Lessons in Latin.

By Lady Cleo

All Disclaimers Apply.

Thanks to Twitchy Louie for putting up with my go se... and the reviewers for providing feedback and reading in the first place.

Caput Duo

"My imagination is very capable, old man, I doubt that your name could bring me anything beside a pain in the backside. You've wasted my time enough." Slamming down the goblet onto the nearest piece of furniture, Janus spun around to face the door and froze in place.

She stood, framed by the sunlight that streamed in from the courtyard; the waves of brown curled tightly and decoratively atop her head. Her large dark blue eyes glared across the room at the stranger with a sense of pure intelligence and spirit.

Janus shifted uncomfortably, unable to shake the feeling that she was dissecting his inner mind. A chill ran down his spine, unnerving the veteran warrior as she stepped across the room lightly, gracefully, to come to a halt before her father. There was something odd and unstable about the girl, kicking him to the very core, instilling a heart pounding fear that had him on the verge of running, but at the same time kept him spellbound.

"You called for me, father?"

A smile crossed Tanicus' face as he gauged the soldier's reaction. Wrapping his arm lovingly around his younger daughter he turned her to face the warrior, "Telphusa, may I present to you Legion Commander Titius Janus; he's an old friend of the family. Perhaps you've heard Octavia speak of him before."

One of her eyebrows arched up delicately as she gazed upon the Legion Commander with a distinct sense of superiority. "She has mentioned him, once or twice."

A satisfied smirk couldn't be stopped despite the hard pounding of his heart. "Your sister and I have a peculiar relationship."

Telphusa titled her head with curiosity, "I gathered no such thing," she declared calmly. "It was very clear to me that you do not have a relationship, but rather an intense loathing for each other."

Janus snickered, his heart attempting to resume its normal pace as his eyes roamed over her, "That seems to adequately describe the situation."

"Telphusa," Tanicus interrupted with a nervous grin, "I'm sure the commander does not wish to speak of Octavia. After all, he has just returned from a campaign in Gaul, as I understand it, a bountiful and triumphant campaign." His words made Telphusa frown, her gaze leaving the commander to fall on her father, a blatant look of confusion within her eyes. "You see," Tanicus began, "Legion Commander Janus is a great favorite of Caesar…"

The look of absolute horror that crossed her face could not be missed, "You can not mean that he… father I must beg of you…"

Janus felt the immediate urge to laugh as he watched the distressed young woman stutter, her hands flying up to grasp at her father's toga. Obviously there had been mention of a marriage agreement, and clearly her father had failed to adequately describe the situation. "There, sir, is your answer." Janus laughed, "I do not think she would have me." In most cases it would have been customary to feel insulted at such a situation, instead, Janus felt extremely relieved. No marriage flames to be lightened for him yet.

"Telphusa, control yourself." The young girl snapped away from her father, her eyes falling to the floor as her body went ridged. Tanicus turned a horrified expression on the all but laughing commander. "You misunderstand her actions. She would be greatly pleased at the match. If you would but please give her a chance to…"

As her father pleaded her case Telphusa's hand clenched in a tight fist, her breath falling heavily. For a second the commander pitied her, but he'd had enough of these games. Marrying the child would do no good for him; the politics of the Forum and Senate were useless to a solider of his stature.

"Don't worry, girl." Janus declared with a grin as Telphusa's head snapped up, her large blue eyes meeting his brown. "I have no want, or need to wed. Your virtue is safe yet" Turning away from the silent pair with an amused smile, the Legion commander departed the room with another laugh. Pushing past the startled servants he moved through the Villa and out its gate.

Despite his amusement something unsettled the solider. He found his thoughts straying away from the initial amusement the scene had caused, and back to the image of the small girl framed in sunlight, "Marry… she's but a baby still. What good could come from bedding a child?" Janus muttered to himself, the smile rapidly banishing as he mounted his waiting horse. He shifted uncomfortable in the saddle, a vague feeling of frustration suddenly grabbing hold of him as her large eyes haunted his memory.

