Title: Nucleus, Not Whole
author: Jmaria
Rating: FR-18
Disclaimer: Joss is god, I am a lowly worshipper.
Spoilers: The series, but not the big damn movie. Also, for Baby on Board and Just Unsettlin', and Nightmare Seduction
Summary: Centering force brings them in orbit, but doesn't make them whole.
A/N: Oy. Angst kinda ahead. . .also, I'll be making up the planet/moon Jayne grew up on. . .(unless someone has an answer for that)

Nucleus, Not Whole

His Ma'd raised him to say nobody's a mistake. But that was just what Mattie was, just what these babies would be. Babies. Two of 'em. His whole life was riddled with mistakes.

"Jayne?"

"Whaddya want, preacher?" Jayne snapped.

"I'd like to know your intentions toward River, but I suspect I already know the answer."

"It involve me goin' off ta that special hell a yours?"

"No. It involves the bonds of marriage."

"Already told Crazy I was makin' it legit. Don't need a preacher ta come put the fear a God in me."

Shepherd Book sat down at the table, his eyes focusing on Jayne. The large mercenary was slumped forward, a cup of tea cradled in his hand. River sat in the little cove, watching them.

"He's mad," River sighed. "Extenuating circumstances I couldn't avoid. Didn't see."

"Girl's a gorram reader, and I got the extenuatin' circumstances," Jayne snorted.

"Perhaps we should postpone any type of servi-"

"No. No blood a mine's going unclaimed," Jayne snapped.

"Vera and Mattie. Extend beyond parameters. He's touchy," River said exasperated.

"I'm not sure I follow, his gun and his sister?"

"Lover and daughter."

"That ain't nobody on this boat's business, River."

"Can't help - you think too loud."

"I'm afraid you've lost me," Book sighed.

"Eight years back, I was keepin' my nose outta the war. Old flame a mine got herself widowed. We got to sexin', we got stupid. I shoved off planet two weeks later. Less'n a year or so goes by, I get a wave from my mother, tellin' me this girl I knew's dead. Got myself a daughter. Happy now, Crazy?"

"Willing to go back, care for her as his own, as she is. Mama told him to stay away. She'd take care, claim her as kin."

"And this girl believes she's your sister?"

"Far as I know. Girl's seven, gets sick sumthin' fierce," Jayne said gruffly.

"I -"

"Don't go spreadin' round my business, preacher. Got 'nuff troubles without people knowin' bout Mattie and Vera."

Jayne was angry, and River felt her hands shaking. She knew Jayne'd loved Vera. Loved her as a boy unworthy of the magistrate's daughter. Loved her as a man, loved her to infinity. That love tore at her, because even in death he loved her. Jayne didn't feel that kind of love for her. He loved at her. At their children, had a special place for children in his heart. Was willing to go back for Mattie. Matilda Jane Cobb.

Tears scorched her cheeks, and before she knew it, Jayne was at her side. Gruff fingers dabbed at her cheeks. River blinked.

"Don't git yerself overworked. Make yerself sick," he said gruffly.

"Not a child."

"Yer actin' like one."

"Not a gorram doll, not gorram Vera!"

River shoved him hard away from her and raced from the room. Jayne glared at her back. Addled brained brat.

"She is a child, you know."

"Eighteen. Been on this boat near two years. Was seventeen when she got on." Jayne snapped. "She put this in motion, not me."

"I'm not sure marriage is the right -"

"Preacher, you preachin' sin ta me?"

"No, simply -"

"Good," Jayne stood, following River's example and left the common room.

"Jayne," Wash muttered for the thousandth time, shaking his head. "How drunk does she have to make a man ta get him to the point where he can't remember, but's still fertile?"

"She used drugs. Doc says he's missin' a few sexual aids or some such nonsense," Mal replied. It was creepy and mortifyin'.

"What's the doc -" Wash started laughing.

"Ain't funny. Got us a pregnant teenaged fugitive, now didn't it?"

"But -"

"Simon ain't been all forthcoming with an answer, Wash." Mal sighed.

There was a loud crashing noise coming from the mess. Mal cursed loudly and ran off in the direction of the noise.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Simon was yelling. Kaylee and River were trying to restrain him. Well, Kaylee was. River was shoving him back.

"What in the hell are you doing?" Mal snapped.

"This hwoon dahn wants to marry my sister!" Simon yelled.

"Hell, I ain't got a choice in the matter. She's knocked up, ain't she?" Jayne snapped back, rubbin' at his jaw.

"What - wait, huh?"

"Jayne's gone noble, claiming what is his," River snapped.

"Jayne -"

"Mal, I ain't gonna use her bad. Or treat her bad. She's the mother a my children," Jayne sighed.

"Mamma's boy. Taught him to be respectful to mothers. Good woman," River smiled softly, like she knew all the secrets in the 'verse. "I do. Stop thinking so loud."

"Stop that," Mal yelled. "Nee mun doh bee-jway!"

"I'm takin' responsibility, Mal," Jayne growled.

"Response - seems a mite more like advantage than responsibility, Jayne," Mal replied.

"Fully capable of disabling him should he lean that way," River glared at Mal, who insisted on ignoring her.

"Ain't like I'm marryin' her t'day. Gotta take her home first. Tell my mother."

"What?" Simon and Mal yelled at the same time.

Chinese Translations:

hwoon dahn - bastard
nee mun doh bee-jway - everybody shut the hell up