Copper for a Kiss by Lady Cleo

All Disclaimers' Apply

Chapter Six: Santo

2518 Late March.

Approximately ten months later-

In the distance lightening flashed, the slow rumble of thunder following after it. Jayne looked up from where he sat on the edge of the small bed. He frowned for a second before he quickly finished tying off his combat boots and stood.

"You leaving so soon?"

Jayne turned back around to face the woman that lay stretched out across the small bed. He grinned and waggled an eyebrow down at her as he reached for his hat. "Gotta get back 'fore the little missus wakes." He explained. Digging into his pocket he fished out the woman's pay and set it down on the small nightstand beside the table.

"Funny, never figured you to be the married type." The whore smiled up at him, pulling the covers tight around her body as she moved into a sitting position.

"Ain't married. Just my partner." Jayne answered back quickly as he headed towards the door. "She tends to go a little- crazy, if'n she wakes up and I ain't their s'all." He explained as he knocked the hat into place on his head and moved out of the room into the poorly lit hallway.

It was quiet for a Friday night, but Jayne didn't much care. He moved quickly down the stairs and out of the musty old whorehouse into the dark streets. Clouds gathered in the northern sky as he strolled leisurely down the dusty town streets towards the hotel. Another bolt of lightening flashed in the distance, and the rumble of thunder grew louder.

Pushing open the double doors, Jayne grinned at the sleepy clerk behind the desk and worked his way through the small lobby and up the creaky staircase. Ambling down the brightly lit hallway he pushed open the door to room 126 and stepped into the dark. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the pitch black and he started for his bed only to pause as the door slammed behind him.

"Gorramit girl-" Jayne cursed as he took note of the second empty bed. "How many times we gotta go through this?" Cursing under his breath he dropped down to his knees, checking underneath both beds for the little crazy girl. Finding nothing besides dust bunnies he clambered back onto his feet and started for the closet door.

A pair of eyes suddenly met his from the shadows of a corner and Jayne sighed with a mixture of relief and annoyance "Tryin' ta give me a ruttin' heart attack, girl?" He barked as he walked over to where she sat huddled in the corner. Reaching down he slipped his arms underneath her form and lifted her easily into his arms.

River wrapped her arms securely around his neck, clinging to him and burying her face in the crook of his neck "Shadows came to play." She murmured as he carried her back across the room. "Reek of whore." She added bitterly, but refused to budge from his arms when he came to a halt before the bed.

Jayne raised an eyebrow at her tone, half convinced he'd detected a hint of jealously in her words. "Yeah, well, that's what happens when ya go visit one." He finally answered as he dropped down to the bed. Leaning back against the pillows he tucked her body around his. "Now close them eyes and get some sleep, need that little brain of yours fully functioning tomorrow." Removing his hat he dropped it on the bed post and closed his eyes.

"Don't like the smell."

Groaning Jayne refused to budge an eye, "Then get on your own damn bed, otherwise shut the hell up and get some sleep." The small form that was pressed to his side twitched slightly in response, her hand fisting on the material of his shirt. "That's better."

-

Sunlight danced across Jayne's face, blinding the mercenary as his eyes fluttered open. He groaned at the heavy weight resting across his body and easily maneuvered the small girl off. Swinging his legs off the bed he stood and stretched out the kinks, moving slowly over to the bathroom and rolling his strained neck.

Damn, the things he did for his little freak.

Pushing open the door he quickly stripped and stepped into a hot shower. Taking a long second to savor the rushing water as it beat against his body, the mercenary shrugged off the remnants of sleep, and massaged out the kink in his left shoulder. "Figures soon as I get rid of the tension, little girl puts it right back." Rolling his head forward he let the water beat against his face for a second deciding to savor the shower for a second longer, after all never knew when he was gonna have another.

Jayne finally stepped out, quickly tying a towel around his waist before moving over to the sink. Staring into the foggy mirror for a second he ran his hand across the stubble covered chin and through his damp hair. Stalling on his usual toiletries Jayne glanced at the door through the mirrors reflection and waited patently.

The bathroom door creaked open, admitting the small girl.

"One of these days you're gonna walk in and see somethin' you don't wanna." Jayne muttered. Scowling in her general direction his left hand dropped down to grip the towel as the small waft of a girl crossed the bathroom.

