The Last Spartan – Chapter Seven
Author owns none of the rights to Firefly, which is the creation of Joss Whedon, and receives no compensation for his work, which is a labor of love, done for his own benefit, and that of others who feel cheated ( attn all FOX execs ) that the show is no longer on the air.
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River was up early the next morning. She had some investigating to do, if she could find time alone on the bridge. Jayne wouldn't likely be there this time of the morning, and she needed to use the cortex.
As she settled into the seat, finding the bridge empty, she kept playing the word Spartan over in her mind. She had heard that word, somewhere, before! She entered a search into the cortex, and waited.
Last night had been enlightening in many ways. She still didn't understand the setting of the dream, why it was so old looking. But the pain surrounding the loss of the wife and child were as real as any she'd endured herself. Of that there was no doubt. So it remained to find. . .She blinked. The cortex had search results already.
As she sorted the results, River's mind began to swim. No wonder she had recognized the term. She had heard it before. She highlighted a historical reference and opened it. As the picture opened, her hand came to her mouth, and it was all she could do not to cry out in wonder.
Before her was a picture of a Spartan warrior, more than a millennia old. It was a reproduction, of course, with a model posing in historically accurate uniform. The features were obscured by a helmet, but there was no denying the sword, nor the spear, that the warrior held. Nor the crimson robe he wore.
Jayne Cobb owned such weapons. And such a cloak.
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Mal and Inara arrived back at the ship together, having decided during their time in town to stop denying things. There was no point, anyway.
Mal was surprised to see Jayne in the bay, door already open, sweeping.
"Morning Mal," Jayne nodded, with a smile. "Inara," he spoke to her.
"Good morning, Jayne," Inara smiled back, with only a hint of a blush. Inara had come to like Jayne very much. He had been a great help to her when everyone else was hurt after Miranda, and hadn't gone back to his old behavior since.
"Jayne," Mal said, a little stiffly. "Didn't 'spect to find you up and working so early in the day."
"I can see that," Jayne grinned, and Inara had to stifle a giggle. Mal reddened.
"Why ain't you still laid up in the bed?" Mal asked, almost accusingly.
"Captain, are you complaining that I'm working?" Jayne asked, his smile gone. "I just was up, and the bay needed sweeping, that's all."
"And you lowered the ramp so you could sweep out the dirt?" Mal asked, and Inara turned to look at him.
"Mal, what is wrong with you?" she asked quietly.
"I'm tired of everyone on this ship wantin' to know my business!" Mal shot back, and missed the icy look that passed over Jayne's face. He dropped the broom on the floor, and started forward. Mal almost backpedaled, until Jayne walked past him, out the door.
"Where you going?" Mal demanded.
"Somewhere I can't pry into your business, Cap'n. 'Spect you can finish the sweeping yourself," came Jayne's reply.
"We leave at eight! You ain't here, you're left!" Mal yelled at the departing mercenary.
"What a loss that'd be, too," Jayne shot back, never slowing.
"Mal, have you lost your mind?" Inara asked, almost in shock.
"You know as well as I do he was waiting here for the two of us to come back together!" Mal huffed. "I'm tired of it."
"Mal, had it been Zoe, Kaylee or River, I'd agree. But Jayne? Since when has he cared what the two of us do?" Mal sobered at that, looking again at Jayne's diminishing form. He sighed.
"You're right," he said contritely. "I was just geared up for a buncha razzin' and there he was. . ."
"Working?" Inara asked with an arched eyebrow? "Mal, if this is how things are going to be, maybe we need to think more about this."
"About what?" Mal asked in sudden alarm.
"I can't be like this, Mal," Inara told him truthfully. "Not having you all flustered by nothing more than Jayne sweeping the floor when you and I just happen to get back to the ship."
"I said I was sorry, Inara," Mal pointed out, his voice pleading. "I'll make it right with Jayne, soon's he gets back. I promise. I'll tell him what I told you, in fact. He'll understand."
"Fine," Inara said, shorter than she meant to. "I hope you're right. And I hope this is the last time we have to go through something like this, Mal."
"I'll do my best," Mal smiled. "Maybe you can help me?" Inara struggled to keep the smile from her face, but it won out in the end.