Turning the horse around Janus gazed upon the villa gates for a long second… a child, reminded himself. Nothing but a beautiful child, probably a smart child who could hold her own, or maybe not with how she snapped to at her father's command. Still, a child…

"I thought I smelled an ape." The soft strained voice brought a sudden halt to the Commander's thoughts as a decorative litter pulled suddenly into view, the soft lace curtains pulling back to reveal a strikingly familiar woman, her long dark hair swept around her face, her eyes the same shade of blue that haunted him still. However, no desire to bed this one sprang into his mind.

"Octavia." Janus muttered, the name leaving a general distaste in his mouth.

Swinging her legs of the litter, Octavia slowly stood. Glaring at the legion commander with a condescending smile she spoke up, "What brings the dog to our doorstep? Begging for treats from our father?"

Janus stared down at her, guiding the horse beneath him closer he leaned down to return her glare, "A marriage proposal." He declared, watching the horror as it swept across her face.

"Marriage…?" Her voice cracked and Janus laughed watching with glee as the elder daughter of Tanicus turned towards the villa. "Telphusa…" Making a mad dash for the gates she called out, her voice stricken with panic, "Telphusa, what has happened, what is going on… Telphusa!" Still laughing the commander kicked his horse into a hard trot, Octavia's voice ringing in his ears.

-

"River, what's happened, what's going on… River!"

Jayne cracked an eye open, his head pounding as Simon's voice reverberated through it "Gorram it!" Jayne glanced quickly around his bunk, half expecting to find the crazy girl down there with him as Simon climbed down the hatch. Instead the only thing that greeted him was darkness, the glow of Serenity barely casting light through the bunk. The shouting that had seemed so clear a second ago was now only undistinguishable mutters echoing through the bulkheads.

Shaking off Simon's voice as his imagination, Jayne closed his eyes again, deciding that another hour or two of sleep couldn't hurt. But the pounding in his head didn't seem to agree with that notion. Pressing down hard on his temples, the mercenary groaned, "Damn if'n it don't feel like I got two warring parties up there." Tossing off the covers Jayne sat up and slipped on his boots. Heading for the hatch, he decided that it wouldn't hurt to at least discover what all the commotion was about.

Clambering up the hatch Jayne peered down the corridor towards the galley and frowned, half the crew was strewn about the room, ducking behind pieces of furniture as dishes and cans flew through the air. ""Ai-yah. Tyen-ah..." Curiosity and an annoying nagging in the back of his head got the better half of him, and Jayne moved down the corridor.

Coming to a halt just inside the doorway he peered closely into the galley. Standing behind the sink River stood, her face stained with tears, hair strewn about in a wild mess, brown eyes blazing with anger and clutching a frying pan. "Isn't fair!" She yelled out across the room, "Didn't give her a chance; didn't stay around! Didn't want to stay. Didn't like her!" Tossing the pan across the room she watched with a satisfied, albeit tear stained, expression as it crashed against the wall.

Simon slowly poked his head out from behind the table where he huddled with Kaylee. "River, I know… I know you're upset, but I can help you if you just put down that..." the blue sun can crashed against the wall and Simon ducked back down with a frustrated yelp. "River I can't help you if you don't let me."

To the left of River's position, just near where Inara and Book where crouching, Mal and Zoe crept stealthy towards the girl, jumping aside as they were both barraged with more cans.

"Hell, doc," Jayne laughed, drawing the groups' attention to him, "Crazy gone loco on ya again? What'd ya do to set her off this time?"

"Nothing." Simon barked angrily, shielding his head as a can exploded against the wall.

"Don't just stand there, Jayne." The captain yelled out, ducking behind a chair, "Get her 'fore she destroys any more of our rations."

"Don't see why I gotta risk my neck!" The mercenary laughed, his arms crossing across his chest he leaned against the doorframe. "Hell, capt'n, she's just a little bit, can't be throwing 'em that hard."

In response to his comment, the girl genius picked up another can, hurling it in his direction. It hit the wall, exploding on contact and expelling a grey gooey substance across the room… splattering the mercenary in the face.

