Title: Back
Series: Crazy's rescue mission
Author: Sevangel
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: R
FYI: Okay, I think I got the cliffies done for a while. I'll be updating other stories for a while before coming back to this one.
-
Vera hits the ground as Jayne runs forward to grab River. He catches her inches before she hits the ground and gently lies her down as he runs his hands over her. "Doc, get over here."
John and Cole start towards the large man but stop when they see a young, well-kept man drop down to the ground with a medical bag in his hands. They watch as he expertly examines the girl and after a few minutes, move over to join them.
"Well?" Jayne says from between clenched teeth. "Gorramit, doc, answer me."
"You never asked a question." Simon replies evenly as he examines his sister.
"Jayne." A tiny voice whispers.
"River." Jayne's hands push her hair out of her face as he looks down at her anxiously. "C'mon, baby, open them eyes."
"Hurts." River whispers as her eyes flutter open. "Jayne."
Jayne's eyes close for a second as relief floods his body. They shoot back open when he hears her whimper. "What's wrong?"
"Hurts." River repeats, her eyes starting to close again.
"River!" Jayne shouts. "Gotta keep them eyes open, baby. Need ya to keep em open."
"Sleepy." River whispers.
Jayne looks anxiously over to Simon.
"I need to examine her further and would like to have more privacy." Simon says.
Mal looks around the room before speaking in 'captain' voice. "Alright, you two get them kids outa here." He points to Amber and Connie. "Doc, you need to go back to the ship to examine her?"
"No." Simon says. "A private room will be fine."
"Okay then." Mal replies. "Sir, where are the bedrooms?"
"Upstairs." McGiggins replies.
"Jayne, take River on upstairs, Zoe, you and Nara go with them." Mal orders. "Jayne, I want you back down here."
"I'm stayin' with her." Jayne growls.
"Jayne, you know I don't like givin' orders twice." Mal replies, holding up a hand when the merc looks ready to argue. "I get that you're worried bout your girl but I know you well enough that if'n the doc causes her even the slightest bit of pain, you're gonna rip his head off. And I kinda need my doctor to have a head."
"River?" Monty says from behind Mal. "She said she was Brook."
Mal turns his head to look at Monty. "She lied."
"River?" A skinny, young man standing beside Monty says. "Ain't she that one girl they're offerin'…"
Mal's gun is out of his holster and aimed towards the man, his thumb cocking the gun. "You finish that thought and I'll kill you where you stand, dong ma?"
"Malcom Theodore Reynolds!" Thelma scolds.
"Ma, now ain't the time." Mal winces. "I mean it, boy. You never saw her and you never saw the doc. If'n I even hear word that you said somethin', I will hunt you down and let Jayne tear you into little pieces."
"You heard the man." Monty says when his pilot looks at him. "I find out you said somethin' and I'll wave Mal myself."
"Jayne, go." Mal orders.
Jayne picks River up and follows Simon, Zoe, and Inara up the stairs.
Mal looks down at the dead girl; she can't be more than 16 or 17. He uses his foot to push one of the blue-handed guys over and blood pours out of the bullet hole in his head. He then looks up to see the little kids still huddled behind the couch. "I believe I done said to get them out of here."
"I don't know who you are but nobody talks to my wife that way." John says.
"I'm the person whose gonna clean this ruttin' mess up and it really ain't somethin' little kids need to be seein'." Mal replies.
"Connie, why don't you and Amber go get the kids settled in for the night." Paul suggests.
The two mothers gather their children and usher them out of the room and up the stairs.
Jayne nods at the women and kids as he passes them on his way back into the family room. He don't wanna be here, he wants to be upstairs with her but Mal's right; she so much as winces and he's libel to rip the doc's head off.
"We gotta figure out what we're gonna do with these bodies." Mal ponders out loud.
"Nothin'." Kaylee squeals. "I gotta plan."