Pushing him aside she perched herself on the sink before picking up his razor and the shaving cream. Jayne leaned his head back in response, giving her better access to the stubble that covered his chin. Carefully and expertly she applied the cream and then the blade to his skin, trimming away the hair with mathematical precision. River finished her task quickly and dropped the razor to the sink. Grabbing the wash cloth she wiped his face clean and gave him a loopy smile. "Done."

Jayne grunted in satisfaction, running a hand over his chin he waggled an eyebrow down at her and gently swatted her thigh, "Don't take forever, girl, got things ta do." Turning around he left the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind him.

The Mercenary dressed quickly, half convinced that his crazy genius was trying to catch him unawares with his pants down. He pushed that thought down quickly; she was not your normal over hormonal teenager. After all, she was his crazy girl, and crazy girls had a tendency to do crazy things.

"Not crazy." River's voice carried into the room over the sound of running water.

"Hey, girl, what'd I tell ya bout doin' that." Jayne barked back, forgetting for a second that she didn't rebuke his first thought. "If ya gotta read my mind keep it ta yourself." Slipping his shirt over his head he strapped on his holster and reached for his gun, checking to insure it was loaded before dropping it down into the holster.

Sitting down on the bed he went over the plan for the day; Meet with the latest partners, arrange for transport off the rock, rendezvous on Azeri, scope out the target, then steal the target and sell it to Badger. Jayne tapped his fingers against his leg as his stomach suddenly grumbled. Revised plan; Meet with the latest partners, find someplace with a decent breakfast then look for a transport off this rock.

The bathroom door opened and River immerged already dressed and showered. Crossing the room she handed him the brush and climbed up onto his lap, ignoring the raised eyebrow he gave her. "One of these days you're gonna have ta learn to comb your own gorram hair." He grumped as he started working the comb through the long waves of damp brown hair.

-

It was a dark alley despite the brightly burning sun that was slowly inching its way into the eastern sky. Jayne peered down into the dark alleyway and turned to where River waited, "How come these things always gotta take place down dark alleys?"

"Don't plan to play." She whispered. Leaning back against the building River shook her head. "Would rather cash in chips."

Jayne snorted, "If'n we backed down from every partner that got in his head ta turn us in, we'd never have any gorram jobs." Shifting his gaze back down the dark alley, Jayne dropped his hand down to rest on his sidearm. "Just gotta put my foot down s'all."

"Eighteen days, seven hours, fifteen minutes and five point four seconds- last time you said that. Girl was required to drag unconscious associate back to temporary domicile." River turned her head away from the mercenary's narrowed glare, her right hand coming up to hold tightly to her left arm she shook her head. "Don't need cronies."

Jayne snickered, his eyes darting quickly over her. "Sounds like someone's a little jealous-" River rolled her eyes in response. Jayne reached down, pulling out his sidearm he once again checked to ensure it was properly loaded. "You know the deal girl; be back in a few. Don't go wandering off again. "

"Twenty four, eighteen, thirty, seven point three. Last time wanderlust set in."

"Just don't go startin' it again." Jayne barked back, shoving the gun into its holster he started forward, but paused beside the smaller girl. River turned her head slowly towards him and Jayne winked. "See ya soon, crazy." A smile cracked across her face, and the mercenary disappeared into the black.

Taking twelve or so steps into the dark alley, Jayne glanced around impatiently, but confidently. A grin slipped across his cheeks as he spotted the two men just a little further down.

"Hello, Jayne." Trampas greeted stepping out of the shadows to meet the mercenary. "We were quite a bit surprised to get your message." The slightly elder man declared motioning back to his silent partner with a shake of his graying head. "Figured you was too big for the likes of us, bein' core and wanted in' all"

"Didn't think ya liked us too much, neither." Elliot added, stepping forward he grinned a toothy grin and dropped his hands to his side, hooking his thumps into the loops of his trousers.

"Don't like you none." Jayne grinned, "Don't mean I ain't willing to work. Heard you was going to go after McPherson's loot before she did. Heard you were lookin' for a set of partners too and that you put out the word that you was lookin' for me and my girl to set up shop with." Jayne ran his hand over his lips, dropping it to rest on his sidearm. "Makes me a might bit suspicious, also a might bit interested in hearin' what you're offerin'."

"Real simple." Trampas declared with a shrug of his shoulders. "McPherson ain't planning on makin' a move until after she gets her rig overhauled, something bout her compression coil bout to burst. Her plan was ta slip in on a Sunday and steal the loot from that fortress while the family's tending church like the good little rich bastards they are. Heard your little genius was an expert at punching numbers if nothing else. Seein' as there might be a guard or two, figured we could use your brawn also- deals works out, we split the loot in four and go our separate ways. No word to the feds bout where their two most wanted fugies are headed, and you don't tell McPherson who backstabbed her."

