Long Road Home – Chapter Seventeen

Author owns none of these characters or the 'verse they live

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Butler Tarrant was sitting at the table when Zoe walked into the galley. She hesitated slightly upon seeing him, but if he noticed, he gave no indication of it. They were still a full day out of Argo, and while things were running smoothly, the tension was starting to build.

"Cap'n," Tarrant nodded to her politely. Zoe almost grinned at that. The title Captain would take some getting used to.

"How are you today, Mister Tarrant?" Zoe asked, walking to the coffee pot. Fixing her a cup, she took a seat.

"Call me Goldie, please," Tarrant smiled. "Every time I hear someone say 'Mister Tarrant', I keep looking up for my father. Since he's been dead nigh on twelve years, that's kinda freaky." Zoe chuckled.

"Fair enough, Goldie," she nodded. "I'm just Zoe, unless we're in front of someone that ain't crew. How are you liking things so far?"

"It's a good ship," Tarrant replied. "And good people on both of them. Don't know that I've had better work. Least not in a long time."

"Been in the black a while, then?" Zoe asked.

"Since the war ended," Tarrant nodded. "Wasn't nothing to go home too, not really. No where else to call home, either. Most of the people I knew where dead, or scattered to the winds, so I drifted." He shrugged. "Ain't been all bad."

"Know how that is," Zoe told him, taking a sip of her coffee. "Mal and I managed to stay together after the war, wound up working Serenity. Not for that, no telling where I'd be."

"Wind blows us about," Tarrant agreed. "Never know when it'll stop for a while, leave you somewhere interesting."

"So you and Jayne were in the same unit?" Zoe asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

"For a little while," Tarrant nodded. "I was on Stormy's team when Sh. . .Jayne just showed up one night." Jayne had filled Goldie in about how Stormy had died. He felt a small shadow move across his heart at her name.

"He was about fourteen, I guess," Tarrant continued. "Maybe fifteen. Wild as a buck. Quiet, too. So quiet it could get on your nerves, sometimes. Never saw no one could be so still for so long."

"Or kill so easy," Tarrant added, suppressing a shudder at old memories. "Stormy was really the closest to him. They was like brother and sister, really. He would sit and talk with her, but rarely with anyone else." He looked up at Zoe.

"Don't get me wrong, now," he told her. "He was a good kid. Good soldier. Never left a man behind. When I got hit, he carried me back to the lines, got me to the aid station. Made sure I got attention right away. Then, he just faded away, and, until the other day, I never saw him again."

"He has a way of surprising you," Zoe nodded. "He's been with us a while, now. And, until we ran into Ami, not a one of us knew anything about his past."

"He's like that," Tarrant nodded. "Stormy knew, but most of the rest of us just had what we could glean from talking with him, which wasn't much. He was. . .different. That's all. Just different."

"He is that," Zoe grinned. "Like as not, had he not been here a time or two, we'd not be here now."

"He's like that," Tarrant smiled. "Once he decides to be your friend, he'll do anything he can for you. If he decides you're his enemy?" he shrugged.

"Yeah, I sorta got that part figured out," Zoe commented. "Seen it myself, first hand." She looked at him.

"You know, during the war, we heard about Banshee's, but never saw'em. Ami and Jayne were the first two people I ever knew who had been one. And now you."

Tarrant shrugged.

"Wasn't anything special," he said evasively. "Just a job, like any other in the military. We did what we was told, best we could."

"So were all of you like. . ." she trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

"Like Shade?" he asked with a knowing smile. "No. There's no one like him, anywhere. Least not that I ever seen. Guys like him made us feared. Special. But none of the rest of us could do the things he did." He shook his head.

"Kid would just walk right into an Alliance camp, and start killing folk. Boy didn't know fear of any kind, far as I could ever see."

"He's much the same way now, really," Zoe nodded. "He'll let you think he's afraid, maybe. But it's a sham."

"No," Tarrant shook his head. "No, I saw the way he looks at your pilot. He knows fear now. Not for himself, maybe, but he knows fear."

"I suppose you're right," Zoe said musingly, after a moment's thought. "I hadn't considered it in that light, but I suppose you're right."

"Course I am," Tarrant grinned wryly. "Didn't I mention how smart I was when I signed on?" Zoe snorted, but couldn't keep the smile from her face.

