Chapter 8 – The Train Job
A/N Another long Chapter, I just can't seem to make them any shorter. You may have guessed, but this is not just a Rayne story. I'm also trying to fill some plot holes and right some wrongs, especially when it comes to Jayne. And it's AU because of this.
June 2517 – Alliance Friendly Bar
Three weeks had gone by since the job on Whitefall. That gave Jayne plenty of time to ponder on his present situation. Unfortunately, he hadn't gotten any answer to the passel a questions he had, mainly about the girl. He ain't been able to talk to the girl again neither. That brother a hers had her under virtual house arrest. The only time he'd seen here was at meal times, and the Doc had the little genius under some new drug regime every other day it seemed, and them drugs basically turned the jingling into a gorram zombie.
It didn't seem right to Jayne, but he had no say in tha matter.
When the Cap'n had invited him to go for a drink with him and Zoe, Jayne was surprised. The only time they went out as a trio was when they was on a job. If they went out socializin' the whole crew would go.
He was surprised put pleased. The Cap'n had warmed up to him, some, over the last three weeks, and Jayne thought maybe they were startin' to form the beginnin's of a friendship. And getting' wasted seemed like a good idea, might calm his nerves some. A willin' whore woulda been an automatic part of that package a year or so ago, but that'd happened less frequently as time had gone one. And the thought of a hirin' a whore right now didn't sit well with Jayne at all at the moment.
So here the three of them were, havin' drinks and playin' Chinese Checkers, of all things. The atmosphere was pretty good, and Jayne found he was enjoyin' hisself somewhat.
"Your move." he said to the Cap'n.
Mal moved his piece, and Zoe immediately saw an openin'.
"That's a bold move Sir."
"I live on the edge." Mal replied.
Zoe smiled as she moved her piece considerably further than Mal had managed.
"Nice work dumbass." Jayne said, as he smiled at the Cap'n.
Mal was about to reply when a surly voice yelled "A toast!"
The trio abandoned their game to listen to the loud mouth make his toast.
The loud mouth, Lund, was makin' a toast to the gorram Alliance. Apparently it was a suspicious day, or somesuch.
"Suspicious? What day is it?" Jayne asked.
Mal ignored him as he got up and went to the bar for another drink, despite Zoe's warnin's.
Jayne could see Lund have words with the Cap'n, and before you knew it Zoe was over them with him. The fight began when Zoe fair clocked Lund in the head with her Mare's Leg.
Turns out it was Unification Day. Jayne had been aboard for the last two U-Days, and Mal and Zoe had gone off for a quiet drink and come back worse for wear on both. Apparently it was a tradition a sorts for them, and Jayne was actually a mite touched that he'd been invited along this year.
Soon enough, Mala and Zoe were outnumbered seven to two and things weren't goin' so well.
"Jayne!" Zoe called out, and the seven turned to look at him.
"Hey, I didn't fight in no war. Best of luck though…" he said as he raised his glass to them.
The seven Alliance men turned back to Mal and Zoe, Jayne forgotten, which was, in fact, his plan. A fight was exactly what he needed, but he didn't need ta take on seven at once.
The seven advanced on the Cap'n and his First Mate, and it wasn't long before they were in real trouble. Two threw Mal through the holo window and raced outside to finish the job.
Another two attacked Zoe, but she was able to hold her own, as she also raced outside to help her Captain.
That left three. Now seven on one might be a stretch, but three on one was good odds for Jayne, who waded into the distracted men and started to pound on them.
Mal was wonderin' on Jayne as he heard clear fightin' sounds from within the bar.
"Is Jayne even.." he began to ask Zoe as the man in question stormed outta the bar, fightin' three and winnin'. One was on his back, but only for a second as Jayne elbowed him in the face. The other two Jayne held at bay with a gorram table!
Jayne was enjoyin' himself immensely, his troubles temporarily forgotten as he punch, kicked and pushed man after man.
Soon though, with their backs to a cliff edge, they were facin' eleven men. Looked like trouble. But they was in real trouble when Lund appeared and pulled a gun.
Jayne was madder than hell. Now a fist fight was a fist fight, it was fun and all, but when steel was drawn it became no laughin' matter.
"Them aint kosherized rules." he growled at the ugly drunk.
Lund didn't care about that. "I'm thinkin' someone should put you down, dog. What do you think?" he said as he pointed his large gun at Mal.
Mal was unimpressed. "I'm thinkin' we'll rise again."
As he said that, the reason for Mal's confidence rose from behind the cliff with a loud roar, dwarfing the combatants. Serenity had arrived for the rescue!
Suddenly Wash's voice came over the external loudspeakers.
"Every man there: go back inside or we will blow a new crater in this little moon."
Lund and his men backed off, clearly not happy with the situation, but unable to do a gorram thing about it.
Serenity's main cargo ramp lowered, allowing the trio to step aboard and make their escape. Mal smirked and waved at the Alliance friendly men as the cargo ramp was raised.
The trio were relieved to be back aboard, and Jayne was in a mighty fine mood. He'd had a great time, just what he needed.
"Damn yokels can't even tell a transport ship ain't got no guns on it!" he said, chucklin' and shakin' his head. "Blow a new crater in this moon!' he continued as he let out a loud, full, rich laugh. He continued to laugh as he made his way to his bunk.
The Infirmary – Same Time
Sleep was no sanctuary for the genius girl. River's sleep was invaded by nightmares, memories of terrible torture, of invasive procedures, all at the bequest of the Blue Hands and their minions at the Academy.
River woke with a start. The very small but growing part of her mind that was somehow connected to her Bao hu zhe knew he had returned, safe and apparently very satisfied. Jayne's returning presence had saved her from her nightmare.
The much larger and crazier part of her mind was in charge, however, and as she woke she leapt off the examination bed and stumbled into a tray of medical instruments. Remembering her nightmare she collapsed against the bench, covered her eyes and began to sob.
Her brother approached her in the hope of settling her down before any one saw her antics. The Captain had made it quite clear. River was not to interrupt the "smooth" running of his boat with any craziness.
"River. River, it's okay. It's me." he said as he crouched down to her level. The girl continued to sob as he asked her "Do you know who I am?"
The girl rolled her eyes and gave her brother her best "boob" face. "Simon." Duh.
At least the ridiculous question had stopped her sobbing.
"Were you dreaming? Did you dream about the Academy?"
River tried to concentrate as she stood. It was hard, very hard. The drug regimen her brother gave her made her mind a mess of constant fuzziness. She didn't need them, not really, not with so few people on this ship. Simon, dear Simon, just didn't understand. He couldn't, the doctor within him was too strong.
"It's not relevant." she said, trying to drop the subject.
Her brother wouldn't, though, and he spoke as she investigated her surroundings.
