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Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy, Inc.

A/N: This blasted thing is finished! I am glad though I liked writing it. I really hope you like it. Trying to think what and where I'll do my next story. If you like it, please let me know. I need some encouragement as to what to do next. Thanks for readin'.

Sheila

Reaver Hunter

Chapter 4

……………………………………………………………………………………..

He was awake and sweatin' from his latest howlin' dream when he heard the door at the top of the bay open. He tensed, raising himself on his elbows. Mal was finally goin' to do what needed to be done, and Jayne found an odd reluctance growing in his gut. It weren't that he wanted to live; God knows life weren't nothin' more than a holy mess for him right now. It was the survivor in him. He weren't built for dyin' easy; it went against every instinct in him. He could hear the footsteps lightly on the walk above him and he sat up. He weren't goin' to play dead neither. He would face Mal when he were shot; it would be a manly way to go.

The footsteps got softer and he waited. He found himself wishing he'd raided the pantry earlier like he'd thought on doin'; no harm in breakin' a few rules when you was getting' shot anyways. It also hit him that maybe he should be wearin' a different shirt for his killin'. Probably goin' to get buried in it as there weren't no undertaker afoot. No harm in pullin' out his Sunday best. He scrambled around for the shirt that currently held that distinction, and quickly changed. Then he remembered his boots and figured a man oughta' die with his boots on. He reached for them, and worked frantically to lace them up. "Mal! Give me a minute, okay. I gotta' get my boots on. Ready for ya' in a bit."

A giggle sounded, startling Jayne. He was on his feet squinting into the dimness of the bay before a 1st shift. At first, he couldn't see nothin' on the walk. Then he spotted her sittin' on the walk in one of those thin dresses she favored, her bare legs swingin' in the air. It never occurred to him that Mal would send the moonbrain to it. That just didn't sit well with him at all.

"Don't come near me, little girl! This is not how I'm goin'." He growled up at her.

She laughed again. "Silly big man; ain't nobody goin' touch ya'. You oughta' know by now that Mal has no intention of shooting ya'. He never did. He's not cut out for that kind of killin'."

"He didn't send ya'?"

"Nope."

Jayne pulled his boats off and rooted around for his sleepin' shirt. "Then whatcha' doin' here?"

"You had another Reaver dream."

He sat on his bedroll and looked up at her. "I was kinda' hopin' you wouldn't notice."

"I feel every last one."

"So whatcha' want to do 'bout it?"

"I could kill ya'."

He shook his head emphatically. "Ain't dying by no lil' slip of a girl; don't care how many Reavers ya' killed. 'Sides, you had yer chance back at the drop and ya' didn't take it."

She shrugged. "Wasn't really an option anyhow. Simon would squawk. He doesn't like that the killin' comes so easy for me. He wonders sometimes if the Blue Hands took my soul along with my sanity. 'Sides, it wouldn't be no fun if there wasn't a man with a girl's name at the dinner table ever' night; no fun at all."

"Whatcha' after, Moonbrain?"

She swung her legs harder. "I liked it when ya' called me River."

"Fat chance of that ever happenin' again, what with ya' interruptin' my sleep and teasin' me 'bout my name an' all."

She picked up a thick book. "Brought ya' a book."

"Don't like books', too many words in 'em."

"Which is why I'm goin' to read it to you."

He frowned up at her. "Ain't interested."

Ignoring him, she held it up for him to see. "Found it on Persephone. It's an old classic from Earth That Was. It's an action story. There's sword fights and everything."

"That so?" Curiosity crept into his face.

"It's called The Three Muskeeters. It's full of adventures and fights and killin' and such."

Then he realized who he was talkin' to, and knew this just wouldn't do. "Don't think so. Have to get some rest. Some o' us got regular jobs to do. Can't just wile away the time with mindless pursuits, ya' know."

She flipped the front cover open. "I'm not payin' attention 'bout all that. Neither one o' us sleeps when the Reaver dreams come. Its decided. We're goin' to read this here story."

He glared up at her and she stuck her tongue out at him. Rolling his eyes, he fell back on his bedroll and waited. Wearing the smile of a victor, River turned to the first page.

………………………………………………………………………………………

"I still got questions for ya'," he demanded over a bowl of mush.

"Not my fault that you're such an idiot."

"It wasn't my idea to have ya' show up in the dark like ya' did. Ya' can't just leave a man hangin'."

"Well, there wasn't nothin' else to do in the middle of the night when we're both not sleepin'."

The heads around them popped up from the mush they was eatin'.

"Huh?" Mal ventured.

Ignoring him, Jayne glared at the girl. "Twasn't fair that ya' fell asleep 'fore I was done with ya'."

"Wah de tyen, ah!" Simon exclaimed in horror.

She sighed. "The whole thing plum wore me out. Didn't realize it would be such a chore with questions at every turn."

"Chore! Iffn' anythin', I was the one havin' to hold back and mind my manners and be civil." He fisted a spoon at her. Kaylee's eyes got wide and she reached over to hold on to Simon's arm. Zoe frowned at Jayne.

Mal was on his feet. "Was reluctant to shoot ya' earlier, but I'm feelin' up to it now, ya' yu bun duh hundan! You wait here whilst I get my piece." Then he disappeared from the galley.

