Hello All,
Here's the next chapter up. Hope you like it and please R&R!
-Moki
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Jayne walked behind the captain and smiled to himself. Little idjit has gotta learn his place 'round these parts.
Mal headed to the galley and Jayne turned towards his bunk without following. He knew that even though Wash had said nothing had happened there was a good chance that the captain would have something to say about what he'd just seen in the workout room.
Jayne knew that if Mal asked him then he'd just end up mouthing off and then gettin' yelled at. Now Jayne didn't particularly mind if Mal yelled at him but it was a mite annoyin' at times and right now he just wasn't in the mood. Besides it's not like Jayne had anything new to say to the captain on this subject.
Weeks before Mal had started interviewing new potential pilots after their last one went and got hisself blown to bits (Jayne smiled a bit at that – it had been quite a sight). Jayne had met a few of these fellows and not one had interested him one bit. Then a man named Clancy had inquired and when he'd come aboard for an interview, Jayne know that he was different.
Clancy had been hard as nails and carried not one, but no less than three guns on him when he'd come aboard Serenity. Hell, that alone made him the obvious choice, Jayne had thought. He'd been on another ship that had been doing some real work, not just petty thievin' but even some slavery and other fine jobs. Jayne thought that this was just the kind of influence this raggedy-ass crew needed. He was gettin' a mite tired of all these little piddly jobs that didn't pay much more'n a few bucks here and there. Though he did have to admit that he was starting to make better money, Jayne was inherently greedy and always wanted more.
Seemed to Jayne that if a man like Clancy would come aboard then maybe he and Jayne could change things around for the better. The captain and Zoe were alright at fightin' and all but they were a mite picky at what jobs they took (gorram bleedin' hearts) and it frustrated Jayne to no end.
Jayne had been around when Mal was interviewing Clancy and he thought everything had gone really well. Clancy had pointed out some flaws in their security (nice catch), called Serenity a big flying hunk of junk (well, she was) and managed to hit on both Zoe and Kaylee before he'd been aboard more'n 15 minutes. Yep, definitely my kind of guy.
So after Clancy had left Jayne walked up to Mal to find out what happened.
"Well?" Jayne had asked.
"Well, what?" Mal replied
"So is he our new pilot? Cuz I think that might be just what we need around here"
"Jayne I ain't lettin' that hoon dan back onto my ship again even if he was the last pilot in the'verse" Mal said and headed towards the cockpit. Not taking no for an answer (something Jayne was really quite good at) he continued.
"Listen here Captain. I think we need some new blood around here and I think that folk like that Clancy fellow could be something we need. We ain't been doin' nothin' but crap jobs these past couple months and seems to me like Clancy there knows were the goodun's are" Jayne had followed behind Mal as he'd walked and the two of them had ended up alone in the cockpit.
"Jayne, much as I appreciate your opinion let me make one thing straight. I'm the captain on this boat and what I say goes. Right now I'm sayin' that I ain't hirin' that man and that's that. We ain't talkin' about this anymore. I don't like him and he ain't what I'm looking for in a pilot" Mal said and then sat down in the pilot's chair. Then without another word to Jayne he had started the take-off sequence.
Jayne had walked away knowing that the argument was over but determined to make his preference known.
Now if the captain had gone ahead and hired someone half-decent, Jayne would have been happy. So it was with great disgust that he'd found out the captain had hired Wash. The new pilot's reputation had apparently been really good and before he'd met the gorram man, it had been all Mal could talk about. From what he'd heard, there'd been no doubt in Jayne's mind that Wash was gonna be young, stupid and not at all the kind of person they needed on this crew. Meeting him had confirmed it. Jayne was unimpressed by the fact that Wash was supposed to be the best pilot around and wanted by many captains all over. Jayne could tell that Wash would be no good in a fight and he wasn't even sure the guy knew how to use a gun.
What kind of a guy is that to hire to fly this boat? What we need around here is another gun hand that can help out when things get rough.
Also Jayne would be the first to admit that he liked having fun with people. So even if the whole Clancy situation hadn't occurred, there's a good chance Jayne would still be giving Wash hell. He rather liked it.
Jayne liked people with a bit'o fight in'em and Wash just didn't seem to be the type. So right off the bat Jayne decided to push the pilot and see how much he would take. It didn't surprise Jayne none when Wash didn't put up no fuss. Just as I thought. Sure'n hell gonna be interesting having a pilot on this crew who can't even stand up for hisself on board the ship.
As the days wore on and Wash still didn't fight back Jayne really started to enjoy himself and began thinking that there was a good chance now that he could actually get Wash to quit the job. Maybe then Mal'll think of hiring someone with a little more gumption.
With this thought in mind Jayne decided to pick up the pace a bit and when he'd seen Wash walking into the weight-room it had just been too good a chance to pass up. He hadn't planned on the captain walking in and catching him though. He'd thought for sure that the little piglet was gonna start squealin' right then and there but had been truly surprised when Wash had kept his mouth shut.
Not that it meant Jayne was gonna lay off him, not by any means. He was just happy that he didn't have to deal with the captain and could continue with his little plan to get rid of the new pilot. Yep, I think it's gonna work out just fine.
