AN: To my loyal readers and reviewers (BooklvrAnnie, Irishbrneyes, Guin, Shenandoah76209) you guys are amazing =) it always makes me extremely happy to see how many people read and follow this story. Anyways, enough gushing about how amazing you all are, and on with the next chapter!
Chapter 45: Dreams, Nightmares, Ruled By Secrecy
XXX
It takes Jubel Early exactly eight point three minutes to succumb from the fire and burns to his body. It took Mal nine and three quarter minutes to come to the cargo bay because of the smell of burning flesh.
"What the hell are ya'll doin'?" Mal says as he comes down the stairs.
"Having a bonfire." River replies with a hint of snarky attitude.
"Why the hell would you do that while we are in the middle of space? You all have a death wish or something?"
"Relax Mal….weren't gonna let it get out of control." Jayne says as he twirls the ear he cut off.
"Why in Buddha's name do you have an ear Jayne?…You know what..I don't even want to know…Something ain't right with you three."
"She'll take that as a compliment."
Mal doesn't even know what to say to River after that.
"Just clean this shit up." He says as he walks out of the cargo bay.
"He just spoils all the fun don't he?" Riddick asks after Mal has left.
XXX
River's POV
She isn't in her dreams tonight...she had tried to sleep...tried to listen to the rhythmic beating of Riddick's heart to lull her off to never never land...but it is no use...the goblins won't let her sleep...Every time she tries she just hears their static and chatter...
She gave up trying to decipher the bits and pieces she can pick up after the first hour... now she just roams Serenity's halls...quietly listening to the music from everyone else's dreams...
Riddick is all daggers and knives...like a whirling dervish he relives his fights over and over again...one showdown after the next...
Despite his best efforts... Book dreams of his past...Born under a bad sign...I been down since I begin to crawl... She wishes she could comfort him about his past...but he wouldn't want to be reminded when he is awake as well... If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...
She always smiles at Zoe and Wash's dreams...The way that you hold me... Whenever you hold me...There's some kind of magic that's inside you...their dreams are always perfectly in sync...
She smiles at little Kaylee's dreams...Come away with me and we'll kiss...On a mountaintop...and then shakes her head...oh if only Simon wasn't such a boob...
...Another song drifts in...I met a gin soaked, bar-room queen in memphis...She tried to take me upstairs for a ride...oh Jayne...you will never tire of the painted ladies...
...Inara and Mal...both in sync yet separate...Please don't make me wait again...each broken bits of the same song...Say its me that you adore, And then darling tell me when...
Simon...poor Simon...he's fallen so hard for the sunshine...Just a kiss good-night... if only he could see...Maybe you and I will fall in love...what's right in front of him...
She doesn't know when she starts to succumb...but eventually she finds herself curled up in one of Serenity's many hiding spots...all of their music swirling around her before it is replaced with her own...music...and nightmares...
XXX
...Reality Shifts...
She's standing on the bridge of Serenity...no one else is there...she can see the battle in front of her though...hundreds of ships...thousands of screams echo in her head...
...Repress and restrain
Steal the pressure and the pain...
They fall...fast...like a leaf on the wind they twirl and twist...she feels the pressure drop...feels the jolt as they skid...she can hear their voices...but she can't see them...they are just shadowy figures...
...Wash the blood off your hands
This time she won't understand...
There is a moment of silence...a moment of stillness...and then she feels it hit her like sledge hammer...she looks down to see the blood pooling on her abdomen...it gushes...and she feels life slowly start to drain...she screams...
...You're working so hard
And you're never in charge...
When she opens her eyes she's running down a corridor...her only thought is that she has to make it..."my turn"...
...Your death creates success
Rebuild and suppress...
She feels hands grab her...pull her back...feels nails dig into her skin...clawing... scratching...every inch of her is consumed by anger...by fire...by hatred...
...Change in the air
And they'll hide everywhere
And no one knows who's in control...
...Reality Shifts Again...
She wakes up startled...almost a little confused as to where she is. Her brow is damp with cold sweat...She pushes herself up. She hugs her knees into her chest and feels the tears drip down her cheek...because in this moment the girl hates herself...because she can almost see what's coming...but can't see what will change it...
XXX
…The next day on Serenity's Bridge…
River's POV
She was trying to avoid the crew this morning...they knew it too. By the time she had crawled out of her hiding spot it was after breakfast. The look on the girl's face was more than enough to have people keep their distance...and for those who didn't...mainly Simon...she just shot a look that screamed I don't want to talk about it. Riddick yelled at him to give her some space...she frowns a little though, because she knows that Orpheus will ask her about it later...
