Title: Sovereign
Series: Crazy's rescue mission
Author: Sevangel
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: PG-13
Yeah, 2 posts in 4 hours! pats self on the back In the words of Spike, "I'm back and I'm a bloody animal!" runs away from the evil men in white coats holding a net
-
"I get that you two are together." Mal says to River and Jayne when they walk into the mess. "But I don't wanna see it. Just like I don't wanna see River's bits cause you can't keep your gorram hands off her for five ruttin' seconds."
"Bits?" Jayne yells. "What bits?"
"Jayne, that ain't the ruttin' point I'm tryin' to make." Mal replies, feeling frustrated. "You gotta bunk. River's gotta room. Hell, there's a dozen different places you can…do whatever where ain't nobody gonna see you. Use one of em."
"Still wanna know what bits." Jayne mutters.
"Let's just say we almost seen more of River than any of us are comfortable with seein' and leave it at that." Mal replies.
Jayne glares at Mal and pushes River behind him.
"It's your own gorram fault." Mal says. "You two were alone for almost 3 ruttin' days and yet you couldn't go 10 minutes without touchin' each other. And don't think we didn't notice the way you egged him on, little assassin, cause we did. I'm gonna have to keep you two on separate sides of the boat if'n I want anything to get done."
"I think you're blowing this out of proportion." River says, leaning back against Jayne's chest. His arms automatically wrap around her body, his hands loosely linked and rubbing her lower belly. "We are not that bad."
"River, you ain't kept your hands off each other for longer than 10 minutes in the last few weeks." Mal replies.
"Okay, maybe we gotta bit of a self-control problem." Jayne admits. "But that ain't no call to separate us."
"We promise to try and behave." River says sincerely. "Right, Jayne?"
"Uh, sure." Jayne agrees.
"Fine." Mal mutters. "We gotta job comin' up and I'm gonna need both of you, but little assassin, I ain't wantin' what happened last time to happen again. You got two of us to back you up; ain't no need to be all self-sacrificing, dong ma?"
"Yes." River replies.
"Good." Mal says. "Now, why don't you go visit with your brother and little Kaylee while me and Jayne discuss some of the details."
Jayne drops a kiss on River's lips before ushering her towards her brother and Kaylee. They move over to sit down on the couch while Jayne sits down at the table to discuss the upcoming job.
-
River's eyes pop open and she knows it's almost time. She turns over to look at the man sleeping beside her and can't keep the tears from filling her eyes. It's been two months since they became lovers and she can honestly say they have been the happiest two months of her entire life. Not just because of Jayne, though he's the main reason, but because of so many other things. Her brother is finally happy and she knows he'll be with Kaylee soon. Mal finally trusts her, as does Zoe. Nobody looks at her like she's a killer anymore; she's finally home and hates that she has to leave. She quietly crawls down the end of Jayne's bed and quickly gets dressed. She grabs the bag already packed and hiding under the bed. Unzipping it, she pulls out a small tube she purchased last time they were planet side and applies it to her lips with shaking hands. Dropping the tube on the floor, she won't have use for it again; she takes two of Jayne's girls and tucks one in her boot and the other in her bag. She then drops the bag on the floor and sits down beside Jayne on the bed.
"Jayne, wake up." River whispers, shaking him gently. "Come on, wake up."
"Huh?" Jayne grunts. His eyes open and he blinks a few times before focusing on her. "Right now? Hell, I'm game if'n you are."
A sob chokes River's throat; she's going to miss him so much.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Jayne sits up fully and pulls her onto his lap.
"Shhh." River shushes, placing her finger over his lips. "It doesn't matter."
"Baby, I'm confused." Jayne eyes squint as he looks down her body. "Why you dressed for?"
"That doesn't matter either." River replies, tears falling down her face.
Jayne's forehead scrunches as he tries to figure out what the gorram hell is goin' on.
River cups Jayne's face to ensure that his eyes are focused on hers. "I love you."
Jayne's heart stops for a second and his eyes widen. But before he can say anything, she's planting a deep, sensual but somehow very sad kiss on his lips. When she pulls back, she's crying even harder.
"I'm so sorry." River whispers. "But I had to; this is my fight and I won't allow anyone to die for me."
"Fight?" Jayne grunts, suddenly feeling very tired.
