Title: Back on Serenity
Series: Heart of Gold: Rayne style
Author: Sevangel
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: R-NC-17
-
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us." Nandi tells Mal.
"Don't worry none bout it." Mal replies. "Glad we could help. We're a wave away if you need us."
"I'll remember that." Nandi says. She hugs him briefly before moving in front of Inara. "It was so good to see you again."
"And you." Inara replies. The two women hug for a few moments before kissing briefly on the mouth.
"Keep me updated on your life." Nandi orders.
"I will." Inara replies.
"Well, we gotta head out." Mal cuts in. "Gotta meetin comin up."
The rest of the crew says their goodbyes to Nandi, with Simon checking on the baby and his mother one more time. They're makin their way onto Serenity when Helen comes running towards them.
"Helen, is there a problem?" Nandi questions the blonde whore when she stops next to her.
"Yeah." Helen replies. She walks over to Jayne and hands him some money. "I can't keep this; it ain't right."
"Helen, we gave you the money in exchange for your services." River replies, trying to hand the money back.
"I ain't takin it back." Helen says, moving to stand next to Nandi. "We weren't supposed to charge ya guys."
"Shun-sheng duh gao-wahn!" Mal yells. He can hear Simon sputtering behind him in anger. "Jayne, this best not be what it looks like. Ya best not have paid some whore to sex up little River so ya could watch."
Jayne glares at Mal. "I wanted to kill ya because ya kissed her forehead." Jayne growls. "Ya really think I'm gonna let somebody else sex her up?"
"Good point." Mal replies. "Whadda pay her for then?"
"She was a diversion." River replies. "Everybody was to think Jayne was having sex with Helen so he could be alone with me; we paid her to disappear while we were here."
"Jayne paid her so he could be alone with you?" Wash questions.
"Yeah." Jayne answers. "Why?"
"Just surprising that ya paid for somethin ya were gettin for free." Mal replies.
"Wanted to be alone with her without havin to worry bout ya guys botherin us." Jayne replies. "Knew the doc would be distracted by the pregnant woman and River'd be able to get away."
"Good plan." Zoe comments.
"Thank you." River replies.
"Alright, we gotta go." Mal says as he ushers everyone onto the already running boat.
Nandi waves to the crew until the bay door is shut and waits until Serenity is gone before walking back into her house.
-
"Okay, there's gonna be some rules." Mal tells River and Jayne. "Ya guys got a bunk; use it. I know I can't stop the touchie-feelie go-se but I don't wanna walk in on ya havin sex. The other rule: I don't want your relationship affectin the runnin of this ship or it's jobs, dong ma?"
"Yeah, we get it." Jayne replies. "Keep all sexin to our room and don't let it distract me on jobs."
"Little witch, ya understand too?" Mal questions.
"Yes." River replies. "All orgasms confined to our bunk and no distracting Jayne with sex before he goes on a job."
"Well, yes." Mal says, wincing at her wording.
River gives Jayne a kiss before grabbing Kaylee's hand and starting out of the cargo bay.
"Baby, where ya goin?" Jayne questions.
"Pack up my stuff." River answers. "Move it into your bunk."
"Oh." Jayne mutters. "Need help?"
"Kaylee's helping." River answers.
"I already did that." Simon says, stopping River and Kaylee in their tracks. "I packed up all your stuff and put it in Jayne's bunk this morning."
"You did?" River questions.
"Yes." Simon replies.
"Thanks, doc." Jayne says.
"You're welcome." Simon replies. "Keep her safe."
"I will." Jayne says seriously. "Come on, baby. Let's go unpack your stuff."
River smiles at Kaylee before skipping over to take Jayne's hand. "We'll see ya at dinner." Jayne calls back as they exit the bay.
River opens the hatch to Jayne's bunk and climbs down.
"What's wrong, baby?" Jayne questions when he hears her gasp. He jumps down the ladder into his room and stops when he sees the new bed. "What the hell?"
"Mal's wedding present." River answers, dropping down onto the bed. She stretches out and crooks a finger at him. "Let's break it in."
