Duplicity
Pairing Jayne/other
Rating pg
feedback: Yes please deementedb@aol.com
Archive: fine with me.
Disclaimers: Characters are not mine, just moving them around to my liking
Spoilers: little reference to Ariel
Summary: A betrayal from the past finally catches up. Conclusion: Zoe and Wash talk it out, Mal and Zoe talk it out. Jayne and Isabel make a decision.
Conclusion:
Zoe followed Wash into their room, she stood watching him as he sat on the bed avoiding her eyes.
"You and Mal haven't talked about this have you?" He asked.
"No. Not yet" She whispered hoarsely
"He hasn't changed, has he?" Wash asked
"No, He knows who he is." She replied
Wash sighed "Yeah, he does, I know I never really admitted to being jealous of him, coarse everyone knew, maybe it's a man thing. I mean it isn't only that he knows you so well, better than I even knew. He's saved you life, he's a rogue, a thief, but he isn't as cold and gruff as he likes to pretend. He has a code, he's a man people follow. I'm not like that, cant sacrifice like he does. Guess I can't fault you for sticking with him all these years, for all the things you two been through. You and him, that was way before you ever met me, know you told me over and over I shouldn't be jealous, that's because of her though, right? Bella, you couldn't forgive yourself for what you'd taken from him, he lost his faith in the war, and again with Bella, but he's made sure no one that believes in him loses theirs. That's why I know he'll forgive you, it might cost him, but he'll do it, he'll pay the price, cause that's what he does. He knows how important it is to keep the faith, how hard it is to lose it."
Zoe's tears came again hard. "What if he can't forgive me? She sobbed.
"He will, Zoe this crew is totally loyal to him, we all have faith in him, even me, hell even Jayne. When a man as jaded as Jayne can believe... guess what I'm sayin I do too. Believe in him, he wont turn on you and neither will I. It was a long time ago, you two were still hurting from the war, you did something selfish and it hurt people but that wasn't your intention. He will see that."
Zoe was deeply moved by Wash's words, her heart ached with love for her husband.
"I..I intended to hurt Bella..." She stammered
"You took her boyfriend, happens every day, he didn't know about the boy and neither did you. He made a mistake too, he didn't believe in their love enough to stay" He defended her.
"I pushed him, I knew his hidden doubts and fears, he desperately wanted to believe but trusted in me instead." She said
"Honey, none of this is going to get resolved between you and me, just know whatever happens I'm with you, worse case Mal boots us from his crew, we can still make it. But that's not going to happen, don't make this worse than it has to be. Talk to him, explain your side." Wash encouraged her.
Simon explained Rey's injuries to his mother, he had set the break in his leg, wrapped his bruised ribs, cleaned and bandaged his various bites, scrapes and the bang he had received on his head. The body scan showed no internal injuries but Simon told her to take him to a hospital if she wanted a second opinion. It never hurt to be safe with a child.
Rey asked to see Jayne.
The news that Rey would be fine greatly decreased the angst Mal was feeling, he watched through the medlab window as the boy hugged Jayne and looked up at him like he was a hero, which this time he actually was. Inara came to stand beside him, she placed her hand on his arm.
"He don't even know who I am." Mal said wistfully
"Isabel may change her mind one day, Rey will want to know more about you as he grows older, maybe then..." Inara tried to comfort Mal
Mal sighed and Inara thought her heart might break for him.
"I missed so much, lost possibilities you didn't ever know existed. Now all I can do is try to catch up and keep track of him"
"He's going to be a very handsome man one day" Inara said smiling.
Mal smiled too "Yeah, I believe he will be."
The next day Jayne and Isabel took Rey to a hospital to double-check his injuries, Simon had caught them all and there was nothing else the hospital could do that had not already been done. Jayne rented a couple of rooms and stayed with them, he gave Rey the remainder of wooden animals in his collection and bought some supplies to finish the zoo they were building. Isabel cooked all of Rey's favorites for dinner. They had a perfect evening.