"We'll see bout that-" Jayne commented wearily, turning away from the two he started back out of the alley to fetch his genius. A pain suddenly lanced through the back of his head as something hard slammed down on it. Trampas grinned and the world went black.

-

River's head jerked up, her eyes focusing on the dark shadows of the ally.

-

"Where's the girl then?" Trampas questioned his partner as the two stood over the unconscious form of Jayne. "Bounty calls for 'em both."

Elliot shrugged, "Maybe she's waiting for his signal that all's clear."

"Well go ahead and give one-"

Elliot frowned, "What the hell kind of signal would a man like him give?" He toed over Jayne's form as though the answer lay within the unconscious man's face. "Maybe a gunshot?"

"Naw that might scare her away. Why the hell don't you just go out there and grab her, she's bound to be loitering around waitin' for him."

"In board daylight?" Elliot questioned, watching the shadows along the ally walls- had one just shifted?

"This ain't exactly a Core, idiot, nobody's gonna give a damn if ya snatch a girl off the street."

"Still, I don't-" Elliot started to answer. A long slim leg suddenly swung out from the shadows, a combat boot knocking into the startled man's face and sending him crashing against his partner. "What the hell?"

River immerged from the shadows with poise, a deadly grace in each well placed footstep. Crouching down beside her still partner she laid a hand over his chest, glaring up at the men from behind the soft waves of brown. "Mine." She whispered, drawing chills down their spines.

River's hand shifted downwards from Jayne's chest, grabbing a hold of the gun from the hostler at his side she pulled it out. Slowly cocking back the hammer she closed her eyes and lifted the weapon, aiming directly at the two men still cowering in shock.

"One- said the cockcrow to the hen," The gun shifted slightly to the left, pinpointing Elliot's heart in the sight. "Two- said the midnight fox to the hen." The weapon shifted upwards slightly, "Three- said the hungry ole dog to the hen." The muzzle shifted again to Trampas. "Four- said the grey man with the big bad gun. Five- big ole bangs rang through the farm- bang- bang- bang-"

She never finished her rhyme but smiled and opened her eyes, watching the two men scurry off into the distant horizon without a glance back. River released the gun's hammer and pushed the weapon back into its hostler.

Dropping down to her knees River smiled at her unconscious partner. "Silly boy never listens." She titled her head thoughtfully as she examined his expression. "Not mine yet, but soon." Leaning forward she pressed her finger tips to his forehead and whispered, "Wake now."

Jayne's eyes flashed open, blinking rapidly as he sought to regain his bearing, "River… what the hell happened?" His missed the bright cheerful light that suddenly dashed across her eyes and the large grin that spread across her cheeks. He did however register the fact that she threw herself onto him, arms holding to him tightly as she squealed like a giddy school girl. "Gorram it girl, what'cha doin'?"

"Used proper form of address- called girl River."

"Ya, well ya sure as hell reminded me enough times. It was bound to stick eventually." Jayne grumped, gently pushing her off his chest so he could pull himself up. Reaching over he picked up his crumpled hat as he ran his hand down the back of his head, checking for blood as River rearranged herself on his lap. "What the hell is with these people and suddenly wanting to turn fed friendly?"

River shrugged and climbed off his lap. Leaning back down she helped pull Jayne to his feet. "Must memorialize the incident with morning nourishment."

"What's there ta celebrate, ain't got no job now." Nevertheless he let her pull him out on to the streets and towards, 'Ma's Kettle Kitch'en.'

River appeared un-phased by his still slightly sour mood, chucking it to the fact that he'd just been rescued by a crazy girl (for probably near the hundredth time) after being knocked out by a bunch of idiots. "Identified girl as River- plentiful grounds to commemorate occasion."

Jayne snorted, "If I'd know it was reason ta have fun would've done it months ago." Pushing open the creaky door, Jayne let the smaller girl slip into the brightly painted diner, watching her as she scampered across the room and climbed excitedly into a bright red booth. Removing his hat the mercenary followed after; slipping into the booth he hung his hat on a corner and reached for a menu. "You sure this is good eats?"

River nodded excitedly, "Best eggs in town. Mrs. Murphy reckons that there's no better place for breakfast in the 'verse." River ignored the menu, scooting over to the edge of the booth she peered down the aisle, watching the faces as they passed, an intriguing voice calling to here from somewhere in the café.