"If you can talk about what happened there,..I know it's hard, but the more I know, the faster you'll get better. I promise."
She couldn't understand how he could promise, when he refused to look past his own preconceived ideas. Still not wanting to talk about the Academy, the girl once again tried to change the subject.
"This isn't home."
Simon's face fell. "No, no, we can't go home. If we go home they'll just send you back to the Academy." River shook her head vigorously. "This is safer now. We're on a ship!" Simon finished cheerfully.
River looked around, trying to remember all she could about where she was.
"Midbulk transport, standard radion-accelerator core, classcode 03 dash K64, "Firefly." She had gotten the type of ship from Jayne's mind when they had spoken, the rest of the information flowing naturally from she knew not where.
With that pronouncement, the Firefly's Captain strode in to the Infirmary, lookin' to clean up some after the day's fun.
"Well that's somethin'," he started, "I can't even remember all that."
River ignored the two men as they spoke on the other side of the Infirmary. She had more important things to think about. She desperately wanted to leave the Infirmary and find Jayne. He would help her make Simon understand. But she couldn't. The conditioning of her mind by the Blue Hands meant she could not leave a medical facility without the Doctor's permission. Simon, of course, would not let her out of his sight. He is a good brother, but a boob, she thought. And once again she could not begin to fight the Blue Hand's programming with her mind in such a drug weakened state.
As the Captain left the Infirmary, Simon approached his sister with his latest drug. Mustering what strength she had by focusing on the image of the man she know knew was called Jayne Cobb, she threw the tray of instruments she had stumbled into earlier at him, unable to voice the distress she was feeling at the thought of more drugs. Her mind screamed at Simon to understand, and her resistance collapsed as she could see in his eyes that he did not.
She slumped back on the bed as the drugs coursed through her veins. Her last lucid thought was of Jayne, and hopes that he would be able to make her boob of a brother see the light.
Niska's Skyplex – Hours Later
As it turned out, the brawl on U-Day weren't the only reason for the valiant crew of Serenity to be in that Alliance bar. A contact had passed a job to the Cap'n, and here we are, thought Jayne, about to dock with a skyplex.
Adelai Niska. Jayne thought he knew the name, but this fact, like many others, danced on the periphery of his mind, and would not come into the light.
The Cap'n said Niska had a bad reputation, and all the females and passengers were confined to quarters for the duration of their stay here.
If that don't mean the whole job stinks, then Jayne was the King of Londinium. At least he wouldn't have to worry none on the girl; she was locked up tight with her pansy ass brother.
As they entered the Skyplex Jayne tensed. He hadn't seen a facility like this afore, but gorram it he had! The whole place screamed "professionals!" to him. It was a major change on the kinds of haunts the usual crime lords they dealt with had, and Jayne made sure he took in every detail he could.
As their escort opened the door to Niska's inner sanctum they were confronted by a massive man, one a Niska's prime henchmen. Jayne laughed at the sight to hisself. The man was big, sure, but almost a parody of the perfect henchman. He don't look like a pro, like the others he'd seen.
From inside a heavily accented man spoke.
"Is fine. Crow, they can come in."
The trio entered Niska's office, finally seeing the man hisself. He looked like a book keeper more than a crime lord, but Jayne had learnt very early not to judge any book by its cover. Or a book keeper for that matter.
"Malcolm Reynolds is which?" the book keeperish crime lord asked.
"I'm Captain Reynolds." Mal spoke up, "My First Mate Zoe," he said as he nodded at his second, "And this is my Head of Security, Jayne." Mal gestured with his thumb.
"Very nice. I'm Adelai Niska, you've seen Crow, he loves to stand at the door and say "Boo!"
Is this guy feng le thought Jayne, or mebbe it's just a tactic to throw us off? This Niska was a mite unsettlin'; Jayne decided it was part of his persona to get the upper hand in the negotiations.
Whilst Niska and Mal discussed the job, Jayne continued to survey the room. He took in everythin'. You never knew when some small detail may become crucial like.
Suddenly, Crownan the Barbarian, Jayne chuckled to hisself, opened a door and what he saw knocked the humour outta Jayne's thoughts. A man, hideously tortured, hung from the ceiling. Apparently this was the last man who failed to do tha job Niska wanted. His wife's nephew no less.
Mal and Zoe looked unsettled, as was Jayne his ownself. All his instincts told him that this job stunk to high heaven, to get the hell outta Dodge and never look back. Trouble was, Mal had already agreed to the job. He may have a nascent friendship with Mal, but he could still be a dumbass.
"So, " Niska started, the train job."
Jayne stared at Crow starin' at him as Niska went over the details of the job. This were much less fun than the last starin' competition he'd had, and Jayne was mighty keen to get the hell off this space station.
With most of the details complete, Niska gave his final speech.
"Half the money now, Crow gives you the other half at rendezvous point. Anything goes wrong…then your reputation is only gossip, and things between us are not so solid. Yes?"
The warnin' was clear, and each crew member was lost in their own thoughts as they left Niska's inner sanctum and returned to Serenity.
Georgia System - Hover Train – Somewhere Between Hancock and Paradiso – Next Day
Serenity flew parallel to the hover train, some 300 yards away. The Captain and Zoe were on the train, and if'n it all goes to plan – and with Mal doin' the plannin' you could never be sure – the signal would soon come through for Jayne's part in the heist to begin.
Walkin' inta the cargo bay, Jayne heard the Cored Bred Doctor ask Lil Kaylee "Is there anything I can, something I should be doing?"
Smirkin' Jayne supplied the answer.
"Stayin' the hell outta everyone's way!"
"No call to be snappy Jayne." Kaylee a course was all for defendin' the Doc, despite bein' gut shot earlier on account of tha man.
Exasperated, Jayne looked away from Simon ta Kaylee, "Are you about to jump onta a movin' train?" he asked her.
Fair point Kaylee thought.
"Just cause Mal says you're Medic don't make ya part of tha crew." Jayne started, lookin' back at Simon. "You just play at figurin' what's wrong with that moon brained sister a yours till we call for ya, dong ma?"
That last part had come out far softer than he'd planned, and Jayne was unable to keep the genuine sound of concern outta his voice.
"Right." Simon said, a little confused by Jayne's tone.
As Simon turned to leave, Jayne spied the girl in question sitting on the catwalk above. Somehow she'd managed to slip away from her brother and was watchin' him intently as Kaylee tested the hoist and attached the cable to Jayne's harness.
It was the first time he'd seen in her in weeks away from the dinner table, and although he couldn't have a private conversation with the girl with Kaylee right there, he made sure the mechanic was preoccupied with the equipment as he strapped his hat on, looked up at River and winked, sayin' "Time for some thrillin' heroics!"
