leave" situation they never took her along anyway and shore leave was out, seeing as how the ship was under "lockdown" anyway. It would be believable and even crazy wouldn't be able to blame him. Let the captain take the lashing for once.
Nope. That wouldn't work either.
She was a reader, she'd know he was lying. Hell, he knew that. Even in times past he'd suspected it, long before the captain had. He ever remembered, one time, how he couldn't believe how this so-called "genius," that could read your mind, couldn't even figure out how to eat an "ice planet."
Then, as an epiphany, it came to him. It would work and he wouldn't even have to lie. She'd never know.
Mal wouldn't let Kaylee come along anyway. He had mentioned that he just wanted a quick, simple "In and out," with no complications... Go in, talk to Miss Simoneaux, get the coin, get back, settle up with Haymer and off this rock. Kaylee had work to do here and wouldn't be needed. He could beg the captain till the stars burned out and he'd never relent, once his mind was made up. For once Mal's bullheadedness, would work in his favor.
Jayne grinned a self satisfied smirk, as he finished off the last of the "Fruity Oat Bars." He even amazed himself, sometimes, on how cunning he could be.
For appearances, however, he still had to find and invite Kaylee and present the idea to the captain, so he could refuse it. It still wasn't that pleasant of a prospect, but far better that the other alternative. He likened it as the difference between being shot, by a well disciplined and professional Alliance firing squad and meeting his end under a lonely old tree, at the hands of a drunken lynch mob, or maybe even being "drag hanged."
There was still the problem of how to present this to Mal, without revealing the reason for wanting to bringing Kaylee along, after all, he wouldn't want him to think that his big scary gunman was going soft on him. He could always say that he thought she should come along because he had heard a funny noise in the shuttle, last time they used it and she should check it out. Ya that would work, he thought to himself.
The Companion's shuttle was the last place left to check, so with apprehension, he arose. After checking the cupboards one final time for something to snack on and some Saki to quell his nerves, he was on his way.
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"... it ain't that River ain't my friend or nothin' Nara"... Kaylee went on...
... "She's a dear...I mean I just spent all night talkin' an' keepin' her company, so she'd be all shiny like, but sometimes it seems like Simon an' her... well maybe Simon..."
A slight knocking came from the door and Inara held up her hand, signaling Kaylee to "hold that thought," as she excused herself from the table and went to investigate. She knew it wasn't Mal...again... for if it were, he would already be in be in there with them. Returning, she announced, with a look of bewilderment...
... "While I'm not so sure if it's an accurate description, it seems as if a...gentleman... is here to see you."...
A look of bewilderment came over her as Kaylee lit up, as if she'd been expecting him. She set her tea down and chirped excitedly...
... "Send him in!"...
Inara went back toward the door, while glancing back to Kaylee with a funny look. A moment later, Jayne Cobb stepped inside and stood rigidly in the middle of the room. Looking over to Inara, who had sat back down by Kaylee. He recited mechanically...
... "Hello Inara, Nice-to-see-you."...
He turned to Kaylee, who was beaming back up to him, expectantly and remained silent, as he gawked back at her, speechlessly. Inara, now totally lost, glanced back and forth between the two of them in bewilderment, leaned over to Kaylee and whispered...
... "What about Simon?... I thought he was..."
Kaylee hushed her and whispered something in her ear. An expression of revelation came over Inara, as she glanced back to Jayne for a second, with a sly grin.
Jayne, still frozen, as if he had looked upon the face of Medusa, started in clumsily...
... "You recall what happened on Niska's ship, while back?"...
The beaming smile faded from Kaylees face, as she remembered in detail, their latest encounter with the late Adelai Niska. Inara rolled her eyes and commented...
... "Yes Jayne, I think we all remember that little "incident," quite vividly... I know I do."... she assured him dryly, while rubbing her neck.
Jayne looked back at her, blankly, and wondered to himself; why was she gettin' her panties all in a bind, she didn't get her dress all tore up, a little dirty maybe and a few needles in her neck, but it should have washed up just fine. He recalled though, on how he hadn't seen her wear it since then and knew how important fancy clothes were to a whore. They were the tools of her trade, like his guns were to him. He thought on it for a moment, shrugged and turned back to Kaylee, saying...
... "Well I was figurin' you might need some new clothes an' was wonderin' if you might ... well, want to... ah..."
... "Oh, I'd love to!"...Kaylee beamed, as he faltered.
... "I must say, Jayne, this is a most unexpected turn of events."... Inara commented, with a contrived smile.
... "Just doin' the right thing is all."... Jayne replied with a shrug, as if it were no big deal, then turned back to Kaylee and added, with a simulated look of concern...
... "But we need to talk to Mal, 'bout you commin' along."...
... "That should be interesting"... Inara remarked, with an exasperated sigh.
... "Oh ya, he's powerful set on everyone stayin' here, cept for me an' Zoe."...He concurred, almost hopefully.
... "Oh not to worry, you two."...Kaylee piped up cheerfully...
... "Cap'n will be a all shiny like."... She bubbled mirthfully, while she arose, kissed Inara on the top of the head and sided up to Jayne.
... "Did I miss something?... Did Mal hire a new captain?"...Inara queried in amusement, as she escorted them to the door.
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Mal was waiting, as they crossed over the cargo bay to the port side catwalk.
... "Was wonderin' when you might show up."... He admonished, as Jayne and Kaylee approached.
... "Time to saddle up, Jayne... got work to be done."... He stated, while turning and heading for the starboard shuttle port.
... "Uh, Mal?.. last time I was in that shuttle I heard me a funny noise."... he lied, unconvincingly...
... "Figured it best we bring li'l Kaylee along."...
Mal stopped, turned back around, gave Jayne a dubious look then focused on Kaylee.
... "So what's this now, Kaylee? I seem to recall you sayin' she was all shiny like."...
... "Oh she is Cap'n. I just checked..."
... "See Jayne, ain't no call for bringin' her."... Mal interposed, while looking back to him, with a simple smile and a shrug.
With the "good news," a broad smile of relief flashed over Jayne's face, while Kaylee looked as if she was six years old and had just learned that someone had shot and bar-b-que'd the Easter Bunny. Their countenances instantly traded places, however at Mal's next words...
... "But I ain't got no problem with her commin' along this time, Jayne."... as he walked off toward the shuttle and added, while glancing back over his shoulder, with a smirk...
... "Seein's how you're so set on payin' her back an' all."...
With his mouth gone suddenly dry and his jaw agape, Jayne watched as Kaylee gleefully bounced along behind the captain into the shuttle. It had been a conspiracy all along and it took him all of a second, to figure out who the ringleader had been.
... "Ya commin' Jayne?"... Mal's voice impatiently echoed out, from the open port.
... "Ruttin' little freak"... He muttered to himself, as he sullenly headed for the shuttle.
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