Mal turns to look at his mechanic. "Why am I gettin' a bad feelin' bout this?"
"Don't be such a worrywart, cap'n." Kaylee replies. "Don't you trust me?"
"Course I do, little Kaylee." Mal says. "Fine, what's your plan?"
Kaylee starts talking rapidly, her hands gesturing as she tries to explain her plan.
Mal holds up a hand to stop her. "Little, Kaylee, we've done talked bout this." Mal says. "I need you tell explain all this in cap'n dummy talk."
"I'm gonna blow their ship up." Kaylee gestures to the blue hands. "I can mess with the engine nuf that she'll blow once she's been runnin' for so long. We can put the blue-hands and that….girl in the ship and wave the alliance like they're bringin' River in."
"How's the boat gonna get off planet?" Mal asks. "Cause she can't break atmo on auto-pilot."
Kaylee looks deep in thought for a few moments. "I can probably rig their ship up to ours or Monty's and once we break atmo, let her loose."
"Wash, you and Book go with Kaylee and help her do what needs to be done." Mal orders. "You two grab one of them blue-handed guys. Jayne you grab the other and I'll get the girl."
Cole and John glare at Mal but do as he orders. Between the two of them, they manage to pick one of the men up but struggle with his weight.
Jayne lifts his blue-handed guy up and throws him over his shoulder. He bends down to pick Vera up from where she's still lyin' on the ground and then follows Mal out of the door.
Mal sees the spot lights of the runway and notices the small ship that must belong to the blue-handed guys. He can see Kaylee already inside the engine of the boat, rippin' and removin' things. "How's it goin' little Kaylee?"
"Shiny." Kaylee grunts as she removes a piece of the engine. "Look at all these shiny new things I got us."
Mal opens the door and drops the girl's body into the back. He watches as Jayne throws the man he's carrying into the front seat.
Jayne grabs the blue-handed guy from the two men carrying him and throws him in beside the other.
"I won't pretend to know anything bout engines." Mal says to Kaylee. "But ain't it gonna need some of those parts to run?"
"We want her to blow up." Kaylee replies. "She ain't gonna need more than what I'm leavin' her with."
Mal raises his eyebrow but doesn't argue; he trusts Kaylee.
"Mal, you wanna tell me what's goin' on?" Monty asks.
"Yeah." Mal replies. "Jayne, check out the area; I wanna know where the weak spots are and how many."
Jayne walks away without a work, Vera held in his hand.
"Walk with me." Mal says to Monty. He waits until they're alone and then tells Monty the cliff-notes version of River Tam.
"You tellin' me that little girl is an assassin?" Monty asks in disbelief.
"Yeah." Mal answers. "The Alliance turned her into their puppet and made her do things no adult should have to do let alone a 15 year old girl."
Monty is quiet for a few moments why he lets it sink in. "And this Jayne?" Monty says. "What'd he do to her?"
"Nothin'." Mal replies, a little confused by what Monty means.
"Mal, you didn't hear her cry." Monty says. "It was like somebody died."
"I don't know why she was cryin' like that but Jayne ain't done nothin' to her that she don't want him to do." Mal replies. "Trust me, she's just as willin' as he is."
"Cap'n." Kaylee says. "She's ready to go. Who's takin' her up?"
"I am." Monty replies. "You need us for anything else?"
"No." Mal says. "Thanks for comin' though."
"No need for thanks." Monty replies. "Oh, I almost forgot." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the money 'Brook' gave him. "Here's the fare she gave me; you know I won't accept money from your crew."
"Ain't takin' it back, Monty." Mal says. "You used fuel flyin' back here and you didn't have to."
"I don't take money from you and yours and you know it." Monty slams the cash into Mal's hand. "Just give it back to the girl; it was her money to begin with."
"Monty, who's your pilot?" Kaylee asks.
"Him." Monty answers, pointing over to the man Mal threatened.
"Okay." Kaylee replies, walking over to him.
