CHAPTER SEVEN
Author writes for his own punishm. . .amusement, an receives no compensation of any kind for his work. Makes no claims of ownership to Firefly and intends no copyright infringement.
FF
"River, how are you today?"
River looked up to see Simon standing behind her. She was on the porch of the clinic, as usual. Beyond her was Companion, the crew working on various chores. She had been watching them most of the morning.
"I'm fine, Simon," she smiled briefly before turning her gaze back to the ship and crew.
"Kaylee says you had a rough time yesterday talking to Jayne," Simon noted, taking a seat beside her. "Want to talk about it?"
"There isn't anything to talk about," River shrugged, trying to feign casualness. "After what you told me, I felt the need to say thank you to him. He did save my life, after all."
"How did that go?" Simon asked.
"He said it wasn't necessary," she shrugged. "You didn't tell me the entire truth, did you, ge ge?" She turned as she spoke, eyes boring straight into his.
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean," she accused. "You told me he and I were close, that we worked together. You neglected to tell me how close, didn't you."
"How close were you?" Simon asked her.
"We were closer than you intimated, Simon." She looked at him sharply. "Weren't we?"
"Well, I guess that depends," Simon shrugged. "I can't tell you everything that lies between you two. I'm not, I wasn't, privy to your personal lives, you know. And you have to remember something else. Once we arrived here, I didn't stay on the ship anymore. I started working here."
"I wasn't. . .well, I wasn't part of the crew anymore," he continued, shrugging. "I was still family. We all are, you know. One big family. But you and I would go a week at a time without seeing each other. And sometimes only for an hour at a time, even then."
"You're evading me, Simon," River told him flatly. "And you're talking too much, trying to throw me off the trail. You should know that won't work."
"River, what do you want me to say?" Simon shrugged helplessly. "I can't. . .I don't know what to tell you."
"I want to go to Astra," she said suddenly. "I want to go to Astra on that ship," she pointed to Companion. "The next time she lifts off, I want to be aboard."
"I don't know if that's. . . ."
"Please don't tell me it's not a good idea," she warned him.
"I wasn't," Simon replied calmly. "I was going to say I don't know if we can arrange for that so quickly. You may have to wait."
"If I ask Jayne to take me, he'll say yes, and you know it," River told him flatly. "Just like I know it," she added softly.
"Yes, he will," Simon sighed. "But I'd prefer to be with you, and I don't know if I can leave on such short notice."
"Then you can stay behind."
"No, not this time," Simon shook his head. "I need to be with you in case you have any trouble. I'll go right now, and check my calendar. Companion should be on the ground for another three, perhaps four days." He rose to his feet, brushing off his pants.
"I'll talk to Jayne," River said simply, hopping down onto the ground.
"River, are you sure this is a good idea?" Simon asked, his voice filled with concern.
"No." With that she walked away.
"Figures," was all Simon could think of to say. He decided to call Kaylee, and see if she could make the trip as well.
FF
"Jayne, you best get down here!"
Jayne walked toward the ramp to see what Wart was yelling about.
"What is it?" he demanded gruffly. He had been about to take. . . .
"Never mind," he murmured. River was almost to the ship, walking like she had a purpose. Her spine was straight, and her head was high. She looked. . .like River. He walked down the ramp, meeting her at the bottom.
"Hello, Jayne," she said softly.
"Hello," he smiled slightly. "What can we do for you today?"
"I want to arrange passage on your ship to Astra, the next time you go," River told him simply. "I want to go with you."
Jayne's head swam a little at that, but he reigned it in pretty quick. This might not be a. . . .
"Don't tell me it's not a good idea," River's eyes narrowed.
"No fair, peekin'," Jayne said without thinking.
"I'm sure that's not the first time you've said that to me," she grinned slightly. It was infectious, and he grinned back.
"No. No, it ain't," he admitted. "But are you sure you're ready for something like this?"
"Not in the slightest," she admitted freely. "But I think it's something I have to do. I know, without anyone telling me, without 'peeking', as you put it, that I'm missing something. Missing out, I should say, on something very important. I feel it every time I see this ship. Every time I look at you. Every time I see that girl," she spoke quietly.
"I don't know what I'm missing, but I intend to find out. No matter what happens, and no matter what it costs. I will get my life back, and I'm certain you, and her, are part of it. Am I wrong?" she challenged.