"Don't worry about it." River kisses him very softly and pulls back after a moment.
"What the gorram……." Jayne falls backwards onto his pillow, unconscious.
River allows herself a few minutes to cry, her face planted on Jayne's chest before pulling back with a determined look. She places the two letters she wrote a few days ago, one to Jayne and the other to Mal, under his pillow, grabs her bag and leaves his bunk. She stops off onto the bridge first to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that they won't have any problems before moving over to the control panel. With a few buttons, she locks the crew into their rooms, the locks set to release after 5 hours or if the boat comes into any trouble. She overrides the lock on Inara's shuttle and locks the companion in before making her way to the spare shuttle. She disengages within a few minutes and flies away, leaving everything behind.
-
"Make sure that cargo is tied down." Monty orders his crew. "We're leavin' in a few minutes." He then walks over to talk to the man they just picked cargo up from. "Well, guess this is it."
"Guess it is." He agrees.
They shake hands and then Monty watches as the man walks back to his own ship and waits until they fly away before turning around to his own ship. He catches glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye and is a little shocked at what he sees. "You lost, little one?"
"No." A small voice replies. "I am in need of transport. I have money."
Monty examines the little girl in front of him with a raised eyebrow. She can't be more than 18 or 19 and much too young and fragile lookin' to be out roamin' the verse alone. Part of him says he shouldn't judge by appearances, Bridget or whatever her ruttin' name was, taught him that but another part of him don't think she's any danger. "Where you headin'?"
"Shadow." She replies.
"Shadow?" Monty repeats, having heard of the moon somewhere but can't quite remember where. "From what I can recall, it's a small moon. What kinda business you got there?"
"Daddy's home." She answers. "Can you take me there?"
"We're goin' by there." Monty replies. "But wouldn't you be more comfortable on a liner or somethin'? My ship ain't really made for passengers."
"Just need somewhere to sleep." She says. "I have everything else I will need."
Monty sighs and motions for her to walk ahead of him. He notices and files away how she lets her hair cover her face and don't look at any of the crew as they pass them. He directs her towards the couple of rooms not bein' used and follows her inside the one she picks. "It's a three day ride; crew eats dinner round 6pm."
"I will not be attending." She replies. "Just want to be alone until we arrive."
Monty stares at her for a few moments before nodding. "I'll make sure nobody bothers you." He replies.
"Thank you." She replies.
"You gotta name?" Monty asks.
"Brook." She replies.
"Well, nice to meet ya, Brook." Monty says. He takes the money she hands him and then shuts the door behind him as he leaves, confused by why he let her on in the first place. He rakes his brain, tryin' to remember where the gorram hell he heard bout Shadow from but comes up empty. He knows it'll eventually come to him and decides to just let it be.
River opens her bag and takes out the shirt she took from Jayne. She turns the light out, locks the door, and then crawls onto the bed. Burying her face in the shirt, she inhales his scent as sobs rake her body.
-
Jayne feels like he's been buried under sand and struggles to climb out. After what feels like a hundred gorram years, he opens his eyes, blinking rapidly at the blinding light.
"He's awake." Simon says quietly.
"Waz goin' on?" Jayne grunts as he tries to sit up. It takes a few tries and some help from Mal and Book but he finally manages. Looking around his bunk, he sees the entire crew, minus River, starin' at him. "River. Where's River?"
A sob escapes Kaylee's throat and she grabs onto Inara who hugs her close. Simon's face goes completely white and he swallows heavily.
Jayne looks to Mal and don't like the answer he's gettin'. "Where Is River?"
"We don't know." Mal answers honestly.
"Don't know?" Jayne shouts. "We're in gorram space; how can you not know?"
"She took the spare shuttle." Mal answers. "Locked us all in our rooms."
"She locked us in?" Jayne repeats, completely floored. "How'd you get out?"
"Doors unlocked themselves." Mal answers.
Simon hands him a tube and Jayne stares down at his confusedly. "What're you givin' me this for?"
"It was on the ground." Simon answers. "It's the same product that Saffron used on Mal."
"She drugged me?" Jayne replies.
"Yes." Simon answers.
