Thank you very much to everyone that provided feedback, it is most appreciated.
I don't own our friends on Serenity, just enjoying their company.
Fanfiction by: Redelflady
Chapter 5
The next morning found Benu performing the early service in the temple. The Priestess had not felt well when she woke up and decided to stay in bed. Shepherd enjoyed the view of this different religion; he was looking forward to discussing doctrine with Raesmel. Most of the crew was working outside or in the school. River was enjoying the butterflies in the garden again as Simon helped pick vegetables.
Raesmel slowly wandered out of her room and sat in the living room, she was feeling weak this morning. She wanted to conserve her energy for the events of the upcoming evening. Lost in thought she looked up as Jayne walked in, both surprised to see each other there. He had assumed everyone would be outside. She noticed the fabric on his hand which was already blood-soaked again.
"You're hurt." It was purely a statement; she inflected no emotion in her voice.
"It's nothin'." He said gruffly.
"It's not good, you're bleeding on the floor." She stood up and slowly walked over to him.
"Sorry." He growled as he looked at the floor, speckled with red.
She took a handkerchief from the pocket in her gown and placed it in her hand, she didn't need to touch his skin and feel those emotions again. She gently took his injured hand and led him to a small medical room off of the main hall. He followed her without question or hesitation. She sat him on a stool and carefully unwrapped his hand. She winced at the pain he felt but would never express.
She poured warm water over the injured area and looked at him. "You most likely have broken bones. You probably need some stitches."
She almost smiled at him, but then looked away. He watched her curiously in her long blue robes, standing so close to him.
"Did you hurt yourself working on the ship?" she asked.
"No. Ruttin' dream last night." He stared at her scar following its path down to her shoulder. "Where….how do I..." he started to ask.
She turned, avoiding his eyes and walked past him, "Simon will be here in a moment, he will help you."
He watched as she left, gown dragging the floor behind her. He shook his head, somehow he needed to figure all of this out.
Simon walked in and River was right behind him. "What did you do?" Simon asked exasperated.
River giggled and picked up a handful of cotton balls, looking at Jayne's hand. She looked him in the eyes, "Now you feel some of the pain." She smiled and ran out of the room, dropping the cotton balls behind her like a breadcrumb trail. Jayne frowned and looked at Simon, "Just fix it."
Simon sighed and set out supplies. A while later Jayne's hand was sewn up in a few spots and wrapped motionless. There was no way to x-ray his hand without going to an Alliance hospital, so he would just have to deal with how it healed. He seemed fine with that, only yelling at Simon a few times for hurting him. River occasionally stuck her head in the room and threw fresh picked Astrids at Jayne.
Raesmel walked outside and saw Shepherd and Benu having a very animated conversation in the garden. Sitting on one of the many benches and looking at his bible, they were both smiling. Benu looked up as she approached, "Are you feeling better?"
"Some. Thank you." She bowed slightly, "I assume that we do not have to discuss doctrine now Shepherd?" She smiled.
"I think Benu has been representing your beliefs very well Priestess." Shepherd stood up and bowed to her. "Now if you will excuse me, I think I will go get my hands dirty in the garden."
Esmel sat down next to Benu and put her head on his shoulder.
"My love, what is it you are trying so hard to hide from me? Now, that……the time is so short." He whispered to her.
She sat up and looked in his beautiful eyes, "All will be said and done tonight. There are lessons to be learned, I have seen it. It's not that I want to hide this from you, but that you can't know it yet. You will tonight." She sighed. "Things are a little fuzzy for me sometimes Benu. But you must believe that above all things, I love you." She absently rubbed her forehead.
"I worry, all of these last minute guests, the Alliance looking at them. This…..Jayne, he thinks he knows you. Next week is coming much too fast Esmel. I…. I don't want to be without you." He caressed her cheek and she fought the tears that wanted to flow.
"I will always be with you no matter where you are." She touched his chest next to his heart. He felt a warm and peaceful sensation flow from her hand into his very being.
"I am going to go pray for a while and take a nap before dinner. Will you make sure that all of our guests are present for dinner?" She smiled at him.
"Of course. Dinner at 6:30, we will all be there." He kissed her cheek.
She stood up and almost immediately started to fall. Benu caught just as her wrist hit the edge of the stone bench. She gasped at the pain as he swept her up in his arms and quickly carried her to the temple. He called River and she followed gathering up Simon along the way. He took her through the temple and into her quarters, Jayne was just finishing breakfast saw them walk by and followed.
Benu laid her on the bed and asked Simon to attend to her wrist. Her eyes were half open and she had a very unhealthy pallor. River climbed up on the large bed and took her other hand. She held it very tightly to her cheek and closed her eyes. Raesmel closed her eyes while Simon wrapped her wrist.
