A/N: Okay people this is one of the longest chapters I've written for this story. But it's only because this couldn't be broken up into more chapters. I know everyone likes long chapters. But it's really hard for me to write long chapters which is why I usually do one shots and drabbles. Anyway enough of me babbling. Enjoy the chapter and as always thank you for the reviews you guys rock.

Chapter 22: Reactions and Reasons

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Oz took in the people and their reactions as he stepped into the dining room. Jayne was in the farthest corner. As far as away as he could be from Oz without being out of the room. If looks could kill Oz would be dead a thousand times over.

Zoe and Wash were sitting at the table holding hands tightly. Despite the fact that Zoe was slightly injured the scent of sex permeated from their bodies. Wash smiled at Oz before kissing his wife's cheek. Zoe merely gave the werewolf a nod of thanks.

Inara was seated at the table as well. She was confused by Oz by her companion upbreeding only allowed her to show mild interest. The only reason he could tell that she was confused was by her smell.

Kaylee was sitting next to Inara. She gave Oz a reassuring smile and a small wave as well.

The last person sitting at the table was River. The clever girl who understood more than she should. It looked like the only reason she didn't get up to greet Oz was the fact that her brother, who was standing behind her, had a hand on her shoulder. Simon, the doctor. Oz knew that look. The look of "I want to study that because it can't be real." Oz had long gotten over his hatred of scientists after the whole Initative thing. But in no way did that mean, he ever wanted to be studied again. Simon and his tools were in no way getting near this werewolf.

Oz's gaze drifted over to the preacher, Book. The Shepherd was leaning against one of the walls. He was the hardest to figure out what he was thinking. His look was one of concern but his stance contradicted it.

Mal had taken a seat at the table next to his first mate. "So Oz, I believe you were going to explain what happened back there."

Oz stayed standing where he was at the edge of the room. He looked down at the floor for a moment trying to figure how to best do this. "When I was younger, I was visiting my cousin. And while I was playing with him, he bit me. A month later was the night of the full moon. Something happened that night. I changed. I found out I was a werewolf." Oz looked up and was met with looks of confusion.

'God damnit.' Oz thought. With the fall of Earth, much of the supernatural knowledge was lost. He hadn't even taking into account that they might honestly not know what a werewolf was. Except Book and Jayne didn't look confused at all. Jayne's hand was slowly inching closer to his gun while Book was looking at Oz as if he had done something really spectacular.

"What's a werewolf?" Kaylee asked.

Oz opened his mouth to answer but Jayne beat him to it. "A creature, a beast. It's a man that changes into a wolf on nights of the full moon. It slaughters everything in its path. Bloody thirsty beasts that should be put down." Jayne's hand now rested a top his gun.

"They're an old, old, ancient myth from Earth that was." River added.

Mal turned to look at Jayne, "And why do you know your ancient myths so well?" Jayne refused to answer and instead just glared at Oz.

"If they only change nights of the full moon, then how did you manage to change back there? We're not on a planet with a moon or even near one." Inara said.

Oz thought carefully about how to answer this. After a moment or two he was able to answer. "Most werewolves are slaves to the moon. When they change, the wolf takes complete control. Most of the people have no recollection of what happens when they change." Oz stopped at Jayne's loud snort of disbelief.

"Something you'd like to add Jayne?" Mal asked looking back at Jayne again.

The large man finally took his hand of his gun to cross his arms across his chest. "No."

"Then keep quiet." Mal turned back to Oz.

"The wolf is kind of crazy, being trapped in the subconscious of a person so long, that all they want to do is kill and feed when they're let out. I almost hurt someone I loved because of it. So I found a way to become one with my wolf. So that I could have control when I was a wolf and so the wolf wasn't trapped in my subconscious all the time. He's not crazy, he's a part of me that I'm conscious of at all times. It took a long time." Oz locked eyes with Mal. "I'm not a threat to you or you crew. As long as I wear these beads, I will not become a wolf. They will not break and they can only come off I take them off."

"Yea and what's to stop you from taking them off and eating us in our sleep?" Jayne growled.

"Jayne does the fact that he saved our life's have no impact in your mind?" Inara glanced back at the mercenary.

"He's an animal. He should be shot." Jayne said.

"Well so are you but we haven't shot you yet." River replied calmly not looking at Jayne.

"You have no idea about what we're dealing with girl." Jayne said standing up. He started walking towards Oz.

"Jayne." Mal said sternly.

The mercenary stopped an inch away from Oz. He leaned down to whisper, "I don't care what they decide about you. You do anything and I'll put you down like the rabid dog you are." Then he shoved Oz out of his way and walked out of the room.

Oz barely managed not to fall to the floor. He frowned as he recaptured his balance. Something bad had happened to Jayne and Oz felt like Jayne wasn't one to let something go easily.

"So you can turn into a wolf, that's kind of neat." Kaylee filled the silence.

"That's not possible. If I hadn't seen this with my own eyes, I could have never believed it." Simon was looking at Oz in wonder. "If I could just run a few—"

"No." Oz interrupted him.

Simon tried again, "But it would be—"

"Still no." Oz said.

Simon opened his mouth but this time Kaylee interrupted him, "Simon, Oz is not a lab rat you can't just go experimenting on people. He's a human being. I thought you were more kind than that."

"I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to—" Simon stopped at Kaylee's frown, then he looked back to the werewolf, "I'm sorry Oz. I won't say anymore about running tests. However if you change your mind— Oww!" Simon yelped as his sister turned around to kick him in the shins.

"Well if you don't mind. Me and Wash are going back to our bunk. I need to reassure myself that my husband's still here." Zoe gave another nod to Oz and then one to Mal before dragging her husband out of the room.

"I'm also going to go as well. Today has been… crazy." Inara got up as well and left the room.

"Yea all that adrenaline is just about gone. I feel really tired." Kaylee started to get up and stumbled a little.

Simon caught her, "I'll walk you back to your room. If that's acceptable?"

"Sure." Kaylee smiled at him. "G'night everyone." The two left the room as well.

Mal was the next one to stand. "You just keep those beads on and we'll be fine. Unless of course we going up against someone again and we need a bit of the wild." Mal patted Oz on the shoulder, "I'm gonna make sure we're still on course."

River and Book looked at Oz and then looked at each other. River crossed her arms, "I'm last. I called it."

Book smiled and laughed, "Very well little one." Book pushed off the wall and walked to Oz, "I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Sure." Oz nodded.

"Good night Oz. River." Book left leaving River and Oz alone.

"So." Oz said stuffing his hands in his pockets.

River got out of her chair and made her way to Oz a slight sway in her hips. She began circling him in slow even steps. Her hand touching his shoulders or hands at all times. "I can't hear you anymore. The mind of a wolf is something different to feel. They think of things differently." River stopped so that she stood in front of Oz. "Fenir said I was pack, mate."

'Mate.' Fenir agreed.

'Quiet Fenir.' Oz said. "Yea he did."

"Wolves mate so very young. I am young. But you are not. You didn't tell the whole story. Holes like ones in swiss cheese. Holes in the whole." River looked at Oz and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"They didn't need to know. The wolf was enough. You could know if you wanted to." Oz smiled.

River leaned into Oz. When her face was an inch away from Oz's she placed two fingers to her lips and then placed them against Oz's in a type of transfer kiss. "I already do." River whispered. Then she turned and skipped away, "Good night wolf man."

Oz shook his head and smiled. 'Chase?' Fenir asked excitedly.

"Not this time Fen."