Zoe came to Mal's room at his request; it was time to face him about Bella. Wash tried to alieve her fears but as she knocked on his hatch she was trembling. Ready to hear his wrath directed towards her, something she never thought would happen. She steeled herself for the worse possible outcome. He called for her to enter. She climbed down waiting for him to start, staring into his eyes and silently cursing herself for not being able to still her shaking body or tearful eyes. Minutes went by without a word, she couldn't stand the tension she was feeling and spoke first.
"Sir, Mal, I'm so sorry.." The tears started flowing
Mal cut in "I never felt I would ever doubt you, that you of all people could ever deceive, you've been with me through the roughest parts of my life, been my anchor, my voice of reason."
"I can't defend myself, I don't know what to say, what I could possibly do to make this right," she sobbed
"Lot of pressure, lot of expectation to put on one person, you are as flawed as the rest of us. I guess I always thought of you as infallible, which was wrong of me. Zoe we both knew nothing about Rey, it was bad timing, one more day... The money and lies were regretful, but we both done worse."
Zoe choked out "If you think it best for us to leave.."
Mal went on "Don't know what coulda been, I did love Bella but it was scary to think someone could come along and change your plans. I let you talk me out of a life with her, not because I didn't trust in her, her love, I didn't trust in me. You wouldn't let me talk you out of marrying Wash, God knows I tried, cause you trusted, him and your feelings. I wasn't ready then and I missed being in my son's life. I can't do without you though or rather I don't want to. We both did wrong by Bella, nothing can fix that for her. She's doing okay though; Jayne actually seems to be helping her get over the past. Who woulda thunk? Cant say how everything will turn out with Bella and Rey, Hope he'll want to know me some day. Zoe you are my best friend and I love you. Like everything before we'll get through this."
Zoe couldn't believe her ears, Mal's words made her cry harder, she didn't remember when she had felt so much emotion. "Thank you Mal"
He opened his arms and she went into them. He held her tight till her tears stopped, then let her clean up and go back to her duties, secure in her place on Serenity and in Mal's heart.
The next day Mal, Zoe, and Jayne lay in wait near the cave they had found Rey in. They waited till the two men who came to pick up the boy for the slavers went inside. They followed at a discreet distance then pulled their guns. They locked the men in the wooden cage, knowing it wouldn't hold them for long
They took any light sources the men may have had. They left them in complete darkness to try and navigate their way out after they broke out of the cage. Jayne didn't give them much hope for exiting the cave ever; he still didn't know how River could have kept them safe.
Zoe was determined to pay back Bella every credit she took. Mal and Jayne rewarded River for her helpfulness with treats and presents, even going as far as visiting a planet with little to no Alliance presence so that she could have some off ship time doing normal things.
They tracked down Jimmy Laskiee, who was never heard from again.
A month later Jayne admitted to Mal that he and Isabel had decided to call it quits, she was not comfortable with meeting him, knowing Mal and Zoe were nearby. He could not admit to Mal that he had felt added pressure when dealing with Rey after finding out he was Mal's son. Knowing Mal didn't think he was the best role model for any boy and certainly not the one he would pick for his own son. Rey was not happy about the split but did not know the reason. He and Jayne vowed to stay in touch through waves, which Isabel agreed to.
Six months later Jayne found Mal sitting in the bridge by himself. Jayne had printed out a wave and picture Rey had sent him. He gave both to Mal without a word, patting the man on the back and walking away.
Mal read the update the boy had sent, Rey and Isabel had settled on Barland, getting a small house where Rey could plant roots. His picture showed him smiling next to his new puppy they had named Jayne. Isabel was working as a dealer instead of a player, a much steadier income. The money Zoe sent her, which Mal added to, had helped her get their house. Rey was in school, growing like a weed and as evidenced in the picture Mal stared at was very happy. Mal supposed he couldn't really ask for more for his son than that.
