Title: Anger
Series: Heart of Gold: Rayne style
Author: Sevangel
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: R
-
"I still don't think you need to see this." Simon says, the disc still held firmly in his hand.
Mal snags the disc out of Simon's hand and hands it to Wash. "I get that you don't want us to watch it." Mal says. "But it ain't gonna stop us."
"Fine then." Simon replies. "River, come on, we're leaving."
"I need to watch, Simon." River replies as she leans back against Jayne's chest. "I need to see, need to understand."
Simon sighs heavily and moves himself over to the chair Kaylee is sitting on.
Kaylee jumps up and helps Simon sit down, putting his crutches on the floor in front of him. She's a little startled when he grabs her hand and pulls her down onto his lap.
Mal glances around his overly crowded bridge and takes a seat in the pilot's chair. Jayne's family is leaning back against the lockers and by the door while the crew is scattered about, Simon and Kaylee sharing the back chair and Jayne sharing the copilots with River. Nodding his head at Wash, he sits back and waits for the disc to play.
Jayne wraps his arms around River's waist as he stares at the screen intently. He can't help but smile at the first bit of film, seein' his wife lookin' so young and innocent. She was a beautiful thing, even then, but the differences in the 14 year old on the screen and the 18 year old on his lap are staggering. The way she looks and talks, the innocent smile on her face, the naïve look in her eyes. She looks just like she should have, a young, beautiful, innocent lady, a hopeful look on her face when she asks if she'll still get to dance. The screen fuzzes out for a second and then she's back on, talking to the same man. Only he can tell some time has passed and that stuff's been done to her. She's stutterin' and glancin' nervously round the room. His teeth clench when she asks to be transferred, when she says it hurts but the bastard just ignores her. The screen goes out again and when it comes back in, his arms tighten around the girl on his lap. She's been tortured, he can tell just from the look in her eyes. She's pacin' round the small room while the bastard just writes down what's she doin'. She asks to talk to her brother and is just lied to. And as he watches, she deteriorates before his eyes until she's the crazy, nervous mess she was when she got on the ship. The anger he feels is unlike anything he's ever felt 'fore and he has to remind himself not to tighten his arms too much. She's throwin' herself around the room and the bastard is just sittin' there watchin' her. Then the screen fades and she's sittin' in a chair across from the same guy and is lookin' rather calm. He's askin' her how her doctor visits are goin' and she tells him she's got a mission. Then the guy is handing her a pen so she can write it down.
Jayne jumps a bit and can hear a startled cry from those around him when she kills the man with his own pen. The screen fades and comes back long enough for River's confused, dark eyes looks into the screen and whisper, 'I can see you', her hands covered in blood before fading completely black.
"I remember what it felt like." River whispers, looking down at her hands. "He knew too much and didn't keep good secrets. He was a danger to the progress and had to be eliminated."
"Shh…baby." Jayne whispers, kissing the top of her head. "Weren't your fault."
"Was too." River argues. She holds her hands up in the air and stares at them. "So much blood, there's always so much blood because of me." Then she drops her hands and stares down at the ground. "I'm bad."
"No." Jayne barks, moving her around until she's facing him. He places a finger on her chin and forces her gaze up to his. "You ain't bad."
"Am too." River whispers, looking up at Jayne with pain-filled eyes. "Put a bullet to me. Bullet to the brain pan, squish."
Jayne grabs River's arms in a death grip. "NO." Jayne growls furiously. "Don't ever say that again cause it ain't ever gonna happen. I will kill anybody that tries and you know it."
"I don't want to be her again." River replies. "I don't want to be a killer but I fear that is all I am."
"Ain't all you are." Jayne stares firmly, one hand moving up to trace her face. "You're a beautiful, strong, sometimes a little crazy, girl. My crazy girl and I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to you, dong ma?"
River nods and wraps her arms around Jayne's neck. "I love you, so much." River whispers tearfully.
"Love you too, baby." Jayne says, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I need to talk to your brother for a minute, why don't you go make sure the kids are behavin' themselves."
River stares at Jayne before standing up. "You want to protect me from your anger."
"Just go, baby." Jayne replies. "We'll be down in a bit."
River looks at Jayne once more before walking towards the door. She sees Sam and Julie move out of her way so she can leave but doesn't look at them. She just focuses on getting out of the bridge and away from the emotions pouring off the people behind her.
Jayne stands up and walks behind River, stopping at the doorframe to watch her descent. He waits until enough time passes and she's safely in the bay before unclenching his fists, letting his anger take control. He stalks towards the lockers, his look scattering his parents and little brother away.