A little while later she had retreated to the bridge to watch Wash pilot Serenity...she always found peace in watching him fly. Mr. Universe had sent the details of the job to their account not long after. It was a simple pick-up and drop…but she got rather excited when she pulled a few undisclosed facts from the weird man's recorded message. She keeps them to herself though…wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for everyone else.
She sits twirling her hair around her fingertips, her feet propped up on instrument panel in front of her as Wash sets them down on one of the border moons.
Wash coughs lightly in the seat across from her. She knows he wants to ask about what the Captain was hollering about last night, but he's somewhat afraid to.
"Mal just doesn't share our sense of humor." She says plucking at his thoughts.
While it once unnerved Wash to have her do that, he's gotten used to it and is no longer bothered by it. "And by our I assume you mean Riddick and you?"
"Jayne too."
"Okay now I really don't want to know."
XXX
…Planetside…
River's POV
Mal and the girl are standing near an open clearing when another ship sets down in it. Plan was to have the first ship land a few clicks over from Serenity and then carry the loot over. They were the greeting party.
A few minutes after the ship sets down a ladder and an elevator panel begin to descend from underneath the ship. She can barely contain her excitement now.
"Somethin' I should know you ain't sharin bit?"
"Excitement…old friend."
"Who in Buddha's name do you know on this ship?" Mal asks.
A very large man steps off the ladder that goes up to the belly of the ship, he turns and beams at Mal and is more than a little surprised to see River.
"Well I'll be a …MONTY!" Mal yells and starts walking up to his old friend.
"You old son-of-a- Com'ere!" Monty says as he practically picks Mal up in a bear hug. The girl smiles seeing the old friends salutations.
"How-you-do-in'" Mal wheezes out before Monty releases him.
"They didn't tell me you were picking up this leg of the run!" Monty says with mirth and merriment on his face.
"It was a last minute thing…friend of ours set us up for it…oh speaking of which I have someone…"
"Oh hell I know this little one…come give ol' Monty a hug darlin." Monty says as he moves past Mal to the girl and envelopes her in a big hug as well. She likes feeling the sunshine his mind exudes at seeing the girl.
"Where is that ugly mug I last seen you with?" Monty asks the girl as he sets her down.
Mal is beyond confused. "Did I miss something' here?"
"He's on Serenity." She says with a smile.
"You two know each other?'
"You got Riddick on board too Mal?" Monty says as he turns back to Mal.
"Okay…I'm lost…how do you all know each other?'
"Long story Captain…we will retell it to you once we are all reunited." The girl says to quell his confusion.
"Where's that sorry-ass ship a' yours anyways?" Monty asks.
"Monty, two boats like ours meeting on an empty rock like this, that screams contraband to the Feds. Or have you forgotten that time you got pinched on Beylix?"
"Always thinkin', ain't ya. Smarts. That's what you got. Smarts." Monty says as he smacks Mal's arm.
Mal shrugs. "Now, OK, wait….Something's different. Something is…"
Monty smiles proudly…starts stroking his chin. The girl merely rolls her eyes that it takes him so long to see what's missing.
Mal finally notices and his eyes look to be about ten sizes bigger. The girl giggles. "The beard! Oh! You shaved off your soup-catcher!"
"Yup." Monty beams.
"Well, I thought you were gonna wear that ugly chin-wig to the grave…"
"Yeah, so did I. But she didn't much like my whiskers…"
The girl is completely caught off guard. "She?…"
"HEY BUTTERCUP!" Monty yells.
"What the hell am I thinking? I got to introduce Mal to the missus! And she has been missing you something fierce darlin'"
"Monty! You have fallen from our noble bachelor ranks?"
"I wasn't lookin' to, but she just sorta swept me off my feet."
She is puzzled at first but when she feels familiar thoughts she turns around. The girl feels the corners of her mouth turn up into a beaming smile as a woman she knows all to well descends the ladder now. She squeals and runs to her and gives her a hug that practically matches Monty's.
"Shazza!" The girl practically yells as she tackles the woman with a hug.
XXX
…Back on Serenity…
Mal and the crew had been more than a little startled to learn that Riddick and Monty fought together in the war…especially since Mal had known Monty from his days on Shadow. There were drinks all around to celebrate the happy reunion of old friends and Monty and Shazza's marriage.