"We best go listen to what she says." Mal advises.
"Yeah." Monty agrees.
"I made a temporary hook for the boat to attach to your ship." Kaylee holds a large piece of metal up in the air. "I disconnected the release for your bay door and hooked it up for this. It won't be hard to fix it, I can write it down for you. Now, once you get out into space a bit, slow down and hit the release for your bay door. The ship'll disconnect and then ya need to get the heck out of there and fast cause she's gonna blow within a few minutes."
"We don't gotta start her up?" Monty asks.
"Already rigged to start up after you release her." Kaylee replies. "All you gotta do it hit the butt and fly away. If you have problems gettin' the door release connected again, you can wave us and I'll explain it to you."
Monty looks over at Mal. "How much for your mechanic?"
"She ain't for sale." Mal replies, slinging an arm over Kaylee's shoulders. "Wouldn't give her up for no amount."
"I love my cap'n." Kaylee presses a kiss against Mal's cheek. "Don't you gotta mechanic?"
"Not all ships need a mechanic on board." Monty replies. "We get a tune up every now and then and most the crew can do little repairs."
"Sounds kinda boring." Kaylee says. "Serenity keeps me busy."
"That she does." Mal agrees. "Alright, little Kaylee, Monty's gonna get his boat over here and then we'll help you hook em up."
"I'll go finish gettin' things ready." Kaylee says. "Wash in sendin' the wave right now so we gotta hurry."
Mal watches as Kaylee runs back to the ship, shaking his head at her excitement. She may be awful cheery and too gorram sunny, but he wouldn't give her away for nothin'. He won't give any of his crew away.
-
"How's it look?" Mal asks.
"Fine." Jayne replies. "Too gorram open for my likin' but there's a cliff back beyond those trees and ain't nobody gonna try climbin' up it. Only place we really gotta worry bout is front and side by the landing strip."
"Anybody been pokin' round?" Mal questions.
"River." Jayne answers. "Seen her boot prints."
"You doin' okay?" Mal looks over to see his merc looking more tense than normal.
"Just wanna go back inside." Jayne replies.
"Have to make sure Monty gets off okay then we'll go." Mal says.
Jayne nods and watches as Sovereign lifts off, the Alliance vehicle hooked under it. It don't look very steady to him but he knows if Kaylee says it'll work; it'll work.
"Alright, we can go." Mal walks back towards the house, Wash, Jayne, Book, and Kaylee right behind him. The other two men went inside a while back, long before Kaylee got done rippin' the boat apart. "What'd you do with the parts you nicked?"
"Book and Wash took em back to Serenity while I finished everything." Kaylee answers.
They walk through the front door and are instantly bombarded with questions. Mal holds up a hand with a shout. "ENOUGH!"
The room quiets down.
"Now, I know you all got questions that you want answered but they ain't gonna be answered tonight." Mal says. "It's been a long gorram three days and I ain't in the mood to discuss this right now. We'll discuss everything in the morning."
"Wait one gorram second, Malcom Reynolds." Paul replies, standing up to face him. "My family, my children were threatened and held hostage by that girl lying upstairs and I have a right to know why."
"The only person who's got rights right now is that girl lyin' upstairs." Mal replies. "She's got the right to be present when this is discussed and she's got the right not to discuss it."
"And my family's rights don't matter?" Paul asks. "Gorramit, she pointed a gun at my son and threatened to pull the trigger."
"And she got the ever-livin' hell beat out of her tryin' to protect YOU!" Mal shouts. "I done said we ain't discussin' this and I meant it."
"What are you going to do?" Paul replies. "Shoot me?"
"You really don't wanna know what I'm capable of doin' to protect my crew." Mal says.
Paul just stares at Mal. "What happened to you?"
"Life." Mal replies. "War and death. How bout you?"
"You're not the only one who fought in the war." Paul says.