Simon winces when Jayne punches the locker over and over again. He knew this would happen, and frankly is surprised Jayne was able to control his anger long enough for River to get away.
Mal sits back and watches as his merc rips one of the lockers off the wall and tosses it angrily against the doorway. Then scowls when he turns the locker into nothing but a mess of broken metal.
Jayne braces his bleeding hands on the doorframe and breathes heavily. His body is still clenched with fury and he wants nothing more than to kill something.
"Son." Robert says timidly.
"What?" Jayne replies through clenched teeth.
"Ya need to calm down a bit." Robert says.
"Calm down?" Jayne replies with a bitter laugh. "Right now the only thing I need to do is find every gorram person that touched her and rip their gorram heads off their ruttin' bodies. Calmin' down ain't an option."
"Jayne, I understand what you're feelin'." Mal starts to say.
"No, you ruttin' don't Mal." Jayne cuts in. "I know she's important to you, all of you, but it don't come close to what she means to me. She is the most important thing in my ruttin' life."
"Okay, maybe I don't completely understand." Mal agrees. "I'm pissed off too but you can't go on some suicidal mission cause of it."
"Why not?" Jayne growls.
"Because River needs you." Simon says, drawing all the attention across the room. "She doesn't need me or Mal or anybody else in the entire verse but you. I don't even want to think about what would happen to her if something happened to you."
"I know." Jayne agrees. "Need her just as much."
"She's fine now." Kaylee says. "That girl on the screen that was just throwin' herself cross the room and talkin' all crazy is gone. The girl sittin' in the bay, your wife, is fine and she needs you to be fine so that she can stay that way."
"Kaylee's right." Inara agrees. "Jayne, I know I can't understand what you're going through but I do know that she needs you here, with her now, not off somewhere trying to fight her past."
Jayne nods after a few moments and steps over the broken locker to leave the bridge.
"I'm powerfully glad he was closer to the lockers than the console." Mal says as he prods the broken metal with his boot. "Cause I'd really hate to get my ass kicked by a 90 pound dancer after I shot her husband."
-
Jayne walks quietly into the bay and watches as his wife reads a storybook to his niece and nephew. He waits until she looks up at him before approaching her. "Need my wife for a bit, rugrats." Jayne says, holding his hand out to River.
River looks at the bruises and blood on Jayne's hand before looking up at him. "Are you okay?"
"Fine baby." Jayne answers as he helps her to her feet. "Pa, we're goin' down to the hot spring, keep everyone away."
"Alright, son." Robert replies.
Jayne takes River's hand and leads her out of the boat and towards the woods behind his folk's house. He glances down at her feet to find them bare again. "Shoulda told ya to put your boots on." Jayne says as he lets go of her hand. He places a hand behind her knees and the other behind her back and swings her up into his arms.
River squeals happily and wraps her arms around Jayne's neck. "I like when you carry me."
"Well, that's a good thing cause I like carryin' ya." Jayne replies as he bends down to press a quick peck on her lips.
"But I like it more when you kiss me." River says as she leans her head against his shoulder. "Makes me tingle all over."
"Why don't ya tell me all bout it?" Jayne suggests playfully.
"Your face tickles mine and I like when it tickles the rest of me too, especially here." River cups her breasts to show him. "But even more here." Her hand then slides down her body to rest between her thighs.
Jayne hardens instantly when her hand trails down her body. "What else, baby?"
"I like your teeth." River says. "I like when they bite and nibble at me. I like when they leave marks on my skin. I like when you use them to tease my clit. I like when your tongue tastes me, everywhere. I like when you lap at me like I'm your own, special kind of ice planet."
"Keep goin'." Jayne growls when he hears the hot springs. He knows they're only a few feet away from it and is glad.
"I like your fingers." River moans dreamily. "When they trail softly over me, just to tease me. I like when they mold my breasts; when they pinch my nipples. I like when you put them deep inside me while your teeth nibble at me. When I can feel you pumping them while your teeth and tongue worry my clit."
Jayne sees the hot springs and quickens his stride. "That it?"
"Oh, no." River replies. "I love your cock; when it's pushing deep inside me or when my mouth is wrapped around it."
A growl builds in Jayne's chest as he walks towards a huge boulder in front of the spring.
River moans at Jayne's growl. "I love the sounds you make." River moans. "I love your eyes when they watch me, especially when I touch myself." To prove her point, she slides her hand down the front of her shorts to touch herself.