Jayne frowned after him in confusion. River looked at her brother, and saw a look of horror which is borne for one reason only. She giggled out loud. "Big man, they think that you and I had carnal relations last night."

He turned to her in confusion. "That means reading books out loud, right?"

She smirked. "Not even close."

It slowly dawned on him that they had notions of a much more personal nature. He screwed up his face. "I didn't touch her, ya' bunch o' ni men dou! We was readin' a book. I ain't after no moonbrain, scrawny, genius teen-age girl who'd tease a man 'bout his name as much as look at him. Not that she ain't purty, but…" He shook his head violently as if trying to lose an image, "Hell no!"

"Its therapy," River said. The story is a distraction from the nightmares. It calms the mind. It's a documented technique."

Simon's indignation had deflated considerably when Mal reappeared, gun in hand. Inara met him at the door. "Nothing happened. You don't need to shoot Jayne…right now."

Mal narrowed his eyes at Jayne. "What did ya' do? Did ya' lure her out to the cargo bay?"

Jayne snorted. "Ya', that's it. It's been my plan all along to get her alone in the cargo bay and force her to read old folktales ta me in the middle of the night. It's taken damn near a year ta set it up."

Zoe stepped forward. "Sir, it seems River was readin' him a nighttime story. Nothin' more. It's supposed to distract him from the nightmares."

Mal grimaced. "Whatever it was 'bout, its gotta stop now. No sneakin' into the cargo bay, Girl. Ya' hear me?"

Jayne's face clouded over. "No way, Mal. We's just gettin' started. Its 'bout these French mercs on ancient Earth That Was, and they fight for the sake of honor and other oddities. Hell, they'll fight o'er just 'bout anything. They's 'bout to go off to war that the king and cardinal's fightin' for no reason and they got servants to carry their weapons and cook 'em meals, and there's all these fancy rich girls yearnin' after 'em. Ya' can't cut us off now."

River nodded. "We slept three peaceful hours after that."

"We's sitting at different ends of the cargo bay, Mal, on my honor…or whatever. No foolin', and I don't got that buzzin' in my head like I got most mornin's after the Reaver dreams."

Mal winced. "This is the poster child of bad ideas."

Silent until this moment, Zoe stepped forward, her hand restin' unconsciously on her slightly raised belly. "Sir, let me take care o' this. Not much sleepin' at night myself. Might as well supervise these two hell cats."

Mal looked at Simon who shrugged and said, "Already, you have her on jobs thieving and killing. You don't seem to need my permission for that. Why not fully indoctrinate her in the ways of lowlife thuggery? And who better to teach her than Jayne Cobb?"

"S'right," Jayne nodded.

"Snobbery wears on ya' less becoming than you might imagine, Doc." Mal said with a frown.

Jayne furrowed his brow. "Don't fuss at him. It's the first nice thing he ever done said to me."

Mal rolled his eyes. "Okay, I'm assumin' that most of ya' got jobs to do, so scatter, why don't ya'." He fixed Jayne with a look that told him not to leave. The merc sat with a sullen look on his face waiting for the scolding he knew was coming.

Mal sat down, his back to Jayne, and began takin' apart his weapon for cleanin'. Jayne sighed and waited for his captain to speak.

"We're goin' have some more jobs comin'. In fact, I got an offer. Fanty and Minty got a job on Kathyville."

Jayne looked at the hands in his lap. "Kathy's in Reaver country."

Mal shrugged. "At the edge, I s'pose ya' could say."

"Still in that territory."

"Lots of jobs gonna' be near Reaver territory."

Jayne nodded slowly. "I know that.

"I can't help wonderin' if my merc's gonna' get all suicidal on me the next job we have."

Jayne didn't say anythin'.

"Can't have that, ya' know. Screws with the job. Need a merc who's focused on the job."

"What do ya' want, Mal?"

"Ya' survived, Jayne. Maybe, it's yer crazy, stubborn mind; I don't know, but ya' ain't dead and ya' ain't outa' yer mind. Don't know why. It's just the way it is."

"Not convinced o' none of that. People don't survive Reaver attacks. It just ain't done."

"Well, I ain't comin' to kill ya'. Not doin' it. Might kill ya' if ya' touch the girl, but I ain't touchin' ya' based on this Reaver business."

"I'm sufferin', Mal. My dreams is bad. Ya' can't deny it."

"But yer handlin' it. God knows how, but yer doin' it.

Jayne grimaced. "What do ya' want, Mal?"

"I want ya' to be like ya' used to be; selfish, boorish, mean, and dumb."

Jayne chuckled. "Ain't gotta' worry 'bout that none; ain't lost those quirks."

"I can't have ya' tryin' to get killed. It don't help us none. This is 'bout money not emotions. Ya' used to understand that."

Jayne shifted in his seat. "I understand 'bout money. Ain't gotta' explain that to me."

"Ain't goin' mess it up with yer Reaver craziness? Is ya' lookin' for 'nother opportunity to get knocked off?"

"Naw," Jayne drawled. "Not goin' ta do that again. Couldn't manage to get killed with 4 Seb's men trainin' guns on me and me just standing there as big a target as could be. It's gotta' be some kind of sign. Goin' refocus on the money aspect of the job."