River had managed to leave the Infirmary. It hadn't been easy to fight the programming, but with the Doctor – Simon – not in the room and with the effects of the drug waning she had won a small victory. It wouldn't, couldn't last, but she would go to Jayne if she could and get him to help her.
She found him in the cargo bay, but she also found Simon, and the mechanic, Kaylee. She found she liked Kaylee, but Kaylee's mind was loud with happy thoughts, mainly of Simon funnily enough, and close proximity to the cheerful girl could overload River's mind.
She obviously could not go and speak with Jayne, even if Kaylee was not there, as ge ge was. Non optimal. Bao hu zhe saw off ge ge, though, and River giggled to herself. It was funny to see the way Jayne handled Simon. If she could get him to understand her predicament, she was sure he could convince, or coerce, Simon to take the correct course of action.
Panic rose, slightly, in River as she realised Simon would soon discover her disappearance from the Infirmary.
Jayne must have seen her panic, she thought, as he looked her right in the eye and winked, saying "Time for some thrillin' heroics!" His smile melted her heart and the panic was instantly quashed as she smile shyly back at her protector.
Up on the Bridge, Wash's console beeped as the countdown expired for the next phase of the operation. He'd been keeping Serenity to one side of the train. Now he'd have to fly her directly over the train, and not too far above it either. Dangerous flying, but he was up to the task.
Kaylee opened up the belly of the Firefly once Wash had them over the correct train car. The turbulence was as bad as he expected as he fought the controls to keep the ship steady.
Fighting the wind, Jayne used hand signals to count down for his jump onto the fast moving' hover train. Three, two, ONE! And he was gone from the Type 3 Firefly and onto the top of the train car.
Fortunately, Mal had been able to remove the top access hatch of the hurtlin' hover train, allowin' Jayne to flip through the hole and into the train car itself.
Mal gave Jayne a smile as he patted him on the shoulder, and with no time to waste he took the extra cables Jayne had attached to himself and connected them to the cargo net which would haul the loot, and the valiant crew, back up to the ship.
Things never seem to work out, especially when Mal does the plannin', 'cause at that instant the smoke grenade Zoe had left at the entrance to the train car was tripped by a gorram Fed, with the smoke coverin' the Purplebellies face.
Said Fed was shocked, and he did what every blinded man with a large automatic rifle should do. He started firing, wildly, and while Zoe and Mal were able to dive for cover, Jayne was standin' astride the looted crates and was hit in the leg.
"Wang bao dahn!" Jayne cried as he was hit. It weren't a bad injury, but still hurt like a summbitch. "Go!" he yelled into the radio, "GO! GO NOW!"
The last thin' Jayne saw as he was winched outta the train car was the Cap'n take out the ruttin' Fed. Take that you Ung jeong jia ching jien soh!
The loot crates landed with a thud on the deck of the cargo bay as Kaylee closed up the belly of the mid bulk transport.
Jayne rolled off the loot crates and onta tha floor, unable to stand on his increasingly painful leg.
Infirmary – Same Time
River had been right.
As soon as Simon had discovered her missing from the Infirmary he had scoured the ship in search of his genius sister. She wasn't hard to find, she'd remained as long as she could in her observation position in the catwalk over the cargo bay. The girl wasn't exactly hiding. She was waiting for Jayne to return.
As she tuned out his lecture she let her mind touch Jayne's, he wasn't that far way, after all.
Despite hanging from Serenity's belly, travelling at 324.45 feet per second, he appeared to be enjoying himself. He is so brave she thought as she smiled briefly.
Suddenly pain shot through Jayne's mind into hers. He had been injured by a bullet, fired by a Federal Marshall.
The girl felt a rage explode within her that she did not know existed. Someone had hurt her Bao hu zhe! Despite having been given her afternoon shot, as prescribed by Simon's drug regimen only a short time before, her rage triggered the Academy programming.
The programming had already categorised Simon as a minimal threat. He would be disabled as quickly and cleanly as possible, using the minimum amount of force. In some part of her mind he was still ge ge.
Then she received an update from her connection with Jayne. One bullet had entered the lower leg, not a serious injury, however it was painful. As she was about to act she saw through Jayne's eyes that the Captain was in the process of dealing with the Federal Marshall.
Threat neutralised.
As Jayne was hoisted back aboard Serenity, her battle program terminated. He was no longer in danger, but was injured and required medical attention. With the programming no longer active, Simons drugs once again started to take hold of her fragile mind.
All this took place in no more than thirty seconds.
The last thing she heard before her mind slipped into neutral was Kaylee's cry for Simon to come help Jayne urgently. The genius girl knew that her ge ge would fix Jayne, and she gave a wan smile as she laid down on the bench to rest her now drug weary body.
The Infirmary – Short Time Later
Jayne was in a powerful angry mood. He'd been shot, sure, but that happened on a regular like basis. No, what made 'im angrier than hell was that Wash had decided to park Serenity in a small canyon – and he wouldn't move her to meet Niska's associates.
The Doc was patchin' his leg, for which he was distantly thankful, but when Wash entered the Infirmary all thoughts a patchin up were lost as he rose to meet the little man.
"Why ya got us parked here? This ain't the rendezvous spot!"
"It is now." Wash replied.
"Niska's people are waitin'. They're not partial to waitin'."
Wash was unrepentant. "Let 'em read a magazine. We don't make the sale until Mal and Zoe are back on the boat."
"These are stone killers, little man. They ain't cuddly like me." Jayne tried to reason with the pilot.
"I'm not flying anywhere without my wife."
Jayne was livid.
"Do the job. Get paid. Keep flyin'." he said as he stared down Wash. "That's the Capn's mantra. We gotta complete the mission, then we can go get 'em."
"She'll be ok," Kaylee tried to calm the nervous pilot down. "She's with the Cap'n."
"There, ya see? Everybody wins." Jayne said, and as he attempted to move toward Wash he cried out in pain. "Gahh! Dammit Doc, I need a pop to quiet this pain some."
As Simon went to get the drugs, he decided to join the discussion.
"What about the authorities? We're sitting here with stolen Alliance goods. Won't they be looking for us?"
No one could deny the Doc had a point.
Wash had a plan, of sorts. "They buzz this canyon; we'll hear 'em before they ever see us."
"And then what?" Jayne asked. "We's stuck on the ground you ruttin' dumbass!
"Look, I figure we're good for…"
River was aware of little that was going on. Her mind caught snippets of the conversation, and she was of course aware of Jayne and his pain. She winced noticeably as Simon prepared the hypospray for Jayne, thinking it was yet another shot for her. Relieved as Simon moved away from her, the girl interrupted Wash with a thought of her own.
"Won't stop. They'll never stop. They'll just keep coming until they get back what you took." Everyone looked at River, worry on their faces.