"You stopped fightin' long before I did." Mal replies. "I know you was needed behind the scenes, mappin' our moves out and all but you don't know what those last….war was over a long time ago; none of this matters." Mal turns his head when he hears footsteps and sees Simon, Inara, and Zoe walking into the room. "How is she?"
"She's going to be fine." Simon assures him before looking at Jayne. "She's bruised and her right ankle is sprained. The bed she's sleeping in is quite large but try not to jostle her too much."
"I won't." Jayne replies and then he walks across the room and up the stairs, Vera still held tightly in his hand.
"You only got one choice as of right now." Mal tells Paul. "You either put my crew up for the night or we leave. And honestly, I'd rather leave than stay."
"There are 6 spare rooms." Paul replies. "Five actually since the girl is in one. They're welcome to them."
"Wash, you and Zoe take one room." Mal says. "The rest of you can take your own."
"What about you?" Zoe questions.
"I'm stayin' in Serenity." Mal replies. He's gone without another word, the front door slamming behind him.
"Zoe, is the cap'n alright?" Kaylee asks quietly.
"He'll be fine." Zoe assures her. "Just let him be." She then turns and walks back towards the stairs.
"Zoe?" Book questions.
"You heard the captain." Zoe replies. "We ain't discussing anything until the morning. I suggest everyone get a goodnights sleep."
-
Jayne slowly opens the door and just stops to stare. He's got her back but it still ain't sunk in yet. He sets Vera down on the chair in the corner and then strips down to his boxers. She's sleepin' but it ain't peaceful like; when she sleeps with him, she always makes this little purrin' noise. He don't sleep right without it; these last three days have proved that. As he gathers her into his arms, it finally starts to sink in that he's got her back.
"Jayne." River whispers sleepily.
"Shh." Jayne hushes. "Just go back to sleep baby."
River wiggles around for a few moments until she's lying half on top him. He knows the moment she goes back to sleep; she starts purrin'. His arms wrap around her and he rests his head against hers as he falls asleep. The knot in his stomach is gone and for the first time in three ruttin' days, he feels at ease.
-
River wakes up suddenly and looks at the man sleeping beside her, unable to hold back the tears that fill her eyes. She starts to scoot down the bed when her wrist is grabbed firmly yet somehow gently.
"Where the gorram hell do you think you're goin'?" Jayne growls.
"Bathroom." River whispers, closing her eyes at the anger pouring off him; the anger directed at her.
Jayne sits up and swings her gently into his arms.
River lays her head on Jayne's tense shoulder as he carries her into the bathroom. He sets her gently on her feet in front of the toilet and walks over to the sink to throw water on his face. River quickly relieves herself and then limps over to the sink. She sees her toothbrush lying on sink and grabs it while Jayne moves over to the toilet. She opens the medicine cabinet and pulls out the can of shaving cream and a razor inside.
Jayne sees the objects in her hands and sits down on the toilet. It's somethin' she likes to do and he enjoys lettin' her do it. "You sure you're okay to do this?"
"Yes." River replies. "My ankle hurts but other than that, most of the pain has lessened." She fills the sink up with water and then dips a washcloth into it. She wrings it out before limping over to straddle Jayne's thighs.
Jayne braces his hands on the small of her back to hold her steady as she wets his face and then applies shaving cream.
As River removes the hair with quick, mathematical strokes, she can feel tears dripping down her face.
"Why you cryin' for baby?" Jayne asks quietly.
River shakes her head and finishes shaving his face. She drops the razor into the sink and then pats his face dry.
"I wanna know why you're cryin'." Jayne says, his thumbs moving up to wipe the tears off her face.
"You're mad at me." River whispers.
"I ain't mad." Jayne replies. "I'm furious."
River's shoulder hitch and she drops her hands into their laps. "I'm sorry." River whispers. "But I had to. I didn't want to knock you out and you wouldn't have let me leave so I had to use…."
Jayne cuts her off with a kiss.