"Good, that's what I need ta hear outa' my merc." Mal gave him a nod and patted him on the back as he walked out of the galley. Jayne sat there for awhile staring down at the table. He was findin' that it was getting' harder and harder to figure which was the lies and which was what he really felt.

………………………………………………………………………………….

"Bein' noble ain't worth a hill o' beans."

"Just sayin' that 'cause you don't know the first thing 'bout it."

"Shows how much ya' know. I know enough 'bout noble to not want nothin' to do with it."

"What is the two o' ya' caterwaulin' 'bout now?" Mal leaned over the table, glaring at his merc and his killer woman, both of whom responded with sullen looks.

"Sir, don't pay 'em no never mind. They're squawkin' 'bout the book is all."

"Ain't goin' let the two o' ya' read no more if ya' can't be civil 'bout it." Mal growled, reachin' for the ale the waitress set before him.

Jayne had already downed most of his, and was signaling the waitress for another. "Can't help it, Mal. Lil' crazy woman here don't know what she's talkin' 'bout."

River sipped at her ale and made a face at the taste. "Big man here thinks that nothin' ain't worth doin' if you don't get paid for it."

Zoe held back a smile. "Don't explain why ya' pushed me down a hole couple months back and took on Reavers by your lonesome."

Jayne frowned. "Nothin' personal, Zoe, but we ain't got the same earnin' power without ya'."

She snorted. "Just a matter of economics then?"

He shrugged. "People is generally lyin' 'bout their noble intentions. Always got to be somethin' in it for people. That's the truth." Then he nodded at Mal. "Don't completely explain our fearless leader here, but my theory on that is he's just crazy and don't care what he drags us into."

"Don't start philosophizing again; it don't suit ya' none." Mal muttered outa' the side of his mouth. Then he turned to his first mate. "Zoe, what time they say they meetin' us?"

"Should be here any minute, Sir." Restricted from alcohol, Zoe contented herself with the local cider.

River took a longer swig of the ale, swishin' it 'round her mouth and swallowed, a lazy smile growing on her lips. "Grog don't taste half bad."

Zoe arched a brow. "Tends to happen after ya've had a little. I swear, River woman, every day ya' sound more like a Rim girl than the day before."

River smiled. "What can I say? Civilization on Core planets just wasn't all that civilized. I like the honesty out here."

"Yer in a good mood, Lil' Witch," Mal remarked taking another ale from the barmaid.

"We've been sleepin' hours and hours ever' night. My only complaint 'bout Big Man is that he snores like a lion."

Mal narrowed his eyes at Jayne.

The big merc fixed River with a frown. "River, cut it out with that 'we' business. Ain't my fault that ya' fall asleep in the cargo bay…many, many feet away from me. Yer makin' it sound like…I don't know, but ever'time ya' bring it up, Mal looks like he wants to slice me."

Zoe leaned forward. "I can vouch for them, Sir. I'm there every night. My sleep's been gettin' better too."

"Yeah, and now that we're done with them Musketeers, she's moving onto a story 'bout this group o' fighters called The Last of the MO-hee-cans. Spear throwing and shootin' and all manner of treachery; we start tonight."

Mal winced at Zoe. "Ya' think Jayne is still needin' all this company at night and such?"

"Seems to be workin', Sir. Might be worth it to get through this next book and then talk about it."

Mal frowned at her, but said nothing more. A howl outa' Jayne sounded, and Mal jumped such that he almost ended up under the table. Panicked, he fumbled for his weapon watching Jayne as he bounded up from the table and rushed a small man in a long coat. That man had two larger men behind him who were similarly groping for weapons. Jayne picked up his target and swung him around. And rather than shouts of pain and terror, the man was laughing and patting Jayne on the back. Jayne squeezed him hard and then released him. The man dropped to the ground, his coat rumpled, a shit-eatin' grin on his face. He turned to his men, "Stand down! Stand down! This big ape is a friend o' mine."

Jayne roared and pounded him on the back such that the man doubled over. "Hell, shit, and damn, how long has it been?" He grabbed the scruff of the man's collar and wheeled him over to face Mal. "I've knowed his character since I's 11 years old. How 'bout that?"

Mal nodded slowly. "Glad to make his acquaintance, Jayne, but ya' gotta' let go o' him now. He's 'bout to pass out from all your greetin'."

"Oh!" Jayne released him and the man sank to his knees, putting a hand up to mollify his men. "It's okay, it's okay. I knew I were goin' ta take a beatin' the minute I seed his face."

Jayne reached over to help him out, then thought better o' it and sat back down in his chair. "Didn't rough ya' up too much, did I, Will?"

The man sank into the chair that Mal pulled up. "Nothin' that a couple o' rounds o' ale won't put right." He looked at Mal and offered a shaky limb. "I take it that you're Captain Malcolm Reynolds. I'm Will Thundermoon. I got your cargo."

Jayne nodded, taking note of Will's attire. "Who knew? Ya' never tell me nothin', Mal." He gave his captain a brief scowl and then turned back to his ol' friend. You's really lookin' up in this world. Fancy duds. Hired muscle. Able to hire the likes o' us to carry cargo all the way back to Persephone. Do ya' drink ale anymore or should we have 'em bring out the fancy teas and such?"