Choking down the sickening substance, Jayne proceeded to wipe it off, the sound of River's laughter echoing in his ears, "What in the hell you do that for?"

"His fault!" River answered back with a smug grin. "Didn't give her a chance."

Jayne snorted as he stepped down into the galley. "Last I checked was you didn't seem so thrilled 'bout the situation. Stuttering and grabbing hold of your pa like I was some kind of one eyed monster 'bout ready to eat ya. What in the hell is a man supposed ta do when a girl insults him in front of her pa? 'Specially when her pa is a high pollutin' snob that looks down on soldiers and the like as it is. You could've at least had the decency to wait 'til your pa weren't around scrutinizing us, then told me where to shove it."

River shrieked, Jayne ducked as another can flew across the room. "How dare you insult the parental unit! Not once did she insult him, was always kind and courteous to the drunken hog."

"Hey!" Jayne barked back, the mirth falling from his face as he advanced on the glaring girl. "That drunken hog was the man that raised me up to the position I'm in, if'n it weren't for him we'd never gotten married. If'n it weren't for him you're high snortin' pa wouldn't have let me in the same room as you …"

"Position? Position? Caesar's lackey!" River shouted back, "Caesar's lackey, that's all you were. Servant to the General, always bowing low before the mighty war lord…"

Jayne's spine stiffened, fire lighting through his eyes, "Watch your tongue woman!"

"Forgot," River bit back, "No one is permitted to articulate thought against the colossal general." Throwing her hands up over her head, the genius rolled her eyes, "Caesar! Caesar! Caesar! Why didn't the rotten ape bind himself in matrimony to the mighty Caesar instead? Would have made a darling couple." Turning on her heels, River fled from the galley.

"Woman," Jayne barked after her retreating back, advancing after her. "Where the hell you think you're going. We ain't done here…"

"Woah there," Mal declared, jumping into the mercenary's path… "Uh, we got other things to do, Jayne, you can… argue with the little lady later." Watching the mercenary wearily, Mal let his free hand drop down to his holster, not quite sure what to expect from the man, not even sure if he knew just who was standing in front of him.

Jayne ignored the captain, eyes still focused on the girl's path of retreat.

"Jayne," Mal barked, pushing hard against the mercenary's chest and pulling the man's eyes towards him, "We got a drop scheduled. Need you to get the shuttle prepped, now!" For the first time in his life, Jayne booked no questions or opposition, a small almost unfamiliar voice telling him that a good solider picked his battle and retreated to see another day. Reluctantly he turned in the opposite direction, starting off for the shuttle with stiff, tense shoulders.

Silence reigned for several seconds as the crew slowly picked themselves off the floor. Book reached for the broom as Inara began picking up the few intact cans. Simon rose, helping Kaylee to her feet, his eyes falling worriedly after his sister.

"Doc," Simon turned to look at the Captain as he spoke. "Go ahead and look towards your sister. I want you to find out what the hell those two where talkin' bout. Then I want her drugged and under, lock her in that room if you have to. Whatever happened to them back in the infirmary, it ain't just affecting him, and until we got a clear picture I don't want her anywhere near him." Simon nodded slowly, turning away from the captain he started after his little sister.

-

Jayne moved quickly into the second shuttle, muttering to himself as he slipped into the pilot's chair. "Gorram little girl." Wiping another gob of the grey goo off his face Jayne turned his attention to the consul and reached forward; only to pause. Hand in mid air, his eyes ran quickly over the dozens or so buttons, racking his brain for the sequence needed to start the smaller shuttle.

"Gorram it, I know the damned thing like the back of my hand. Crazy's just got me all riled." Jayne muttered to himself, leaning back in the chair he took a deep calming breath.

"Jayne!" The mercenary jumped slightly at the sound of the Captain's voice. "Why the hell ain't this thing started yet?" Swinging the pilot's chair around, Jayne jumped to his feet and faced the captain as the man entered the small cockpit, Zoe in toe behind him.