Everyone had received quite the shock hearing the full story of how Riddick and River knew Shazza, and how Shazza and Monty met…but everyone was absolutely thrilled with how things had worked out, especially River.
XXX
River's POV
They were all seated around a campfire just off Serenity's cargo bay ramp. Both crews mingled about, laughing with each other easily, and just enjoying the warm night.
The girl could hear various bits of all of the conversations as she sat next to Riddick and very slowly nursed a glass of Kaylee's inter-engine wine. Riddick was refusing to let her have anymore after the last time she got herself drunk trying to out drink Jayne.
Mal and Inara are to her left talking with Shazza and Monty...it makes her smile to see her friend have happiness after everything she went through...she shudders as tiny memories float through her brain...
"You cold River?" Riddick asks as he feels her shiver.
"Negative...just remembering."
She can see his eyebrow arch in question, but she chooses to ignore it.
"Captain Daddy." She says as she gets up and moves towards Mal.
Inara just chuckles as Mal visibly tenses as she does..."Bit how many times..."
She cuts him off before he can finish..."Many more...she is curious...you have heard how Riddick, Shazza, Monty, and the girl all know each other...but we have yet to hear your stories."
"Ain't got any stories bit." He says as his temper cools.
"Oh of course you do Mal." Inara says as she lightly smacks his arm.
"Oh really? And which ones might those be?"
"Could always tell the one about when we met Jayne." Zoe says from across the fire with a small chuckle.
"That ain't anything anyone wants to hear!" Jayne protests.
"I agree lamby-toes, it is kinda funny." Wash seconds.
"Ah hell, why you got to go bringing that up again."
'"What's the matter Cobb? Embarrassed?" Riddick teases.
"It ain't somethin' I'm proud of is all, okay?" He says with a small pout.
"It was kinda funny Jayne." Mal says with a chuckle.
"Ah hell, fine..tell your damn story then."
"Alright then...It was one of the first jobs that we had on Serenity...we're given coordinates to drop off some cargo...we get the cargo stashed and head back to the ship to meet our contact and instead get greeted with guns in our faces...I tried to talk reason to them...they just kind of scoffed at this...and Jayne was one of them holdin' us up."
"Why does that not surprise me." Riddick says with a chuckle.
"He I said I ain't proud of this story...man can change."
"Anyways..." Mal says to continue. "I asked Zoe which one she thought tracked us...she said the ugly one...which wasn't much help...no offense Jayne."
"Just hurry this up." Jayne replies.
"Jayne threatens to shoot us...his boss, then tries to get us to give up the goods, so I point out that threatening to shoot us isn't much incentive...Anyway, we've hidden it. So, they could kill us, but they'd never find it."
"Could have shot you in the leg." River says. "Adequate threat."
"Enough interruptions!" Mal says to quiet her and keep anyone else from speaking up. "Well when I said that, Jayne kinda slips and gives himself away as the tracker...and I start thinking aloud...asking let's say you did kill us. Or didn't. There could be torture. Whatever. But somehow they found the goods. What would his cut be? He says seven percent, straight off the top, which I found to be quite hilarious because it made me think I was paying Zoe too much...and I said so too."
"Funny sir." Zoe pipes in.
"Well the main guy isn't gettin to happy with me talkin like this so I try and make amends, say look, forget I said anything. I'm sure you're treated very well. You get the perks. Got your own room...and Jayne looks more than a might irritated when I bring up the room..."
"Now the guy is getting more and more irritated tells; Jayne this ain't funny...and Jayne weren't laughin' mind you. And I get to makin' him an offer...He moves on over to this side, we'll not only show him where the stuff's at...we'll see to it he gets a fair share. Not no sad "seven."...I knew I had him hooked when he asked about a private room...so the main guy starts yelling at Jayne, and Jayne shoot him in the leg...tells him to shut up and then asks how big a room."
There is a round of chuckles and laughs from everyone around the campfire now. Jayne looks a little red in the face too.
Riddick chuckles. "Sounds like typical Cobb to me."
"Like I said, ain't nothin I'm proud of."
"Oh come on Jayne, weren't that bad...I mean we all have funny stories about how we ended up on Serenity." Kaylee says sympathetically.
"Oh really little Kaylee? How would you feel about how you ended up on Serenity?" Jayne says questioningly.
She blushes a little, but giggles. The girl likes it when she giggles, reminds her of happy music. "Like you said Jayne, people change...Take Wash for example."