Jayne had the feeling she weren't talkin' about no loot crates,
The girls lucid period appeared to be over as she chanted "Two by two, hands of blue, two by two..hands of blue…"
Something twigged in Jayne's mind. Two hands of blue? Why the gorram hell did that seem like a familiar notion to the big man?
River stopped chanting as she heard Jayne's mind make a subconscious connection with the Hands of Blue.
He shook his head, more important things ta think about right now.
"Now I'm in ruttin' charge here, and I'm tellin' ya how it works." he said as he looked at the assembled crew – as well as Inara and Shepherd Book. "Niska doesn't get the goods on time he will make meatpies a tha lot a us!"
Suddenly, the Shepherd chimed in.
"This Adelai Niska you're talking about?"
"Now how would a Shepherd know a name like that?'" Jayne asked, intrigued.
Book chose to ignore the question.
"As I've heard it, he made a deal with the Captain. If the Captain's not there to finish it..If Niska finds out he's being held and may speak as to who hired him…I think we're better off being a little late."
Jayne was thoughtful for a moment. Time for a big speech. Jayne wasn't much for speechafyin', but he couldn't do the job by hisself.
"Shepherd, ya make a decent point. But I'm gonna make two points my ownself. First, we ain't finishin' the deal with theJoo bah jeh Niska - his top henchman Crow will be meetin' us. So no need ta go inta any details on the Capn's absence. Crow ain't gonna care none, he just wants the loot." Jayne looked at each person in turn as he continued.
"Second, whattya think will happen when we don't show up at the right place at the right time with the goods? Crow'll WAVE Niska tha second we's late, and Shepherd, ya don't wanna know what Niska will have planned for us then. I been on his station and met tha man, and ya definitely don'twanna know what I seen. He's not only feng le, but an utterly Ching soh ta ma de hun dan."
He let that thought sink in to the gathered crew.
Wash shook his head slowly. Intellectually, he knew Jayne was right. Emotionally, he wasn't going anywhere without Zoe. And as usual for the little pilot, emotion won. He squared his jaw as he looked at Jayne.
No one spoke as Jayne shook his head his ownself. Without Wash doin' the flyin', Serenity was goin' nowhere.
"How 'bout this then. Nara, now I know you ain't exactly crew, and Shepherd you ain't at all, but mayhaps you two can take Nara's shuttle and go scout out the town and see exactly what's up with the Cap'n and Zoe, while we's go finish the job?"
The two named looked at each other but no volunteerin' was forthcomin'.
"Okay," Jayne sighed. "We's gotta little time before we gotta be at the meet. We wait. For a spell. Then we make our appointment, dong ma?"
He didn't wait for any replies as he stormed outta the Infirmary. River, still calmed, watched him go and wondered why he was so red.
Serenity – The Bridge – Nightfall
Jayne had thought he was more than reasonable like. Niska was pure evil, the others ain't met the man so they have no idea what the hun dun was capable of. They just gotta trust me, he thought as he went to tell Wash the time was up.
Explodin' onta the bridge with the Doc in tow, he found Wash slouchin' in his chair, a worried expression on his face, Lil Kaylee was there too, mirrorin' the little man's concern.
They weren't worried about Niska and his men though.
"That's it!" Jayne yelled as he entered the bridge. "We waited long enough. Get this bird in the air." he ordered.
"No rutting way!" Wash said as he rose from his chair.
"We can't leave the Captain and Zoe here." Kaylee pleaded.
"Now fire it up." Jayne was unrepentant.
The tension was broken somewhat by the arrival of the Companion.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Strap in, we're taking off." The big man told her.
Wash was firm. "We're not! Listen to me…" he started.
He didn't get to finish as he was cut off by an increasingly angry Merc, who had had more than enough of this go se.
"Do you know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with till you understand who's in ruttin' command here! Now we're finishin' this deal and then we'll go get the Cap'n and Zoe. We gotta to the job! And we gotta do it on time! And you can't change that by getting' all... bendy…"
Jayne didn't know what was happenin'. All of a sudden he'd got light headed and couldn't see straight no more…the pilot looked outta focus and was bendin' back and forth.
Wash was confused. "All what?"
The big man started to sway on his feet.
"You got the light..from the console to keep you….to lift you up…they shine like little angels.." he murmured as he tried to catch the imaginary angels with his hands.
Suddenly, the huge man just keeled over and hit the deck of the bridge, face first.
"Did he just go crazy and fall asleep?" a still confused Wash asked.
Everyone on the bridge was equally confused, except for the Doctor who looked like the cat who got the canary.
Kaylee was the first to recover.
"You doped him!"
Still smirking, Simon came clean.
"It was supposed to kick in a good deal sooner. I just didn't feel comfortable with him in charge. I hope that's alright."
Jayne was forgotten on the floor as the remainder of the crew discussed the best way to rescue their two wayward crew members.
As it turned out, all it took to rescue them was a fast talking Registered Companion with excellent acting skills – and time. Time they didn't have.
Cargo Bay- Two Hours Later
Wash was very relieved as Inara, Mal, and Zoe stepped off her shuttle and entered the main bay, with the Captain heading for the stolen goods.
"Kept the engine running. We're good to go."
"We're not goin'." the Captain stated.
The pilot was confused yet again.
"Not what? Not why?"
"We're bringing the cargo back." his wife informed him.
"What are you talking about?" Wash asked her. "What about Niska. Won't that put him more or less in a killing mood?" Seems the pilot had listened to some, at least, of what Jayne had been saying earlier.
The crew discussed the best way to get the loot, which turned out to be badly needed medicine, back to the townfolk as fast as was possible.
"Far as Niska goes," Mal started, "we'll just have to explain the job went south on us when we return the money." Mal hit the button to lower the cargo bay ramp. He and Zoe continued to load the cargo onto the mule and Wash, once again, interrupted their progress as his face went pale.
"You wanna explain, now's your chance.." he said as Mal turned to follow his gaze.
At the bottom of the ramp, just outside the ship, stood Niska's Right Hand Henchman Crow, and three other very large, and very angry men.
The men advanced up the ramp and started to take up positions around the bay, ready for action. The crew of Serenity mirrored their movements.
Crow was the first to speak.
"You didn't make the rendezvous."
Mal was unperturbed, or so it seemed, as he strode forward to meet the enormous man.
"Ran into a few complications."
"You were thinking of taking Mister Niska's money, and his property maybe?" the Henchman asked accusingly, and he fingered his rather large, and rather strange, knife.
"Interestingly, neither." Mal smiled.
Now Crow was the one confused in this night of confusion.
"I don't understand." he said as he furrowed his brow.
"Yeah. Look, here's what it is: deal's off."
The Henchman was not amused by that statement, but said nothing in reply, his anger rising.
"We changed our minds." The browncoat Captain spelled it out for the now irate giant.
"You entered into an arrangement with Mister Niska. There is no mind changing."