The end
Pairing Jayne/other
Rating pg
feedback: Yes please deementedb@aol.com
Archive: fine with me.
Disclaimers: Characters are not mine, just moving them around to my liking
Spoilers: little reference to Ariel
Summary: A betrayal from the past finally catches up. Conclusion: Zoe and Wash talk it out, Mal and Zoe talk it out. Jayne and Isabel make a decision.
Conclusion:
Zoe followed Wash into their room, she stood watching him as he sat on the bed avoiding her eyes.
"You and Mal haven't talked about this have you?" He asked.
"No. Not yet" She whispered hoarsely
"He hasn't changed, has he?" Wash asked
"No, He knows who he is." She replied
Wash sighed "Yeah, he does, I know I never really admitted to being jealous of him, coarse everyone knew, maybe it's a man thing. I mean it isn't only that he knows you so well, better than I even knew. He's saved you life, he's a rogue, a thief, but he isn't as cold and gruff as he likes to pretend. He has a code, he's a man people follow. I'm not like that, cant sacrifice like he does. Guess I can't fault you for sticking with him all these years, for all the things you two been through. You and him, that was way before you ever met me, know you told me over and over I shouldn't be jealous, that's because of her though, right? Bella, you couldn't forgive yourself for what you'd taken from him, he lost his faith in the war, and again with Bella, but he's made sure no one that believes in him loses theirs. That's why I know he'll forgive you, it might cost him, but he'll do it, he'll pay the price, cause that's what he does. He knows how important it is to keep the faith, how hard it is to lose it."
Zoe's tears came again hard. "What if he can't forgive me? She sobbed.
"He will, Zoe this crew is totally loyal to him, we all have faith in him, even me, hell even Jayne. When a man as jaded as Jayne can believe... guess what I'm sayin I do too. Believe in him, he wont turn on you and neither will I. It was a long time ago, you two were still hurting from the war, you did something selfish and it hurt people but that wasn't your intention. He will see that."
Zoe was deeply moved by Wash's words, her heart ached with love for her husband.
"I..I intended to hurt Bella..." She stammered
"You took her boyfriend, happens every day, he didn't know about the boy and neither did you. He made a mistake too, he didn't believe in their love enough to stay" He defended her.
"I pushed him, I knew his hidden doubts and fears, he desperately wanted to believe but trusted in me instead." She said
"Honey, none of this is going to get resolved between you and me, just know whatever happens I'm with you, worse case Mal boots us from his crew, we can still make it. But that's not going to happen, don't make this worse than it has to be. Talk to him, explain your side." Wash encouraged her.
Simon explained Rey's injuries to his mother, he had set the break in his leg, wrapped his bruised ribs, cleaned and bandaged his various bites, scrapes and the bang he had received on his head. The body scan showed no internal injuries but Simon told her to take him to a hospital if she wanted a second opinion. It never hurt to be safe with a child.
Rey asked to see Jayne.
The news that Rey would be fine greatly decreased the angst Mal was feeling, he watched through the medlab window as the boy hugged Jayne and looked up at him like he was a hero, which this time he actually was. Inara came to stand beside him, she placed her hand on his arm.
"He don't even know who I am." Mal said wistfully
"Isabel may change her mind one day, Rey will want to know more about you as he grows older, maybe then..." Inara tried to comfort Mal
Mal sighed and Inara thought her heart might break for him.
"I missed so much, lost possibilities you didn't ever know existed. Now all I can do is try to catch up and keep track of him"
"He's going to be a very handsome man one day" Inara said smiling.
Mal smiled too "Yeah, I believe he will be."
The next day Jayne and Isabel took Rey to a hospital to double-check his injuries, Simon had caught them all and there was nothing else the hospital could do that had not already been done. Jayne rented a couple of rooms and stayed with them, he gave Rey the remainder of wooden animals in his collection and bought some supplies to finish the zoo they were building. Isabel cooked all of Rey's favorites for dinner. They had a perfect evening.