Jayne rubbed at the aching spot on his head and glanced over the contents of the menu. "Reckon we'll have to head off here real quick 'fore them two idiots recover and decide to call in the feds anyway." River seemed to ignore him, her eyes intently focused elsewhere. "Don't reckon we could do the job alone, ain't got the plans-"

"Don't need another job."

Jayne raised an eyebrow. "What the hell else we supposed to do?"

River turned away from her fascination and faced the man as the elder waitress approached the table. "What can I get ya?" The woman asked pulling a pencil and pad from thin air she fixed the pair with a blank, tired stare.

River smiled gently up at the woman, "He'll have a cup of coffee, the slab of ham, bacon, a side of scrambled eggs, toast, no butter. I'll have orange juice and the pancakes topped with strawberries please." The waitress nodded; scribbling down notes she turned around and vanished towards the kitchens. River turned her attention back to Jayne and smiled, "Originators."

"Orig-a-what?" Jayne demanded. "What in the hell is that supposed-" A light suddenly clicked through Jayne's eyes. "Aw, hell no. Feds probably got every corner of that damn planet covered. Sides' why'd you want to meet my folks anyway."

River fidgeted, her eyes falling away from his piercing glare for a second. "To find the source is to understand the raging river. Could arrange for Sovereign to meet, transport, deposit them. Could be arranged so the blue wouldn't know. "

"Now that's just plain stupid, girl." Jayne frowned staring down at her for a second. "Listen-" He blinked and suddenly she was gone. Jayne's frown deepened for a moment in confusion as he stared at the empty half of the booth. "River?"

A small hand suddenly tugged at the bottom of his pants. Without thinking Jayne reacted. Grabbing his hat from where it perched on the edge of the booth he leaned back and tugged the hat rim down to shadow his face. Peering out of the window he spotted the three grey uniforms crossing the street. "Gorram it."

-

"Hold on 'Nara." Kaylee called out as she crouched down to pick up the scrape of paper she dropped. As she started to rise again her eyes caught something peering out of the shadows of the table, and the engineer froze.

Kaylee's mouth dropped open slightly as she stared at the dark shadowed girl, the bright eyes shinning on her with a soft light. The girl clung protectively to the legs that shared her space, fingers twiddling with the fabric of the pants. "Not time yet. She'll hold for another couple of weeks, but no more." The dark girl whispered, her eyes coursing over Kaylee's form.

"Get, kid." The masculine voice snapped Kaylee out of her daze and her eyes quickly darted up to the owner of the legs. "Ain't none of your business." With a wink he lowered his hat back down over his eyes and returned to blending in with the booth.

"Kaylee, is everything alright mei-mei?" Inara called out worriedly from her position near the doors.

With one last glance at the grinning young girl, Kaylee turned and chased after the companion.

-

Jayne watched the young woman dart off and turned his attention back to the girl clinging to his pants, "Reckon maybe it's just the three." The small hand tightened its grip on his leg and Jayne cursed. "How many then?"

"Bunnies."

"Bunnies?" Jayne questioned his face wrinkling in confusion.

"Rabbits." River re-emphasized, her grip tightening painful on his leg.

"Rabbits? Gorramit, you mean they're multiplying as we speak." Her grip loosened. "Ai ya, hwai luh. Ai-yah. Tyen-ah- Lao tyen yeh, ai ya, wo mun wan luh. Got any brilliant ideas girl?" Jayne glanced out the window again in time to spot another pair of feds walk by. "Knew I should've brought Vera along." Reaching under the table he held his hand out, waiting patiently. River slipped her smaller hand into his and Jayne grunted, "Right, let's get outta here." Slipping out of the booth he pulled the smaller girl out from underneath the table. "Head low, move fast." Her small hand still firmly grasped in his Jayne headed quickly for the door, ignoring the questioning glare of the waitress.

Pushing open the door, the pair headed out into the sunlight. Passing pedestrians without a glance and somehow managing to remain inconspicuous, the pair quickly worked their way through the town. Rounding a corner they moved along the shaded board walk calmly.

River's grip tightened on Jayne hand as her breathing suddenly increased, her head lifting she glanced towards the right, then to the left as though expecting something horrifying to appear. "What the hell is wrong girl?" Jayne whispered, tugging her as quickly as he could towards the looming hotel.

