CHAPTER ELEVEN
Don't own it, don't claim it, don't get paid for it.
FF
"That's a damn lie!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth, Kaylee knew she'd messed up. Both hands flew to her mouth, but it was too late.
"You dare!" one of the men hissed, starting to rise. A second later he was staring down the barrel of Liam Greggs' pistol.
"Now you just sit down, friend, 'fore some misfortune befalls you," he said icily. The man quivered, obviously enraged.
"Go on, now," Liam chided. "And while I'm at it, you need to watch that mouth. Don't know how you treat women where you come from, but around here, we treat'em respectful like. And that goes double for the Doc's wife."
The enraged attendant slowly sat back into his chair.
"It seems perhaps at least one of you knows the man we're looking for," Flint mused.
"I'm the man you're looking for," Jayne said quietly. "The only reason I let you on this ship was to find out what you wanted." He leaned forward. "And now, here we are, way out in the black. So now's a real good time for you to start talkin'."
"Is it your custom to allow your hirelings to point weapons at paying customers, Ironhorse?" Annassa demanded.
"He's not a hireling," Jayne smirked at her. "He's my son-in-law in all but name. Even if he wasn't, the boy's more like a son to me than anything. And he's a good man to have around in troublin' times." Liam flushed at the praise, but didn't lower his pistol.
"You can put it away, Liam," Jayne told him. "They ain't gonna do nothin' silly I'm sure."
"Wait, you're the guy they're lookin' for?" Blade asked, confused.
"Yeah," Jayne leaned back in his seat. "No one else really knew that 'cept Stormy. Wasn't no point in it, no way. Didn't mean nothin' no more," he shrugged. He looked at Flint.
"So, Mister Flint. You said some harsh things about me just now. I'm real curious how you figure I abandoned my family. Not to mention what this obligation is. You got my undivided attention, and that ain't always a good thing."
Flint looked at the man sitting at the head of the table, and realized he'd made a mistake. He was accustomed to power, and forgot he was far from that base of power. He had thought to try and convince these people that his target was a scoundrel in hiding. Assuming that Ironhorse was still on Serenity, Flint had decided to lay the ground work for exposing him.
That had backfired on him now.
"I'm waitin'," Jayne's voice brought Flint back to the now.
"You were promised in marriage to my daughter. By leaving that obligation unfulfilled, you have brought shame upon your clan."
"That's a lie," Jayne said easily. There was more stirring among the retainers, but hostile looks from those around the table kept them still.
"The arrangement was made between your father and I," Flint persisted.
"No, it wasn't," Jayne replied calmly. "No boy can be promised in marriage before he's Raised. And I wasn't. You should know that."
He was gone on his Raising ceremony. A right of passage for boys into adulthood. When he returned. . . .
"And it's pretty hard to dishonor dead folks," he added coldly.
"The arrangement was made, nonetheless, and you are duty bound to marry my daughter."
"Well, that's too bad, seein' as how I'm already married. You came a long way for nothin', there, Elder."
"Now can we shoot'em?" Blade asked, sitting beside Jayne.
The woman fears you.
What you really meant was someone like you.
Jealousy. Anger. Resentment.
"Your marriage to an outsider is not an issue," Flint argued. "It has no standing on our homeworld. A trivial matter."
"We ain't on your homeworld," Jayne growled. "And my wife ain't some trivial matter you get to brush aside, old man."
"It's your home, as well, Ironhorse," Annassa said softly. "Do you not wish to return?"
FF
River watched all this in silence. She was still reeling from the revelation that Jayne Cobb was, indeed, this. . .Ironhorse person they were searching for. It was equally obvious that Kaylee had known, and Simon's lack of surprise indicated that he knew it as well.
River frowned at that. Had she known that? Had she known Jayne's secret?
My real name is Ironhorse. Sean Michael Ironhorse.
Was that a memory? Had he told her that? An arranged marriage was hardly surprising to her. She herself had been promised to a man three times her age, before she'd been 'selected' for the Academy. It was common on Osiris.
"Why would I go back?" she heard Jayne ask. "There's nothin' there for me but bad memories. Nothin' there for me to go back to."
Memories. It all comes back to that, doesn't it. River glanced at Annassa, wanting nothing more than to tear her hair out by the roots. The surge of jealousy surprised her. She knew, now, that Jayne had a wife. Why would she be jealous?
"You can build a new life, can't you?" Annassa reasoned. "Have a home, children."
I do not know if I can have children.