"I'm afraid that's where ya wrong." Mal smirked. "We just, we can't take this job. So you just relax, and we'll get you the money. Niska paid us up front; you return it to him and call it even."
"There is no even." Crow said, voice lowered in a threatening manner.
Mal stared back, hard. "Is that right?" he said, as he slowly moved his hand for his gun.
He was too late.
Crow had heard enough. It was time to act in the best interests of Mister Niska. He drew back his arm and threw his very large, and very strange, knife at Mal, where it embedded itself in his right shoulder.
The Captain cried out in immense pain as pandemonium broke out.
Zoe was quick on the draw and immediately took out one Crow's three men, then grabbed Kaylee and dived behind a pile of crates to avoid the return fire.
Crow menacingly advanced on the Browncoat Captain, and in two steps was on him. He pulled his knife from Mals' shoulder and began to beat on him. Down to one arm, the Captain was in dire straits as Crownan the Barbarian continued to pummel him. Although Mal got the odd lick in, it was clear he was going to lose the fight, and probably his life.
His crew were in no shape to help him. Zoe was goin' hand to hand with one of tha men, and with Jayne not in the picture that left only Wash and Kaylee. Kaylee was cowerin' behind the crates still, and in any event was no fighter.
Neither was Wash, but he was a good pilot – and a good driver.
All turned towards him as he revved the mule, hard, driving over one of Crow's two remainin' men and takin' him outta the picture.
Mal used the distraction to launch an ineffectual assault on Crow, who struck back at Mal twice as hard. Mal now lay on the ground, disoriented, as Crow retrieved his knife from the cargo bay deck, and strode towards Mal with murder in his eyes.
It appeared all looked lost for the Captain, but a shot rang out and Crow collapsed to the floor, just as Zoe knocked out the remainin' man with the butt of her her Mare's Leg.
The Infirmary – 5 Minuted Earlier
River had been resting fitfully in her drugged state. She was due for another shot, but with Simon preoccupied with Jayne, and the others' escape, he hadn't quite got around to it.
The girl sat up and surveyed her surroundings. Alone, and with no one in sight, she used her mind to locate the other people on the ship. All, it seemed, where either in the main cargo bay or its environs.
All except Jayne, who appeared to be on the bridge, alone. Alone, and unconscious. Strange. Her mind automatically started the process of filtering out the thoughts of the others as she concentrated on Jayne. Intrigued, she stealthily made her way to the bridge.
What she found, confused her further. She found her Bao hu zhe unconscious, lying face down on the deck. What is this? The girl had steadily regained strength, both mentally and physically in the minutes since she had awoken. Simon's drugs were thankfully a distant memory, and she rolled Jayne over. No easy task to move so much mass, but she did so as she touched her ge ge's mind for answers.
The answer she found shocked the girl. Her ge ge had done this. Why? Deliberately used his drugs, again, to render someone cataleptic. No, no NO!
River withdrew to her own mind, and concentrated on waking Jayne. She shook and cajoled the big man to wake. He started to come around, slowly. Very slowly.
Deeming his progress insufficient, the genius was unsure of how to quicken the process. A situation that suddenly became quite urgent as the thoughts of four very angry men assaulted her mind. They had searched for, and found Serenity, and they had murder on their minds.
Frantic, River was beginning to succumb to the growing panic she felt. What to do? WHAT TO DO? The slight girl had an epiphany. Now she knew exactly what she should do.
The genius bent over her Bao hu zhe, studying his face for a moment, before she kissed him, full on the lips.
His blue eyes flew wide open, staring past her own brown eyes and into her soul. It was simultaneously an unnerving and welcoming feeling. Strange, but analysis would have to wait.
"What the gorram hell is goin' on?" he said, groggily, as he tried to get to his feet, and thinkin' what a mighty fine sight he woke up ta.
"Bao hu zhe was rendered inert by the actions of ge ge." she told him.
Jayne was far from fully awake and alert, only a 'huh?" escapin' his mouth.
"Drugged, inappropriately. By Simon."
Rage built within Jayne, he was gonna kill that ruttin' pansy ass, core bred, Ho tze duh pi gu, Ri shao gou shi bing!
The psychic, of course, picked up that thought and went to quash it immediately.
"Not optimal." she said as she helped Jayne to his feet. "Simon will have to await his day in court; Serenity's honor has been tarnished."
The girl sure spoke like a genius, Jayne thought. He'd have trouble keepin' up at the best a times, and this weren't them. On seeing his blank look, River concentrated and tried again.
"Intruders."
That woke Jayne up from his remainin' stupor, some, but he still hadn't regained all a his motor functions.
"Where?"
River's mind was still not fully lucid, but she did the best she could.
"The champions of justice fight the demons from hell on the largest field of battle available."
Havin' no idea, exactly, what she was sayin', Jayne tried to puzzle it out, quick like. Largest field..largest area on the ship..cargo bay?
"Affirmative." the beautiful jingling suddenly said.
Jayne wasn't sure he said that out loud, but in his current state he couldn't a said one way or tha other.
"Make haste!' she cried.
"Ok, ok." he said as he stumbled towards the door. No good, can barely move, still. The girl leant into his side and encouraged him to put his arm around her, both feelin' a shock at the contact, but neither able to, or wantin' to, break the hold.
As the pair stepped slowly outta the bridge and headed for the cargo bay, all hell appeared to break loose. Shots were firing, there was yellin' and the sound of the mule havin' the crap revved outta it.
Making what speed they could, the scene that greeted the odd pair was desperate, especially for the Captain. Adrenaline poured through the big man, clearing his mind and allowing him to assess the tactical situation.
One unknown down, shot, another had been run over by the mule by the looks. Zoe fightin' one more, hand ta hand, and appearin' to be gainin' the advantage. Good. Captain, in big trouble. Bad. Well at least they was rescued then.
Well, well, well, Crownan The Barbarian. That explains what was goin' on – just what Jayne had said would happen had come to pass. Dumbasses. Lettin' go of the girl, he pushed her back, away from danger, and holdin' on ta the rail of the catwalk, Jayne prepared for action.
Crow reached down for some big ass knife, and stormed towards the Cap'n, ready ta take tha kill.
"Not on my watch." Jayne murmured, as he smoothly drew Boo, and shot Crow through the leg, the enormous man screamin' in pain as he fell to the deck of the cargo bay.
The Captain was greatly astonished to see his Merc, no Head of Security, leanin' on the catwalk rails, gun in hand. Inara had told Mal on the shuttle ride back how Simon had drugged the big man, and why. Mal weren't pleased, and he'd have to deal with it later, but for now...he got up and placed his boot on Crow's throat as he looked up at Jayne.
"Nice shot!"
"I was aimin' for his head." Jayne slurred, seems as though he shot weren't as smooth as he thought.