"It's too late, they're here-." The hard edge of fear in her voice made Jayne look back over his shoulder. "Two by two-"

Immediate recognition hit the mercenary's brain. Reacting, Jayne ducked into the deeper shadows of the boardwalk, his own breath failing slightly heavier as he pulled the girl after him. "Shit," Glancing down the street he searched for something to target, something to associate with the girl's words with. Finding nothing, Jayne turned back to the trembling girl, "What are you talkin' 'bout? Where?"

River shook her head, reaching out she grabbed a hold of Jayne's shirt, her body trembling as she clung close to him, "Hands of blue, two by two- there here, coming for the girl, coming for the boy. They want them both, want to- will- planning and searching. They'll find me Jayne, they'll find me and you and they'll cut deep."

Jayne glanced back down the streets, spotting a hint of grey. "Gorram it." Quickly pulling River even deeper into the shadows of the building Jayne directed his gaze down at the shaky girl, "Ain't going nowhere. How many times do I gotta tell you, I ain't letting them take you back. Now, we ain't got time to get freaked out, gotta get out of here fast girl- River." He amended.

"Won't be able to stop them-"

Jayne growled lightly, reaching out he lifted River's chin roughly, pulling her eyes up to meet his, "Ain't no if'n about it. I ain't letting you go back to them." Turning away from her shinning eyes, Jayne glanced around again.

Down the boardwalk two grey suits were staring his way, motioning towards the odd couple. Across the street a whore slapped an eager customer then saddled up to him and let the drunken man kiss her roughly, before pulling him into the dark shadows of the whore house. The two suits started down the boardwalk- two more approaching from the opposite side.

Without thinking Jayne turned back to River, sweeping her tightly into his arm he bent down and locked his lips suddenly to hers. Ignoring the startled squeak that erupted from her lips, he pressed her back against the wall and deeper into the shadows, praying that she was coherent enough to understand or read his intentions.

The methodic click of boots hit the boardwalk. Jayne tightened his grip on her waist with one arm, using the other to guide one of her arms around his neck. Ignoring his body's reaction to the taste of her lips, he pressed her harder against the wall, chucking his immediate desire to consume the girl in every possible way to the adrenaline that pounded though his veins.

Titling his head, he pressed harder against her lips, the sound of constant marching rising with the rapid beating of his heart. River's grip tightened around his neck, and the mercenary dropped his hand, pushing along her thigh and bunching up the skirt.

"Get a room." A passing voice declared with a snicker as the marching boots advanced. Pulling back from the girl's lips, Jayne ignored the sudden spike of displeasure the action brought. Keeping her face buried against his chest he took several breaths, his lungs attempting to restore the proper amount of oxygen.

"That ain't a bad idea," Jayne called back after the departing voice. Reaching down he grabbed a hold of the silent girl and tossed her lightly over his shoulder. Turning he started down the street, to the tune of cat calls and hoots, bypassing the grinning young soldiers.

Moving swiftly down the street, Jayne pushed open the hotel doors and stepped into the lobby. Silence greeted him, and the mercenary dropped the girl to the floor, glancing around. The clerk was vacant from his seat. Reaching down Jayne grabbed River's hand with his left and pulled out his side arm with his right. "You getting any fishy thoughts?"

The small genius shook her head, her grip tightening on Jayne's hand. Jayne grunted, eyes sweeping around he pulled her slowly along, starting up the stairs Jayne paused when the creaking of the lobby doors filled the air, and glanced quickly over his shoulder.

"Leaving so soon Mr. Cobb?" The Alliance Officer questioned from the doorway, two rows of silent foot soldiers filing slowly after him.

"Ai ya, hwai luh-" Jayne reacted, letting off a quick round with the pistol he sprinted up the stairs, pulling River along with him. Reaching the top he started for the safety of the hallways, praying that they could reach the closed corridors before that one command…..

"Fire!"

Without think Jayne reached out pulling River tightly into his embrace he pushed her down to the floor as the first round of bullets hit the wall, shielding her body from the splintering wood.

"What the hell they trying to do?" Jayne muttered through clenched teeth, "It's a gorram waste of good bullets." Glancing down through the railing he took notice of the advancing soldiers and emptied his pistol of bullets. "Thought they wanted you alive, how the hell they gonna do that if'n were both in pieces?" The mercenary questioned over the roar of gun fire.

"Plastic." River shrieked as a bullet skimmed past Jayne's head, her grip tightening on him.

"What?"

"Plastic bullets won't kill, hurt, but won't kill."

"If'n they hit a vital organ whither their plastic or not ain't gonna make a difference."