Will grinned. "Had a bit o' luck is all." He motioned to the barmaid who made a beeline in his direction. He pressed a couple of big coins in her hand. "Keep an eye on us, Darlin'. Don't let anybody's glass get dry. Ya' hear?" She nodded, her eyes lit up as she examined the coins, and she hurried off to get more ale.

Will narrowed his eyes at Jayne. "Like to say the same for ya', but ya' looked kinda' peaked actually and a little jagged, truth be told."

There was silence at the table for a moment, all eyes on Jayne. His fingers danced against his glass as he pondered his answer for a moment. Then he cleared his throat and said, "Yea' it were a tough one. Got bucked and dragged by the mule a couple o' months back. Tore up a lot o' hide before it could be stopped. Were touch and go for a bit, but I'm right as rain now as ya' can see."

The barmaid returned with a big earthen pitcher. River pushed her empty glass forward eagerly. Jayne saw this and pulled it back. "Yer crazy enough sober. I ain't in the mood to be dodgin' none o' them kicks o' yers."

She put her chin up at him. "Not the boss of me, Jayne. Ya' want me to stop readin' to ya'?"

"Mal!" Jayne turned to the captain.

Mal put up a hand. "Alright, enough already. River, he's right 'about this, but ya' is a woman like ya' keep remindin' us so how 'bout switchin' to Suzy Qs?"

She frowned in confusion. Zoe leaned over. "It's a combination of ale and cider; tastes kinda' sweet and a lot less lethal."

She shook her head. "A drink for babies, no doubt."

"Nope, not a'tall. I drink 'em all the time especially when these two are sousin' themselves up. Gotta' be somebody 'round still have the sense to git us outa' the bar alive."

River sighed and nodded at the barmaid who tried to suppress the annoyance on her face. It would mean double the runs to make sure the girl had her Suzy Q's. She turned and strode off.

…………………………………………………………………………………….

As the evening wore on, the stories grew bigger and the laughing got louder. Jayne was a tactile man and, with his inhibitions out to lunch, he was all over the place; slappin' backs and leanin' into folks. River discovered Suzy Qs packed enough punch and she was feelin' no pain herself.

At one point, Mal looked up from his ale to see Jayne leanin' into River, strokin' her hair real gentle like. "Jayne!" he roared and the man jumped back and looked at the captain, eyes wide. "Go take a walk, Jayne. There's some whores over that way."

Jayne frowned. "Just talkin' is all."

"Yer getting' touchy, sure as shit. Ya' can do all kinds o' feelin' over that way."

Jayne rolled his eyes and moved away from River and stomped off toward the bar. River folded her arms tightly across her chest and fixed her captain with a glare. "Tweren't doin' nothin'. Just talkin' 'bout musketeers is all."

"Jayne don't know when to stop," Mal muttered.

River rolled her eyes, picked up her Suzy Q and headed to the bar. Mal frowned after her until Zoe put a hand on his arm. "Sir, she ain't exactly helpless, ya' know."

He glared at Zoe. "I expected more help from ya' on this."

"I know what it's like to be a young woman. Can't expect her to be an adult one minute and a little girl the next. She pilots, goes on missions, and kills for us. Either she's capable of makin' her own decisions or she ain't. End o' story."

Will Thundermoon leaned over. "That boy were always breakin' hearts. He's just a big 'ol mountain o' cute to females, and he don't have a clue what to do 'bout it."

Mal raised an eyebrow at him. "Never heard the word 'cute' used in describing Jayne Cobb before."

"He were a sweet kid, ya' know, but his pa shipped him off early, he were only 13. Didn't want Jayne ta end up in the mines. Bosses was lookin' hard at him already. At 13, he were already the one of the biggest and strongest 'round. 'Ol Ben Cobb thought it best that he be sent off, but he didn't have nowhere to send 'im. Entrusted him to a group o' smugglers Ben thought was jus' cargo jockeys. They taught him well 'bout thievin' and cheatin', but never showed him much else. He's forever this boy tryin' ta figure out how to make sense o' right and wrong, and wonderin' when someone's goin' try and take his things away."

Zoe sat back. "Well, that explains a lot."

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Jayne was feelin' very good now with one woman perched on his lap and another behind him, her arms 'round his neck, massaging his chest. In the back o' his mind, he always wondered why Mal couldn't find the coin to put a couple o' these gals on ship. Give 'em a room and a couple of chores, and it were to be Jayne's job ta' keep 'em occupied all the rest o' the hours. He'd offer 'em up to Mal too even though he knew his captain wouldn't take 'em up on it, preferrin' to pine away after 'Nara."

One o' the girls came over and hissed at the girl sitting in his lap. "Stevie says there's a girl at the bar wants to be a whore. Says she wants details as ta' the health plan, whatever that is. Stevie says she's real purty and he thinks she's Core."

