Long Road Home – Chapter Four
All disclaimers still in effect :)
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It was a beautiful morning on Argo. Though summer had come and gone, the autumn was still very pleasant. Inara felt the bed stirring beside her, and opened her eyes. Mal was sitting beside her, already fully dressed, eyes twinkling.
"Mornin' sleepyhead," he smiled, rubbing her shoulder gently.
"Morning," she replied with a smile, as he leaned down to kiss her gently.
"Thought you and me might go for us a little picnic," Mal told her. "I mean if you ain't gotta better offer, o' course," he winked.
"Well, I'll have to look at my social calendar," she teased back, "but I try to leave my options open in a case certain swashbuckling pirate come along and wants to sweep me off my feet."
"Consider you swept, then," he kissed her again and rose. "I'll get everything ready while you get ready. We'll just make a day of it, maybe."
Inara rose after he had gone, and quickly showered and dressed. As she did, she pondered her relationship with Mal Reynolds. After six months, things were going very smoothly indeed, and she was, for the most part, happy. In the long run, she hoped they would marry, but was resigned to being patient.
I don't know how River stands it, she thought wryly. Especially considering Jayne's steadfast refusal to consummate their relationship. When she had asked him why, he had blushed a bit, but surprised her by answering.
"She's a virgin, Inara," he was almost shy about it. "Ain't right, that's all." And that was his only answer. While River was beside herself with frustration, Inara had to admit it was very sweet. Old fashioned, yes, but also admirable. She had meant it when she told Jayne that most men would have been pressuring River for intimacy. That he was not, and was in fact resisting her, spoke well of his intentions toward the girl.
She and Mal were not celebate, and had, in fact, been sharing a bed even while the trouble with Zhang had been going on. Their intimacy was intense, to say the least. All that lacked, really, was the long term commitment that assured her he would stay.
He would not give such a commitment lightly, either. That was one reason she didn't mind the wait. When he did, he would mean it. That assurance rested in her heart like no other feeling she had ever known.
Inara finished dressing and went straight to the front door, where she found Mal already in the mule, waiting. His smile was boyish in it's charm as he saw her leave the house.
They drove a short ways out into the country, to a small lake that Harwell had spoken of. Mal was well prepared, and soon had a blanket on the ground, and several fresh fruits spread out, along with wine.
"Figured I owed you breakfast," he smiled, and she laughed in delight as he spread the food on the blanket.
They were just finishing up when Mal jerked upright. Inara turned to follow his gaze, and saw three men standing by the mule. All were armed, and all looked angry.
"Reynolds, we want a word with you," the man in front all but snarled. Inara recognized him as Jent Withe, one of the men who had transported for Guilford's before the trouble had begun.
"Well, this ain't exactly a good time, fellas," Mal said amiably enough, but Inara could see he was tense.
"It's a fine time, seein' as how you ain't got that big blockheaded merc with ya," Withe shot back.
"Now ole' Jayne wouldn't care for that none," Mal replied. "Fact he'd prob'ly take offense and be like as not to rip your ugly head clean off. Course he's a mite short on temper, Jayne is."
Before anyone else could say a word, Mal's gun was in his hand. The three men tensed as if about to draw, but the hammer earing back on Mal's pistol stopped them.
"Well, looky here," Mal drawled. "Now, I came here with my beautiful ai ren hoping to have a pleasant day, and go about my business unmolested. Seein' as how you've tromped all over that, suppose you boys just drop them guns, real careful like, and then head on out."
The three men hesitated, and Mal's voice became more harsh.
"I ain't playin' none, here boys. You go ahead and do like I said, and I won't even tell Jayne you was talkin' 'bout him. And that's 'bout as good as this deal's gonna get without some bloodshed."
All three reluctantly dropped their weapons, hatred burning in their eyes.
"Now, I know what's got you all het up, and I hate that, really I do," Mal told them, his voice indicating he didn't really hate it at all. "But the way I see it, you folks had plenty o' opportunity to stand with Harwell when you could, and you didn't. That ain't my problem, or fault. Me and mine, we did right by him, and he's doin' the same for us."
"So you can just trot on outta here, and don't be wastin' my time with such as this again. Dong ma?"