"They're waiting." She whispered, fear lacing her voice. "Waiting to catch their bait, think they can frighten you into turning the girl over to save yourself." Her voice paused.

The mercenary raised a frazzled eyebrow, "What?" Several bullets hit the vase situated to their right. Jayne pushed down harder against the girl, pulling her head tight against his chest, shielding her as the ceramic shattered around them.

"Crossed your mind." River whispered, her voice trembling.

"Lots of things cross my mind, that don't mean I follow' em all. Ain't the time for this. Case you ain't noticed we're about to get filled with plastic holes."

"Patience." River finally whispered, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Click and the clatter will stop." Silently she started counting, measuring the exact amounts of time with the beating of his pounding heart. "Now." She whispered, and the rapid firing suddenly died.

Pushing the larger mercenary off, River jumped to her feet and raced down the hall. Kicking open the door to their room, she darted across the small space, Jayne close behind her. Throwing open the window and slipped easily through, jumping lightly onto the fire escape.

Jayne paused to grab the weapons duffel. Leaving the second bag behind him, he followed River out the window, his heavy boots shaking the rattling, rusted stairs as he moved down. Jumping down the last few steps he turned to the panting girl, "Which way?"

"Two by two-" River whispered, taking a step away from the brightly lit streets and deeper into the darker allies of the building surrounding them.

"Damn it to all hell, we ain't got time for you to go all creepified." Reaching out angrily Jayne grabbed her arm, yanking the girl away from the sun lit streets. "We gotta move and you're the only one that can get us through this damned maze to a ship. Plenty of time to go all useless again on me later."

River paused, lifting her gaze to meet his blue eyes; she gave the mercenary a shaky nod and started off into the back ways.

-

"How do you forget to post men along the back ways?" Commander Harkins questioned quietly as he stared down his subordinate with a hard unforgiving glare.

Lt. Clouse winced at the calm tone, "Sir, we were caught off guard and not expecting the fugitives to-"

"Last I checked it was standard protocol to ensure all exits from the building are covered when attempting to corral a pair of fugitives." Harkins turned away from his subordinate and survived the chaotic surroundings of the bullet ridden hotel lobby. "Of course I could be more forgiving, if you had then recuperated by sending your men down the fire escape and perusing the fugitives into the allies instead of searching-"

"Sir." Lt. Cambridge interrupted with a deathly still voice, "Sir, the operatives are here."

The Commander's face paled comparatively, "You are dismissed Lt. Clouse." Turning away from the subordinate, the Commander watched the two suited gentlemen approach with a nervous gulp. "Gentlemen, I was not informed of your arrival. I have men searching the perimeters as we speak. I've already enforced a blockade on all ports; no ship is allowed to depart without clearance…"

"It is no matter." Agent one interrupted.

Glancing around the hotel lobby with a cool air of indifference, the second agent stepped forward, "Did any of your men speak to the fugitives?"

"Not to my knowledge." Harkins hastily answered, shifting nervously. "They encountered the fugitives, were received in a hostile manner and attempted to subdue-"

"That is all, Commander." Agent one interrupted, turning around he started back for the door, Agent two following in his shadow.

"We did recover some of their personal effects." The commander called out. Both agents paused in mid step and quickly turned to gaze down at the nervous commander. "Just a small bag of what we assumed were toiletries, I have yet to search-"

Agent one stepped forward, "Where are these items?"

Lt. Cambridge turned away from the group, crossing the room he grabbed the black duffel, and handed the item over to the two suited gentlemen. "It was left behind in their-"

Turning away the Agent one dismissed the two officers and crossed the room. Setting the bag on the lobby desk he unzipped it and peering blankly into the contents. Pushing through the top layer of girls' clothes he pulled forth a drawing pad as Agent two joined him. "Her mental stability has improved."

Opening the cover Agent one flipped through the images before handing the book over to his counter part, "Intriguing." Agent two declared, replacing the book in the duffel. "If she has reached a point of stability, then perhaps we may hinder her flight?"

Agent one turned to face Agent two, his eyebrow raising. "Perhaps."

-

For such a small town the back ways were extensive and led in dizzying patterns that had River questioning each step she took. But the constant steady pounding of Jayne's boots behind her kept the genius focused on her task.

Turning a corner River pulled to a sudden halt, gazing at the spilt path with slight trepidation. Jayne stopped behind her, waiting silently if not patently for her to sort through the unfamiliar thoughts for the correct path. The answer produced itself quickly and the genius started forward to the left.