Jayne stares at the tube in his hand, tryin' to figure out why she did it. He knows it ain't cause she wanted him dead; if she did, he'd be dead. He turns his body, intending to stand up, and knocks his pillow of the bed in the process. He picks up two envelopes and wordlessly hands one to Mal.
Mal takes the envelope and rips it open to find a single piece of paper. He unfolds the paper to reveal a short letter. He reads it out loud from between clenched teeth.
Dear Mal,
I apologize for taking the shuttle and locking all of you in your rooms but it had to be done. They're close; I can feel them. They will do anything to get me back and I know you well enough to know you will die to keep that from happening. Too many people are already dead because of me and I refuse to allow my family to be next. The shuttle is on Boros but I won't be there by the time you arrive. I won't bother to tell you not to try and find me because I know you well enough to know that you will. But that is not important because I will be long gone before you arrive. I have things I need to do, need to finish before I face the blue hands. I want to thank you for being the father I never had and ask that you look after Simon.
Book, some secrets are better left staying that way.
Inara, thank you for caring about me and don't forget to do the same for yourself.
Zoe and Wash, you will be wonderful parents as you already love your child; everything else will follow on it's own.
Kaylee, take care of Simon; he will need you. Don't let him push you away as I know he will try to do.
Simon, you are my brother and I will always love you. Thank you for rescuing me and don't feel guilty because you couldn't keep me. Don't push Kaylee away; she is good for you.
Love,
River Tam
Mal finishes the letter, folds it up, and puts it back in the envelope. He can hear Kaylee and Inara crying softly from behind him. He glances over at Simon to see him barely keeping it together and then looks over to see Jayne just staring at the envelope in his hand. "Jayne, you gonna open it?"
Jayne doesn't answer; just continues to stare at it.
Mal touches the corner of the envelope, and when Jayne doesn't protest, he takes it. He's more careful about opening this letter, knowing Jayne's gonna wanna keep it. There's two pieces of paper inside and he opens the first to find a picture, one River musta drawn. She's sittin' on Jayne's lap and his arms are wrapped around her stomach as she leans back against his chest. He hands it to Jayne before opening the letter. It's shorter than the last one and when the merc doesn't protest, he reads it out loud.
Jayne,
There's so much I want to say but in the end there's not much that needs to be said. I'm sorry for drugging you; it was the only option I had. You would have stopped me from going and I can't watch you die; I refuse to. Maybe it's selfish but you're stronger than me and you will survive without me; I don't think I could. I took Sally and Amber and I'm sorry for stealing them but they will be needed.
You helped me and stood beside me when everyone else turned their backs and I will always treasure that. You mean so much to me, more than I can express in words.
I love you.
Goodbye,
Love River
The memory of what happened floods back at her words and Jayne visibly pales. He looks down at the picture in his hand for a few seconds before looking up at the crew.
Mal takes a step back at the look on Jayne's face. If he thought he saw Jayne pissed when River was shot, it's nothin' compared to the look on his face now.
"Get out." Jayne growls.
"Jayne.." Mal says.
"NOW!" Jayne shouts.
The crew turns and starts out of the bunk.
Jayne sets the picture gently on his weapon rack before jumping up with a yell. He flips his bed over and slams his fist repeatedly against the wall. In just a matter of moments, he destroys everything in his room besides his weapons, clothes, and her picture. By the time he's done, his hands are bruised and bleeding but his anger and fear haven't lessened at all. He don't ever remember bein' this mad. Part of him wants to strangle her while most of him just wants to hold her and never let go. Why she thinks he's gonna survive any better than she would, he don't know. All he knows is he's gettin' her back even if'n he's gotta comb the entire verse to find her. He dresses with jerky motions and climbs out of his bunk to find everyone waiting.
"I can take care of those." Simon says indicating to Jayne's hands. "Follow me."
Jayne starts to argue when Inara gently touches his arm.
"This is not about you, Jayne." Inara whispers. "He needs to do something, focus on something or he's going to loose it. Just let him."
Jayne nods and follows Simon to the infirmary.
"Wash turned us round and we're headin' to Boros." Mal tells Jayne as Simon cleans his hands. "Once we get there, him and Kaylee are gonna break into the ship registers and see who's been there. She had to catch a ride from somebody and we just gotta find out who."