Jayne gave no warning, erupting both girls off o' him and stalkin' over ta the bar. River was seated calmly on a stool drinkin' straight ale. Without a word, he hauled her off the stool, threw her o'er his shoulder and walked outside. He hadn't thought 'bout how the killer woman might react, but she was fairly docile when he set her down in the street. Pointin' a finger at her, he said "I'm takin' ya' ta the ship and I'd rather not hafta' carry ya' the whole way."

She folded her arms squarely. "Not goin'. Got a job interview in a few minutes."

"Ya' ain't becomin' a whore no way, no how."

"I am a woman, and it's 'bout time I started actin' that way."

Jayne frowned at her as he tried to pick apart that statement for meanin'. Then it hit him and his face relaxed a little. "Yer gettin' urges is all, River."

She looked away. "Ain't nothin' I can do 'bout it trapped on Serenity where everyone treats me like I'm a baby."

"But yer a girl; not s'pposed to bother ya' that much."

She narrowed her eyes. "Those is jus' lies men tell themselves when they ignore their women."

Jayne realized he were wadin' outa' his depth, but he couldn't quite figure a way back to shore. "Ain't noboby gonna' let ya' be a whore. Ain't no kinda' job for a…woman o' yer skills. 'Sides yer brother'd likely stick me with some kinda' killin' needle the next time I need the infirmary iffn' I let that happen."

She took a step toward him, nodding softly. "Yer right. Probably best I deal with these urges with someone I know."

His eyes grew wide. "Wah de tyen, ah!" He stepped away from her. "Ain't no way, River! Bad idea! Getting' spots in front of my eyes even as we speak. Gonna' need ta sit down."

She cocked her head. "Ya' think I'm pretty. I know that. Sometimes I'm in yer thoughts, and so I'm sure yer equipment would respond to me nicely."

Jayne backpedaled until he fell hard on the stoop of the saloon with an oomph.

She wrinkled her brow at the spectacle. "It wouldn't mean nothin'. Jus' for fun."

Jayne shook his head, his arms gesticulating wildly. "Girls is always sayin' that, and the next thing ya' know, they're tryin' to civilize ya', trainin' ya' as ta how ta eat and talk, askin' ya' if ya' like kids, and then the next thing ya' know, 5 or 6 brothers o' hers is after ya' with shotguns 'bout a misunderstandin' ya' never knew took place!"

"I ain't like that."

He pointed an accusing finger at her. "No ya' ain't. When I mess up, yer jus' gonna' kill me in my sleep iffn' Mal hasn't already spaced me for touchin' ya'."

Her shoulders fell and a frown grew on her face. He thought he could see her face redden and he knew what were comin' next. "Listen Girl…er, Woman, I ain't got nothin' against ya', but the truth is that I'm a disappointment in the boyfriend department; always have been. Plus, I'm too old for ya', too cranky, too dumb, and too crooked. Ya' need a decent Core boy iffn' such a thing exists."

She shook her head. "I ain't Core no more. 'Sides what Core man goin' ta want a crazy killer fugitive woman who reads minds."

"We'll lie ta him."

She wrinkled up her face at him, wiping at her eyes. "Not yer problem, Big Man. Ya' can't help me. I understand."

Jayne winced. "Aw, come on, River. Ain't so bad…Hey! Maybe yer a little bit sly. What do ya' think 'bout that? I'd be happy to take ya' to a Sunday church meetin' and we could scout out a purty lil' girl for ya'. We'll stay away from the whores. Ya' should have somebody sweet. What do ya' say?"

Her face screwed up tighter and she wrapped her arms 'round her waist.

"Hey! Stop it! That were a fine idea." He stood up, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. Her sobs were the final straw. "Gorram it, Girl! I am a Reaver Man. Did ya' forget? Yer crazy for even thinkin' 'bout me like that."

The sobs escalated and panicked, Jayne looked up and down the street. At the end of all of his resources, he jus' threw back his head and bellowed, "Help!"

It was wasted breath as Zoe was already standing at the door directly behind him, havin' gotten more than a mite uncomfortable when two of the most dangerous people in the 'Verse disappeared out the door. He turned at her heavy sigh and backed away, his arms up. "I didn't do nothin'. Swear on a stack o' good books, Zoe."

She nodded, walking past him. "Don't worry. I heard enough." She gathered the young woman into her arms and rocked her gently. "Its okay, River. Don't worry. We got plenty o' time to figure this out. Ya' just turned 18. Jayne is right. He's not a good kinda' guy for ya'. He's loud and rude and selfish and not very smart. Hell, he can barely take care o' his self."

Jayne put his hands on his hips and glared at them. "I might have a couple o' feelin's myself, ya' know."

Zoe glared at him and shushed him away with her hand. "I ain't thinkin' 'bout ya' right now. Go back and drink with the other fool men."

A drunken Mal, his arm around Will Thundermoon, picked this moment to stagger out of the saloon. He saw the crying girl and Jayne standin' there lookin' defensive, and it seemed that the only appropriate response in his current state was to be become unglued. With a roar, he let go o' Will and rushed Jayne who hadn't even noticed his captain on the saloon porch. Mal hit 'em low, and the two men fell hard on the dirt street. Jayne yelped, and exploded into frenetic energy. He began using his large fists to pummel Mal with no mercy. Mal expected resistance, but had no defense against the bigger man's relentless energy. As his face and body absorbed the onslaught, he heard his merc muttering over and over, "I ain't goin' let ya' et me. Ain't goin' let ya' et me. Ain't goin' get et."

