I don't own Firefly characters, just Ayme, Gavon, Ted, Roy. Oh and thanx for reading! PLEASE REVIEW! REVIEWS ARE EVER SO NICE! THANK YOU TO LeaMarie, Irresistibly desired, avaleighfitzgerald, mistymixwolf aka Perch, Skychaser, me (whomever you might be:)), eli/Zandora now, charlotte temples, PseudonymA1, roguebutterfly, mercurybard, miss jasadin, smokydays, Happy Camper and angw for giving me reviews! I LOVE YOU PPL! If you didn't review then I would've thrown this story out the window lol. You ppl are gonna hate me for this chapter lol but it makes things interesting!

What Is Human?

Chapter 21-----The Explanation

"What is going on?" Gavon demanded as he peered out of the shuttle, Ayme holding onto his arm, having been scared a little bit from Mal's scream.

Even though there had been a loud yell outside the shuttle, it had been the happiest moment in Ayme's life.

But the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall.

Dinner was…awkward. Most of the crew knew, except for Jayne and Wash what had happened due to the fact that they had been outside it at the time.

Everyone was oddly quiet, and there was no hiding it. Inara sat next to Mal, but the anger radiating from her body was enough to show Mal that his wise-cracks and banter wouldn't be tolerated, not for a very long time.

Kaylee felt embarrassed but at the same time she couldn't stop smiling, eating her share quietly as she held onto Simon's hand. Simon was usually quiet, so his silence wasn't exactly abnormal, but it still felt like someone should be talking or telling a story.

River was feeding Froggy a little bit every time she ate, the kitten still quite small but his playful nature attachment to the crew made him a larger part of the world than he ever would have been. River kept him close when he wasn't with Gavon, the kitten seemed to be helping her somehow, she wasn't disappearing quite as much, she wasn't speaking as much gibberish as she usually did, and she seemed in all honesty in having the company of something that wasn't always telling her she was doing something wrong or trying to stop her or treating her differently. Kaylee, Inara, even Simon sometimes treated her like a lit firework, waiting for her to explode but at the same time trying to put her out. Froggy wasn't afraid of her, all he did was purr.

Ayme was eating more and more every time she had a chance to, and strangely enough the more she seemed to eat her own food the more color she got in her pale pigmented skin. Her hair was still silver and thin, but her sickly appearance was beginning to look healthier.

Gavon was himself at the dinner table, throwing in small comments when there was talking, but eating only what he really needed and helping Ayme when she needed it.

Wash felt there was something up, but he took it in as he would ask Zoe later, something about the air told him asking now might set off some sort of secret explosion, although it might have helped calmed the air a bit.

Zoe ate hungrily, even though she knew later her stomach wouldn't want all of this food but she couldn't stop herself, her body had gone into a strange sequence of eating then loosing it later.

Jayne was, well Jayne. He ate more than his fill, and without many manners.

Shepherd Book began telling a story, knowing that he could break the silence and not be nervous about it, everyone listening intently before the awkward wave began to drift, and conversations ensued for a small amount of time.

They departed, everyone that knew still curious about what was going to happen next. Were they going to turn around or was the plan to still head to Newhall?

Gavon didn't know himself, they should have been calling Ted, but to say what exactly? Now that we've had three delays we're just not coming at all? Or better yet, your fiancé wants to be with me not you. Ted wouldn't take this well, he always got what he wanted, no matter what even if people said no. Sure he was a good doctor, but that didn't mean he was a good man.

Ayme had let herself forget about Ted for the time being, not really wanting to think about it, not then, not ever again. She was down below again, reading on the bed as Gavon had gone above to lift weights.

She was tired again, but not like she used to be.

River and Kaylee were above as well, playing jacks, or trying to as Froggy wanted both the rubber ball and the small metal pieces to bat away any moment he chose.

"Take it easy, son," Shepherd Book stated as he spotted him, Gavon's mind wandering away and forgetting what he was doing.

"Oh, right," Gavon's mind had come back to reality, concentrating on the movement rather than what he was doing before.

"What's on your mind? You seem…distracted," Shepherd Book questioned him as Gavon let him take the bar and place it in the bench press.

"Just…gotta think about things, Shepherd," Gavon responded. "Now's good a time as any."

"What is it you need to think about then? I might be able to help," Shepherd Book stated as Gavon sat up and switched placed with Shepherd Book.

"Where to go next," Gavon responded, helping Shepherd start. "After…this."

"Ah, I see," Shepherd Book stated. "I suppose you'd go find another job, unless you wanted to stop for some reason."

"Shepherd, I know you kind of know what's going on, since you were just outside the shuttle with everyone else," Gavon stated as Shepherd took his reps.

"Yes, well…I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable," Shepherd Book answered.

"Honestly, Shepherd, I don't think that could happen," Gavon laughed a little. "I think you'd be the one uncomfortable."

"What d'you plan on doing then?" Shepherd questioned.