Mal smiled up at the big man and shook his head.
Outside Serenity's Loading Ramp
The Cap'n and Zoe had just come back in the Mule from takin' the stolen medicine back to its rightful owners. Jayne thought that was the right thing ta do. They's already humped with Niska, might as well be for a good reason.
He'd also just about fully recovered from the Doc's knock out drugs. Make no mistake, they'd be an accountin' for that later if Jayne had anythin' to say about it.
But right now there was business ta take care of.
The big Merc forced Crow to his knees in front of tha Captain; he'd try to make a deal with the giant.
Before the Cap'n could speak, Wash fired up Serenity's engines, and they began to whine as Mal spoke.
"Now this is all the money Niska gave us in advance." the Cap'n started as he waved the cashy money in Crow's face. "You give it back to him, tell him the job didn't work out.
Crow spat at the ground at Mal's feet, clearly unimpressed.
"We're not thieves…." He continued. "Well, we are theives, but…the point is, we're not takin' what's his. We'll stay out of his way as best we can from now on in. You'll explain that's best for everyone, ok?"
Crow rose off his knees, and at his full height he easily dwarfed the Captain.
"Keep the money." he sneered. Use it to buy a funeral. It doesn't matter where you go, how far you fly..I will hunt you down and the last thing you see will be my blade." He finished as he stared into the Mal's eyes with hatred in his own.
Mal had had enough of Niska and his henchman.
"Darn." was all he said.
Sighin', he summoned all his might as he kicked Crow backwards towards the now furiously spinnin' left engine of Serenity. The effect was instantaneous. No matter how enormous Niska's right hand henchman was, he was no match for the powerful suction effect of one the ship's turbines, and was sucked whole inta the engine and shattered like a bug.
There was still one remainin' Niska henchman, and he was brought before the Captain, who began his speech all over.
"Now this is all the money.."
He didn't get any further as the henchman interrupted the Browncoat, eager to make a deal, any deal, that wouldn't end with him also sucked inta the engine.
Mal smiled, stuffed the money inta tha man's pocket, and shoved him on his way.
It was a good feelin' bein' an actual good guy for once.
Dinner – That Night
The mood at dinner was one of contentment. They had returned the badly needed medicine, and escaped Niska's clutches. And they were back in The Black, always a good thing.
Mal was unhappy about some aspects of the day, and they mostly revolved around Jayne. They'd have to be some rightin' of wrongs, if the big man's absence from the dinner table was any guide.
Serenity's Captain could count on one hand the number of times Jayne had missed a meal, but he was nowhere to be seen. He'd track him down after dinner.
But for now, Mal basked in the warm glow of the people surroundin' the dinner table, especially that of their Registered Companion.
Same Time – The Infirmary
Truth be told, Jayne didn't feel much like eatin'. Although happy to get the medicine to where it was needed, he wasn't altogether happy with the ways things had panned out.
Only the girl had come to help him when the go se had hit the fan. She knew he was needed to tilt the balance of the fight in the cargo bay inta the favor of the crew of the old Firefly. And she was right.
He'd barely caught a glimpse of her after the fight, as usual the Doc had rushed her off to the Infirmary, fussin' on her like she was a child.
She may be his mei mei, but she weren't no child.
So hear he was, sneakin' inta the Infirmary at dinner time, knowin' they'd all be up in the kitchen eatin', to see how she was doin'.
He couldn't stay long. He hoped she was in a mood ta talk, they needed to clear one or two things up. Well, she weren't in a mood ta talk when he eventually summoned enough courage to sneak in. Due to the fact she was sleepin'. No, not sleepin'. She was doped up, same as he was earlier, and by the same person.
Tryin' to keep his anger in check lest he do somethin' to wake the girl, or worse bring that hun dun of a brother runnin', he took several deep breaths to calm hisself.
The Doc at his ruttin' drugs! Enough! Decision made, he gathered up every drug he could find in the Infirmary, and job done, he turned to leave, gently squeezing one of the little jingling's hands as he left.
He stopped by the Feh feh pi goh's room to grab all the drugs he could find there too. No way was the Go neong yung duh gonna be able ta dope anyone he pleased no more.
Two Hours later – The Bridge
Jayne had been called up to Bridge for a meetin' with Mal and Zoe. Wash was also there, no surprise as that was his station.
What was a surprise is that he didn't look too happy.
"Well Jayne, " Mal started, "seems there was a bit of trouble on the ship while we was the guest of the Sherriff."
"There surely was." Jayne replied. "I tried to get the job done while you was missin', Wash here weren't havin' none of it though."
"Way Wash tells it, you tried to take over." Mal spoke slowly. He knew there was two sides, at least, to every story, and he wanted to know what Jayne's was. "So tell me Jayne, how would you put the day's events?"
Jayne recounted everything from the moment he was winched back aboard. Well, almost everythin', he made no mention of River at all.
Mal watched Jayne carefully as he spoke, lookin' for any sign of subterfuge on the big mans face. He was satisfied with what he saw, which meant there was more to the story than Wash let on.
Sparin' a glance at Zoe, she looked a mite uncomfortable, but only Mal would have been able ta pick it.
"Wash, I want a straight answer. Was there a plan ta finish the job, while Inara and The Shepherd came ta scope out the town for us?"
"Mal, kinda.." Wash was sheepish.
"So there was. And yet, the job weren't done while Inara came lookin' for us. Now Wash, you must be tha luckiest guy in the 'Verse. Ya obviously didn't know I had decided to give the goods back, and yet you refused a perfectly good plan to get the job done while Inara and Book came for us."
"It all ended well Mal, you wanted to give the goods back…"
"And you, Wash, didn't know about that."
Wash looked at Zoe for some back up.
"I'm talkin' to you as the pilot of this here boat, not as Zoe's husband."
Zoe stiffened slightly at that.
"Ya didn't know I was gonna give the stuff back, so ya shoulda assumed the job was goin' ahead. Ya shoulda done what was needed to do that. You were lucky, this time. But what happens next time Zoe gets pinched and the job needs to be done? Are you gonna refuse to do ya job? Even if it's your Captain doin' the tellin'?"
Mal's ire had risen, and by now he was powerful angry.
"That's your problem Wash. Ya think with ya heart and not ya head. And that's why you ain't in the chain of command."
Wash looked suitably admonished.
"It won't happen again Mal."
"I know it won't." Mal had a decision to make, and he did. "You ain't in the chain of command, as I said, but Jayne is."
Three shocked faces looked at Mal for an explanation.
"Ya think I took Jayne into Niska's Skyplex for shits and giggles? If Niska decided Zoe and me weren't good enough ta do business with, not even Jayne woulda been able to do anythin' about it if Niska wanted us dead. He was there as another point a contact 'tween us and Niska, case it was needed. And seemed it was. I'll say it again Wash, you was lucky it turned out tha way it did."