Jayne growls at the sight of River's hand moving under her shorts. Sitting down on the boulder, he pulls them off quickly, his eyes watching lustfully as she pumps two fingers inside herself.
"Do you like watching me?" River asks as she bucks against her own hand.
"Love it." Jayne growls as he strips down, his eyes never leaving her. "You like it too."
"Mmhmm." River agrees on a moan. "But I like it better when you're the one doing the touching."
"Me too." Jayne says as he stops her hand's motion. He gently pulls her fingers out and sucks them into his mouth. "Mmm..you taste so gorram good."
"You should taste more." River moans, arching her hips towards him.
Jayne slides a finger between her folds and then brings it up to his mouth. "Yep, you're right, I should taste more." Then he keeps running one finger between her folds and licking her juices off it.
River spreads her legs, the flat boulder hard under her back. She whimpers every time Jayne slips between her folds, his finger barely brushing her clit. Her eyes are focused completely on his as she watches him lick his finger over and over and over again. "Jayne, more." River begs, arching her hips completely off the boulder. "Moremoremoremore."
Jayne hears the frustration in his wife's voice and drops his head down to lap at her cunt. His tongue slides between her folds to seek out her clit. He runs the flat of it over the bit of flesh a few times, making River groan deeply, before sucking harshly on it. He slides two fingers inside her and pumps them quickly as switches between sucking on her clit and biting it.
River's hips ride Jayne's hand as she writhes on the boulder. She can feel her orgasm coming and lets it loose, knowing she doesn't have to be quiet.
Jayne smirks against River's rippling cunt as she screams, his mouth and fingers helping her through her orgasm. He waits until she's calmed down before moving from between her thighs and standing up. He pulls her tanks top off her flushed body and looks down at her with a grin. "You can swim, right?"
"Yes." River answers. "Why?"
"No reason." Jayne answers with another grin. Then before she can question him further, he picks her up and jumps into the spring beside them.
River squeals as they hit the water but manages to close her mouth before they go under.
Jayne breaks the surface and starts looking for River. Once they went under, he let go as not to drag her towards the bottom with his considerable heavier weight. But as the moments pass, he starts to panic when she don't break water. He lets out an unmanly squeal when somethin' bites his ass and spins around just in time to see his wife's head break surface.
"You taste good too." River says with a smile.
"That weren't funny, baby." Jayne growls as he lazily reaches out to grab her.
River dodges Jayne's arm with a smile. "I want to taste more."
Before Jayne can ask what she means, she's slippin' back under the water. After a few seconds, he feels her small hands grip his thighs and then her warm mouth's surroundin' him. He almost goes under but manages to keep himself above water. It's unlike anything he's ever felt; her mouth around him while they're surrounded by water. He can feel the bubbles floatin' up his body from her occasional release of air. His eyes close on their own accord as her mouth continues to work him. After a minute or two, he reaches down to grab her arms and pull her away from his body and back above the water.
"You're gonna drown yourself, baby." Jayne says once she's above water.
"I can hold my breathe for 4 minutes." River replies as she swims up to him. She presses her entire body against his, her arms slinking behind his neck.
Jayne kicks his legs to keep them afloat while his mouth finds hers. His hands slide down her body to cup her ass, keeping her against his body. "We gotta move outa the water." Jayne says.
River unlocks her arms from Jayne's neck and starts pulling him to the other side of the spring.
Once Jayne feels the smooth rock under his feet, he spins River around and back into his arms. "Wrap em round me." Jayne orders as he mouth drops down onto River's.
River wraps her arms and legs around Jayne's body and mewls against his mouth when he thrusts inside her. River's nails dig into Jayne's neck as he pushes into her body over and over again. She can feel the water flowing all around them and the whole thing feels different and at the same time, feels just like it always does. She feels like they're floating and that nothing will ever hurt her; not here, not with Jayne. It feels perfect and safe and warm and she never wants to be away from him.
"Come on, baby." Jayne growls as his hands burrow between their bodies. "Come on."
River breaks the kiss as she pants heavily, her mouth hanging open. A grunt escapes her throat when Jayne's fingers slip over her clit and it soon turns into a moan when he starts twisting it.
Jayne knows he's close and he wants her goin' with him. His fingers work her clit while his mouth drops down to bite her shoulder. He don't break the skin but does bite down hard enough to leave a mark. He groans when her legs tighten around him, her body milkin' his tightly. He cums right after her, his hands moving to cup her ass and hold her against him.