Mal caught a glimpse of Zoe before his sight dimmed to blackness.

…………………………………………………………………….

When he woke, he was still in the dirt, several faces staring down at him in concern includin' Jayne. Jayne leaned in closer. "Next time ya' want ta beat on me, make sure ya' give me a bit o' warnin', okay, Mal? Thought ya' was a Reaver. Seems I'm operatin' on a hair trigger these days."

Zoe pushed him aside. "Sir, how ya' feelin'? River and I got him offa' ya' fast as we could."

River leaned in so close her hair brushed across his cheeks. "Sorry Captain. My fault. Jayne wasn't bein' mean. He were mad that I tried to inquire as to a girl whore position. And then I asked Jayne if he would—"

Zoe interrupted. "That's enough information, River. Captain gets as much of the picture as he needs to know."

Mal pried open his swollen jaw and spoke haltingly. "Iffn' I could reach my belt, I'd tan…yer hide, Girl. Do not ever…inquire into whoring again… Ya hear?" She nodded. Then he painfully turned to Zoe. "Tell that ape merc o' mine, he's gonna' hafta' carry me ta the ship. Ever'time I move my head, I see sparklies."

With less effort than it should take to lift a man Mal's size, Jayne hoisted him o'er his shoulder and followed the womenfolk back ta the ship. At one point, unable to help his self, he yelled ahead, "Does this mean I don't get my bedtime story?"

…………………………………………………………………………………….

In the next two days, Mal's face swelled spectacularly, colors ranging from yellow to purple, blue, and black painting his skin. He walked slowly as Jayne had badly bruised his arms and cracked two of his ribs. As punishment, he made Jayne load all the cargo from Will Thundermoon. It weren't much of a consequence as Jayne liked nothing more than to stay busy, and so he treated it as nothin' more than an extended session with weights.

Inara visited Mal that first night, spending hours dabbing at cuts and fussin' o'er bruises, but when he started to complain about Jayne she cut him off hard, tellin' him he were a nothin' but a damn jackrabbit for jumpin' a Reaver survivor from behind. When the aching in his jaw finally dimmed, he had to admit it was a fool thin' to do even iffn' he were soused to the gills.

The day before they was goin' to leave dirt, Mal sent Jayne with the doc over to update vaccines for Thundermoon's crew. It were usually the kind o' assignment he would fuss 'bout, but it gave him a chance to look o'er Will's warehouse. The man's success were eatin' at Jayne; he couldn't quite figure it. Will was clever but not known for his responsible ways.

The doc set up shop just outside the warehouse. Will went first, but his men was a tougher sell. Most o' his rats was uneducated longshoremen whose knowledge of medicine were mostly theoretical. Jayne always felt that a job worth doin' was worth doin' well so he did what he could to round 'em up. Ever' few minutes, Simon would look up to see Jayne draggin' the latest victim o'er; clearly unconcerned with the man's free will in the matter. Simon would've fussed at him, but it were easier jus' to dose 'em as disease and pestilence out on the Rim were always a problem. Jayne caught 'em and Simon dosed 'em; Will standin' off ta the side chucklin' as Jayne manhandled his crew. One slick character disappeared into the warehouse and Jayne took the opportunity ta follow him inside. The grin on Will's face started to fade. Jayne chased him through aisles loaded with merchandise, finally grabbin' an ankle and sendin' the kid into a shelf loaded down with dishes. China splintered 'round both o' them, Jayne doin' what he could to shield the boy from the shards. After all, it wouldn't do if he seriously damaged one o' Will's boys.

The boy lay curled up when Jayne pushed off o' him. Dishes was laying all o'er the floor, and Jayne marveled at the oddity of this stock item; not exactly stuff worth shippin' 'round the 'Verse. He picked some up and noted the names and crests on them. Isolated Rim colonies was a provincial lot, and they often took to developin' designs on plates and such to mark territory. He picked up plates that said, Tetonville, Rosewall, Hazeltown, and St. Pauline. He stopped at this last one; this being the name of the place Jayne, Mal, and crew took on Reavers. The boy were startin' to stir, and Jayne shoved the plate at him. "Where'd ya' get this?"

"Took it off the Sirius moon 'about six weeks ago."

Jayne frowned at him. Will didn't seem the plate collectin' type, but Sirius moon was where Mal had dropped the survivors from the Reaver attack. "Why ya' buyin' plates?"

"Not buyin' nothin'. Reavers hit the village on Sirius, and we was scavengin' after."

Jayne swallowed hard. "Reavers hit Sirius."

"Yup. Just two weeks after they tried to take a little place called St. Pauline. Couldn't take it though. Some kinda' resistance held 'em off."

Jayne was feelin' sick, but wasn't 'bout ta enlighten the boy as ta how those Reavers got beat. "How 'bout these other names? How'd ya' get these?"

The boy looked 'round and realized he were still alone with the big man. He sat up, talkin' softer. "Reavers took these places too."

"And ya' showed up to scavenge after."

He nodded.

