Long Road Home – Chapter Eighteen
I do not own the rights to Firefly nor any of it's related characters. Dang it.
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Withe looked at the two Firefly ships sitting peacefully on the pad at Guilford's, and spat, as if removing a foul taste from his mouth. Jenkins had apparently failed. He made his way toward the office with considerably lest luster than he had started his little trip.
It had been his intention to approach Harwell about some work, seeing as how no one had spotted Reynolds lately. Now that wouldn't hold. But he was already here, and to turn away and leave now would just cast suspicion on him.
So he continued to the office, though he already knew the answer. But at least now Reynolds and his crew where here, where he could see them. He'd just have to take care of the problem himself.
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Withe might have been less confident of his intentions to take care of things had he been aware of a pair of cold blue eyes watching him. Eyes that held no hint of mercy, or forgiveness.
Eyes that belonged to a man who wanted nothing less than to see Withe squirm in agony for the attempt on Zoe, not to mention Jenkins' attempts, and thoughts, on River.
Jayne watched the man he considered his enemy walking to the office, and thought for a moment about visiting the building himself. But he had promised, and he would never break a promise. Not to her.
With a sigh of regret, he lifted his comm, and called Mal.
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Mal watched thoughtfully as Withe stormed away from the plant office, anger evident in his walk. He obviously didn't like what he'd been told.
Mal turned to his assembled crew, waiting for instructions.
"Let's go."
He, Zoe, Jayne and River climbed aboard the mule, and Zoe eased the vehicle away from the ships, following Withe at a discreet distance. River would warn them if Withe caught on to their being behind them, and Jayne was ready for any ambush that might happen.
"I don't want anyone making a move till I say, Jayne," Mal ordered. Jayne put on his hurt face.
"Why you always gotta call my name when you say that?"
"Mostly cause it's only you has a mind to go off on his own and cause mayhem and destruction. The keyword in this little covert operation is covert. I don't want any trouble with the local law as can be avoided. Dong ma?"
"He won't be no trouble," Jayne groused, but relented under the glare Mal threw his way. "Fine," he huffed, and River giggled softly.
"Gently, Jayne," she said quietly. "He must think of all of us."
"Yeah," Jayne mumbled, and she squeezed his arm affectionately.
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Unaware that he was being followed, Withe drove his mule along, fuming. Harwell had made it clear that there was no work for him or the others, nor was there likely to be. Reynolds had stood by him when they had not, and he needed dependable transport for his goods.
Yet another issue that Ball and Jenkins would blame on him. If only Reynolds hadn't stayed on! Or Zhang hadn't underestimated him! Everything would have been fine by now.
But things weren't fine. Not at all. And likely to get worse. Withe admitted to himself that the gambit was lost, now. There was no way they'd ever get work from Harwell. The manager had all but said that he knew what was happening. There were few other places on the moon that could provide off-world shipping work, and none with the regularity of Guilfords.
Withe had a contingency, of course. He'd hoarded enough money to fuel his ship, and provision it. With that he could take off and seek work elsewhere.
But, he swore to himself, he'd damn sure settle with Reynolds, and Harwell, before then.
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"Angry," River muttered, sensing Withe's thoughts. "Defeated, but want's vengeance. On us, and on Harwell. Plans to leave afterward."
"He shoulda planned to leave before," Jayne noted grimly. This time, Mal nodded in agreement.
"That he should."
Withe pulled off the main road twenty minutes later, onto a small back road that looked little used. Zoe carefully followed, working to keep from raising dust. With River along, it wasn't necessary to keep him in sight to follow him.
"Slowing," River told her after five minutes or so. "Not far, now." Zoe nodded, and pulled the mule off road, out of sight. They quickly covered the vehicle, and set out on foot, following River's directions.
After fifteen minutes of hard walking, River held up a hand, and they froze. She stood still for a moment, head to the side, as if listening to something only she could hear. Which, in effect, she was. Finally she pointed.
"Other side of the hill," she said softly. "Many minds. Including the lawman," she added. Jayne almost smiled. Almost.
Stealthily the four crept to the top of the small rise, and looked down. In the small hollow sat a tavern, of sorts. Several vehicles were around the place, including a mule they recognized as Withe's. And one marked as the Sheriff's.
Mal took a small pair of binoculars from his jacket, and surveyed the scene. River had been right. Many minds. There were at least twenty people visible around the small building. Three were arguing heatedly. Withe, Ball, and Sheriff Grippen.
"Well, now," he muttered, passing the glasses to Zoe. "How 'bout that?"
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"Jenkins is dead," Grippen snarled at Withe first thing. "Found on the docks this morning. No sign of his crew."
"We. . ." Ball started, but Withe cut him off with a glare.
"That ain't our doing," Withe told the Sheriff.