"I must not have been paying attention," she told him.

"Well, that's okay," he shrugged. "It was all lies, anyhow." He delivered the words with a deadpan. Zoe looked at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"I can see we'll enjoy having you on board, Goldie," she told him between laughs.

"I hope so," he smiled back. "I do hope so."

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"Sounds like Zoe and Goldie are gettin' on pretty well," Jayne observed. He and River were on the bridge, Jayne in the co-pilot's chair, and River cuddled atop him as the gun man reclined.

"Yes," she sighed happily. "Think he is good for her. Maybe help her to heal, and move on."

"That'd be good for her," he nodded. "Ain't so sure Goldie's the one to be helpin' her though. He never was what you'd call. . ." He trailed off as River raised her head and gave him an appraising look.

"Right," Jayne mumbled. River smirked, and lay her head back down upon his chest.

"My Jayne had hidden depths that only surfaced when the time was right," she pointed out slyly. "Perhaps Goldie is the same. Zoe may bring that which is hidden to light, and in return he may help her move ahead, and leave the pain of the past behind her."

"You're pretty smart, you know that?" Jayne chuckled, kissing her on top of her head.

"A genius," she nodded. "Everyone says so."

"Well, you're more than that," he growled softly, and River felt her spine tingle at the desire in his voice. She raised her head again, showing him a sexy pout.

"No longer sate our hunger upon the bridge, Zhang fu," she told him sadly. "Adventures are over, now that we are home."

"There's other places," he murmured in her ear, and felt her shiver. "This thing can drive itself for a while, I imagine. I got plans for my little genius, right now, that don't include pilot duties."

"Oh my," said River, eyes batting. "Whatever could you have in mind?"

"Why don't I just show you?"

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The two ships were on the pad less than ten minutes before plant workers were there to remove the empty crates making the return trip from Astra. The crews of both vessels gathered between the craft, and Mal looked at them closely.

They were good people, he knew. All had been with him through thick and thin. The idea of losing another one was enough to make his heart ache.

But he knew that if the feud that Withe and his minions was allowed to continue, that might just happen. He had to make a move to protect his people, and their future. They'd attacked two of his crew already. The fact that both had been women showed just what kind of men they were.

They had been lucky, he knew. A bit of luck to the other side, and he'd have lost Zoe, and maybe River as well. He didn't intend to give the rest of his unwanted enemies another chance. Might well be Inara next time.

"You know the problem," he said finally. "We got to handle this, 'fore it gets any worse. Already struck at us twice, no reason to think there won't be a third."

"But we ain't goin' about this half-assed, and flung about," he warned, eyeing Jayne longer than the rest. "If we can get rid of the problem without having any more trouble with that Sheriff, that's how I want it. We want to make a home here, and having him as an enemy could make that difficult at best."

"So, first, we find out where Withe, and Ball, been spending their time. Then we see what comes next. Dong ma?" Everyone nodded.

"Okay then. River, Jayne, cover the ships. Kaylee, you and Hollie will make sure we're still good, and make sure that our new man," he nodded to Tarrant, "is ready to make it own his lonesome. Inara, I'd like you to monitor the Cortex for any news about Jenkins. Doc, I 'spect you'll be wantin' to get back to the infirmary, so you can walk along with me. Zoe, you're with me."

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Jayne watched thoughtfully as Mal walked away. He knew Mal was right, mostly, but he still chafed at the idea of waiting. And as far as that no good Sheriff went. . .

"Thinking will get you into trouble," River singsonged lightly at his side, smirking up at him. He grinned.

"Always seems to, at that," he replied.

"Wait for Captain Daddy, Jayne," she admonished more seriously. "It's his to do, not yours. Not this time."

"I know," he sighed in agreement. "Just don't like the idea of waiting, that's all."

"Waited for me," she noted, eyebrows raised.

"That's a bit different," he flushed slightly. "No, it's a lot different," he clarified.

"Then wait," she told him, hand caressing his chest. "Do this as a family."

"Someone might get hurt," Jayne pointed out.

"True," she nodded. "Might be you, if you go alone. Please promise me, Jayne. Don't go off alone, not like last time." River's eyes were blinking as she fought the tears that threatened at the thought of losing him. Jayne's arms encircled her, and she leaned into him.