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The next morning Wash walked into the galley and started making himself a cup of coffee. He wanted to just sit and relax awhile before the rest of the crew (namely Jayne) got up and disturbed him so had intentionally gotten up really early. He poured the water and had just started heating it though when he heard Jayne's unmistakable hulking footsteps coming from the bunk area. Gorramit, Wash thought.
Trying his best to look nonchalant, Wash finished putting the water on and sat down at the table to wait for it to heat up. Seconds later Jayne walked in and without a word to Wash began rummaging in the cupboards, apparently looking for something to eat. Happy to be ignored, Wash sat at the table and idly spun his cup in his hands, lost in thought.
"Gorramit!" Wash's reverie was interrupted by Jayne's bellow.
"Where the hell is it?" Jayne's back was still to Wash and he hadn't stopped his frantic rummaging so Wash assumed that this wasn't really aimed at him. Hoping desperately that Jayne found whatever it was he was looking for soon, Wash did his best to ignore him. He just wanted to get his coffee and head up to the cockpit. For some reason was the one place that Jayne would leave him alone. Maybe he knows that if he bothers me there I'm like to crash and kill us all.
Being ignored ended abruptly as Jayne turned from the cupboard and stared straight at Wash.
"What did you do with it?" Jayne asked furiously.
"What?" Wash asked back.
"My ration packs. I bought five of them on our last run and I had two left yesterday. I put them right in here (he indicated the cupboard behind him) and now they're gone"
"Sorry Jayne but I haven't seen them" Wash replied and hoped Jayne would leave it at that.
Shocked that a man that big could move that fast Wash suddenly found himself shoved up against the wall of the galley in about half a second. Jayne had him by the collar and was actually holding him almost off of his feet so that he could stare him down, face to face. Before Wash could say or do anything, Jayne spoke.
"I know you took'em little man. You're just all bent outta shape because I played a little joke on ya last night. Can' t even take a little joke, huh?" Jayne growled right in Wash's face. Making Wash wish that Jayne had thought to brush his teeth before coming out of his bunk.
"Look Jayne, listen to me" Wash said calmly. "I didn't take anything of yours and certainly not as repayment for your little joke yesterday. I don't even like those stupid ration packs, I think they taste like dirt" Wash did his best to sound calm as he figured trying to get angry and fight would be a bad idea at the moment.
Jayne held Wash for a few more seconds and finally let go. Wash staggered as he was suddenly thrust back onto his own two feet and Jayne laughed.
"You better be right, little man. Cuz if'n I find you took what's mine ain't gonna be no one to stop me from doin' what I see is right" With that, Jayne walked out.
For the second time in as many days Wash was left catching his breath after being somewhat assaulted and it left him unnerved. He really liked this job but he wasn't sure if he could stay on if Jayne didn't let up soon.
Suddenly Wash heard footsteps and nearly jumped out of his skin and Mal came striding quickly into the room.
"Hey, watch it there pilot. I ain't gonna bite ya none" Mal said with an easy smile. He went straight to the coffee and finding the water now hot, started to poor himself a cup.
Wash battled with himself over whether or not to talk to Mal about what had just occurred but quickly decided against it. He knew that telling Mal would only make things worse so again kept his mouth shut. He was extremely grateful that Mal hadn't seen Jayne's latest display as he was sure the captain would be none to pleased about it.
Smiling a greeting at Mal, Wash got himself a much needed cup of coffee and sat across from the captain.
"So what time do you think we can make the rendezvous tomorrow?" Mal asked. They were going to be making a trade of their current cargo and the buyer had insisted on meeting off planet. It was a bit more tricky of course but Mal had a good recommendation on the buyer so was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"I set up the trajectory last night and right now we're on target to meet up with them tomorrow at around 3:00" Wash replied, sipping his coffee and happy to have something else to think about.
"Good. That will give us time to get the goods back out into the open" Mal nodded happily. The goods were currently being stowed under the cargo deck just in case they ran into any Alliance cruisers.
"Once we make dock with them I want you to stay near the cockpit but also keep an eye on what's happening down below, got it?"
Wash nodded.
"Good. Can't be too careful with these new folks and I want to make sure that my pilot is safe enough to not get hisself shot up but also close enough for me to yell at him to get us the hell outta there if needed" With that Mal stood up and taking his coffee with him, headed out the door.
Wash sat in silence for a while after Mal left. He was grateful that no one else came in for the moment as he wanted a few more minutes to himself. He could have gone to the cockpit but for some reason his feet wouldn't let him. He was feeling very strange all of a sudden and couldn't put a finger on why.
Must just be jitters, Wash thought. But he couldn't shake the sudden feeling of dread that washed over him. Suddenly Wash had a very bad feeling about the deal tomorrow, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Mal, Zoe and (he had to admit) Jayne were very good at their jobs and they weren't going to let anything go wrong, Wash was sure of that. He and Kaylee were going to be in very good hands. All they had to do was do their jobs and stay out of the way and everything would be fine. Kaylee had told him she'd been through many of these types of jobs before and it would be fine. Even if something came up, Kaylee had assured him, the captain and Zoe would always handle it before it got outta hand.
So why do I feel this way?
Deciding that there was no need to dwell and doing his best to shake it off, Wash headed to the cockpit to check on their course.