"Maybe I can do something to help you remember."
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Jayne stalked away from the ship, his anger nearly consuming him.
As if I care what he and Inara are doing, in town or anywhere else! he fumed to himself. Stupid. . .
So enraged was he that Zoe had to call him three times to get through the fog in his mind.
"JAYNE!"
He stopped, looking around. Zoe was standing five feet behind him, arms crossed in aggravation.
"What? Something wrong, Zoe?" Jayne couldn't be mad at Zoe. Even though she didn't like him. Not after what she'd been through.
"I know we ain't exactly friends, Jayne," Zoe said. "But you ain't gotta just walk by without speakin', especially with me callin' your name."
"I'm sorry, Zoe," Jayne apologized. "I didn't. . .I was just kinda lost in thought is all. Didn't see you. And who says we ain't friends?" Zoe looked mollified at that.
"Have you seen Kaylee?" she asked. Jayne shook his head.
"Been on ship till a few minutes ago," he pointed out, and Zoe nodded, having forgotten that.
"She came into town with me, and we were supposed to meet for breakfast, but she didn't show. I wasn't worried at first, but it's gettin' on for time to leave, and still nothing."
"Check her room?" Jayne asked.
"No answer, but the desk clerk said she ain't checked out, yet." Jayne frowned at that. Wasn't like Kaylee to go off alone.
"Let's go see if we can get her to the door."
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Jayne knocked three times, each louder than the last. No answer. He looked up and down the hall, then took the knob in his hand.
"Watch for me, while I see 'bout openin' this," he told Zoe. She nodded, and turned away, hiding his efforts.
Jayne turned the handle slowly, and was rewarded with a snap as the lock gave way. Zoe turned to look at the noise.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"Just turned the knob," he shrugged. "Musta been open." He pushed the door open and walked in, before Zoe could ask anything else.
Kaylee was lying in the middle of the room, face down. A half-empty bottle of strong brandy nearby. Jayne rushed to her side, gently rolling her over.
She was breathing, he was relieved to see. Just totally lost in the booze. He gently gathered her in his arms, and carried her to the bed.
"Whew," Zoe fanned her face. "Little Kaylee really tied one on." Jayne nodded, ignoring the apparent callousness of the statement.
"Check her over, Zoe," he ordered. Make sure she ain't. . .you know. I'll get her stuff together." Zoe nodded, and moved to check on Kaylee's well being. Jayne hurried through the room, placing Kaylee's things in her bag. Fortunately she hadn't brought much, as it was just an overnight stay.
"She's okay, Jayne," Zoe announced while he was in the bathroom. "Just drunk as all get out. Likely have a hell of a hangover."
"I'll take her back to the ship," he said, handing the bag to Zoe. "I think I got everything, but you can check one more time, just in case. Can you take care of the clerk?"
"Yeah, just take her and go," Zoe nodded. "I'll handle things here."
Jayne gathered the unconscious mechanic in his arms once more, and headed for the door without another word.
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River was still sitting on the bridge when Mal walked in. So engrossed in her reading had she been, she'd never sensed his approach. She quickly shut down the cortex and rose.
"Albatross," Mal nodded. "Seems everyone is up early," he muttered, careful not to repeat the mistake he made with Jayne.
"Except Simon," River smiled.
"What's ailin' the doc?" Mal asked in surprise.
"Hangover, I'm sure. If he's awake yet. Jayne rescued him from the Golden Fleece last night, just before he was robbed."
"Jayne left the ship?" Mal asked, suddenly angry again. Was Jayne reverting back to his old, un-trustworthy self?
"I watched the ship, Captain," River told him, almost crossly. "Jayne and I were both here, and I sensed that Simon was in danger. Jayne went in my place, as Simon was likely to need help walking." Mal's frown deepened.
"You and Jayne were here alone?" he almost yelled.
"Yes," River replied calmly. "You left us that way, yourself, if you recall," she pointed out. Mal's disposition eased somewhat.
"I think me and Jayne need to have a talk," he muttered to himself, but River heard it.
"Why?" she demanded.
"'Spect that's 'tween Jayne and me," he answered loftily.