When had she said that? It was true, she didn't know. Not after everything at the Academy. But why would she tell someone? Why would she tell Jayne? Unless. . . .
"I got a family," Jayne snorted. "You're lookin' at some of'em. Ain't no better family a man could have than the folks sittin' at this table, and the few that ain't here with us."
"Would you not be happier at home?" she asked, her voice soft, and low. "Where you belong?"
We belong together. We were meant to find one another.
"You ain't listenin'. I am home. This is where I belong. With my wife, and my family."
I'll never be with another woman, River. I'll never have another woman.
He hadn't. . .had he said her name, before? Where did that come from? Was it a memory? Or just confusion.
I can't just tell you everything. You have to remember. If I tell you, then you'll never know if it's real or not.
We can't just up and tell ya all that. You got to remember, honey.
She'd been wrong. She hadn't been deceived, or led astray. They had all been protecting her. Not from something, for something. Something she wanted back, but had to work for. It couldn't be given to her, she had to find it.
"I will make you a good wife, Ironhorse," Annassa purred seductively. "You are known on Tokala as a great and fierce warrior. Together we will rebuild your clan. Give you a new family, and return deMuertos to the honored rolls of the Tribal Council."
"I already told you, I got a wife," Jayne almost snarled. "A better one than you'd ever make for a man like me. She loves me unconditionally and without reservation. She don't care about the blood on my hands, or the violence in my past. She's perfect. And I've got everything I care about around me right now. Tokala ain't been my home in a long time, and whatever goes on there ain't no concern o' mine. My clan is long dead, and nothin' you do, or say, is gonna change that."
"Where is this wife of your's, Ironhorse?" Annassa snapped back. "If she's so good to you, then why is she not here? Why does she not share this life you've chosen for yourself?"
"My wife," Jayne growled out, "was hurt, some months back, doin' somethin' you would never have the courage to do. She put her life in danger, tryin' to save other people. She was hurt bad. Like to died, in fact. She's still recoverin'. When she's well, she'll be right back here by my side. And you need to get a grip on that mouth o' your's, 'fore you badmouth her any more. Dong ma?"
What? She did what?
The crew members shifted a little at Jayne's abrupt change in tone. He was on the verge of erupting, and everyone reacted differently.
Liam merely tensed, ready to react to whatever Jayne did. Wart did the same, but his experience hid the fact that he was ready to strike. Blade positively smiled at the possibility she would get to shoot one or more of the interlopers at long last.
Simon tensed as well, but more in preparation to protect Kaylee, should violence erupt. Kaylee herself shied away slightly, having heard Jayne like this before. The tension was thick, palpable. River could recognize it, but wondered where it came from.
She felt light headed, suddenly. Her vision blurred. Pain spiked behind her eyes, and she raised her hand to shade her eyes from. . . .
Shade.
The Shade has fallen . . . .
Who. . .was Shade a person? Did she know him?
Shade, is that really you? Look at you. All grown up.
You can handle Jayne. You've never met Shade. Pray you don't. Ever.
Jayne Cobb is Shade? And Ironhorse?
River's headache intensified. Any other time, Simon would be smothering her right now, but he was riveted to the conversation in front of him. She didn't know whether to be grateful, or annoyed.
Blue hands now lie in the Shade. . . .
Jayne, Shade, had killed Blue Hands? Why? How?
I'll never love another as long as I breathe.
Did you find you own grace? Your own blessing?
My Angel. My blessing.
And this is to certify the marriage of one Angel Marie Reynolds to one Sean Michael Cobb.
Marie? That's my middle name! Reynolds? Who is. . .wait.
River's mind blossomed. Swelled. Filled, as memory after memory flooded back. Her life literally flashed in front of her, as she relived years in the space of seconds. She recoiled at the intensity of the thoughts and memories as they assaulted her consciousness, trying to find their rightful place after so long. And then, it was over.
And River knew. Knew everything. Knew it all.
Her headache was suddenly gone, and she was hyper aware of everything around her.
Everything, around her.
River's eyes snapped open.
FF
"I meant no disrespect," Annassa smiled. "My point was that as your wife, not only will I give you an heir, but you will be allied to my father, through me. Think how powerful our clans will become. There is much to be gained by our union."
"Excuse me," River said. No one paid attention.
"I already told you, I don't care about any o' that," Jayne shook his head. "And there ain't gonna be no union," he growled.
"Excuse me," River said again, louder.
"Not now, River," Simon shushed her without looking.