"Was just about ta get her up and running, cap't." Turning back around Jayne leaned over the chair, reaching towards the consul he went for the first button that came into view. A hand suddenly reached out pulling him away. "Ah, hell Mal, I…"

"You don't remember the damned sequence do you?" The captain demanded, eyes piercing Jayne's. "This whole situation has got your head so screwed off that you can't even remember the damn code!"

'Vir sapit qui pauca loquitor.' Jayne's spine stiffened the foreign thought once again invading his inner mind. 'Know when to hold your tongue.' The smart solider will always live by this rule.

Mal's frown deepened as he watched his mercenary's expression glaze over with a look of near pure intelligence. "That's it! You ain't going on this job, not until you get that head of yours straightened out!"

"But Mal, ain't nothing wrong…"

"Go," The captain barked, pointing towards the shuttle door, "Get checked out with the doc, and steer clear of the little girl. I don't want any confrontations between the two of you. You hear?"

"This is ridiculous, who the hell put you in charge anyway. Last I checked I made Legatus 'fore you were even in diapers, hell 'fore you were born." Jayne muttered turning away from the captain he started for his bunk. Reaching out Mal put a restraining hand on Jayne's chest, forcing the mercenary to halt, "Aw hell Mal, I didn't…" Jayne stopped talking suddenly as he took in the captain's odd, puzzled expression. "Why you lookin' at me like that?"

"Jayne…" Mal began, "Ain't… ain't your eyes supposed to be blue?"

"Huh?"

"Zoe," Mal called out, "Weren't his eyes blue?" The captain declared as his second stepped over.

"Can't say I'm too fond of gazing into them, sir, but last I recalled they were a shade of blue." She answered back confidently.

Mal's forehead winkled, "Real pretty blue, weren't they? " He questioned, turning his head to stare at the mercenary "Something like maybe an indigo blue …"

"More of a cerulean in my opinion, sir."

"No chance of them being brown, sorta a dark hazel brown?" Mal questioned, glancing back over at his second in command.

"What in the hell you two talkin' bout…" Jayne demanded angrily, gaze flickering impatiently between the two.

"Not that I recall, sir" Zoe answered back ignoring the mercenary's frosted glare.

"And what color are they now?" Mal declared, motioning at Jayne's face.

Zoe frowned, leaning in slightly as she stared the mercenary in the eyes, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. "Brown, sir!"

"Huh?" Jayne demanded, his face crinkling in confusion, head rearing back. "What in ruttin' hell you talking about. My eyes are blue, been blue ever since birth. Ma used to say they were my baby blues, ain't never been any other color."

"Zoe you got a mirror"

"Sir?"

"You girls are always carrying one around, stashed up a sleeve or tucked in a pocket somewhere?" The captain declared making random gestures at her.

"Sir, do I look the kind of girl who needs to carry around a mirror?"

"Well, no." The captain finally answered, "But you can never really tell…" Deciding it was best to leave the subject untouched the captain glanced around the contents of the shuttle. Finally spotting a reflective tin he reached out, grabbing the item and tossed it towards Jayne.

Jayne caught the small item and peered down into it, "Bun tyen-shung duh ee-dway-ro." He muttered, slowly looking up he glared at the captain and Zoe with bright blue eyes. Thrusting the tin back into the captain's hands Jayne turned, stomping angrily away from the captain and Zoe. "Brown eyes my ass! Startin' ta think crazy's contagious!"

Mal frowned for a long second, the silence hanging over the shuttle. "Zoe…"

"Sir?"

"They were brown!"

"No doubt about that, sir."

-

Simon slowly pulled open the door to River's quarters, peering quietly into the darkness, "River." She didn't answer him and he stepped fully into the room, switching on the light and closing the door behind him.

"Didn't hear you coming!" The lump of covers on the bed stirred slowly.

"What?" Simon questioned, moving closer he perched on the side of the bed, his hand reaching out towards his sister.

"The voices," She answered, her voice muffled. "They weren't as clear for her, wasn't played with and fine tuned. She could tune them out, didn't frighten her as much because they weren't as loud, she just knew things, thought it was a gift from the gods, not the blue hands. Like River, before the hands came."