River leans her head against Jayne's neck and closes her eyes. She always feels sleepy after they make love, every time. The only way she won't fall asleep is if Jayne starts touching her again.
"You goin' to sleep?" Jayne rumbles into her ear.
"Mmmhmm." River murmurs.
Jayne adjusts River against his body as he climbs out of the spring. It ain't the easiest thing to do, keep her steady against him as he tries to climb up the slippery rocks. He manages to make it back on lad without droppin' her and by that time, she's fast asleep against his shoulder. He carries her over to the boulder their clothes are sittin' on and lays her down on the soft grass next to it. Grabbing his clothes, he balls them up before lyin' down next to her. She automatically curls into his body, her head restin' against on his chest, her legs between his. He moves the clothes under his head and wraps his arms around her, holding her against his chest. His face nudges hers and he places a gentle kiss on her forehead before closing his eyes.
-
"Getting' rather late." Mal says to Robert.
"Yeah." Robert agrees as he flicks ashes off his cigar.
"They've been gone for close to 5 hours." Rita says as she walks onto the front porch.
"Yeah." Mal and Robert agree.
"Shouldn't we go look for them?" Simon asks.
"And if we happen to walk in on em doin' somethin' or if one of us sees River in a way he don't want, then what?" Mal replies.
"We probably get thrown across the yard." Wash answers. "Or shot. Or broken in half. Who knows, with Jayne's yen for violent reactions, the possibilities are endless."
"If they ain't back by dark, we'll go lookin' for them." Mal says.
"Dark is only bout 25 minutes away, at the most." Robert comments.
"I know." Mal replies.
"I thinkin' for my own safety, I should stay out of the search party." Tim puts in.
"That'd probably be smart." Zoe replies. "For all those involved."
Kaylee sits up and starts looking intently at the long road leading up to the Cobb's home.
"Little Kaylee, whatcha starin' at?" Mal asks as he follows his mechanic's gaze.
"There's a mule comin'." Kaylee replies as she stands up. "Engine sequence is off and it's draggin' a bit."
Sam and Bill look at Kaylee and then at Mal. "She a seer too?"
"No." Mal replies. "She's just got a gift with engines. She says it's off, then it's off."
Within a few seconds, dust could be seen stirring up from the mule's progress towards the farmhouse.
Kaylee shakes her head. "That mule's a beaut but it ain't gonna be worth go'se with them runnin' it like they are."
Robert watches the mule driving towards them, his brow's furrowed. After a second, he realizes who it is and turns to look at Mal, panic evident in his eyes.
"What's goin' on?" Mal questions.
"Rita, get all the women and the kids inside." Robert orders.
"Pa?" Sam questions.
"The Reid brothers." Robert answers.
"Who are they?" Mal asks as he checks his gun's ammo.
"The gang that tried to steal our cattle." Robert replies. "And whose booze we drank. I'm guessin' they ain't too happy with us."
"Zoe." Mal says.
"Ready, sir." Zoe says, cocking her gun.
"Where's all Jayne's girls?" Mal asks.
"In the house." Bill answers. "We didn't know where else to put em." He turns and runs through the house, returning a few seconds later with a handful of guns.
Mal steps off the porch, everyone else following behind him. The mule is close now, pulling up beside Serenity. Jayne's weapons have been passed out until every person is armed.
The mule stops a few feet away from them and 6 guys jump out, all of them armed.
"What the gorram hell are ya doin' back here, Reid?" Robert asks, his trusty old shotgun held in his hand.
"Believe we've done talked bout that." Sam adds.
"We ain't talkin' this time." Avery Reid says, his shotgun coming up in the air.
There's a bit of rustling from behind them. "Pa, what's goin' on?"
Avery spins around to see a large, bare-chested man walkin' up towards him with a dainty little thing beside him. "Provin' a point." Avery growls. He pulls the trigger on his gun and a shot goes off, aimed directly at the small girl beside the big guy.
-
Jayne wakes up, his ass starting to get a bit cold. He opens his eyes and glances down to see River curled completely into his body. Her skin is cold under his hands and with self-aimed growl, he gently wakes her up.
"Cold." River moans, burrowing further into his body.
"I know, baby." Jayne says. "We gotta get some clothes on ya." Jayne sits up, placing River to the side and reaches up to grab her clothes. "C'mere, baby."
River crawls back onto Jayne's lap, burrowing into his body for warmth. "It's cold."
"Shoulda went back to the house long time ago." Jayne replies as he dresses her. "Lift your hips up."
River dutifully lifts her hips so that Jayne can slide her shorts back on. Then she holds her arms up and he pulls her tank down her chest.
