AN: Okay, so I am so sorry for the delay in posting this update. I moved across the state and have been without internet for the last week. But I now have internet again so I promise to post more regularly again. Thank you to DraculaLover99, hideher, LeaFairy124, Rachet, chacra, Ookani Sakura, and for your reviews. Anyways, on with the show.
Chapter 28 Had Enough and Criminal
XXX
The next few days were interesting to say the least. Mal and Inara had taken to avoiding each other, not wanting to address what had been brought to light back on Persephone. It was beginning to be ridiculous, and the crew hoped that they would sort it out soon.
While River had skimmed over part of the files that Mr. Universe had sent her, she hadn't had the opportunity to complete study them in detail, and this was something she was hoping to remedy very soon.
Riddick and River had come to an…'agreement' regarding River's choice of wardrobe, after another round of fighting and…making up. She agreed to dress more 'conservatively' by her standards… and he agreed to buy her a new wardrobe since he had shredded the last one.
But the one who was truly happy about the agreement was Jayne…he had taken to sleeping in the common area the last few nights because River and Riddick's 'discussions' had been keeping him awake…and he made sure to bitch and complain about it every chance he got.
XXX
…A few days later on Triumph…
"You know, they walk just as easy if you lead 'em." Mal says as he and Jayne shoo the rest of the cattle out into the corral outside.
"Yeah, but I like smackin' 'em." He says as he walks down the cargo bay ramp. Mal merely shakes his head.
Book walks up to them now, dusting the dirt off the front of his clothing. "Hope this corral's strong enough to hold them. "Shepherd's" a purely figurative title, you know."
Zoe chuckles as she walks up behind the men with Wash in tow. "Next time we smuggle stock, let's make it something smaller."
"Yeah, we should start dealing in those black-market beagles." Wash says as a joke.
"They have smallish droppings?" Mal asked half seriously.
"I believe so, sir." Zoe says.
"Think our contact just arrived." Riddick says as he walks out of the cargo bay and towards the group.
Mal turns and looks at a trio of men approaching the corral.
XXX
River's POV
She sits at the table looking at the stacks in front of her, each of those stacks represents a year that was stolen from her…all of the torture and pain she endured… five separate stacks each at least forty pages thick...
She pulls the first stack towards her and begins reading…
She had known that they opened her skull…but she never knew the extent of what they had done to her. Lobotomized in order to heighten her 'senses'…psychosurgery in order to counteract the effects of the lobotomy… Anterior capsulotomy… Amygdalotomy…the words rolled together…each bringing back pain and anguish.
She shoves the first stack away from her, and moves onto the next….
While the first year had been dedicated to sculpting her mind…the next was dedicated to increasing her aggression levels…stimulants…drugs…something called PAX that she was not familiar with...all with the end game of making her an animal.
She remembers the last three years more so than the first two…training…conditioning…being forced to fight grown men…trained soldiers… injected with narcotic drugs during the fights to further associate killing with euphoria in her mind.
She closes her eyes and it comes back to her.
…Reality shifts…
She's laughing manically after the second injection, she can't help it…everything is just so damn funny. She feels someone slap her across the face, but she's still laughing…
…Milk it for all it's worth, make sure you get there first
The apple of your eye, the rotten core inside…
The drag her into the arena…the drugs are flooding her system now…and three armed men walk in. She knows what she has to do.
…We all are prisoners, things couldn't get much worse
I've had it up to here, you know your end is near…
"Hello dead people." She says as she charges them.
…You had to have it all, well, have you had enough?
You greedy little bastard, you will get what you deserve
When all is said and done, I will be the one
To leave you in your misery and hate what you've become…
While she hates what the force her to do, it's all about her survival. It's the only thing she can tell herself to keep from crying herself to sleep at night when they put her back in her cage.
…Intoxicated eyes, no longer live that life
You should have learned by now, I'll burn this whole world down…
And then, something happened. She let go. Lost in oblivion. Dark and silent and complete. She found freedom. Losing all hope was freedom for her. The killing no longer tormented her dreams…the drugs no longer made her as maniacal…she became the weapon they sought.