"Not if it concerns last night," River shot back, unfazed. "Do not attempt to lay blame upon him for Simon's shortcomings. Nor mine. Jayne has acted in no way inappropriately."
"He know you wasn't goin' into town when he offered to stay on ship?" Mal demanded. River's face purpled in rage.
"How dare you," her anger pulsed out with each word. "How dare you even insinuate such a thing?"
"My job to watch out for. . ."
"I don't need you watching out for me where Jayne is concerned!" River almost shouted. "Jayne is my friend! Has helped me in ways none of the rest of you could, or would. It isn't Jayne who demands that I be sedated the first time I say something you don't care for, or cannot understand! It isn't Jayne who asks if I'm having a 'relapse' every time something scares me!"
"Jayne treats me as if I am sane, which, you might note, I am, nowadays. He also treats me like an adult, which I also am. And I will not listen to you insult him in such a loath manner, Captain." With that she turned and left the bridge in a fury. Mal watched her go, his eyes narrowing. He and Jayne definitely needed to have a talk.
In the vicinity of the airlock.
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Jayne arrived at the ship, gratified to see the ramp still down. He entered the cargo bay, and spotted Inara sitting there.
"Jayne!" she came to her feet. "What happened?"
"Kaylee seems to have drunk her way near into a coma," Jayne informed her quietly. "I think she's okay, but. . ."
"I'll get Simon. Take her to the infirmary." Jayne nodded, forgetting for an instant that Simon probably wasn't in any shape to help.
"Whass?" Kaylee stirred in his arms. He looked down to see her looking back at him.
"Jayne?" Kaylee mumbled, smiling. "Where'd you come from?"
"Another land, Kaylee girl," Jayne smiled, relieved to see her awake. "You 'bout scared me to death, gal. Found you laying in your hotel, face down in the floor."
"Ohhhh," Kaylee groaned, closing her eyes. "Whasss wrong wi' my head?" she wondered aloud.
"You got a prime case of the hangover, girl," he laughed gently, carrying her toward the infirmary. "Gonna hurt like hell for a while. Let's get you some water and a smoother. That'll help some."
"Thans, Jayne," Kaylee mumbled, snuggling into his chest as he carried her. Jayne's heart almost froze in his chest at the sight. Suddenly he was propelled into another time and place.
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"I do not think the gods designed you with strong drink in mind, my love," Janos said, as Verana heaved again, losing more of her supper from the night before.
"The gods have cursed me, Janos," Verana gasped. Janos was holding her long hair as her body expelled it's excess.
"Not so, dearest," Janos chuckled. "Was strong wine, and plenty of it, that has placed you in this position." She sighed.
"Ne'er 'gain, Janos," she vowed. "You are not to allow me to do this again."
"And how am I to stop you?" he asked in faint amusement. "Are you not a Spartan woman?"
"You make sure. Never again, Janos. You hear me? Never again, Janos!"
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"Jayne!"
The big man shook himself free of the images and found himself in the infirmary. Inara was trying to gain his attention, and Kaylee was still in his arms.
"Sorry, Inara," he grinned sheepishly. "I. . .I was thinking 'bout another time like this. Sorta forgot where I was." Inara smiled.
"It's okay, Jayne," she said gently as he lowered Kaylee to the table. "Everyone knows how you feel about Kaylee." Jayne's head shot around at that, and Inara was startled by the look in his eyes.
"What?" Jayne's voice was. . .dead. It was all Inara could do not to shiver.
"Jayne I didn't mean that in a bad way," she hurried to explain. "It's just that, well, whenever she's in the room, you seem happier. That's all."
"Oh," Jayne mumbled, now embarrassed. "I'm sorry Inara. I didn't mean to. . .She was awake for a minute," he went on, going to get a glass of water. "Said her head was hurting," he added with a smirk. He took a smoother from a drawer, and went back to the girl's side.
"Kaylee gal, you need to open them eyes for me," he said softly, and Inara watched him closely. As she noted how gentle he was with Kaylee, a light came on in her head. No wonder Jayne had reacted the way he had. Jayne was in love with Kaylee!
"Jaaayne," Kaylee groaned. "I'm sorry, Jayne," she said, looking up at him sorrowfully.