"This ain't over, Reynolds," Withe glared. "Not by a long shot, it ain't."
"It can be," Mal raised his pistol, pointing it right at Withe's face. The other man paled. "See, I can end it right here. But that ain't my way. All I want is for me and mine to get by. Conjure you want the same. Find it somewhere that ain't here."
The three went then, Mal watching them out of sight. Inara looked up.
"My hero," she smiled, and took his offered hand to rise to her feet.
"Twern't nothin, ma'am," he smiled back, putting his gun away. He turned serious then.
"I'm sorry 'bout that 'Nara. Didn't figure on nothin' like that at all."
"No harm done, ai ren," she assured him. "Besides, you called me beautiful."
"I do that pretty often," he smiled back.
"Girl can never hear it enough. How about Gunfighter?"
"Huh?" Mal was lost.
"For the boat, Mal. Gunfighter." Mal groaned.
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Kaylee looked up from the table when she saw River walking toward her. It was the morning after the slaver attack, and things were back near enough to normal that breakfast would be on time.
"Wow, River," Kaylee exclaimed, "don't you look radiant. You're almost glowin'." River blushed, but her wide grin would not fade.
"Consummated our relationship," she confided in her soon to be sister-in-law. "Two have become as one."
"What?" Kaylee squealed, hands flying to her mouth a second too late. "What? Really?" she demanded more quietly, leaning forward. River nodded.
"So you guys. . ." Kaylee trailed off. River nodded again.
"Four times," she informed Kaylee, eliciting another squeal.
"Four times!" Kaylee said in a very loud whisper. "You can't have gotten any sleep!"
"Not much," River admitted, still grinning. "Worth it," she added, blushing again.
"Are you okay?" Kaylee asked, concerned. "I mean, Jayne's an awful big man, and I know you were, well. . ."
"Virgo intactica," River nodded. "I am well. Very well," she giggled. "My Jayne is very skillful." Kaylee joined her in the giggling. They were still giggling when Jayne made his way in.
"I don't guess I gotta ask what all that's about," he mumbled. River kissed his cheek.
"My Jayne rumbles like a bear," she teased. In spite of himself, he had to grin.
"I just think that's so neat!" Kaylee grinned from ear to ear. Jayne's grin turned a little goofy at that, and River snickered, running her tongue into his ear.
"Plenty more where that came from, you know," she whispered huskily. With that Jayne grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, heading back to their room.
"See you later," River laughed, waving at Kaylee from her perch on Jayne's shoulder. Kaylee laughed until she noticed the older woman next to her frowning.
"Newlyweds," she explained. It was sorta true.
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Kaylee didn't see River and Jayne again til dinner. She had just sat down at the table when the couple came walking in.
"Shoulda eat breakfast first," Jayne winked. River was smiling from ear to ear, and Kaylee couldn't help be glad for her friend. But it sure did make her miss Simon all that much more.
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When the ship arrived at Persephone, the Captain had a surprise waiting for them.
"Mister Cobb, the salvage rights of that ship, and any rewards, were rightly your's. Since you allowed us to claim it, it's only right and fair that we pay your passage." He handed Jayne a bag with their three fares in it. Jayne was shocked.
"He would thank you if he could find his voice," River thanked the Captain.
"You folks take care," the Captain saluted and walked away.
"Hey, we got coin!" Kaylee chirped.
"Rightfully Captain Daddy's," River chimed in.
"Well, not really," Jayne reasoned. "We earned it, fightin' slavers. Mal had to pay it to get us here, so technically, it's ours." River pondered that.
"True enough," she agreed, and stuck her hand out. "Give me money, Zhang fu. Going shopping."
Jayne groaned, knowing what that meant.
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"How many ruttin' stores can two women visit in one gorram day?" Jayne groused from behind a rather impressive collection of shopping bags and boxes.
"We are very talented women, Zhang fu," River assured him.
"Ease up, Jayne," Kaylee snickered. "We're on our way to the hotel."
"Hope my back makes it that far," Jayne continued.
"If your back is problematic, perhaps I should spend the night with Kaylee," River said sweetly. "Don't want you to put strain on your injured body parts."
"Backs fine," Jayne growled, and River and Kaylee erupted into giggles again.