Jayne nods but doesn't say a word. He feels like he can't breath, like she ruttin' ripped his insides out and left him empty. And he knows he's gonna feel that way till he gets her back.
-
Monty knocks onto Brook's door and once again hears the quiet sobbin'. She's been here for 3 ruttin' days and every time he's walked past, she's been bawlin'. How somebody can cry that much, he's got no idea. She ain't come outa her room once in the three days she's been here; hell, if it weren't for the cryin' and the occasional time she cries out the name 'Jayne', which he knows he's heard before but can't ruttin' remember, he wouldn't have known she was on the boat. Hell, most of the crew didn't know she was on till she started screamin' 'Jayne' bout 5 or 6 hours ago. He knocked on the door then but she only opened it long nuf to tell him she was fine.
"Yes." A whisper comes from the other side of the door.
"We'll be on Shadow in bout 10 minutes." Monty says.
"I know." She replies. "I will be in the bay then."
Monty walks away without another door. He arrives on his bridge a few moments later and watches as they break atmo onto the small moon. He still can't remember where he's heard bout this moon and it's bout to drive him ruttin' insane. It's like a naggin' thing, livin' in the back of his brain. The land within a few minutes and sure enough, when he arrives in the bay, she's standing by the door with her bag in her hand. She looks like she's tried to wash her face but three straight days of cryin' have takin' their toll and her face is puffy and red, big black bags under her eyes.
"Thank you for the ride." She says.
"Ain't no big deal." Monty replies and then laughs. "Ya know, I've been rakin' my brain tryin' to remember who I've heard bout this moon from but keep comin' up empty. Who was you goin' to visit again?"
"Nobody." She replies. "My daddy is from here and I have business to attend to."
"Your daddy gotta name?" Monty asks.
"Yes."
"You gonna tell me?"
"No." She looks down at her hands and then back up at him. "But you know him; you served in the war together." And then she's walkin' outa the boat without another ruttin' word and he's left even more confused. He shuts the door and tells his pilot to get em off the moon, they got cargo to deliver, while thinkin' bout what she said the whole time. It's gonna drive him even more nuts and he knows he's gonna end up wavin' Reynolds to see if he knows anythin' bout somebody from Shadow servin' in the war. But they got cargo to deliver a few moons away and it's gonna have to wait till then.
-
Kaylee dumps the plate of food into the sink with a sob. She's cried more in the past three days then she has in her entire life.
"He wouldn't eat it?" Simon asks quietly.
"No." Kaylee answers. "He ain't moved outa River's room since we left Boros 3 days ago. What if it takes us a while to find her; he'll starve to death fore then."
"I know." Simon agrees. He walks over to Kaylee and wraps his arms around her.
Kaylee rests her head on Simon's shoulder with a sob. "We was doin' so good." Kaylee cries. "It was like before, no it was better. She's the best gorram friend I've ever had and now she's gone."
"I know." Simon replies as he rests his head on hers. They'll find her and she'll be fine and that's when he'll break down. He got her out of the academy and he was alone then. Now he's got Mal and Jayne, both who will stop at nothing to get her back, beside him and he knows she'll be fine. "We'll get her back and she'll be fine." Simon states, unsure if he's trying to convince her or himself.
-
Jayne stares at the ceiling in River's room, her white nightgown held tightly in his hands. Everyone keeps comin' in here, tryin' to talk to him and it's beginning to piss him off. Hell, if he's honest, he's been in a constant state of anger and fear since he woke up and found her gone. Her letter rests beside him and he knows he could say it by memory, he's read it so often. They're gonna find her and when they do, he's tyin' her to him and never lettin' her leave his side.
Boros was a bust; Serenity ain't the only boat that registers with a fake name and they traced every boat that registered with real names and came up empty. The fake ones, there ain't no way to follow. He wraps the gown around his fists and breathes her scent in deep before closing his eyes, intent on goin' back to sleep. There ain't nothin' he can do, not till they get to some planet and he can start bangin' heads together. He's almost asleep when an alarm goes off and he's outa her room in a flash, the nightgown still held in his hand. He runs through the ship and meets Mal as he turns a corner. He can hear the rest of the crew moving behind them and they walk onto the bridge as Wash turns around.
"We're getting a wave." Wash tells Mal. "It's Monty."
-