Jayne drops all the weapons he carried back from Nandi's place onto the floor before stripping down. Moving onto the edge of the bed, he crawls up her legs and stops when he's between her thighs. He places an open mouth kiss on her cunt through her dress, breathing hotly onto her skin.
"Mmm." River hums happily, parting her legs.
Jayne inches her dress up her legs, gently massaging the soft skin as he moves. He pushes her dress until it's bunched around her waist, nipping a hipbone before moving back down. He licks her through the thin fabric of her panties, reaching up to hold her hips down when she bucks. He continues to eat at her through the fabric, torturing River.
"Jaaayne….please….oh god, I can't take it….." River moans, trying to buck up into his face. She's on the edge and knows she won't go over until he wants her to.
"Payback for last night." Jayne growls against her. She's so wet that he's able to suck her juices through the fabric of her panties.
"You enjoyed that." River growls.
"Hell, yeah." Jayne growls back, remembering how she made him watch while she played with herself; three fingers pumping deep and hard, her thumb rubbing her clit while her other hand played with her nipples. "Gonna wanna watch ya do it again."
"Not if you don't make me cum." River growls. "Please Jayne, it hurts."
Jayne rips her panties off in one smooth move and buries his face in her dripping cunt. His tongue searches out and finds her clit. She screams instantly.
"Jaaaayyne." River screams, bucking against his face. He rides her orgasm out, licking his lips as he moves away.
Jayne presses a kiss on her belly before sitting her up to remove her dress. Moving on top of her, he impales her with one quick thrust, his mouth swallowing her deep moan. Slipping his tongue into her mouth, he starts thrusting into her slow and deep.
River moans into his mouth, rubbing her tongue against his. She wraps her legs around his hips and tries to get him to move faster.
"No." Jayne growls against her mouth. "We're takin it nice and slow."
River moans and tilts her hips, giving him better access. She unwraps her legs from around his hips and then places her feet firmly onto the mattress, her legs almost in a straddle position.
"Jesus, baby." Jayne mutters. "I love how gorram flexible ya are."
"Deeper, Jayne." River moans. "I want to feel you in my throat."
Jayne growls loudly before pushing deeper into her. She groans heavily, her back arching off the bed. Jayne moves his hands under her body and brings her breasts to his mouth. Sucking a nipple into his mouth, he pushes deep and hard.
"Oh….ma'de……Jaayne…please…" River moans, her mouth hanging open. He's so heavy and thick inside her that it fills her up completely and with every thrust, he's more a part of her.
Jayne snakes a hand between them and twists her clit while biting down on her nipple. She screams again, her body bucking under his. Jayne starts thrusting wildly into her, groaning out her name when he cums.
Jayne collapses on top of her and quickly flips them until she's against his side, her head pillowed on his chest. "Baby, ya okay?"
Her only response is a snore.
Chuckling softly, he kisses her forehead and grabs the new blanket folded at the foot of the bed and covers them up. "Love ya baby." Jayne whispers as he wraps his arms around her.
-
River walks into the mess and sees the crew gathered. She walks over to Mal and gives him a hug and kisses his cheek.
"What the ruttin hell are ya doin?" Mal yells, backing up from her, his hands held out to ward her off.
"Saying thank you for the bed." River answers. "Don't worry; Jayne's still sleeping."
"Ya just keep your distance." Mal orders. "Man's libel to kill me fore I'd even get my gun out he sees ya next to me."
River rolls her eyes and walks over to Zoe and Wash. "Thank you for the blankets." River says, dropping a kiss on both their heads.
"I have to agree with Mal." Wash replies, glancing nervously around the room. "I don't want Jayne killing me either. And you're welcome."
River smiles at them brightly before walking over to where Kaylee and Inara are preparing dinner. "Thank you for the clothes." River says, hugging both women.
"You're welcome." They both reply.
"Did Jayne like em?" Kaylee questions.
"He hasn't seen them." River answers with a smirk. "He was too distracted by the bed. I'm going to surprise him with them."
"You'll have to tell us how that goes." Inara replies.
"Yeah, I want details." Kaylee agrees.
"I will." River smiles. She helps them fix dinner, turning around to smile at Jayne when he walks sleepily into the mess. He plops down onto a chair and takes the glass of water River hands him.