The world went black. The needle pierced her eye.

River screamed, stumbling she lost her footing her shoulder slamming into a solid object. She crumbled to the sterilized white tile. The monitors attached to her arm stung as the forced movement jarred them, the rough cotton gown stinging.

Two gloved hands suddenly reached down and River screamed. Scrambling backwards she slammed violently against the wall, fighting against the hands as they grabbed a hold of River's wrists. The cold hands pulled her up with an iron grip, forcing the struggling girl against the larger form. A cold hand pressing her ear against the chest.

The constant beating of a steady heart filled her eardrums, pounding through her blood vessels and soothing away the fear that clung at her heart. Slowly River let her eyes flutter close as she went limp against the hard body. Her breathing evened out as the hands that had seemed so frightening seconds ago, warmed and comforted by touching alone.

River slowly opened her eyes and found not the machinery of her nightmares, but the dusty back ways of a town.

"You hear me girl?" Jayne's rough voice seemed softer, muffled by the ringing that echoed in her ears. "Ain't got time for this, we gotta move." River nodded slowly, the back of her head felt heavy, her body felt flushed with heat, her limbs heavy and awkward.

Jayne held the girl aloft from his body, her body went slack as soon as his hands released her, and she crumpled to the ground. Jayne reacted, catching her mid fall, "Gorramit what the-" But he stopped himself short. "Put your hands round my neck."

River turned her glazing eyes towards him and slowly complied. Grabbing her thighs he lifted her off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Need you to at least hold on girl." River's grip tightened and the mercenary grunted, keeping one had firmly locked around her waist he reached down and grabbed the duffel. "Left or right?" River could only weakly squeeze his left shoulder in response.

-

Agent two opened his eyes slowly, his dark orbs slowly clearing as they meet the gaze of his counterpart. "The bond has strengthened. I was unable to establish a strong connection." Agent one titled his head in a curious like manner.

Turning the two left the lobby hotel, leaving the lone black duffel on the lobby desk.

-

Jayne maneuvered as quickly as possible down the alleyways, the small girl in his arms seemingly drifting in and out of consciousness as her grip alternatively weakened and tightened. Whatever had happened back there, Jayne was not intent on being around to find out what had caused it.

Turning down one last alley, he grinned as the bustling dock ports came into view. River's grip tightened around him, and the small girl shifted slightly in his arms, "Jayne, don't feel-"

"We're almost outta here." Jayne assured roughly, interrupted her as he stepped out into the sunlight. Peering down the street he spotted one of the blockades to the port, several people gathered around the checkpoints waiting for their chance to get through. Tightening his grip on the girl, Jayne shifted on his feet.

Glancing in the opposite direction Jayne frowned; his pa had always told him that sometimes it was best to just face the storm when there weren't to place to wait it out. Though the old man had been talking about his ma, the words seemed to apply to this situation. Taking a step forward he moved swiftly into the crowds and started towards the check point.

The crowd jostled and pushed, moving quickly down the boardwalk towards the impromptu station that had been set up. Glancing around, Jayne started counting off the guards, when he suddenly found himself pushed forward to a rickety old table being used as the station, "Your names?" The commander sitting behind the desk barked, barely looking up from his paperwork.

"John Wentworth and my sister Emily." Jayne answered effortlessly

"Where are you headed?"

"My sister's real sick, I'm takin' her home to our ma."

"Transportation?"

'Shit. ' Racking his brain over Jayne went over all the familiar names; Monty was off near Persephone, Inslee had dropped them and taken off, Robertson was doing a core job. Coming up empty the mercenary sent a frantic thought towards River, but she remained oddly silent in his arms. "Captain Orsino's boat, the Illyria"

"That boat's about to take off, son." The guard murmured, flipping around his papers. "I'll need to see your-"

"Jayn-" River whispered against his neck, her grip tightening on his shirt for a second.

"Not now mei-mei." Jayne grunted back through gritted teeth.

"-Identification papers. Quickly if you wanna make your boa-"

"Yes- now," the small girl reiterated weakly, interrupting the guard and pulling his attention up. Pushing against Jayne's chest, River leaned away, her hair falling to conceal her face as she suddenly expelled the contents of her stomach. All those in the near vicinity took a collective step back. Jayne winced, struggling to keep an awkward grip on her body as the sound of her retching filled the air.