"I never thought about it, I never really thought about it happening," Gavon stated. "I mean I thought about it, I just never thought it'd actually happen."

"You don't have to think on it right away, son," Shepherd Book stated. "Just have to relax and think it over for a little while. You've got plenty of time."

"It feels like I've got a lot less than I want," Gavon stated.

"It always feels that way," Shepherd Book laughed. "Just part of being human is all."

"Y'know sometimes I wonder what that means," Gavon stated. "What exactly is human then? Is it just a state of mind some have?"

"Being human is a lot of things, and there's no one explanation for it, everyone has their own perceptions of what is and isn't human," Shepherd Book stated as Gavon took the bar from him. "I suppose it has to do with the idea of belonging more than anything."

"Maybe so," Gavon responded, stretching his body out as Shepherd Book sat up. "I gotta go and make sure Ayme took everything, thanks Shepherd."

"You're welcome, son," Shepherd answered as the girls still played jacks but Kaylee was getting frustrated with Froggy. Gavon turned and whistled towards them, the kitten's ears sticking straight up before Froggy bolted from the girls and for Gavon, trying to climb up his leg. Gavon picked him up and stuck him on his shoulder.

"You torturing those poor girls?" Gavon asked the orange kitten. Froggy yawned in response. "You're gonna be a handful, I just know it."

He slid the door open and peered inside the room, Ayme still reading away with her legs bent up and the small, thin screen on her thighs.

"Reading again," Gavon said in a scolding tone as he set Froggy down on the ground. His tail held high he trotted towards the bed and jumped up to greet Ayme, brushing against her leg.

"You sound so surprised," she said in a sarcastic tone of voice as she pet Froggy's head. Gavon's eyebrow rose up before he heard someone clear their throat behind him. He looked to see Simon entered his room.

Gavon slipped inside the room and slid the door shut, not really wanting to share his conversation with anyone else down there.

"Did you take all your shots?" Gavon asked her as he stepped in.

"Mmhm," she answered, still reading as Froggy crawled onto her stomach and curled himself up there.

"How're you feeling?" he asked yet another questioned.

"Fine, Gavon," Ayme laughed, setting the thin screen down onto the other side of the bed. "What is it?"

"What's what?" he asked, settling himself on the end of the bed.

"Something's got you all fidgety," she answered as Gavon began to pet Froggy lightly.

"Ted," he replied in a half sigh. "Ted's got me fidgety."

Ayme didn't say anything but stared at Gavon.

"We need to get in contact with Ted, tell him we're not coming," Gavon stated.

"I know," Ayme replied, her head falling back as her eyes went towards the ceiling. "But not tonight, not after we just…"

"Tomorrow then," Gavon responded. "As soon as we can."

"Then where are we going?" Ayme asked with a little bit more excitement.

"Persephone, Beaumonde, Hera, where ever you want to go," Gavon said in a quieter tone. Ayme laughed, Froggy sick of giggling on her stomach and standing off of her, jumping onto one of the pillows next to Ayme's head.

"I don't care where we go, as long as we get there," Ayme said lightly, shutting off the small screen and setting it on the floor. "Gavon, I'm cold."

Gavon stood up from the bed towards the black bag, when Ayme grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

"No, Gavon," she laughed, pulling him down on the bed beside her. "I'm cold."

"Not followin' you," Gavon said with a smile on his face.

"I'm so sure," Ayme giggled, nudging her face under his cheek and curling against him.

"Does this mean no more heating tub?" Gavon asked. "Cause…I like this but…"

"Gavon Grey," Ayme said in a scolding voice right against his ear. "Are you implying you would rather see me naked?"

"Honestly, yes," he joked. Ayme hit his shoulder hard, harder than he thought she could. Now he actually flinched.

"What d'you s'pose the Captain's gonna do now?" Kaylee asked Inara. Both had gone into her shuttle, Inara brushing out Kaylee's hair carefully from the braid.

"Honestly, I don't care what Mal does as long as he gets us somewhere in one piece," Inara growled.

"He really scared you, didn't he?" Kaylee questioned with a wide smile on her face.

"He took us all by surprise, that's all," Inara implied. "He should know better than to do something like that."

"He was right though," Kaylee replied, knowing the Captain was driving Inara crazy as usual. "We were eavesdropping just like he was on you."

"I'm just glad he didn't yell any earlier, otherwise he would have ruined everything," Inara stated, "And maybe now we can go to somewhere civilized and not wandering around in deep space to a dust planet."

"From what Simon's told me, Gavon's brother's a big wealthy researcher for the Alliance, a huge doctor. Then he just up and left with all his findin's, not even a word to anyone," Kaylee told Inara.

"What kind of research?" Inara asked.

"Dunno, Simon didn't even know, just if you were a med student, you shoulda looked up to him," Kaylee said lightly. "But if he is all alone on Newhall, he might need a little—companionship."

Kaylee thought she was cleverer than she should have as she nudged Inara in her leg.