A hot feelin' burnt Jayne's gut, but he couldn't stop seekin'. "Ya' and Will are just always Johnny ontha' spot after a Reaver attack, huh? That's a bit o' luck all right."

The boy's face twitched nervously. "Captain's a smart man. He know what he doin'."

Jayne looked 'round him, findin' three more Rim crests: DV73, Doorbay, New Arctic. "Nobody got this kinda' luck, Boy."

The boy lifted his eyes, and Jayne felt a presence behind him. He knew who it were. "Can ya' answer the question for the boy, Will?"

Will motioned at the boy who jumped up and ran off down the aisle, not stoppin' to brush the glass hangin' 'bout his clothes. He reached out ta offer Jayne a hand, but Jayne brushed him off and pulled himself to his feet. "Jayne, ya' always was a suspicious Hundan."

"Ya' gotta' a story to tell and I wanna' hear it."

Will sighed. "I know that ya' got attacked by Reavers. Figure ya' wasn't for talkin' 'bout it. I'm amazed ya' made it through, but, Hell, if somebody were to do it, why not you. I can tell Reaver's has got ya' rattled otherwise ya' wouldn't carry on so."

"Yer a crafty sort, Will. How ya' showin' up at all the right moments?"

"Don't come at me funny, Boy. Yer too crooked and mean ta be gettin' all righteous."

Someone sounded behind them, and Mal and Zoe came 'round an aisle. "Come on, Jayne. Leave this las' lil' bugger. We gotta' hit sky soon."

Jayne thrust the plate at Mal. "Will here knows the secret to bein' on the spot after a Reaver attack and then strippin' down a town to nothin'. Seems that Reavers took Sirius 'bout a week after we dropped St. Pauline folks there."

Zoe muttered curses under her breath while Mal looked at the plate in confusion. Jayne motioned to the dishes on the ground. "I see at least 8-9 different crests here; all towns taken by Reavers.

"Come on, Jayne," Will said. "I know yer sensitive 'bout all this, but I ain't responsible for what happened to ya'."

Zoe wandered the aisle lookin' in crates. "Seems ya' got a lot o' household and mercantile items. Good stuff. Ya' must strip pretty quick after Reavers hit sky again."

Will frowned. "ya' all startin' ta sound as pious as my grandmammy, and I know fer sure that ain't right considerin' yer thievers just as much as me."

"Ya' gotta' have some inside track," Mal said studying his new pal closely.

Will shifted between the two men nervously. "Listen iffn' ya' want ta get cut in, ya' gotta' take a different tone 'bout it. That's all."

Jayne looked at Mal. "I's thinkin' we could use a more steady income. I know I ain't above a lil' scavengin'. It'd be safe work for Zoe, what with a litter comin' and all."

Zoe strolled up. I'm in."

"I ain't showin' ya' ever'thing. I'll just give ya' a target and ya' hover low atmosphere for a few days 'til Reavers hit, then ya' drop, grab, and jump again."

"Mal shook his head. "Ya' can't know where Reavers is goin' to drop. I don't believe it."

Will worried his bottom lip for a bit. Finally, he said, "I gotta' system. Out here, Reavers monitor certain frequencies, and I figured out which one. So I drop info on the freq as to which spots are lookin' vulnerable and such. I post a ship at each spot, and Reavers drop fer sure at one of 'em within a week."

Jayne's mouth dropped open. He had to shake his head of the horror pictures 'fore he could respond. "Ya' scout for the Reavers?"

Will shrugged. "Reavers are goin' ta drop anyway. I can't stop that. Hell, even the alliance can't beat 'em. I'm jus' pointin' 'em in a direction so I can profit."

"Ya' don't warn nobody?" Mal's voice had a shaky quality to it.

"People hide their stuff iffn' warned. I ain't encouragin' Reavers, jus' pushin' 'em in a direction is all."

Jayne took a step toward him. "Ya' said that already."

"Ya'd do the same, Jayne iffn' ya' had the brains to think o' it."

"Then I guess I's lucky to be an idjit."

Will backed up a step. "I'm jus' like the next smuggler. All I did were to figure out a lil' edge; nothin' fancy. Be happy to share with ya'. Take what ya' want."

"I were there, Will. All o' us was there."

"Ain't my fault. Didn't know."

"Ya' ever been in a Reaver attack, Will. Ever seen what they do to girls who's barely inta their years? Ya' seen what they do ta the lil'uns? Ya' know what it's like to have 'em gnawin' at ya'? Hell, ya' gotta have some idear; after all, ya' drop while the bodies is still warm." Jayne seemed to grow in size.

"Jayne," Mal warned, stepping in between his merc and Thunder moon.

Jayne stopped at Mal's hand. "Jus' wanna' talk with 'im is all."

Mal turned to look at Will. "When were the last time ya' sent a report out on the freq?"

Will looked down at the ground.

"Better tell me now, Will. Can't hold him off forever. Iffn' ya' don't give me good info in ten seconds, I's gonna' let him wipe the floor up with yer face."

"Sent a signal up yesterday 'bout two spots."

Mal turned ta Jayne. "I need 'em to show me what he's got. Ya' take care o' this place. Dong ma?"