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The trio checked into the hotel, and took time to shower and change. Kaylee and River dressed in some of the things they'd purchased that day. Kaylee choosing a blue sundress, while River opted for a pair of very tight jeans and t-shirt, covered by a blouse which she tied about her middle.
Jayne whistled approvingly at both, then, one on each arm, they set out to find some dinner.
They chose a restaurant across the street from the hotel, on a recommendation from the bell hop.
"Must remember to tip the bell boy, Zhang fu," River said as they were eating. "This is a very nice restaurant, as he said."
"I will," Jayne nodded. That was something he had learned from Inara. Tipping wasn't just courteous, it also got you remembered. Good tippers were always treated to better tables, faster service, and all around just treated better, Inara had told him.
"Boy, this ain't bad at all," Kaylee said, digging into her meal. "We oughta do this more often!"
"You mean go half-way 'cross the verse, fighting slavers, living in a small suite for nearly two weeks, or eating out?" River asked with a straight face. Kaylee looked at her for a moment, then, as if on cue, both broke out in giggles.
Jayne rolled his eyes, and tried to act disgruntled, but he couldn't. He was having a good time himself, and the fact that his Angel was next to him just made it better.
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They were leaving the restaurant, on their way back to the hotel, when River suddenly stiffened. Jayne saw it, and immediately placed his hand on his gun.
"What is it, baby," Jayne asked softly. Just then two men came around from the alley. Spying River and Kaylee, they stopped short. Both were scrawny, dirty, and had apparently already been at the bottle somewhere.
"Well, now," one said, "looky what we got here!"
"You have got to be kidding me," Jayne almost laughed. River stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"No, Zhang fu," she said softly. "They like to play with women, let them play with me." Jayne nodded reluctantly, and River walked forward.
"Well, little girl, you and your shiny friend want to dump that ox yer with and come have a drink with a couple o' real men?" he leeres. Jayne didn't even bother to bristle, just smiled. Kaylee was hiding behind Jayne, peeking out around his arm, eyes wide.
"Jayne!" she whispered urgently. "Ain't you gonna help her?"
"She don't need my help," he replied confidently. "And she knows if she does, I'm right here." River looked back and smiled at him. Then, still looking at Jayne, she kicked the one who had spoken right in the mouth.
"What the. . .?" his friend bellowed, startled by the sudden violence. He tried to grab River, but she deftly evaded him, twisting away, and plunging an elbow to his solar plexus when he passed. He fell to his knees, gasping for air.
The second man was staggering to his feet when the little assassin leapt into the air, spinning around in a twirl, and kicked him again, this time in the temple. The talker crumpled to the ground as if he had been de-boned. River whirled on the second man, still trying to breath, and smashed her elbow into his nose. He too, fell to the ground, out cold.
As calmly as if she'd just paid her bill, River walked back to Jayne, linking her arm in his, and the trio continued on their way. Kaylee walked no more than a half step behind. But looked back several times.
"Thank you, Jayne," River told him quietly as they crossed the street.
"You're welcome, Angel." The term came as natural to him as breathing, and the look it put on River's face was priceless.
I am one blessed man, Jayne thought to himself. Thanks, Book.
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River curled up atop Jayne in their bed, running her hands over his chest.
"Thank you for allowing me to be me," she said quietly.
"Wouldn't want you any other way, Angel," he told her sincerely. "Told you, you're perfect. Wouldn't change a thing."
"But it is important to me that I still be who I am," she told him frankly. "You are the male, and therefore tasked with protecting the mate. Yet I am capable of taking care of myself as well, and you allow me to do that. Thus I am still who I am, while also being your mate. It is an important distinction. Not all men would do that."
"Not all men are blessed to have someone like you as a 'mate', either," he grinned. "I'll always worry about you. And there is absolutely no point in you telling me not to. But I won't keep you from being who you were when I fell in love with you. You saved me, girl. You don't know it, maybe, but you did. You're the most precious thing in the 'verse to me. A priceless treasure. And I'll always treat you that way."
River blinked back tears as she lowered her lips to his. They were one, now. It didn't matter that there was no official form or letter. This man was hers, and she was his. And that was all that mattered tonight.