"Me? When did I get pulled into this?" Wash says with amusement.
"Zoe told me about the first time you two met." Kaylee says.
"Did she now?' Wash says as he turns and looks at a smirking Zoe.
"Well it was rather amusing husband."
"Why's that?" The girl asks.
"The man had a huge mustache! Looked like a broom on his face." Mal answers.
Now this really gets some laughs around the campfire...including Wash.
"Really? Can't see it." Simon says between chuckles.
"Hey! I'll have you know that I was very fond of the mustache. Made me look a little diabolical."
Zoe chuckles. "More like a bum!"
Wash smirks as he tickles Zoe for her reply. "Well...doesn't matter now anyways...I traded it for something better." He leans over and kisses Zoe's cheek now.
"Here here to that!" Monty seconds as he leans over and kisses Shazza.
XXX
Eventually the two Captains had to call the party to an end though…there was a job to be done and no one wanted the attention of the Feds. So within a few hours the crew of Serenity had said goodbye to old friends with the promise to keep in touch.
XXX
...Elsewhere in the Verse...
"I am not amused by this." He says while drumming his fingers on the console in front of him.
"I'm sorry sir...we tried to figure out if it was a malfunction on our end...but it seems as if your brother's ship has been destroyed."
He arches an eyebrow. "What do you mean destroyed?'
The man on the other end of the wave shifts uncomfortably. "Well...we received read-outs about a malfunction and when we tried to bypass the error message..."
"I want the last read-outs from his ship uploaded to my account immediately, is that understood?'
"Right away sir...I'm sorry for your loss."
He disconnects the wave and immediately opens the files that were forwarded to him. He starts scanning them while entering in codes to pull up the last video feeds from inside the ship.
His eyes widen in a mixture of shock and anger when the video pulls up onto his screen...There sits little River Tam...entering in codes into the console. He reverse hacks the files to try and find out what she input into the system. The words self-destruct pull up onto his screen.
He sits there stunned for a moment before standing up and throwing everything on the desk in front of him to the floor and overturning the desk in a fit of rage.
XXX
...Back on Serenity...
Riddick's POV
I track her scent back through the ship. Girl is avoiding the conversation we are about to have and it's a bit irritating. I open the hatch to our bunk and drop in.
She's sitting on the bed, twirling a small shiv in her fingers, and doesn't bother to look up. She smells of lavender and gunpowder.
"River." I say as I walk towards her. She noticeably shivers, no doubt from knowing what I'm about to ask.
"You really going to make me ask?' I say as I stand in front of her.
"Goblins." She says in a small voice.
"Goblins? That really all you going to give me?"
She huffs. "It's the only way the girl can think to explain it."
"Yeah? That the reason why you seem to be sleepin' else where at night?"
She looks up at me now, there's a look of sadness in her eyes.
"She can't help it...they chase her from her dreams."
"What are they sayin?" I ask as I sit down next to her.
"She cannot say."
"Can't or won't?" I ask challenging her answer.
"Cannot...we must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed, Their hungry thirsty roots..." She says in a sing-song voice.
"You talkin' in riddles doesn't do anything to make me any less irritated."
"She is aware." She says solemnly as she slides her body down to where her head rests in my lap.
At some point I Start running my fingers through her hair. She seems to relax and melt into me even more.
"She likes when you touch her."
I chuckle. "Whats not to like."
XXX
...Elsewhere...
He stands in front of a large window looking out into the black abyss of space. He doesn't bother to turn around to address the young cadet that he is currently giving orders to.
"I want the subliminal embedded in everything playing on all rim planets...everything that can broadcast them needs to be utilized...I want the bounty increased again...and I want every contact that Serenity has ever had to be monitored...That's all."
"Yes sir." The cadet says as he walks out of the office.
He just continues to stand and stare into space, his eyes narrowed as if contemplating something.
"You will pay...little..girl."
XXX
AN: Wow, I ended up putting way more into this chapter than I originally thought I would. Obviously there is a lot of foreshadowing of upcoming events, which means we are getting very close to the next major plot shift in this fic.
Songs:
Riddick: Showdown by Brian Tyler (from War Soundtrack)
Book: Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King
Zoe & Wash: Nobody Does it Better by Carly Simon
Kaylee: Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Jayne: Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones
Inara & Mal: Quando Quando Quando by Michael Buble and Nelly Furtado
Simon: Put Your Head on My Shoulder by Michael Buble
River: Ruled By Secrecy by Muse