Jayne grabs the clothes he balled up and shakes out his shirt. "Arms up again, baby." Jayne waits until her arms are back up before slipping her arms through the holes and down her body. He sets her to the side again and stands up to pull his pants on. He sits down on the boulder to pull his boots on before reaching down to pick her up. He sets her down on the boulder and puts his socks onto her ice cold feet.
"They are too big." River comments as she wraps her arms around his neck. "But I like it."
Jayne swings River up into his arms and starts out of the woods. "You still cold, baby?"
"A little." River answers, her fingers playing over his bare chest. "But you make me warm."
"That's good." Jayne replies.
"Mmmhmm." River agrees.
Jayne carries his little bundle through the woods, knowin' he's in for a chewin' out when they get back. After everythin' that's happened, his ma is gonna be beyond pissed for keepin' her out this late. Not to mention that fact that they fell asleep naked and she was bout frozen when they woke up. Yep, he's in for an ass chewin'. Goin' back to the house, he can't help but think bout what they watched which makes him all pissed off.
"It's okay." River says quietly. "I'm okay."
"I know that." Jayne replies. "Still don't mean I don't wanna find every person who touched you and kill em."
"I know." River agrees. "But I need you with me."
"Ain't goin' nowhere." Jayne assures her. "Not without you."
River places a kiss on Jayne's chin, giggling when his goatee tickles her mouth.
"What's so funny?" Jayne asks, smiling down at her.
"It tickles my lips." River says, rubbing her lips across his chin. "I like it."
Jayne loves the sound of her happy giggles and runs his fingers behind her knees to hear more of them.
River shrieks and writhes in Jayne's arms, her body raked with laughter. Jayne's fingers know all her tickle spots and he seeks them out one by one.
"Stopstopstop." River squeals, tears running down her face. "Can't breathe."
Jayne stops immediately, River panting against his chest. "You okay?"
"Yes." River answers. "But it's not fair. You only have one tickle spot and have a dozen."
"Yep." Jayne agrees with a smirk.
River glares up at Jayne for a second and then suddenly tenses. "You have to put me down now."
"Huh?" Jayne mutters, looking down at her. "Why?"
"They're angry and looking for the weak link." River replies as she struggles out of Jayne's arms.
Jayne sets River on her feet, mostly to keep her from hurting herself. She starts walking quickly, dragging him with her. He spots a mule driving towards his folk's house, the small vehicle overstuffed with men. He can see the guns from here and visible tenses. His mind filters through the options, and not wanting River away from him, he pushes her slightly behind him. "Stay there."
The mule stops and the guys jump out. He can hear his pa and brother's talkin' with the men and decides to announce his presence. He pulls out the small gun kept in the side pocket of his cargo pants and holds it in the hand not holding onto River.
"Pa, what's goin' on?" Jayne questions, knowin' they'll turn around, hopefully givin' Mal enough time to take em out.
Jayne watches as the men spins around, the biggest and dirtiest with a shotgun in his hand. "Provin' a point."
Jayne sees the man's finger tighten and tackles River, a burnin' sting goin' through his gut as they hit the ground. His arm moves up and pulls off a shot, killin' the man that tried to shoot River. He can feel the blood pourin' out of his gut and tightens his free arm round his wife. "Stay…down..baby."
"Shhh." River shushes Jayne. "It's okay."
"Don't…think I'm..gonna…make..it." Jayne stutters out. "Love you."
"You'll make it." River says, gently kissing his lips. "You take care of me. My turn." She moves up and out from under Jayne, grabbing the gun out of Jayne's lax hand as she moves.
Jayne grabs at his wife, groanin' loudly when his movement pulls on his gut. After a few tries, he finally manages to stand up, though his feet are completely unsteady. He stumbles towards River, intent on pullin' her to safety.
Mal's gun starts shootin' the second Jayne is shot. Within a few seconds, gunfire is being exchanged loudly. He takes one man down and sees Zoe take another, leavin' three left. Then he sees somethin' that makes his blood run cold; River jumpin' into the middle of the gunfire, Jayne's small side pistol held tightly in her hand. Then it's one, two, three shots and the remaining men are dead.
River drops the gun once they're dead and runs to her husband.
"Gorramit, baby…" Jayne gurgles, his hand held against his stomach as he starts to fall forward.
River tries to support Jayne's weight with her own but can't and they both fall to the ground.
Mal runs to merc's side and drops to his knees as a blood-curling scream leaves River's mouth.
"SIMON!"
-