"No," he sighed deeply. "But it may not be what you think," he warned. "Are you prepared for your memory to come back, and be wrong?"
"I'm prepared for my memory to come back," River replied. "But I'm not wrong, am I?"
"I'd have to know what you're thinkin'," he shrugged. "And I don't."
I'd have to know what you think you know, and what you remember, he thought to himself. I'd have to know what you want to be true, and real.
"I want the truth, Jayne. That's what's real." His eyes widened.
"Did you. . . .?
"Hear you?" River's eyes were bright. "Maybe. You'll just have to let me go with you to find out, won't you? So what's the answer?"
"We lift in three days, hour 'fore dusk," he told her. "Be here 'fore then."
"We will be. Simon, and I suspect Kaylee, will also be going."
"They're always welcome, same as you," Jayne nodded.
"Then we'll see you then."
"Spect you will." She spun around and walked away, her stance one of a victor who had triumphed in a great battle.
"Gorramit," Jayne swore. "She can still play me like a card game, even without her memory."
FF
"We're ready to get underway, Zoe, anytime you're ready." Becca Phillips called from the bridge. Gerald and Zoe were in the cargo bay, inspecting the load.
"If we're clear, then let's roll," Zoe called back. "We're ship shape down here."
"Ready here, Becca," Goldie called. "We're hot. You got power when you want it."
"Lifting," Becca called back, the ship jarring slightly. Zoe left Gerald to finish inspecting, and headed toward the bridge. Before she got there, Becca was calling again.
"Cap'n we got a WAVE incoming from planetside," she called.
"I'll get it," Zoe announced, stepping up on the bridge. She walked to the screen, and accepted the call.
"Is this Serenity? Are you bound for Argo?"
"We are, and we are," Zoe nodded. The speaker was an older man, with dark hair streaked with iron grey.
"Please land at once, as we require passage to Argo. I'm told your shipping lines transports passengers as well as cargo." The man's attitude struck Zoe the wrong way.
"We do provide transport for passengers, both to and from, but I'm afraid you missed us this time, sir. We're already outbound. There'll be another ship in a few days, you can catch a ride with them."
"I must insist that you return and provide us passage. I am a senior government official, and am on official government business."
"Government of Astra?" Zoe asked, frowning. "They've got their own ships."
"No, I represent the Tribal Council of Tokala," the man sniffed. "Now, how quickly can you be back on the pad."
"I guess you didn't get it the first time," Zoe replied. "We ain't turnin' around. We're already in flight. Like I said, our other ship will be this way in a week or so, and they'll be glad to give you a lift. We're overloaded as it is, this trip."
Where have I heard that before? Zoe wondered. Tokala?
"You leave me no choice but to contact the authorities, then," the man's anger was coming through. "They will order you to return for me, and my party."
"No, they won't," Zoe snorted. "I don't know how things work where you come from, but here, we're free folk. And even if we were still on the ground, I doubt I'd take you on as a passenger, since I've decided I don't like you. Good bye." Zoe shut the cortex off with a flourish, then blocked the connection so they wouldn't be able to call back.
"What a jackass," Becca commented.
"I'll just let Jayne handle him," Zoe smirked. "I bet he won't get three words out til he's suckin' soup through a straw."
"He's not the one to pick a fight with, that's for sure," Becca nodded.
"Well, now that my good day is shot to hell, I think I'll just go bother people," Zoe snorted. "Call me if you need anything."
"Will do, boss," Becca waved.
I'll have to run that Tokala thing past Goldie, Zoe decided. He might know it.
But she forgot it, and never did mention it.
FF
Flint was furious. He was a powerful man on his planet, and accustomed to being obeyed.
"If this is the same line that Ironhorse works for, then I think this should give you some indication how he will respond to all this," Annassa said quietly, secretly overjoyed at seeing her father treated so cavalierly, especially by a woman.
"He will not be a problem," Flint grated. "And I'll see her pay for her disrespect, as well. She will not get away with treating me like some. . .backbirth!"
"You should not let your emotions get away from you father," Annassa smirked slightly. "It's very unbecoming of a man of your station."
"Be silent!"
"Of course, Father," she bowed slightly. "We should make arrangements for lodging, however, since we seem to be stuck here for several days."
"Let me worry about that!"
"As you wish."
FF
Jayne was apprehensive to say the least. Enough so that he'd called the clinic and asked Simon to come out to the ship. Knowing what was going through Jayne's mind, Simon took his lunch out to the ship, and sat down on the ramp.