…I need some peace of mind, no fear of what's behind
You think you've won this fight, you've only lost your mind…
They gave her the skills…but it came at a price…
"I am River's smirking revenge."
…Reality shifts again…
"RIVER!" Book yells as her mind comes back into focus and her memory fades away.
"Sorry, she got lost." She says as she begins to shuffle the papers back into their respective stack.
"Have you found anything useful in those files yet?" He asks as he comes over and sits at the table with her.
"Negative, while the girl is proficient in many things…understanding the ramifications of experimental medical treatments and developing counteractive measures is above her skill set."
"So there is nothing you can do?" He says with a hint of despondency in his tone.
"No…there might be something…but the girl needs to calculate the odds before she discusses the particulars."
XXX
…Later that night…
While Malcolm Reynolds plans seldom turned out as he hoped, this was one of the rare instances when it had. The settlers had paid the agreed upon price, and even treated Serenity and her crew to a celebration.
The entire crew was now involved in a very spirited party…complete with wine and real food. Somehow Jayne and River had gotten into an argument, and in River's alcohol addled mind she thought it best to end the argument by going shot for shot with Jayne. No one seemed to notice until they were about five shots deep, and at that point there wasn't much use trying to stop their little contest.
XXX
"And then we pull off the bonnets and start in with the whole big scary men act." Mal says as he and Inara walk alongside the party.
"Now that is something that would have been terribly funny to see." Inara says as she laughs at mal's story. "So, explain to me again why Zoe wasn't in the dress in that little story you just told me?"
"Tactics, woman. Needed her in the back. 'Sides, those soft cotton dresses feel kinda nice. It's the whole... air-flow."
Inara turns a little wide eyed towards Mal now. "And you'd know that because...?"
"You can't open the book of my life and jump in the middle. Like woman, I'm a mystery." He says while drunkenly posturing to look manlier.
She laughs at the ridiculous pose. "Let's keep it that way. I withdraw the question."
The continue walking for a little while longer, each enjoying the other's company. Eventually Inara excuses herself to get some sleep, and the Captain returns to the party.
XXX
Riddick's POV
I'm more than a little drunk by the time River comes over to where I am sitting and abruptly plops herself down on my lap.
"The girl (hiccup) thinks she (hiccups) may have imbibed (hiccups) too much."
I laugh at her very drunk state. "What do you expect? You tried to keep up with Jayne and your ninety pounds."
"She proved (hiccup) her point (hiccup) though."
"That you can just as drunk as the men…yup you sure did there bao-bei."
She nuzzles closer to me now, like a kitten curls up to someone for warmth. "Make the voices stop…they make her head spin…"
I roll my eyes. "Come on then, think you had enough of this party for one night." I say as I stand her up and walk back towards the ship.
XXX
Jayne sits on a wooden log next to the settler, Elder Gommen, by the large bonfire. Elder Gommen is holding a rain stick, explaining its use to Jayne.
"It makes the rain come for eternity. The rain is very scarce, comes only when needed most. And such it is with men like you." He says as he hands the stick to Jayne.
Jayne is quite drunk at this point and looks as if he has been handed the Holy Grail. "This is the most... you, friend. You're the guy..." He says as he captures the other man in a bear hug. "I will treasure this."
XXX
Riddick's POV
While the walk back to Serenity is short, the flailing girl that I was trying to corral towards the ship was proving to be a little much in my drunken state.
"I've been a bad bad girl…I've been careless with a delicate man…And it's a sad sad world
When a girl will break a boy…Just because she can…"
The girl had also taken to singing on the way back as well, but I'm not exactly sure of who is the source of the music.
"Don't you tell me to deny it…I've done wrong and I want to…Suffer for my sins…I've come to you 'cause I need…Guidance to be true…And I just don't know where I can begin…"
I manage to steer her into the cargo bay and she takes off towards Inara's shuttle. Great just what I need to be doing…chasing the drunken girl all over the ship.