"I promise," he assured her. "I'll stay right here with you until Mal decides what he's gonna do." She looked up at him, and he knew she was reading him. Part of him was hurt at the lack of trust, but another part understood her need.

"I trust you, Zhang fu," she whispered. "Just fearful. Need re-assurance, that's all. You can be very stubborn," she added with a smile.

"River, there was a time when I never gave a second thought to what might happen to me," he told her honestly. "Didn't go looking for anything, but never took a step out of it's way, neither. But that was before you."

"I can't bear the thought of not being near you. With you. Or of you being alone, without me. I'll never willingly let that happen. And that includes not going off and doing something stupid. I swear."

River could feel the sincerity pouring from him, like water from a spring. Once again she was amazed at the depth of his love for her, and for a second she swayed slightly, as the raw emotion threatened to overcome her. But he was there, holding her in his arms. Safe. Always safe in those arms.

"I cannot tell you. . .cannot find the words, my Jayne. . ." she shuddered and broke off.

"Me too, Angel," Jayne whispered. "Me too."

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"Glad to see you back, Mal," Harwell said as Mal walked in. "Manage to dodge the flu?"

"Barely," Mal nodded, shaking the proffered hand. "On the decline they say, and we're all inocced." Harwell smiled.

"Good, good."

"Did have a mite o' trouble, though," Mal said quietly. He explained briefly.

"I was afraid of that," Harwell grimaced.

"Mister Harwell, I don't aim to leave this lie no longer. My crew has been attacked twice now. I had hoped this would all just die off, but that ain't seeming to be likely."

"I understand completely. I'll be glad to have a word with the sheriff, if you like. Maybe he can. . ."

"Ain't likely. He paid us a visit after the house burned. Laid all the 'recent difficulty' right at my feet. Went so far," Mal added, "as to suggest that we had 'taken' work from Withe and the rest, and that folks felt resentful o' that."

"What?" Harwell asked in surprise. "He said that?"

"He did. Come as near to threatenin' as he could, without just doin' it. I don't know how close you and him are, but. . ."

"I've known Sheriff Grippen for years," Harwell told him. "Decades, really. We're not what I'd call close friends, but we've always got on."

"Well, I'm right sorry to have laid this on you then," Mal told him. "But I wanted you to know. I don't aim to be scared off. You're the best employer I've ever had in the years I been in the black and on my own. I don't want trouble with him, but I've a feeling it's gonna happen whether I want it or not."

"And you're concerned that will affect our relationship? Yours and mine, I mean?"

"I'd be lying if I said otherwise," Mal admitted. "Like I said, this is the best work we've ever had. I don't intend to give it up without a fight. If the fightin' is gonna cost us the job, though, then there seems to be no point. You're an honest man, and have always dealt squarely with me. Figured I owed you the same in return."

George Harwell looked at Mal for a long minute, and Mal felt his heart sink. His greatest fear was that Harwell would not want to deal with them anymore if trouble cropped up again. It wasn't their making, hadn't been before. But the sheriff had made a point. Trouble just seemed to follow them, no matter how hard they worked to avoid it.

"Captain," Harwell finally said, "I appreciate your forthrightness. And I understand your concern. But let me make this perfectly clear. You and your crew came to us at a time when we were on the ropes. You took work from us knowing it was likely to cause you trouble. Place you in danger."

"You endured that trouble, and defeated it. In the process, you helped save this company, and the jobs of over one hundred people. You deliver my goods on time and undamaged. So long as that continues, you are my transport service. Period. Whatever you need to do in order to protect your family will in no way affect that decision. Is that clear enough for you?"

Mal fought the urge to wilt as his knees weakened. He'd hoped that would be Harwell's answer, but. . .

"I don't know how to thank you, George," Mal said quietly.

"Keep my goods moving," Harwell shot back with a grin. "Oh, and make sure that little mechanic of yours gets some time with young Tam. His face was so long while she was gone, I'm surprised he didn't trip on it."

"Consider it done," Mal laughed. "When does the next shipment go?"

"Day after tomorrow," Harwell consulted his schedule. "With another the day after that." He looked up. "Thought I'd take advantage of your new vessel," he said, smiling.

"What I like to hear," Mal nodded. "Until then, we got things to tend to."

"Then I'll leave you to them."