"No need to be sorry, girl," he told her. "I ain't the one hurtin'. Here. Take this, and drink as much of that water as you can." Kaylee took the smoother, and drank about half the water through a straw.
"I shoulda chose you, Jayne," Kaylee said softly, and Jayne froze. Inara covered her mouth with her hand. Neither saw Mal standing in the stairwell, outside.
"What?" Jayne asked, confused. "You mean 'stead o' Zoe? Nah. I wouldn'a been no help to you. Been too like to get the same way myself, gal," he laughed.
Thad ain' what I mean, Jayne," Kaylee shook her head, then groaned with the effort. "Shoulda picked you 'stead o' Simon. Too late now, wi' River an' all. But I wanted to tell ya. 'm sorry, Jayne."
"Hush that, Kaylee," Jayne told her, nearly in a panic. "You don't know what you're saying. And there ain't nothin' 'tween me an River neither, 'cept she's always worryin' me to teach her somethin', or take her somewhere. Now you lay back an' rest, hear? That smoother'll help you through the worst of it."
"'kay, Jayne," Kaylee said, closing her eyes. Jayne sighed in relief. Suddenly he remembered Inara. He looked up at her.
"There ain't nothin' 'tween me and River, Inara," he said flatly. "I don't know where she's gettin' that go se. I mean, me and the girl are friends, but that's it."
"I know, Jayne," Inara nodded. "If there was something between the two of you, I'd know," she added confidently. Jayne considered that for a moment.
"Yeah, guess you would at that," he nodded finally.
"Who you hidin' from, sir?" they heard Zoe from outside the room. A red faced Mal took the few steps separating him from the infirmary door, as Zoe walked in.
"Mal!" Inara said sharply. "Why were you hiding out there!"
"How is she, Jayne," Zoe asked, ignoring the impending lover's spat.
"She come awake as we got to the ship," Jayne told her, glad for the distraction. "Got a hellacious hangover, but other than that she seems fine."
"Seemed a might confused about her choices, I'd say," Mal offered, and Jayne shot him a death glare.
"You ain't got no right to hear that, Captain," he said, and Inara noted the deadness in his voice again.
"My ship," Mal started, but Jayne cut him off.
"You don't own her, Captain," he snarled. "She's got a right to some privacy, even drunk like she is. Things she said, she like as not won't remember when she comes around. And it'll go badly for anyone who reminds her of what she said."
"You threatenin' me, Jayne?" Mal asked in astonishment.
"I don't make threats, Captain," the big man replied. "I need to get to the engine room. With Kaylee out, someone will need to do things for her until she can get up and around. Inara, would you mind stayin' with her?"
"Not at all, Jayne," Inara said quietly. She hoped Mal would let this. . .
"We're gonna talk about this when we hit the black, Jayne," Mal said as Jayne left.
"I got nothing to say, I ain't done said, Captain," the merc tossed over his shoulder as he went. Mal's face reddened, but he refrained from saying anything else. He turned to the two women, well three, still in the room.
"What happened to Kaylee?" he demanded gruffly. Zoe's eyebrows arched slightly.
"She got drunk, sir," she said flatly.
"You let her get drunk?" Mal asked, his tone bordering on anger.
"Grown woman, Captain," Zoe growled. "I didn't let her do anything. She did it all on her own. 'Spect she's got her reasons, same as any of us."
"Mal, what the hell is wrong with you?" Inara demanded, her voice angry.
"With me?" he nearly screeched. "Was you not in this very room, just now, when Kaylee said she should have chose Jayne?"
"Yes," Inara replied. "What of it?"
"What. . .?" Mal gawked. He looked to Zoe for support, only to see from the look on her face she agreed.
"You too?" he demanded.
"Grown. Woman. Sir." Zoe bit out. "Kaylee is twenty-five, twenty-six years old, I reckon. She'd old enough to crew this ship, and keep it flyin'. She's old enough to make her own decisions, be it about men, booze, or the like."
Mal looked from one woman to the other.
"We'll talk about this later," he said again, and headed for the bridge.
Both women watched him go, and rolled their eyes at each other. Leave it to Mal to spoil a perfectly good morning after.