"I want to know what's going on, Withe," Grippen snarled. "I played along with all this after Zhang cause you told me you'd make it worth my while. I'm wondering, now, how you aim to make good on that."
"We'll do it," Withe nodded confidently. He was an accomplished liar.
"How?" Grippen pushed.
"Ain't gotta share the work with Jenkins, now, for one," Withe told him flatly. "Told him not to go off like that, but he always was a hothead. He had his eye on that merc's little gal. You know how he gets." Grippen nodded.
"Likely he ran into the merc, then," Grippen said thoughtfully. "Might be I can persuade the folks on Astra that he's the likely suspect."
"That'd be good," Withe nodded. "Meanwhile, it's time we took care of Reynolds' once and for all. Then we can get things back like they used to be. Only better," he added, smiling at Grippen. The sheriff didn't smile back.
"No more screw-ups, Withe. I'm warning you now. And nothing is to happen out Guilford's either. Had more'n enough of that with Zhang and his crew. I can't have no more of it. Dong ma?" Withe nodded.
"Wasn't planning on nothing like that anyway," he lied smoothly. "Just gonna make sure Reynolds don't make no more runs, that's all."
"I better be seeing some worth my while outta this 'fore long, Withe," Grippen warned. "Don't even think of backing out now."
"Ain't," Withe assured him. "Need you on my side," he added with a friendly wink. Grippen snorted.
"Mind what I said about Guilford." With that the lawman walked away. Ball watched him go, then looked to Withe.
"So what are we gonna do?" he asked.
"You do what you want," Withe shot back. "I aim to rid the world of Malcolm Reynolds, and then hightail it away from here. Ain't no work coming our way from Guilford's, no matter what. That fool Jenkins fouled that up good and proper. We're done." Ball looked at him.
"I ain't got the fuel to get nowhere, 'cept maybe Astra," he objected.
"Then that's where I'd go, was I you," Withe was unsympathetic. "Or you can stay. Makes me no never mind." With that he stalked off to find his crew.
Ball watched him leave, realizing for the first time what a mess he was in.
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"Guess that answers the question 'bout the Sheriff," Jayne grumbled softly.
"Guess it does," Mal nodded. He looked at River.
"Albatross, you manage to get any of that?"
"Withe intends to hurt us," she said quietly, "then run. Grippen told them of Jenkins' death, and now intends to tell the Astra authorities that Jayne is the likely candidate." She looked at Jayne, apology in her eyes. He shrugged.
"Suits me," he told her.
"But it was me who. . ."
"None o' that," Jayne hushed her. "And he ain't called 'em yet." He looked over her head at Mal.
Mal considered that. He hadn't called. And he was a threat. And Jayne would only hold back for so long. Better, he decided, to have the big man under some control, than to lose all ability to direct his actions.
"Him first," he said finally, committing himself. He'd known it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. "Might be we can turn the others against him with this," he went on, thoughtfully.
"How's that, sir?" Zoe asked.
"We tell Grippen that Withe killed Jenkins on account of Jenkins was leaving. And that he told us that Grippen was gonna tell the authorities on Astra that Jayne did it, hoping we'd take care of him, too."
"Might work, sir," Zoe said after a minute. "Worth a shot."
"Jayne?" Mal asked. Jayne looked annoyed.
"I already told you, Mal," he said with exaggerated patience. "You're the boss. Long as River ain't in danger, I'll play it however you want. Why you gotta keep acting like I don't never do what you say?" River took his hand in hers, and squeezed.
"I don't mean it that way," Mal surprised everyone. "I just want to make sure you're okay with this. I don't need you to go all. . .Shade, on me." Jayne's face froze for a second, and Mal fought the urge to swallow.
"Am I really that bad?" Jayne asked suddenly, his voice suddenly uncertain. River looked up at him, but discovered that his blocks were firmly in place.
"Zhang? Boom?" Mal prompted, smiling in spite of himself. "Blue Hands? Do I need to go on?"
"Fine," Jayne huffed, his momentary lapse now gone. "What you want me to do?"
"We'll just go on into town, and have us a little chat with the good Sheriff."
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Inara walked into the galley, surprised to find Butler Tarrant sitting at the table.
"Ma'am," he nodded politely. She smiled.
"Just Inara, Mister Tarrant."
"Call me Goldie, then," Tarrant smiled. "Everyone does."
"Alright, Goldie," she nodded. "How are you liking things so far?"
"Good job," he replied, finishing his meal. "That Kaylee is something else. Never saw anyone with that kinda touch that hadn't been to some school or other."
"She's gifted with machinery," Inara agreed with a nod. "She's kept this ship flying when it shouldn't have been possible."
"She's made more modifications than I've ever seen," he laughed. "This boat is probably faster than it was new."