"Kaylee, he's going to loose his fiancé, I don't think he would be in the mood to even consider it," Inara half laughed.

"Well, he might look like Gavon," Kaylee pressed.

"We won't be going there anyway, not if we don't have to," Inara replied.

"I haven't been asked to change course yet, if you're interested in callin' the man."

Mal stepped into the doorway, leaning against the wall.

"Kaylee, engine room, Wash wants you to check on something," Mal ordered.

"Then why didn't he call me over the intercom?" Kaylee pouted, standing up and brushing passed Mal.

"'Cause he's busy!" Mal called out as she walked away.

"Kuh-ooh duh lao bao-jurn…" Kaylee's voice said from far off. Mal turned his attention back to Inara who had turned her back to him and replaced the brush she had been using to one of her dresser tops.

"D'you have appointments to keep somewhere?" Mal questioned.

"I'm not in the mood, Captain," she said in a disgruntled tone, using his title in the sentence, she was distancing herself.

"Are you still titchy about earlier?" Mal questioned. "I had every right to ask what you were up to."

"Yes, Mal, it was for catching me when I was eavesdropping," Inara snapped in a sarcastic tone.

"At least you're callin' me Mal," Mal replied as he stepped in further.

"What is it?" She growled her back still to him.

"Just wonderin' if you've got somewhere else to be."

"If that's all, then get out."

"Inara—"

"Gwon nee tze-jee duh shr Mal, and get out."

Mal backed out, his concern for her had outweighed his mouth, but his mind was confused. What was wrong with her?

Inara fell down on her knees slowly, crying silently.

The morning had come, and no one seemed to be awake. Gavon had woken up earlier than he would have liked but the quiet atmosphere above wasn't a bad change. He wondered if anyone was in the head of Serenity this morning, or if they were just following course calmly. He wondered if he could actually go and call Ted right then, would the Captain care?

Gavon walked up the railing slowly and quietly, lights turning on as he went, until he reached the dark hallway and traveled up the small ladder into the cockpit. There was no Wash, or Mal. However River sat in the farther seat, not in Wash's station where the dinosaurs reigned.

"Well, kiddo, you're up early this morning," Gavon stated in a pleasant tone.

"He won't be happy," River replied as she stared outwards into the black. "You have to keep her safe."

Gavon didn't respond to her, only gave her a strange look and continued to the strange vid screen.

Gavon wondered if it was early even for Ted, or what their time zone was.

He waited patiently to see if he could get through to him, before Ted's face appeared.

"Gavon, another delay?" Ted asked angrily.

"Why do you say that?" Gavon asked snottily.

"Because that's all you've been telling me," Ted responded with a hint of anger.

"Ted," Gavon began, wondering how to do this. He could have said she died, or the Roy got her, but what happens if he somehow finds out otherwise?

"What? What is it?" Ted asked nervously as Gavon had stopped talking.

"We're not coming, Ted," Gavon sighed out.

"What do you mean? Were you caught? Did someone find out who you both are?" Ted asked urgently.

"No, Ted," Gavon replied. "We're just not coming."

Ted's face changed, his eyes narrowing and his mouth grew smaller.

"Where's Ayme?" Ted questioned.

"You don't have to worry about her anymore, Ted," Gavon stated. "She doesn't want you anymore, she never did."

"What makes you think that? Do you even know how ridiculous you sound?" Ted questioned.

"She doesn't love you, Ted," Gavon said in a more serious tone. "She's never even really met you."

"It doesn't matter, Gavon, I love her, I helped safe her, if she's talked you into this—"

"Look, Ted, I…I love her," Gavon replied. "I love her, I know that. And now I know she loves me, and I'm not gonna let you treat her like a puppet, or an experiment."

Ted had gone quiet, his face turning red.

"Look here, Gavon," Ted stated in a more sinister tone. "Unless you want me to go and tell the Alliance about who has their precious commodity, you had better be here in three more days, as promised. If you don't, I'll send them towards your little passenger vessel and make sure that she never sees the daylight again, and you never see her again."

"You can't be serious," Gavon said angrily. "You want them to have her?"

"I'd rather them than you," Ted growled. "Better yet, I'll just tell them that you took her all by yourself to sell her, who're they gonna believe? A bunch of vagabond traitors of the Alliance, or a top researcher? Dong ma? Do the math, and if I ever get a call from you again, I'll call them first."

"Jien tah-duh guay!" Gavon exclaimed. "hwoon dahn!"

"Swear all you like, Gavon, its not going to change anything," Ted stated.

"How can you do this!"

"Goodbye, Gavon."

"I'll shot you myself, Ted."

The screen went black.

"Told you," River replied. "You should tell white wolf, she's awake."

"Why are you so happy about this?" Gavon asked angrily.

"Not happy," River said calmly. "Just know."

Gavon sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair and leaning forward, before lifting himself up from the chair, his heartbeat thundering in his chest. How was he going to tell Ayme? What were they going to do now…

End Chapter 21--See? Let the hate for Ted reviews come!