"You were promised to me in marriage," Annassa said flatly. "I am within my rights to demand that you honor that commitment. And you will honor it," her eyes flashed dangerously. She hadn't wanted to do this. Had been forced into it by her father. But no one refused her. Especially not some un-Raised, uncouth. . . .
River slammed her open hands onto the table, drawing every eye to her. She rose to her feet, slowly but steadily. When she had everyone's attention, she looked down the table at Jayne, and he was startled to see the smoldering look in her eye. She smirked at him, and then winked. Before he could say anything, she turned her direction to Annassa Flint. Her voice was eerily calm when she spoke.
"He already told you, you conniving bitch," River smiled sweetly. "He's married. And I. Don't. Share."
FF
Mal was waiting for Inara by the front door. They had made it a daily routine to walk to the post together. Every day he was stronger and stronger.
"Ready?" Inara smiled.
"Ready," Mal smiled. "Got a surprise for ya, too," he added. "Got your walkin' shoes on?"
"I. . .yes," Inara replied, a little nonplussed. "But it's only. . . ."
"We're goin' to lunch," Mal informed her, offering her his arm with a flourish. "At Rose's."
"Do have the keys to the car, then?" Inara asked. "I can get them. . . ."
"Uh uh," Mal smiled again. "We're walkin'."
"Mal, it's five blocks to Rose's," Inara shook her head. "That's too far."
"Been walkin' it ever evenin' for the last week," he told her proudly. "While you was doing school marm type. . .stuff. Practicing for when I could escort you to lunch."
"What?"
"That's right," he grinned in triumph. "I practiced. Now, allow me," he offered his arm more insistently. Inara took his arm slowly, as if in a daze.
"Mal, are you sure about this?"
"You betcha," he nodded. "All this walkin' seems to have helped me with the pain, too. I don't hurt near as bad as I have been. And I did this for you," he added, eyes crinkling. "I know you've been through hell over me, Inara," he grew more serious. "For once it weren't my fault. . .well, mostly not my fault," he amended.
"This here is restitution for that. A down payment, anyway. From now on, weather and schedule permittin', this here is how we do lunch."
"Mal," Inara's eyes were damp, now. "Oh, Mal that is so wonderful! But are you sure you're not overdoing. . . ."
"Miss Mclin has worked with me," Mal told her. "I didn't just strike out on my own, this time, Inara. Believe it or not, I've learned my lesson. I'll never put you through somethin' like this again on account o' not taking care o' myself."
"I can't promise ya I won't get hurt, no more," he admitted. "I could fall off the gorram porch, for all I know," he snorted, amused at his proclivity for injury. "But the day's o' me doin' things outta pure cussedness has come to an end. I saw how it hurt you, ai ren," he said softly, caressing her cheek softly. "I won't let it happen again. I swear it."
Inara looked at him, so earnest, so honest, and suddenly enveloped him in a bone bruising hug.
"Thank you," she murmured into his chest. "I. . .I love you, so much."
"I love you more," Mal chuckled. "More'n anything. Includin' always havin' to have my own way." His kissed her gently.
"Now, I'm hungry woman!" he declared. "Let's us go eat!"
Arm in arm, with Mal limping only on occasion, the two of them did just that.
FF
"I see you're still uptight," Goldie heard Zoe's voice from where he lay beneath the engine. He rolled out from under, looking up at her. Just the sight of her was enough to take his breath away.
"Y'know," he mock frowned, "just cause I'm workin', don't mean I'm uptight."
"But you are," Zoe insisted. She was standing there, hip shot, arms folded beneath her breasts, giving him what Goldie called that 'I'm annoyed with you' look.
"Maybe," he allowed.
"Get out from under there, and clean that grime off," Zoe ordered. "You're takin' me to lunch."
"I am?"
"You are," Zoe tapped her foot on the deck impatiently. "And I'm hungry. So move it."
"Yes, Cap'n Sweetie Pie!" he grinned, hurrying to get to his feet.
"You ever call me that where someone else can hear it, I'll kill you," she gave him a mock glare.
"You won't neither," he sneered back. "Ya love me too much."
"Don't depend on that," she warned turning to leave.
"You'd miss me," he added. Her only answer was a snort.
"Who'd wash your back in the tub?" he asked. She hesitated slightly.
"Fine. I'll just hurt you some."
"See? What'd I say? Ya love me!"
"Get dressed!"
FF
No one at the table spoke for what seemed like an eternity. Oddly enough, it was Chelsa who managed to find her voice first.
"Mo. . .momma?" the teen strangled the word out. River looked at her, smiling.
"Yes, sweetie," River nodded. "I love you."