"Riv…come on the bunks this way."
"Heaven help me for the way I am…Save me from these evil deeds…Before I get them done…I know tomorrow brings the consequence…At hand…But I keep livin' this day like…The next will never come…"
She's banging on the shuttle door now, and I'm thinking it might just be best to throw her over my shoulder and drag her back to our bunk.
Inara opens the door after the first few times River's fist hits the door. "River? Is there something wrong?" She says.
"She…she has a question."
"Sorry Inara, I'm just gonna…"
"No! She has a question!" River says like a petulant child as I try and guide her back to the bunk.
"It's alright Riddick…what is it River?"
However, neither Inara or I are prepared for what comes out of her mouth next. "Do you love the Captain?"
"Okay, then… I think we'll be going now." I say as I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, leaving a very stunned Inara in my wake. She begins flailing her arms and trying to hit my back but I have had enough of her drunken antics.
XXX
Book watches contentedly from a distance as a young woman puts a crown of daises on Mal's head, then gives him a bowl of wine to drink. Mal drinks the wine, smiling broadly at the young woman.
The young woman smiles back and twirls out onto the dance floor. Mal smiles and mouths "flowers" to Jayne, who is sitting next to him. After a moment, Mal and Jayne are pulled out to dance by several young women.
XXX
…The next day…
Riddick's POV
I wake up to the sound of River groaning next to me.
"Uhhh…why…" She says as she rolls over and unceremoniously off the bed.
I erupt into a fit of laughter now. The gorram girl is just too funny.
"Ai ya! hwai leh! Why does her head hurt so much!" She says as she sits up on the floor.
"Probably because you tried to go shot for shot with Jayne. Not one of your more brilliant plans."
"Never again," she says as she pulls the blanket off the bed and onto the floor.
Again, I can't help but laugh. Girl can handle knives, guns, and take down plenty of mercenaries…but give the girlie a couple of shots and she turns into a mess.
XXX
Most of the crew of Serenity had dragged themselves back the night before and were up semi-early to prepare to leave the planet. The settlers had been very kind to them and had given them gifts as token of their thanks. As they are finishing preparations Mal walks toward the airlock where Elder Gommen stands.
"Elder Gommen, thank you for the hospitality." Mal says as he shakes the older man's hand.
"We owe you a great debt. I hope our gifts will show our regards."
"Well I don't think Jayne's ever lettin' go of that stick." And both man chuckle.
Zoe's voice can be heard over the comm unit now, "Mal, there's a patrol boat heading into atmo right now."
And Mal lets out a sigh as he turns to the older gentleman again. "Well we gotta fly."
"We'll pray for a safe voyage, and hope to lay eyes on you again 'ere too long, my friend." The man says as he walks off the ship and Mal closes up the airlock doors.
A few minutes later and Serenity is back in the black, and Mal begins storing supplies. He squats down to put away what look like propane tanks into a wire cage when he spots a stowaway.
He jumps back in surprise. "Gaaahhh! Who the hell are you?" He says somewhat angrily.
"What do you mean?" The young woman says.
He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Well, I think I was pretty clear. What are you doing on my boat?"
"But... you know I'm to cleave to you...?"
"To-whubba-who?"
"Did Elder Gommen not tell you?" She asks innocently.
"Tell me what? Who are you?"
"Mr. Reynolds, sir…I'm your wife."
"I'm-I'm sorry…You're my wife?"
"I don't please you?" She asks.
"You can't please me. You never met me."
Mal hears footsteps behind him now and turns to see Zoe and Jayne enter the cargo bay.
Mal looks at her for clarity. "Zoe, why do I have a wife?"
This catches Jayne's attention. "You got a wife? All I got is that dumbass stick sounds like it's raining. How come you got a wife?"
"I didn't." He says to Jayne before turning back to the unnamed woman. "We're not married."
She starts to get a little upset now. "I'm sorry that I shame you."