"What in hell is she thinkin'?" Jayne demanded. Simon shrugged.
"If I knew, I'd tell you," he said simply. "She's already accused me of misleading her, so she isn't really talking to me very much at the moment."
"Misleadin' her? About what?" Jayne asked.
"About you," Simon replied around a mouthful of ham sandwich. "Or about you and her, I should say. I told her the two of you worked together, and were close. I didn't reveal how close, or in what way you were close. As far as she's concerned, that's lying by omission, regardless of my intentions."
"Damn," Jayne swore. "This. . .this is hell, Simon," Jayne admitted, collapsing in a heap of disgust, anguish, and fatigue, his own sandwich forgotten. "I don't know if I can do this. Keep doin' it, anyway," he admitted.
"Try it this one time," Simon encouraged him. "She's right on the verge, it seems like, of remembering. Her subconscious is telling her something's missing. And she's looking for it. Trying to connect the things that she almost remembers. This might just give her the chance to do that."
"I admit, I'd like to think it'll work," Jayne sighed. "I miss her so much, Simon. I. . .I try to keep my hopes up, and the girl's too, but. . .it really is hard, sometimes. I'm afraid to get my hopes too high, on account of, well. . . ." he trailed off, not wanting to give voice to his worse fears.
"I know," Simon's soft comment carried. "I know. I hurt for you, Jayne," he admitted. "I hurt knowing that yes, River is missing something. That she's lost something important to her, something she treasured about everything else. She once told me that, even if she could go back and change her past, avoid the academy, that she wouldn't, because that was the road that led her to you, and Chelsa, and the life she had here."
"That's when I knew how much she cared for you," Simon admitted. "And I knew how much you cared for her when you killed the Blue Hands, not once, but twice. And the Slasher. And Grippen." Jayne's head snapped up.
"How'd you know about that?" he demanded sharply.
"I didn't until just now," Simon smiled easily. "But it wasn't hard to figure out. He hurt her. And that's just not something you can abide. And it's terrible of me, as a doctor to say this, but I'm glad you're that way, Jayne. She needs someone like that. She's had a hard time, for a very long time. And you've made that better, and made her life more secure than it's ever been. And I don't exclude her life on Osiris before she was sent to the Academy, either."
"You ain't told. . . ."
"I've told no one," Simon shook his head, looking outside. "And I never will."
"Thanks, Simon, for tellin' me all that," Jayne took a ragged breath. "I appreciate you comin' down here, too. Means a lot to me."
"You're my brother-in-law, Jayne," Simon looked back at him, smiling. "Family. Other than Kaylee, you and River are all I really have. I'm always here when you need me."
"I appreciate that too," Jayne told him.
They ate the rest of their lunch in silence, each with their own thoughts and ideas. Hopes. Dreams.
Fears.
FF
Mal stepped up onto the porch, struggling only slightly. He was a bit winded, but it felt good. He stood there for a minute, breathing deep to ease his shortness of breath, enjoying the cool morning air. It was good to be outside.
He had just walked all the way to the mailbox, and back, without a cane. He had been slow, but steady, and could feel his strength returning. And he wasn't in as much pain, either, he noted. The therapy had done wonders for him. He wished now he had taken it when Simon had told him to.
"What are you doing out here?" Inara's voice cut into his musings. He looked at her, standing in the door, and grinnd.
"I'm livin'," he told her proudly. "Your mail, ma'am," he handed the handful of letters to her with a flourish.
"You. . .Mal, did you go to the post box on your own?" Inara asked, eyes widening. "And where's your cane?"
"'Hind the door," he pointed inside the house. "And yes, I did go all the way to the mailbox, and back, all by my little lonesome," he smiled brightly.
"Are you hurting?" she demanded.
"A mite," he nodded. "But not nothin' like I have been in the past. Reckon I ain't healed, yet, but I'm on my way, I think." Inara stood there looking at him for a minute, and then embraced him tightly.
"Mal that's wonderful!" she enthused. "I wish you would have let me go with you!" She pulled back to look at him, and Mal noted the tracks of two tears.
"Hey, now," he reached up and wiped them away gently. "Don't be all cryin' on me. And if makes you feel better, why you can walk down there with me tomorrow. How's that?"
"It's a date," Inara smiled through her tears and hugged him again.
This was the best day she'd had in what seemed a very long time.