"Thanks, baby." Jayne mutters, drinking most of the glass in one gulp.
"You're welcome." River replies. She helps Kaylee bring the food to the table before sitting down next to Jayne.
"Thanks for the bed Mal." Jayne grunts, not looking up from his plate.
"You're welcome." Mal says.
"River already thanked him." Simon replies with a grin. "Wash too."
"Simon." River whispers.
"Thanked how?" Jayne growls.
"It doesn't matter." River replies.
"Yes, it ruttin does." Jayne growls. "Baby, ya'd do something that'd I hit em for?"
"Maybe." River answers innocently.
Jayne glares at both men, his hand gripping his knife in a death grip.
"Hey, we didn't do nothin." Mal growls back. "I was just standin there and she came over and hugged me."
"And kissed." Simon adds.
"WHAT?" Jayne bellows, making Kaylee and Inara jump.
River stands up and slides onto Jayne's lap. "Was just saying thank you to Wash and captain daddy." River says. "I'm not attracted to either of them and they aren't attracted to me."
"Captain daddy?" Wash questions with a grin. "And she's right; no attraction."
"Yes, captain daddy." River replies. "He takes care of us and yells at us."
"Captain is fine, little witch." Mal says. "Ya got a daddy."
"No, I have a father." River replies. "He was never a daddy; never played, told stories, chased away nightmares, or loved his little river."
"Mei-mei." Simon whispers.
"It's true." River says, her voice breaking slightly. "They were always scared of her; too smart and too weird. Not normal. Wanted to get rid of her; glad when she was gone. Why didn't they love her?"
"Baby, stop." Jayne growls, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead. "YOU may be weird but that don't matter none to me. Told ya before I love ya, even the crazy parts. That includes the weird parts too."
River buries her face into his neck, her body shaking as she sobs. Jayne rubs his hand up and down her back, whispering into her ear.
"Jayne?" Simon questions worriedly. He's never sat by and watched his sister cry without doing anything.
"I got it, doc." Jayne replies. "Ain't the first time I've done this and it won't be the last."
The table is quiet as they watch Jayne comfort River and after a few minutes, she stops shaking and looks up at Jayne.
"Jayne wants her?" River questions tearfully. "Loves her?"
"Baby, I love YOU and I want YOU." Jayne replies, stressing the word you. He kisses her softly, his hands running through her hair.
"Ya may be kinda freaky, little witch, but everybody here cares bout ya." Mal says. "And we all want ya here, dong ma?"
"Yes." River whispers.
"Ya understand, baby?" Jayne questions, tilting her face up to his.
"Yes." River replies. "They want her here; care about her." She kisses him softly. "I love you, Jayne."
"Love ya too, baby." Jayne says. "Now, go eat."
River moves over to her own chair and glances across the table. "Kaylee, what's wrong?"
Kaylee wipes the tears off her face before answering. "Nothin." Kaylee whispers. "Just so shiny, seein how much ya guys love each other."
Jayne returns to his food, uncomfortable with everybody seeing how vulnerable he is when it comes to River.
"Jayne." Simon starts.
"Yeah." Jayne grunts.
"You are being careful, right?" Simon questions, blushing slightly. "Using some form of protection?"
Jayne doesn't answer and River drops her fork to stare at her hands.
"Jayne, doc asked ya a question." Mal says. "Ya need to answer it."
"Inara, don't be mad at me." River whispers.
"Mei-mei, why would I be mad?" Inara questions confusedly.
"I stole something from you." River whispers.
"What?" Inara asks.
"One of your birth control packs." River answers.
"Little witch, ya don't steal on this boat." Mal says and then rephrases his statement. "Okay, we do steal but not from each other."
"She wouldn't have given it to me and Simon doesn't have the correct ingredients to make a stable form of birth control." River answers.
"When?" Inara questions, unsure about how she feels about River taking something from her. She's glad River is protected but doesn't like the idea of River breaking into her home.
"Less than 2 weeks before Ariel." River answers. "When you left me in your shuttle for a few minutes. I'm sorry I stole from you but I needed it."
"You didn't start having intimate relations with Jayne until after Ariel." Simon says. "Why would you take it then? You weren't planning this, were you?"