The questioning guard jumped out of his seat, taking a step back from the table. "Get her outta here, before she barfs on someone." He barked, quickly motioning towards his fellow guards to clear a path for the two. Jayne blinked, momentarily confused. "Move it, now, before I haul you both off." The guard barked, motioning for Jayne to move, as he kept clear of their path.

"Never knew the captain as so germ phobic-" A young foot solider snickered. Tightening his grip on River, Jayne moved forward, maneuvering his way through the checkpoint as quickly as possible, not willing to stop and count his blessing.

Jayne pushed through the crowds, the girl's grip relaxing to almost slack. To his left the shops on the dock fluttered with activity, while to his right, countless ships bustled with life, taking off and alternatively landing.

Spotting a familiar sleek grey ship ahead, Jayne picked up his pace and hurried past another pair of grey uniforms. Practically jogging the last few steps Jayne climbed up the ramp, towards the tall young man that stood drilling out orders to his crew.

"Got room for two more?" Jayne questioned quietly, keeping River's limp body tightly in his arms. He glanced down the crowded street, spotting a pair of feds slowly working their way through the crowds.

Captain Orsino turned around quickly, shock written across his face, "Jayne?" He questioned, his eyes rapidly flying over the weary pair, "What the hell you doing here, this place is crawlin' with feds?" Glancing wearily at the crowd, the captain stepped over to the mercenary and hurried him forward, "Get the hell on board before anybody sees you."

"Got a bunch of Lawyers loitering around, transporting 'em to some conference on Berkley, so lie low. We'll make a detour and drop you off on the nearest non-fed." Orsino declared before turning to snap orders at his crew. "Take your usually bunk, we're off this rock in less then three." Behind them the ramp started lifting, Orsino veering off towards the cockpit at a run.

Jayne nodded, moving quickly but quietly through the cargo hold he started down the familiar ship's corridors, quickly locating their usual bunk. Awkwardly keying the door open he stepped into the dark interior and dropped the duffel, the door closing behind him.

Keeping his grip tight on the unconscious girl Jayne started over towards the bed.

River's eyes suddenly flashed open and she screamed, pushing violently against Jayne's grip she threw the larger man of balance and sent them both tumbling to the floor as the ship shook in the initials stages of take off. Tightening his grip on the girl Jayne covered her mouth, silencing the screams, and pulled her head back down to his chest.

The effect was immediate, her body going limp in his arms. "Gorram it girl, what's gotten into you today?" Jayne questioned his grip relaxing as the girl sniffled in his arms.

"They were there." River whispered breathlessly, clingy tightly to Jayne. "They were there in her head, they took her back, took her back to the cold. I couldn't stop them, I couldn't keep them out. Felt the prick of the needle and the sting-"

Jayne shushed her roughly. Pushing River away for a second he grabbed a hold of her chin, pulling her face up. "It's over now, ain't it?" He questioned and the smaller girl nodded slowly, her eyes moist with tears. "Ain't letting you go back, they can try and grab ya all they like, but you're not going back. Ain't no power in the verse gonna change that. " He promised.

"Don't know how many times I gotta keep telling you that." Jayne grumped, his thumb unconsciously stroking her chin, eyes shifting along the contours of her face. "Ain't you a mind reader, woman? No matter what hell-of-a stupid thought crosses my mind, I'm keeping you. Hell, woman, ain't you're the one that told me that first?" He questioned.

The small girl nodded as Jayne's hand slipped slowly down from her chin, running along her pale neck to cup the back of her head, his fingers entwining in the small hairs at the nape of her neck. "You and me, we're like family now, and you don't turn in family, no matter how big the bounty. It just ain't right. Side's I've taken too many damn beatings for you girl, still expected to be paid back for them. And I don't think that bounty's big enough to cover 'em all. "

A smile slowly cracked across River's face, moving forward she placed a brief kiss on his cheek. "For your pains."

"Hell, woman, you're gonna have to do lots more then that ta cover-" Throwing her arms around his neck River threw herself fully into his arms, silencing the startled mercenary as she pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. Pulling back she smiled at his befuddled expression and snuggled closer to him, burying her face against his neck.

Note: Timeline based off of Edgar Governo's Timeline.

Sorry if the time jumps are confusing. Thanks to Twitchy Louie and Taramonk for putting up with my go se- and to Kaitie for her bribery.

Translations

Ai ya, hwai luh. (Shit on my head)

Ai-yah. tyen-ah... (Merciless hell)

Lao tyen yeh." (Jesus. )

Ai ya, wo mun wan luh (We're in big trouble)