"Momma!" Chelsa repeated, and grabbed River in a hug.
"Reckon you folks is excused," Blade growled, looking at Flint. "That means you can get the hell outta here. This here's a family issue." Wart nodded in agreement, as the couple placed themselves between the Yaquay party and the rest of the crew. The group reluctantly moved down the stairs, wise enough not to cross the two people following them.
River untangled herself from Chelsa and looked at Jayne, who was on his feet, a look of shock on his face.
"Riv. . .River. . . ?"
"Yes, my great bear," River smiled gently, ignoring everyone else in the room. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she walked slowly to where her zhang fu stood, watching her with wide eyes.
She slowly reached up and grasped the ring that lay on his chest. She held it tenderly, lovingly, and looked up, into his eyes.
"I remember the day you put this on my finger," she told him softly. With a sudden jerk, she snapped the leather cord, freeing the ring. She held it up in an open hand.
"I'd like it back, now," she told him evenly. Jayne gently took the ring from her. Taking her left hand in his, he slowly, deliberately slid the ring onto her finger, then clasped her hand in his.
"River, I. . . ." She silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"Shh, my zhang fu," she hushed him. "I'm so sorry," her lips trembled. "I have caused you so much pain, and I am so sorry."
Simon was quivering with excitement. She turned to look at him.
"I remember, Simon," she told him evenly. "I remember everything. And I apologize. I see, now, why you. . .I love you, ge ge. I'm so very lucky, so blessed, to have you as my brother. I don't know what I would do without you."
"River, I. . .I love you, too," Simon's voice cracked.
"Kaylee, you helped me, so much," River looked now at her sister-in-law. Her best friend. "And we're still each other's best friend." Kaylee squealed at that, and ran to hug her friend.
"Chelsa, I'm sorry I've missed so much," she continued. "I promise, I'll make it up to you."
"No, momma," Chelsa shook her head, crying. "We'll just pi. . .pick up from here," she sobbed.
"We will not be sharing a bunk, tonight," River smiled. She looked back up at Jayne.
"We have a great deal to catch up on."
FF
Everyone other than Jayne and River was seated once more at the galley table.
"What're we gonna do about that bunch?" Blade wanted to know.
"Can't trust'em, and that's for damn sure," Wart grumbled.
"Turn the ship around," Simon told her. Blade looked at him.
"Take them back," he added. "We're only a day and a little more out. Get rid of them."
"We can do that without turnin' around," Blade snorted, her eyes blazing. "I oughta go down there a shoot the whole bunch square in the head right now."
"Easy, girl," Wart took her hand. "Let Jayne decide about that, how 'bout it. He's the offended party, after all."
"I'm for shootin'em," Liam shrugged, throwing his voice behind Blade. She nodded in approval.
"Good man."
"Take them back, Susan," Simon shook his head. "Their. . .business, is concluded. Get them off this ship, and keep them off our moon. Let them go home."
"Fine," Blade snorted. "I take it me and the boy are the only one's that's gonna show some sense in all this?" she demanded.
"Just take'em back, please, Susan?" Kaylee asked. "Today's turned out to be a awful good day. Let's us just enjoy it some." Blade looked at her, considering.
"You're right," she sighed finally, nodding. "Okay, Kaylee, back to Astra it is."
"As fast as possible," Simon put in. "I. . .I don't want them on this ship a minute longer than needful."
"On that we can agree. Holly, set us up for full burn. I'll call you once I've changed course."
"Liam, go with'im," Wart ordered. "No one leave's the crew quarters alone until they're gone. We'll have to post a watch here, and in engineering. Comm on at all times. Rotating watches."
"We'll help," Simon offered. Wart nodded.
"You can help stand watch here, with whoever's watchin' the galley," he said. "We'll secure engineering when no one's there."
"No," Kaylee shook her head. "Someone needs to be there alla time if we're at burn. Me and Holly can rotate on four hour shifts. Simon can sit with me, and we'll lock the door," she added when Simon was about to object. He nodded, reluctantly.
"We got us a plan, then," Blade nodded. "Let's get to it. One more thing," she added as everyone got to their feet. "We don't bother Jayne and River unless we ain't got no other kinda choice. Agreed?"
Heads nodded all around. The newly reunited couple deserved some time alone.
"Then let's git it."
FIREFLY
A/N: I want to know what all of you think about the big reveal. Did it live up to expectations? Were you satisfied with it? Was the tension almost too much? Seriously, I want to know.
Oh, and the story's far from over :D