River whimpers against his mouth and opens hers to allow him in. Her tears increase as she wraps her arms around his neck. "You kissed me?" River gasps after he breaks the kiss.
"Yeah." Jayne looks confused. "Ain't the first time I've kissed you."
"You're not mad because I used the 'goodnight kiss' on you?" River asks.
"No, I get why you did that." Jayne replies. "I woulda stopped you from goin'."
"Then why are you angry?" River questions.
"Why do you ruttin' think, crazy girl?" Jayne shouts. "You ruttin' left me."
"I was trying to protect you." River argues.
"I don't need you sacrificin' yourself to protect me." Jayne growls. "Gorramit, you got any idea what it was like wakin' up and findin' you gone? You got any idea what it was like readin' that letter; to finally have you say you love me but not hear it?"
"I can't watch you die." River whispers. "I'm not strong enough."
"What makes you think I can handle you bein' dead any better than you can handle me bein' dead?" Jayne replies harshly.
"I'm sorry." River sobs, burying her face into his neck. "I'm sorry."
"Shhh." Jayne gently rubs his hands up and down her back as she sobs against his chest. "I didn't mean to make you so upset, baby. I just…I ain't lettin' you go, dong ma? You ain't leavin' my side; I can't loose you again."
River's hands drag down his chest, her fingernails leaving little red marks in their wake.
"Baby, what're ya doin'?" Jayne questions, his body instantly tightening at the feel of her nails.
"I need to feel you Jayne." River whispers. "I thought I was never going to be with you again and I need to feel you; I need you, please?"
Jayne groans as she grinds down on him. "Baby, you're all bruised up." Jayne protests weakly.
"Please, Jayne." River pleads. "Please."
Jayne stands up and sits River down on the toilet. He walks over to the large shower and studies it for a second before turning it on. It's bigger than any shower he's ever used, even has two places to sit down. He adjusts the water until it's nice and hot before moving back to River. "Gotta take off that gown, baby girl."
River grabs the bottom of the nightgown Inara and Zoe put on her and pulls it off, arching her hips on the way.
Jayne slips his fingers under the waistband of her panties and pulls them off, being careful not to jostle her sprained ankle. He stands up and examines her naked body, clenching his teeth at the bruises scattered over her. He then gently picks her up and carries her to the shower, thumbing his boxers off on his way.
River moans as the hot water hits her body. "Feels good."
"Yeah." Jayne agrees. He reaches up and turns the showerhead until the water's spraying on one of the seats and then sits down on it. "Look at me."
River moves her eyes off Jayne's chest and up to his face.
"I hurt you at all and you best tell me, dong ma?" Jayne orders.
"Okay." River agrees as she straddles his lap.
Jayne's hands run gently up her back to bury into her hair. He tilts her head to the side and kisses her deeply. She's right; he may know she's back but he's gotta feel it too for it to really sink in. His hands move down to cup her breasts, his thumbs teasing her nipples into hard points. He breaks the kiss and drags his mouth down to suck harshly at her neck. By the time he moves down to suck a nipple into his mouth, her neck is sporting a huge hickey.
River arches her back, pushing her breasts into Jayne's face. The hot water is pounding on them and she has to wrap her arms around his neck to keep from sliding away. She can feel him, hard and thick between them and rises up until he's touching the opening of her body. She drops down hard, whimpering at the feel of him inside her again.
They don't move; just enjoy the feel of each other again.
Jayne knows it's only been 3 days but it feels like three gorram years. His hands grip her hips to help move her up and down his shaft.
River presses her mouth back against Jayne's and spreads her knees further apart on the seat under them to deepen the contact. She sucks on his tongue greedily as his hand dips between them to rub at her clit.
Jayne rubs her clit with maddening strokes, tryin' to get her off fore he goes himself. At the first clenching of her walls, he bucks up and empties inside her with a groan.
River pants against Jayne's chest, her knees shifting uncomfortably on the hard seat under them. But before she can say anything to Jayne, he lifts her up and turns her until she's sitting across his lap.