Zoe came to Mal's room at his request; it was time to face him about Bella. Wash tried to alieve her fears but as she knocked on his hatch she was trembling. Ready to hear his wrath directed towards her, something she never thought would happen. She steeled herself for the worse possible outcome. He called for her to enter. She climbed down waiting for him to start, staring into his eyes and silently cursing herself for not being able to still her shaking body or tearful eyes. Minutes went by without a word, she couldn't stand the tension she was feeling and spoke first.
"Sir, Mal, I'm so sorry.." The tears started flowing
Mal cut in "I never felt I would ever doubt you, that you of all people could ever deceive, you've been with me through the roughest parts of my life, been my anchor, my voice of reason."
"I can't defend myself, I don't know what to say, what I could possibly do to make this right," she sobbed
"Lot of pressure, lot of expectation to put on one person, you are as flawed as the rest of us. I guess I always thought of you as infallible, which was wrong of me. Zoe we both knew nothing about Rey, it was bad timing, one more day... The money and lies were regretful, but we both done worse."
Zoe choked out "If you think it best for us to leave.."
Mal went on "Don't know what coulda been, I did love Bella but it was scary to think someone could come along and change your plans. I let you talk me out of a life with her, not because I didn't trust in her, her love, I didn't trust in me. You wouldn't let me talk you out of marrying Wash, God knows I tried, cause you trusted, him and your feelings. I wasn't ready then and I missed being in my son's life. I can't do without you though or rather I don't want to. We both did wrong by Bella, nothing can fix that for her. She's doing okay though; Jayne actually seems to be helping her get over the past. Who woulda thunk? Cant say how everything will turn out with Bella and Rey, Hope he'll want to know me some day. Zoe you are my best friend and I love you. Like everything before we'll get through this."
Zoe couldn't believe her ears, Mal's words made her cry harder, she didn't remember when she had felt so much emotion. "Thank you Mal"
He opened his arms and she went into them. He held her tight till her tears stopped, then let her clean up and go back to her duties, secure in her place on Serenity and in Mal's heart.
The next day Mal, Zoe, and Jayne lay in wait near the cave they had found Rey in. They waited till the two men who came to pick up the boy for the slavers went inside. They followed at a discreet distance then pulled their guns. They locked the men in the wooden cage, knowing it wouldn't hold them for long
They took any light sources the men may have had. They left them in complete darkness to try and navigate their way out after they broke out of the cage. Jayne didn't give them much hope for exiting the cave ever; he still didn't know how River could have kept them safe.
Zoe was determined to pay back Bella every credit she took. Mal and Jayne rewarded River for her helpfulness with treats and presents, even going as far as visiting a planet with little to no Alliance presence so that she could have some off ship time doing normal things.
They tracked down Jimmy Laskiee, who was never heard from again.
A month later Jayne admitted to Mal that he and Isabel had decided to call it quits, she was not comfortable with meeting him, knowing Mal and Zoe were nearby. He could not admit to Mal that he had felt added pressure when dealing with Rey after finding out he was Mal's son. Knowing Mal didn't think he was the best role model for any boy and certainly not the one he would pick for his own son. Rey was not happy about the split but did not know the reason. He and Jayne vowed to stay in touch through waves, which Isabel agreed to.
Six months later Jayne found Mal sitting in the bridge by himself. Jayne had printed out a wave and picture Rey had sent him. He gave both to Mal without a word, patting the man on the back and walking away.
Mal read the update the boy had sent, Rey and Isabel had settled on Barland, getting a small house where Rey could plant roots. His picture showed him smiling next to his new puppy they had named Jayne. Isabel was working as a dealer instead of a player, a much steadier income. The money Zoe sent her, which Mal added to, had helped her get their house. Rey was in school, growing like a weed and as evidenced in the picture Mal stared at was very happy. Mal supposed he couldn't really ask for more for his son than that.
The end