The explanation lessened the shock some, and Mal smiled at the trio. He was impressed with the way Jayne had carried hisself these last couple a months, and if was honest he could see that the change in the big man had been in progress for quite a while afore that.
"Jayne is Head of Security. Unless I say otherwise, it goes Me, Zoe, then Jayne."
"So Mal, do I get a pay rise?" Jayne smirked.
"In fact ya do, another half a percent."
Not really expectin' anythin', Jayne was pleased.
Zoe, however, was not. But she'd talk to the Captain in private about it later. The Amazon had seen signs that Jayne was someone who could, possibly, be trusted. And he was capable. But still…
"Thanks Cap'n."
"Yeah, well ya done good today, despite what happened."
Mal was about to continue when an irate Simon stormed onto the Bridge.
"Captain! Captain!" I need to talk to you urgently."
"Yes you do." Mal replied. He was not happy with Mr Top Three Percent. "Wash, auto pilot set?"
Wash nodded, but checked his console again quickly just to be sure.
"Good, Doc and I need a little chat. So Wash, and Zoe, enjoy your night." Mal said as he dismissed the pair, who gratefully turned to leave the Bridge.
Jayne, also, turned to leave, when Mal put his hand on the his Head of Security's shoulder.
"Jayne, stay, as this concerns you."
With the trio alone, Mal spoke softly addressing Simon.
"Well Doc, ya had a helluva day."
Confused, Simon could only nod back.
"I do wanna know though, why ya thought it necessary to dope up my Head a Security here?"
Jayne watched, impassively, while Simon squirmed.
"I, well, we all, weren't comfortable with Jayne being in charge."
"So let me get this straight." Mal asked. "You, our new Medic, our pilot, our mechanic, a person who rents a shuttle from me, and a passenger, all decided that Jayne's perfectly reasonable plan was uncomfortable, and it was decided to dope him?"
"No Captain, I made that decision." Simon was, truthful, at least.
Mal, however, was livid.
"Jayne's Head of Security. Let me spell it out. When me, or Zoe, ain't aboard he's in charge. Unless I say so otherwise aforehand. And what woulda happened if'n Crow or his men had turned up earlier? Who's gonna defend the ship with Jayne all doped up? You? Wash!? LIL KAYLEE!?"
Mal was just about screamin' by now.
"Ya ain't got no right ta be dopin' anyone up, without my express authority, dong ma? Ifit's me ya need to dope Zoe will allow it, then Jayne if needs only reason I ain't gonna throw you off this boat after what you did today is 'cause you was lucky how it all turned out."
Mal was sick of sayin' that by now, even if it was the truth.
"Ya ever do anythin' like this again. I'm liable to kick ya off the ship no matter where we are, even in The Black!" Mal sneered.
'Yes Captain, I'm sorry. In any event it seems I won't be able to. You see, that's what I want to talk to you about. My drugs, all of them, are gone."
That took the wind outta Mal's sails somewhat, and one look at his newly confirmed second mate and Mal knew exactly what had happened.
"Them drugs been deemed a security threat Doc." Jayne smirked, happy to not have to keep it from the Cap'n, and happier to rub it into the face of the little pansy ass doctor.
"But Captain, you can't let him do this! My sister, she needs those drugs!"
The Captain, hisself, was past caring about that, right now.
"We'll talk about that more tomorrow, Doctor, I ain't gettin' inta this with ya tonight. Goodnight Doc." Mal dismissed the man.
"But Captain…"
"Goodnight, Doctor!"
Simon did not move for a couple of seconds, and Jayne took it upon hisself ta throw the Doc off the bridge.
Mal did not complain. He did, however, want to talk ta Jayne alone.
"Jayne, I meant it. Ya did good today, your plan was sound. Ya weren't ta know what we found. I wanna have ya put your input inta the plans me and Zoe come up with from now on. Not ta say we'll use your ideas, but I wanna hear 'em anyways."
"Thanks Mal, ah Cap'n, and sure." Jayne smiled, a genuine smile for once.
The Captain was taken slightly aback at the sight.
'Now ma shoulder is startin to powerful ache, let's say ya tell me where the drugs are so I can get myself a smoother?"
"Actually Cap'n...I left them in your bunk."
"Ya been down to my bunk? Ya know I don't like no one down there." Mal was mad again.
"Didn't wanna hide 'em from ya Cap'n."
"Whatever, least I won't have to go far. We'll talk more tomorrow Jayne."
"Cap'n, I wanna talk to ya about somethin'." He couldn't say anythin' in front a tha others, but he wanted to tell Mal how River helped him today. He figured he owed the Cap'n that.
"Unless it's gonna effect my boat in the next eight hours, I ain't interested right now." Pain was achin' somethin' fierce and he wanted to rest some. "Well, is it?"
The big man shook his head. Mal nodded and headed in the direction of his bunk, while Jayne went to the kitchen to see what he could scrounge up.
Jayne's Bunk – 3 AM
Jayne was dreamin'. Or was it a nightmare? He weren't sure, that'd depend on the outcome. In a darkish room, which looked like a barracks of some kind, his younger self, it seemed, was bein' hunted by two hun dun's.
One of the hunter's was dispatched with a thrown knife. Good. Tha other came at him, anger in his eyes and murder in his mind. The fight was brutal, but short. Younger Jayne was victorious. A good dream then. Checkin' the two men, Jayne was shocked. They was wearin' blue gloves. They was two by two, with hands a blue.
Bolting upright, Jayne was instantly awake. Two by two, hands a blue? That's what River was sayin' earlier.
He shook his head. It were just a dream. It didn't seem like a dream though. More like a memory. He could remember, clearly, every detail, even the smell. Since when do I remember dream smells? Jayne had a very good sense a smell – it was one of the reasons he was such a good tracker – but he ain't never remembered the smell of a dream before. Dream? Or Memory?
But he ain't never fought blue handed men afore? His was sure, but he weren't sure no more. It just seemed too real.
Knowin' he wasn't gonna get no more sleep, he decided to take Boo and Ingrid up to the kitchen for a good cleanin'. Might as well sharpen Binky some too.
It didn't take long to gather what he needed, so in only a few minutes he stormed, as quietly as he could, inta the kitchen.
Only to see the sight of the little jingling, sitting in the middle of tha table, sobbin quietly. How she'd got out of her room, past that idiot brother a hers without wakin' him while she was cryin', was anyone's guess.
She looked up at him, with tears in her eyes, and quietly said "Two by two, hands of blue...two by two..."
A course Jayne had just been dreamin' about 'em, so it was a bit creepafyin'. On tha other hand, she was talkin' about 'em yesterday. More images of the dead blue hands sprung inta Jayne's mind, clear like.