"Yes." River answers.
"WHAT?" Mal yells. "Ya was plannin on gettin laid? Was Jayne just handy?"
"It was always going to be Jayne." River repeats what she told Jayne.
"Huh?" Mal mutters. "Since when?"
"Since I crawled out of that box." River answers. "And heard everyone's thoughts."
"Thoughts?" Book questions.
"Simon was calculating what was wrong, how to fix me." River replies. "Wash was confused, Zoe was waiting on Mal's reaction before she formed an opinion, and Mal was looking at me like something that needed to be protected, something fragile."
"Ya do know it's a bit scary how ya know that." Mal states. "What was Jayne thinkin?"
"Jayne had the most thoughts." River replies. "First being desire; he found my naked body arousing."
"Still do." Jayne growls.
"But at the same time, he was on guard." River adds. "Knew I could be a threat; that everyone might need to be protected from me instead of protecting me."
"That made you want to have sex with him?" Inara questions.
"Yes." River replies. "He saw the real me; the only person who ever has. Plus he's the only person I've ever been attracted to."
"You're going to need the shot again." Simon states.
"I know." River replies.
"I still don't have anything." Simon says.
Jayne stands up and pulls out the money Helen gave back to him. "Nara, ya got some extra?" Jayne questions as he hands her the cash.
"Yes." Inara answers as she takes the money. "This is more than enough for a dosage."
"Payin ya back for the first one." Jayne grunts as he sits down.
"I'll give you the pack after dinner, River." Inara says as she pockets the money.
"Mei-mei, do you want me to administer it?" Simon questions.
"No." River replies. "I gave myself the first one, I can do it again."
"No more stealin, little witch." Mal orders. "Unless I tell ya too."
"Okay." River replies. "I'm sorry I stole from you, Inara."
"I know." Inara says. "I'm glad you protected yourself, but next time you need something, ask."
"I will." River says as she stands up.
"Where ya goin, baby?" Jayne asks.
"To our bunk. Captain wants to talk to Simon but doesn't want to upset me." River answers, she kisses Jayne briefly before leaving.
"Well?" Jayne questions. "Whadda need to talk to the doc bout?"
"Was she speakin the truth bout your father?" Mal questions.
"I'm not sure." Simon answers honestly. "Most likely, yes. My parents were always afraid of her knowledge and how easy she learned things. They would have been happier with a normal girl instead of a gifted child. I think that's the reason they refused to believe anything was wrong; they didn't want it to be wrong, they didn't want her back."
"If'n I ever met your parents, ya best be standin between us." Jayne growls. "Or I'm libel to kill em both."
"I know." Simon replies. "And there's a part of me that won't want to stop you from doing it."
Inara stands up and leaves the table, returning a few minutes later with package in her hand. "The best place for this is her rear end." Inara says as she hands it to Jayne.
"Ya want me to stick a needle in her ass?" Jayne questions.
"It needs to be administered into a fleshy part of her body." Simon explains. "Her rear end is the best place."
"Sides, ya can kiss it and make it better." Kaylee adds with a grin.
"Kaylee." Simon groans. "That's not something I want to be thinking about."
"Me either." Mal adds.
"I'm goin to bed." Jayne says as he walks over to drop his plate in the sink. "See ya all in the mornin."
Jayne climbs down the ladder into his bunk, the pack held in his hand. He takes one glance at River lounging on the bed and drops the pack, his mouth dropping open.
"Wuo duh ma." Jayne mutters, his eyes eating up every inch of her. She's lying on the bed, a few pillows under her head with one leg stretched out and the other bent. She's wearin nylons, held up by garters. Covering her body is a tight, mesh, see-through nightie of virginal white. "Where'd that come from?"
"Kaylee and Inara." River answers. "Wedding present."
"Remind me to thank em." Jayne growls, his body uncomfortably tight. "That's the sexiest gorram thing I've ever seen."
"There's more." River says. "But you'll see them later."
Jayne moves towards her when she holds up a hand.
"Baby, there ain't a gorram way in hell I'm not gonna touch ya." Jayne growls.
"You said you wanted to watch." River says as she reaches under the pillow. "Sit in the chair."