Mal begins to flail his arms now. "You don't shame me!" He turns to Zoe again. "Zoe, would you get Wash?"
Zoe walks to comm, hits it, and then: "This is Zoe. We need all personnel in the cargo bay."
Now Mal looks panic stricken. "Whoa, whoa. I said Wash."
"Captain, everyone should have a chance to congratulate you on your day of bliss." She says with an evil grin plastered to her face.
"There's-there's no bliss! I don't know this girl!" He says rather loudly.
"Then can I know her?" Jayne asks with a lecherous grin before Zoe smacks him.
"You are gonna be cleaning latrines with your face you both don't knock that off."
The rest of the crew comes pouring into the cargo bay now, curious as to why Zoe called them there.
XXX
Riddick's POV
The first thing I see when I walk into the cargo bay is a woman with red hair I never seen before, and I'm more than a little surprised.
"Where's River?" Zoe asks as I walk down the stairs.
"Girl drank herself up a mean hangover…she's still in bed. Who's the new recruit?" I ask as I walk towards where everyone is standing.
"Everybody, I want you all to meet... Mrs. Reynolds." Zoe says with a shit-eating-grin on her face.
Kaylee gasps excitedly while Inara looks less than pleased.
"You got married?" Kaylee screams.
Jayne and I just bust up into laughter now…kinda hard not to help it given the circumstances.
"Well, that's, uh..." Book says floundering for words. "Congratulations."
"We'd always hoped you two kids would get together." Wash says before turning to the Captain for answers. "Who is she?"
"She's no one!" Mal says angrily, which just makes the woman in question start crying.
Kaylee tries to chastise him. "Captain."
"Would you stop that?" Mal says as he turns to the crying woman.
"I'm sorry."
Kaylee comes forward and buts an arm around the woman. "Hey, sweetie. Don't feel bad. He makes everybody cry. He's like a monster."
"I'm not a monster!" Mal says to no one in particular. He glares and Jayne and I though cause we haven't stopped laughing, before turning to Wash. "Wash, turn the ship around."
"Can't." Wash says flatly.
"That's an order!"
"Yeah, but can't the Alliance touched down the second after we left, and there's already a bulletin on the cortex about a ship importing cattle without approval. So unless you feel like walking into a big ol'hefty fine, I suggest we continue on to Beaumonde, and you... enjoy your honeymoon."
Book turns to Zoe. "Have you got an encyclopedia?"
She nods and then the both depart the cargo bay. Wish I could find some reason to leave too, the woman hasn't stopped her wailing and it's making me irritated.
"This isn't happening." Mal says in disbelief. "Would you stop cryin'?"
"For god's sake, Mal. Could you be a human being for thirty seconds?" Inara snaps at him.
"As one married man to another…" Wash begins before being cut off by the Captain.
"I'm not married!" But this just makes the woman cry more. "I'm sorry. You-you have very nice qualities, but I didn't ever marry you."
"I believe you did. Last night." Book says as he and Zoe return to the cargo bay.
"How drunk was I last night?" Mal asks Jayne.
He merely shrugs his shoulders. "Well I dunno. I passed out."
"It says here…" Book begins reading from the encyclopedia. "The woman lays a wreath upon her intended" – which I do recall - "which represents his sovereignty."
"That was you?" Mal asks as he turns to the woman.
Book continues. "And he drinks of her wine. And then there's a dance, with a joining of hands. The marriage ceremony of the Triumph settlers. You, sir, are a newlywed."
"What's it say in there about divorce?" I ask earning looks of disdain from Kaylee and Zoe.
Now the woman takes off out of the cargo bay.
XXX
AN: I have to say this was one of the funnier chapters to write. Who couldn't see River trying to best Jayne at drinking only to earn a horrible hangover? I for one can. And let's face it, her running up to Inara and asking her if she loves the Captain is only something she would do when she is very very drunk. So Saffron has made her appearance…wonder how this is going to turn out…so many possibilities, but it will have to wait for now… till next time ;)