"You doin' okay?" Jayne asks as he massages her knees.
"Yes." River answers. "Jayne."
"Yeah?" Jayne moves his eyes off her red knees and up her body to see her staring intently at him. "Did I hurt you?"
"No." River assures him. She cups his face between her hands and looks him dead in the eyes. "I love you, Jayne Cobb."
Jayne closes his eyes and lets it wash over him. "Love you too, my crazy girl."
River smiles brightly at him and presses a kiss against his forehead, nose, and eyelids. "My Jayne."
"Yeah." Jayne chuckles at her 'sappy kisses' and pulls her close to drop one on her forehead. "Let's get you cleaned up." He stands up and sets her on her feet. "Hold on to me and keep your weight off that leg."
River wraps her arms around him and balances herself mostly on her left leg. She closes her eyes as Jayne angles her head under the spray of water until her hair is completely wet.
Jayne spots the bottle of shampoo and pours some in her hair. He loves her hair; loves the feel of it, the smell of it and the look of it.
After he's done washing her hair, he grabs a bar of soap and lather up his hands. Then he gently runs his hands over her body until he feels she's clean enough. "Go on and sit down while I get cleaned up."
River sits back down and watches while Jayne quickly washes his hair and body. It amuses her with how much time he takes when washing her and how little on himself. She knows it has nothing to do with getting her clean; he just wants to touch her as much as possible.
Jayne turns off the water and swings River into his arms.
River grabs a towel on their way out of the bathroom and starts to dry her hair.
Jayne sets River on the bed and walks back into the bathroom to get their things. He spots the bag River musta took with her, his hands clenching a few times, and grabs it too. He opens it and the first thing he sees is one of his t-shirts.
"I want to wear it." River says.
"You wanna wear my shirt?" Jayne asks.
"Yes." River replies.
Jayne shrugs, grabs a pair of panties and a skirt, and then moves behind her on the bed. He runs his hands through her wet hair and loosely braids it. "Here's your clothes."
River takes the clothes but doesn't put them on. Instead, she watches as Jayne gets dressed, forging his boxers.
Jayne turns around and smirks when she sees River staring at him instead of getting dressed. "Whatcha starin' at?"
To her complete frustration, her eyes once again fill with tears.
"I hurt you, didn't I?" Jayne kneels down in front of her and runs his eyes over her naked body.
River shakes her head.
"Then why you cryin' for?" Jayne asks.
"You're here and you're with me." River whispers. "I didn't think I would ever see you again….."
Jayne once again cuts her off with a kiss. "I ain't goin' nowhere and you ain't leavin' my side. In fact, I want you to promise me you ain't gonna ever pull a stunt like this again."
River shakily nods her head.
"Wanna hear you say it." Jayne orders.
"I promise." River says, looking him directly into the eyes.
"Good." Jayne replies. "Now it's time to get dressed. I'm ruttin' hungry."
River pulls her panties and skirt on and looks at the shirt for a second before looking up at him. "Hug this please."
Jayne looks at the shirt she's holding out and then down at her. "Huh?"
"Hug this." River shakes the shirt at him. "Your smell is gone and I would like it back. Please?"
Jayne grabs the shirt and holds it against his chest, glaring at her. "This don't leave this room." Jayne says. "I can't have everyone knowin' I'm huggin' things."
"You hug me." River points out.
"Yeah, but, you're mine and I'm 'loud to hug you without it affectin' my rep." Jayne replies. "Here."
River takes the shirt back and brings it up to her face to smell. "Mmmm, smells good."
Jayne rolls his eyes.
River pulls the shirt on, flipping her braid out from under the collar.
Jayne can't help but smile at the picture she makes wearin' a flowery skirt and his huge orange t-shirt with a woman's face on it. He picks her up and holds her close to his chest, havin' no intentions of lettin' her go.
-