Jayne strips down to his boxers before sitting down heavily into the chair across from the bed.
"You know." River says casually as she runs her hands up her body. "For a small town, they were able to find many interesting things. I'm guessing because of the whorehouse." She holds the object she took out for under the pillow and turns it on.
"Jesus." Jayne mutters. "They bought ya a vibrator?"
"Mm hmm." River replies as she runs the small vibrator up her side. She runs it up one arm before circling it around her right breast, not touching the hard nub. Sticking the fingers of her free hand into her mouth, she uses the wet digits to pinch and pull on her other nipple. She moves the vibrator to her nipple, moaning loudly at the sensation. "Ohh, Jayne, it feels so good." River moans as she slips the vibrator under the nightie to touch the bare skin of her breast.
Jayne watches lustily, his body throbbing. He pushes his boxers off and grabs his hard cock, stroking it lazily as he watches her.
River moans when she sees Jayne grab his cock, her body growing wetter. "Are you still watching?" River questions as she slides one hand down her body.
"Baby, I ain't taken my eyes off ya since I walked down here." Jayne groans. She spreads her legs widely, giving Jayne a great view of her dripping folds. "Touch yourself." Jayne orders.
"I am." River replies as she runs the vibrator up and down her stomach.
"Baby, I wanna see ya touch your cunt." Jayne growls, his hand pumping faster.
River moves the nightie up her hips until it's gathered around her waist. She dips her free hand between her thighs, running her fingers through her core. Bringing her hand up to her mouth, she licks her juices off her fingers. "I taste sweet." River moans at him.
"Holy fuck." Jayne mutters, his hand stalling as he watches River lick her cream off her fingers. "Baby, ya gotta hurry; I'm bout to explode."
River runs the vibrator down her stomach to rest lightly on her mound for a moment. Slipping it between her folds, she moves it up and down, not wanting to rush her orgasm. Every time in brushes past her clit, she moans heavily and bucks her hips.
"Inside." Jayne growls, his hand moving frantically over his cock.
River slips the vibrator inside of her core, whimpering quietly. "Jaaaynne, it's not big enough." River moans. "Won't cum this way."
"Touch your clit with it." Jayne orders as he feels his balls tighten. He knows he's bout to cum.
River pulls the vibrator out and presses it against her clit. "Uh..oh…it's too much.." River moans, moving off her clit and just playing it between her folds.
"Put it back, baby." Jayne orders.
River moans but moves the vibrator back against her clit. The vibrations shake her body and after a few moments, she feels the familiar tightening. "Jayne…I'm….bout…oh, god…." River moans.
"Slip three fingers into yourself." Jayne groans as he explodes over his hand. He bucks a few times, forcing his eyes to stay open so he can watch her.
River slips 3 fingers into herself, pumping them wildly. She presses the vibrator harder against her clit and with a scream, she cums. Her hips buck wildly, her legs spreading further apart as her back arches off the bed.
Jayne's cock hardens again as he watches her cum. He moves over to her, removes the vibrator, and gently pulls her fingers out of her still pulsating body. He then drops his mouth onto her soaking cunt, making her squeal.
"Jayne, it's too much." River pants. "I don't think I can…."
Jayne ignores her and sucks her sensitive clit into his mouth, his teeth biting down gently. It throws her into another orgasm.
"Jaaaaayne." River screams as she climaxes again.
Jayne moves up her body and thrusts deep inside of her while finding her mouth at the same time. River screams into his mouth, her hips writhing under him. Jayne reaches between them to push her nightie up her body until her breasts are free. He cups both breasts, pinching her nipples harshly.
"Ohhh….Jay….I'm exploding…" River pants as Jayne pinches her nipples and thrusts deeply into her. She bucks against him, feeling like her body is floating one long wave of pleasure.
"I know." Jayne grunts, reaching up to wipe her sweaty hair out of her face. "Just one more time, baby. Wanna feel ya round me."
River clenches her internal muscles around him, making them both groan loudly.
"Again." Jayne orders as he reaches between them to find her clit. She squeezes them again while Jayne pinches her clit roughly.
River screams his name loudly and then blacks out.