"Nothing broken that I can tell." He whispered to Benu, keeping an eye on River.
River opened her eyes and looked at Benu, "She's better but she needs to sleep for a while. I will make sure she is better by dinner." River smiled at him while stroking Raesmel's hand. Both men turned to leave and saw Jayne standing there staring at her, his eyes locked on her face.
"Do you need something Jayne?" Benu asked.
Jayne looked at him, "No. Just wondered if she's alright was all." He turned and walked out of the room.
Simon shrugged and looked at River, "If you need me…"
River nodded, "We will be fine. Benu, she wants to make you are alright."
"I'm fine, please tell her I am fine." His voice betrayed the hurt he felt inside for his love.
The rest of the crew worked around the temple and in the school, Jayne eventually helping Mal with some repairs on the ship. Kaylee made fast friends with some of the children attending the school, helping them with arts and crafts, Zoe and Wash helping out with the animals. It was hard to keep Wash away from the Geese.
They all cleaned up in time for dinner and headed downstairs. Raesmel was waiting for them as they arrived, looking radiant and beautiful. She was not wearing her robes but a long dress in a shade of green that make her eyes sparkle.
She greeted each crew member as they arrived, Benu at her side. There was an air of frivolity at dinner, everyone laughing and sharing stories. Even the Priestess shared stories of when she first joined the sect and some of her misadventures with the ruling Priest. The yellow wine flowed freely and soon dinner was done. They retired to the sitting area in the main chamber. Benu helping Raesmel get situated in a chair as River sat at her feet holding her hand.
"Thank you River. I will need all the energy I can get tonight." She whispered. Jayne sat on the couch, irritated that Simon was sitting next to him.
Salas offered everyone a more yellow wine, "So tell us your story Priestess." River encouraged.
"Shepherd you must speak to River about Job and patience sometime." Raesmel laughed.
They all chuckled, "I will do that. I have to say I am very interested in hearing your story." He sat up eagerly.
She glanced at Benu, "Well then I will start." She bit her lip and said to his mind, "No matter what happens, remain calm my love. I am depending on you to think clearly."
He tilted his head to the side and answered her. "What story are you telling? Why would there be problems?"
"It is a story you have never heard. Remember I love you."
Mal cleared his throat, "You gonna start tellin' or just talk to him with your mind?"
She looked up and blushed, "My apology to you all. Just some minor details."
She squeezed River's hand, "Here we go young one."
Many years ago on a small planet near the Alliance core, on a beautiful Saturday morning a young girl walked in the local market with her Mother, looking for a new dress. One of her friends was having a birthday party and she insisted on having the prettiest dress at the party. Normally she hated going to the market, but she wanted to be sure her Mother would pick the prefect dress. She was the only child of very doting parents, both of which were devoted to and worked for the Alliance. She was 16 years old and had everything she could have ever wanted. All she had to do was ask, and it was hers. On this day she grew bored of her Mother who was talking with a neighbor instead of looking for her dress. She wandered through the stands of goods and happened across a young man who was working a booth full of fresh vegetables. She was taken with him as soon as she saw him. He was tall and roguishly handsome. He had a spark in his eyes she had never seen before. There was an aura about him she was immediately drawn to. He was so quick to smile and helpful to everyone that stopped by.
Jayne took a deep breath; this was all starting to become clear, frighteningly clear. But it couldn't be, could it? He stared at her and tried to…..he shook his head. It just couldn't be. He wiped his sweating palm against his chest.
She slowly walked up to his stall and smiled at him, shyly casting her eyes down and back up again. "Well hello there." He winked at her and her heart skipped a beat. "Hello." She shyly answered. "What can I get for you today?" His smile was enough for her to blush.
"Star fruit, I would like some star fruit." It was the only thing she could think to say. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. He could have handed her tomatoes and she would have never known. "How many would you like?" She gulped, "5 please." She had no idea what they would do with 5 of them, but she didn't care. As long as they were talking to each other she felt giddy. She watched him wrap the fruit a bag and start to hand it to her but he stopped. "Wait right there." He ducked behind the curtain in the back of the stand and came out a moment later. He handed her the bag and a beautiful purple Astrid. "A beautiful girl should always have flowers." He whispered. She almost fainted, he has called her beautiful!
"Thank you." She couldn't keep the smile from her face. "What's your name?" he asked her boldly. She had to take a few breathes. "My folks call me.."
"Esmel." Jayne said loudly. His mind was spinning. "They called you Esmel." His face was pale. "But I called you Astrid, because you were more beautiful than any gorram flower on that whole planet."