"She's done a lot with a little," Inara laughed lightly. "You'll be aboard the Companion, correct?" He nodded. "Well, I expect you'll soon be changing things there to suit you."
"Not likely," he grinned. "I'd be out of my depth, and know it. Sides that, Zoe would likely object," he added, smiling. Inara didn't miss the way Tarrant spoke Zoe's name.
"Well, she's not that bad," Inara told him. "And I'm sure she'll make a fine Captain. Jayne and River aren't the kind to follow blindly, and they love working her crew."
"Well, I don't mind working her crew," Tarrant assured her, just a little too quickly, Inara thought with a secret smile to herself. Ah ha! Her matchmaking sense kicked into overdrive.
"I don't think I've thanked you for what you did for her, by the way," Inara smiled sweetly. "I don't like to think what might have happened if you hadn't come along."
"Well," he shifted slightly, "Jayne and River showed up right after I did. I imagine they'd have sorted it out quick enough."
"I'm sure they would," Inara nodded confidently. "They're a very formidable pair. But Zoe might have been injured in the mean time. She's my friend. And Mal's longest friend. And not everyone would have intervened like you did. So thank you."
"You're welcome," Tarrant said back, more to cover his embarrassment that any thing else. "Glad I could help."
"And I'm glad you decided to work with us for a while," Inara went on. "We needed another engineer, since Kaylee will stay groundside for the most past now that we have two vessels."
"Well, I was looking for work, and you had it," he smiled. "Worked out fine for both parties."
"Yes," Inara nodded. "How did you like working for Zoe? On the trip over I mean."
"She's good people," Tarrant said evasively. "Didn't see much of her, of course. Kaylee and I spent most every waking minute in the engine room, or on the systems. She was trying to get me up to speed quick as possible."
"She is good people," Inara agreed.
"I like her," Tarrant surprised himself. "We spoke a little here and there. She always seemed a little withdrawn, sad like. But I enjoyed talking to her." He was blushing, Inara noted with silent glee.
"She is often sad," Inara said somberly. "Or perhaps reflective is a better word."
"Kaylee mentioned her husband was killed some while back," Tarrant told her. "Didn't mention details," he added at Inara's raised eyebrow.
"Wash, Zoe's husband, was our pilot at the time. Probably the best pilot anywhere. He made this ship do things it shouldn't have been able to do. Saved our lives more than once doing it. He was killed almost two years ago, in a Reaver attack. It hit her hard. They were a very close, and happy, couple."
Goldie considered that. Was she warning him not to pursue Zoe?
"I'm not trying to warn you off," Inara said, as if reading his mind. "In fact, just the opposite. I've seen how she looks at you, and how you looked to her before agreeing to take the job. You can't tell me there's isn't an attraction there, Goldie."
"She's a beautiful woman," Goldie said before he could stop himself. "Strong, tough. Wasn't afraid in the alley way, either. She's got sand."
"She does that," Inara said firmly. "She's still healing. It can't be easy on her, seeing the rest of us in relationships. She's becoming restless, I think. Which means she's healing."
"So I need to make sure I don't hinder that?" Goldie asked. "Or get caught in a regret type of thing?"
"Not at all," Inara told him flatly. "Zoe isn't the type to act impulsively, or rashly. And I don't think you'd hinder her, or I'd say so. What I'm saying, I guess, is that I think you just might be good for her, if things happen to develop between you. Just take it slowly, okay? She's still feeling her way. Don't try to move too fast, or be discouraged if it takes a while."
"Why are you telling me this?" Goldie asked. "I mean, no offense, but you don't know me from Adam. How do you know what I might do or not do."
"I'm not stupid, Goldie," Inara smiled. "And I have great confidence in Jayne. If you were a threat, he'd never have given Zoe and Mal a chance to hire you. And I'm a decent judge of character myself, in all modesty. I've seen that look in your eyes before. Let me guess. You and Zoe 'connected' somehow. Am I right?"
Goldie's stunned look was answer enough.
"How could you. . .I mean I haven't said a word about. . ."
"Like I said, I'm a decent judge myself. I know it because it was the same way the first day I met Mal. A spark. It was electric. I told you I've seen that look before, and I have. In my own eyes, looking back at me from the mirror."
"You're right," he nodded after a minute. "We shook hands, introducing ourselves after things were done. I thought she'd zapped me with something," he grinned. "And I think she did, it just wasn't mechanical."
"Just remember what I said, Goldie," Inara smiled, rising from her seat, and placing her tea cup in the sink. "Take it slow. Give her time. She's worth it."
"I already knew that," he assured her. "And Inara? Thanks."
Inara nodded, smiled, and headed back for the bridge. Leaving Butler Tarrant thinking very hard about things. Very hard indeed.