Jayne cums with River and moans her name. "Baby, ya okay?" Jayne questions worriedly when she doesn't move. "Baby, answer me."
"That was amazing." River pants, her eyes still closed.
"Yeah." Jayne agrees. He rolls off her and gently pulls out. He pulls the nightie the rest of the way off before grabbing the blanket to cover them both up.
"Love ya, baby." Jayne says, kissing her lips lightly.
"Love you too." River replies, snuggling against his chest. Jayne wraps his arms around her, making her feel safer than she ever has. She presses a kiss to her scar on his chest before falling asleep.
Jayne kisses her forehead before joining her in slumber.
-
River sits up quickly, her eyes glancing frantically around the bunk. She looks down at the man sleeping beside her and starts shaking him. "Jayne, wake up."
Jayne growls at her but opens his eyes. "Baby, waz goin on?" Jayne sleepily asks.
"Somebody's here." River whispers as she crawls over him. She steps onto the ground, her foot hitting the vibrator she used a few hours ago.
"What?" Jayne grunts as he sits up.
"Somebody is on Serenity." River repeats as she slips a dress on over her head. She tosses him his pants and starts loading a gun.
"I'm still confused." Jayne says as he pulls on the pants.
"Somebody broke into the ship." River explains. "He knocked out the captain and dumped him in his bunk before tying up Kaylee. He locked us in our bunks before knocking out Book. He's talking to Simon now."
Jayne grabs the gun she's holding out to him. "He tryin to take the boat?" Jayne questions.
"No." River answers.
"What's he here for then?" Jayne asks.
"Me."
"Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh bun ur-tze." Jayne growls. "Whadda mean he's here for ya?"
"He is a bounty hunter and I'm his bounty." River answers. "Going to collect the reward and give me back to the academy."
"He ain't gonna be alive to do that." Jayne growls, his body clenched with fury.
"We have to plan this perfectly." River replies.
"First bein, how the gorram hell we gonna get out of here if he locked us in?" Jayne asks.
River doesn't answers; instead she moves over to the panel by the door and starts pushing buttons. After a few seconds, he hears the familiar sound of his door unlocking.
Jayne hands her a small gun before looking down at her. "Ya stay behind me at all times." Jayne orders. "Don't move away from me for no reason, dong ma?"
"Yes." River replies, feeling his worry and anger. She knows he's not used to feeling this much and doesn't want to give him anything else to worry about. "He's on the bridge with Simon."
"Alright." Jayne replies. He climbs up the ladder and waits for her at the top. "We need to cause some kinda diversion, get him to come down here."
River cups her hands around her mouth. "SIMON, are you okay?" River yells. She then climbs up the wall to hang upside down from the piping. "He's wearing armor."
There's a gunshot, followed by Simon groaning. Jayne hides in the shadow of the hallway, waiting for the bounty hunter.
"Alright, little River." Early yells. "Early's tired of playing. Come out before I put another bullet in your brother."
Jayne growls lowly and waits for the man to walk past him. He grabs Early in a chock hold, pulling the smaller man off the ground. Early tries to swing his gun around but Jayne just grabs his arm and breaks his wrist. Early then tries to kick up but Jayne catches his leg and twists it, snapping his knee. Jayne spins them around to push Early against the wall.
"That's my ruttin wife ya're tryin to take." Jayne growls. "Ya done just made the biggest mistake of your life." With a twist of his hands, Jayne snaps the bounty hunter's neck and drops his lifeless body to the ground. "Ya can come down now, baby."
River drops to the ground and steps over Early's body to hug Jayne tightly. "I'm okay." River assures him. "He didn't get me."
"I know." Jayne whispers, kissing her softly. "Just don't like thinkin bout what coulda happened."
"I know." River replies. "You have to go get Simon while I let everyone out."
Jayne nods and runs towards the bridge. "Ya okay, doc?" Jayne questions the bleeding doctor.
"I've been shot." Simon moans. "Where's River?"
"Letting the rest of the crew out." Jayne answers.
"And Early?"
"Dead." Jayne growls.
"Good." Simon replies. "And thank you."
"Said I'd kill to keep her safe." Jayne says as he picks the injured doctor up. "I meant it."