"Who are you talking about River? What was going on up there in the galley?"

"Jayne remembers things, passed them on to the girl unwittingly. Gave her his memories. Woke up Telphusa with death, and drew her out with Janus…" Crawling out from underneath the covers, River moved over to her brother's side, leaning against him. "It's hard Simon…"

"What's hard, mei-mei?"

"Knowing things, knowing things I shouldn't. Seeing things I shouldn't." Burying her face against his shoulder, she clung tightly to him as though the world was spinning and she would tumble off if she let go. "Feel things, Simon. I feel all her emotions, all my emotions, they're tumbled together, I can't decipher, can't understand, can't distinguish." Pulling away from Simon, River stood, her body trembling and shaking as she began to pace, her movements hurried and frustrated.

"I know another him, loved another him, love him, Simon, everything says that I love him. All the voices, all the emotions that I can't organize, they say that I should love. But I can't understand it, everything says, but nothing is rational… can't be quantified, can't be, just can't be. Won't let me, wouldn't, he's guarded and locked away from people, nothing sane about him, can't love him." She explained and ignored the half confused, half indigent expression Simon was sending her and pressed her palms to her forehead as though trying to clear her thoughts by physical force alone.

"The voices are confusing. Telphusa, she saw the man beneath the armor; I'm supposed to see the man beneath the armor too. She wants to show me, tries to show me. Feel like I'm supposed to see him before the red comes, but I can't Simon. Conventions, fears, they're standing in the way Simon, blocking the path. I know which steps to take, I know which life to live… but I can't take them." Shaking her head violently River took a step away from her brother, her body trembling. "Janus is not helping the situation. He's stronger, stronger then Jayne, like a Jayne with thirty Vera's, only they're all crammed in his head, harnessed not just through his hands… "

"You're not making any sense mei-mei." Simon interrupted, jumping to his feet he grabbed a hold of River, trying to calm her down. "Let's try starting from the beginning… You're saying that you and Jayne are hearing, or remembering someone else's life?"

"No, am feeling my own and hers all bundled together, knotted and twisted. And I want to! I want to know the crazy butterflies, always wanted the crazy butterflies. But not supposed to happen like this, not supposed to remember the butterflies or the hurt. And now I know what they'll bring and I don't want to know. But I am Telphusa, I was Telphusa, I can't wipe away the memories, can't, just can't." River pulled away from Simon, crawling back onto the bed she huddled into the covers, "Telphusa was weaker, nothing forced on her, didn't face the blue, sheltered and loved. Only thing she had to deal with was occasional moody Janus and senate politics. Life was easier…"

"River focus, focus on what you telling me," Simon whispered, reaching down after her he pulled River back into a sitting position. "Let's try something a little easier. Why did you follow after Jayne when he died?"

Lifting her head River met Simon's eyes. "Not easier."

"I… River…" Simon pulled away from her for a second, the emotions playing across his face. "I want to help you figure this out; to do that we need to go back to the root. Why did you follow after Jayne when he died?

Tears suddenly clouded her vision, "It hurts Simon."

"Hurts?" Panic streamed across his face, and he reached out towards her, "What hurts?"

"To be without." River answered, snuggling closely into his side she buried her face against his shoulder. "Hurts too much to stay behind. She felt him, felt him fade away. Each time she feels the pain, the pain of being silent and alone, the pain that steals her breath. And she follows because she doesn't want the pain, can't stand it…" The small girl sniffled, her tears soaking through Simon's silk shirt. "When the Tiber's crossed, Simon, won't be able to stay. I'll have to go, the book will have to end."

"Book? What book, what are you trying to tell me?" But River didn't answer him. Simon sighed pulling his sister tightly to his chest. Instead of feeling confident and sure, her words only left him even more confused.

"Simon…" River whispered as she looked up, "be a girl next time. Didn't have to explain as much when you were a girl."

-

Translations…

Chinese

"Ai-yah. Tyen-ah..." "Merciless hell..."

"Bun tyen-shung duh ee-dway-ro." "stupid inbred sack of meat"

Latin

Legatus the title for legion commander.