River immediately stopped cryin' and started smilin'. That was strange. He was gettin' that creepafyin' feelin' again, then she said "Blue Hands – Dai kai sa jeh."
That shoulda creeped him out more, but for some reason it didn't. He nodded in the affirmative. It seemed like the right answer to him.
And then the creepy feelin' returned. She knew what I was thinkin'. That's explains a lot a things, if true.
It was River's turn to nod, sadly. She had hoped Jayne would understand her ability.
True! It were true, she was a reader. He was all sorts a creepafied, then he looked at her, saw her pain, and then he weren't no more.
So she was a reader. So what? I don't like talkin' none anyway!
River beamed him a beautiful smile, and that made him feel all sorts a good, and that made him all sorts a grumpy.
"So whatchya doin' here girl?" he growled, despite the fact he'd been wantin' to talk to her all day.
"Couldn't sleep. Have slept enough." she said as she got off the table, leant up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."
"What fer?" This time?
"You have banished the evil from the clutches of ge ge."
That he understood.
"Drugs, yep, took 'em. gave 'em to the Cap'n. Cap'n decides now who gets doped, not the hun..your brother."
"He was uable to continue his regimen further last night, the drugs have mainly left my system. As I say, thank you my Bao hu zhe." she said as she touched his hand.
There was that feelin' again, and Jayne almost dropped his cleanin' stuff.
"Ain't your protector, I protect the boat, the crew.." she smiled again and it stopped his speech. He was lyin' and she knew it. Go se.
"Anyways, why don't ya go back to ya room so I can clean my girls here?"
Girls? River thought. Oh, weaponry. Affectionately named. How quaint.
"No thank you, I shall like to stay and watch you perform maintenance on your weaponry."
"Whatever." he said, but he was pleased. Not secretly pleased, as the gorram girl prolly knew that he was. Another smile showed she did.
"Fine." he grumped. "And as we're in the thankin' mood, I should prolly thank ya too. For rousin' me when Crow and them was here. Cap'n was about to get his head lopped off, looked like. We arrived in tha nick a time!
The girl looked at him expectantly.
Jayne shook her off and set hisself up at the table, ready to start. She sat opposite him and started to shiver. Sighin', he grabbed a blanket from the common room and placed it around her shoulders. Turnin' inta a gorram baby sitter. Sittin' back down he looked at the girl, again lookin' at him. And their eyes met. Jayne forgot what he was supposed to be doin' as he was lost in the beautiful pools of brown. Damned if he didn't like tha thought of lookin' after the girl though.
She smiled, once again, at him. Shakin' his head, he looked away.
"Stop that. Stay outta my head. Man oughta be allowed ta have his own thoughts."
"Your thoughts are loud, Bao hu zhe. I am not reading them from your mind so much as listening to what you broadcast. With so few minds on this ship I can easily block the thoughts of the others. But I find I do not wish to do so with you."
"Yeah, well, please? Or somethin'? Man needs his privacy." He was usually bugged by fancy core speech, but comin' from her just sounded like beautiful music. It was distractin', but in a good way.
"I will try, but you do not quite understand. I am hearing what you are broadcasting to me. Harder to block, but I will try."
Jayne was puzzled. Why would he be sendin' her thoughts. He shook his head again, seemed to be a default action as far as dealin' with his jingling, ah the girl, was concerned.
They sat in silence for a while, River watching Jayne cleaning his girls, whose parts were spread out on the table in front of them. It was a nice kind a silence.
Unable to help herself, River suddenly picked up the pieces of Ingrid and in a matter of seconds the Walther PPK was reassembled completely, River testing the action once the assembly was complete.
Jayne moved from puzzled to absolutely stunned. How the gorram hell would this little slip of a girl know how to do that? Still stunned, he watched in silence as the girl disassembled Ingrid, leavin' the small gun in the condition it was in not one minute before.
"I am sorry. I meant no harm." River smiled at him and was instantly forgiven.
"Well, no one touches my girls." he said automatically, and after a few moments thought, he looked at her attentively. "Do it again." he commanded, completely makin' a lie out of his original statement.
And she did. And again. And then with Boo too.
The big man watched her, wonderin' if she was just pullin' the details from his mind. She didn't say anythin', if she heard the thought, but Jayne didn't think she was. She knew what she was doin' She had done it before, he could clearly see the muscle memory involved.
"How?" he finally asked.
River hesitated. She would need to speak of the Academy. Of what took place. Would her Bao hu zhe continue to look on her favourably once he knew what had been done - what she had done? That he would believe her was not in doubt. Deciding, River took a deep breath as she took his large hands into her tiny ones and tried to explain.
Telling him of the procedures she endured, the drugs that had been forced upon her, the training she had completed, the lives she had taken, and all at the bequest of the Hands of Blue or their minions.
Jayne felt a whole new level a stunned as she delivered her tale. And he believed it, couldn't not. And he was powerful angry by tha end.
"Them Blue Hands. These just men, right? They can be killed." Jayne knew down to his core that they could. He knew it, because he had done it. Further images of that now clear memory flooded his brain. He was 100% certain they was true, but the event didn't fit his other recollections, mostly. Well, that weren't a new thing, either.
Now it was River's turn to be stunned. She had seen in Jayne's mind clear images of the Blue Hands. Their actual correct look. Not a vague reconstruction of generic men with blue hands, but the actual Two by Two, Hands of Blue. And they were broken. Dead, considerably dead.
In her increasing madness she had locked similar images away in the dark recess of her mind as she created her Bao hu zhe. But these were from his mind, not hers. The images she had hidden away long ago were true. Bao hu zhe had defeated previous incarnations of the Blue Hands, previous clones.
Her Bao hu zhe had listened to her story and had believed. He had not judged her actions harshly, the death of many at her hands. He understood. River felt truly safe, and accepted, for the first time in as long as she could remember, and she knew right then they she never could, never would, leave this man's side.
Jayne thoughts weren't quite as forceful, but close, and as he fought to keep them to hisself he vowed ta protect his beautiful jingling, er the girl, as long as he could, to that best a his abilities.
A/N Next, Bushwacked re-imagined.
Chinese:
Jingling - Pixie
Wang bao dahn – Dirty bastard SOB
Ung jeong jia ching jien soh – Filthy fornicators of livestock
Joo bah jeh – Perverted person
Feng le - Crazy
Ching soh ta ma de hun dan – Ruthless ruttin' SOB
Hun dun - Bastard
Bao hu zhe - Protector
Ho tze duh pi gu – Monkey's butt
Ri shao gou shi bing! – Pile of sun baked dog crap
Go se - Crap
Feh feh pi goh's – Baboon's ass crack's
Go neong yung duh – More vicious version of SOB
Dong ma? – Understand?
Dai kai sa jeh – Terminated with extreme prejudice