Jayne carries Simon to the infirmary, passing Wash and Zoe on his way.
"Jayne, what's going on?" Zoe questions.
"Doc's been shot." Jayne answers. "Zoe, he's probably gonna need ya."
"Did you shoot him?" Wash questions as him and Zoe follow Jayne.
"No." Jayne answers as he steps over Early's body. "He did."
"Who is he?" Zoe questions.
"Can I just explain this once Mal's here?" Jayne replies. "Don't feel like talkin bout it more than once."
"Fine." Zoe agrees. "Where is Mal?"
"Right here." Mal groans, holding his head. "That dead guy in the hall knocked me out."
Inara walks down the hall, towards them, her lip bleeding.
"Nara?" Mal questions. "What the hell happened to ya?"
"I was smacked." Inara answers. "Where are River and Kaylee?"
"Behind you." River answers, the two girls holding Book up and helping him walk towards the infirmary.
"Alright, I wanna know what the hell happened." Mal yells and then winces.
"Need to fix Simon first." River replies, moving around Mal and into the infirmary where Zoe is trying to remove the bullet. She slips on a pair of gloves before holding her hand out to Zoe. "I can do it." River says.
"Mei-mei, Zoe has more experience in this." Simon groans.
"But she can't read your mind." River answers.
Zoe hands River the instrument and watches while River removes the bullet, exactly like Simon would have, without the doctor saying a single word. She puts some weaves into the wound before dropping the instruments onto the table and moving across the room to throw up in the sink.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Jayne questions. He stands behind her and pulls her hair back. She heaves a few more times before rinsing out her mouth. She then turns around to cuddle into Jayne's chest.
"Don't like doing that." River whispers. "Don't like operating on people I love. Seeing Simon bled makes me sick, just like I got sick when you got shocked and almost fell off Serenity."
"And that made ya tell me ya could kill me with your brain?" Jayne responds.
"You scared me." River replies. "I didn't like that."
"I know." Jayne says, kissing her forehead. "Your brother gonna be alright?"
"Yes." River replies. "He'll be fine."
"Somebody needs to explain what's goin on." Mal growls. "Now."
-
Twenty minutes later, the crew is gathered around the mess table, listening to Jayne's account of what happened.
"And then I snapped his neck." Jayne finishes. He tightens his hold around River's stomach and she leans back further into his embrace.
"Huh." Mal mutters. "So ya knew he was here? How?"
"Felt Kaylee's fear." River explains. "It woke me up."
"Kaylee?" Mal questions.
"He threatened to rape me if I tried to foil his plans." Kaylee answers. "Then he tied me up and asked where River was. I lied and told him her old room."
Mal cusses under his breath, completely pissed off by what happened. He opens his mouth to say something when an alarm goes off.
"What the gorram hell is that?" Jayne growls as he pulls out a pistol.
"We're just getting a wave." Wash replies. "I'll go see who it is." Wash runs towards the bridge, Zoe on his heels.
"Well, Jayne, River." Mal says. "Good job."
"Thanks." River replies. "It's my fault anyways. He was here for me."
"That ain't your fault." Jayne growls. "Don't even think that."
"Jayne's right." Mal agrees.
"Mal." Wash says over the intercom. "Send Jayne up here; he's got a wave."
"Huh." Jayne mutters.
"Jayne, who'd be waving ya?" Mal questions.
"Don't right know." Jayne answers. River moves off his lap and he stands up to follow her towards the bridge, the rest of the crew behind him. "Baby, I want ya standin behind Mal."
"Why?" Mal questions.
"If somebody's waving me, they probably ain't the respectable type." Jayne replies. "Don't want them seein her."
Jayne walks onto the bridge and drops down in the co-pilot's chair. "How the gorram hell does this thing work?" Jayne growls.
"Just a second." Wash replies. "It keeps shortening out." He hits a few buttons and the screen fuzzes before the image goes clear.
Jayne squints at the screen, trying to make out the image. After a few moments, he realizes it's a copy of his and River's marriage certificate.
"Boy, ya wanna explain this?" An woman's voice comes over the wave as the certificate drops to show a woman in her late 40's.
"Ma?" Jayne gasps.
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