Jayne nodded imperceptibly, his eyes burning at his ol' friend. Zoe stepped up behind him, a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be fine, Sir. Ya' need ta git 'em outa' here though."

Mal poked a piece at Will's back and marched him outa' there. Zoe patted his back. "Come on, Jayne. Let's have a party."

……………………………………………………………………………………….

By the time, Mal brought Will off ship, there were a fire blazin' high in his warehouse. His men was tied ta a fence, Zoe and his merc was standin' side by side, watchin' the flames fervently.

Mal pushed Will at Jayne. "Ya' can do what ya' want with 'em."

Hands tied behind his back, Will tried to get away, but tripped and fell. Jayne went to stand o'er him. The man lay on the ground, his eyes shut tight. Jayne kicked him hard in the gut once and then again. A low keening sound came outa' Will. Jayne regarded this as if a curiosity, then he turned to Mal. "I can kill 'em?"

Mal nodded. "It's yer choice."

Jayne closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "But ya' wouldn't, would ya?"

"No, I guess I'd broadcast his crimes 'bout the quadrant. Let 'em deal with the consequences."

Jayne shook his head violently and kicked him hard again. The keenin' turned to a low guttural moan. Then he stepped away. "Promise me, yer gonna' broadcast it far and wide, Mal."

His captain nodded. "I got it covered."

Jayne nodded slowly and then turned and walked away down the street to his home.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

He threw a crate against a bulkhead, and the sound of banging metals reverberated throughout the cargo bay. "Ain't goin', Zoe!"

"They ain't takin' us serious, Jayne. We gotta' go and warn 'em."

"That's real tasty, ain't it. Jus' fly right back inta Reavers. They's probably takin' the place as we speak."

"Captain's on the horn talkin' to the magistrate right now. We'll be there in 5-6 hours. Jus' drop fer a lil' talk and then we jump back inta the sky."

He hefted another crate and swung it hard. This one burst open, shootin' farm equipment across the room. Zoe squeezed her eyes shut, glad she were up on the walk. When she opened 'em again, Jayne were still standin' there, implements scattered 'round him. He looked up sheepishly. "Don't tell nothin' to no one. I'll put it right."

"Ya' don't even hafta' leave ship."

Jayne's face clouded again. "Damn straight! I'm tellin' ya', Zoe iffn', it were someone else on this ship Reaver crazy, there'd be a helluva lot more care 'bout where we was droppin'."

"Big man's right," floated a soft voice. Zoe turned to see River comin' down the walk.

"Not a good time to be here, River."

"Gotta' be here, I can feel 'im everywhere. He's so loud!" This last comment she directed o'er the railing.

"Ain't yer business, River Girl!" He yelled up at her. "Ain't my fault my thoughts comin' knockin' at yer crazy head."

She leaned o'er the railing. "Jus' want ya' to know that I think yer right. We would be more careful if it was someone else Reaver crazy on the ship."

Jayne nodded, a frown forming. "Why ya agreein' with me?"

"'Cause it's true."

Jayne gestured at Zoe. "See! The moonbrain says so too and bein' a genius, she oughta' know!"

Zoe looked at River. "Care to explain why yer escalatin' our merc."

She looked back down at him. There's no like ya', Jayne. Always been that way, but now it's even more so. Yer a Reaver man but ya' ain't Reaver crazy. First person anyone ever knew to turn out that way."

His frown deepened. "Ya' sure 'bout that?"

She nodded. "Rules is different for people like us."

"Ya' and me ain't alike, Moonbrain."

"More than ya' know, Big Man. We's both strong and broken and dangerous and one o' a kind."

He cocked his head. "Ne'er thought 'bout it like that."

"Nobody wants ta get too close. Afraid we'll turn on 'em. Even Simon stays tense 'round me now."

"True that is."

Zoe looked with suspicion from one to the other.

"We're Reaver hunters, Jayne."

He shook his head. "Don't know 'bout that."

"Ya' especially. They did almost ever'thing to ya' and ya' survived. Ya' know the worst of what they is, but it don't stop ya' none from livin' and breathin' and fightin'. Nobody else can say that."

He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Throwin' me back at Reavers is a bad idear."

"We's not throwin'. We's hunters, ya' and I. We know how they think, how they operate. We gotta' think on what to tell these settlers 'bout how to fight 'em."

"Iffn' they show up whilst we's doin' this?"

"Then we lead 'em in battle."

"That ain't much of an idear, River."

"Think back, Big Man. Think 'bout what it were like when ya' was pickin' 'em off. Think 'bout what ya' felt when ya' dropped Zoe in that Reaver hole. Ya' felt good. I know ya' did. Yer a good hunter. I got things to learn from ya'."

"Iffn' Mal had strategized better, we'd have had a chance. Ne'er shoulda' separated."

Zoe nodded, amazed at the intensity between the two of them.

"When ya' know som'thing, no one else knows, ya' gotta' use it. It's power, Jayne. Knowledge is power. Ya' don't want ta hide what makes ya' special, do ya'? Them Reavers ain't got ya' cowed such that yer gonna' hide yer talents behind yer fears?"

"Quit yer yammerin' Girl and get down here. We gotta' pull a map on this place. Get some demographics and such." Jayne started frantically gatherin' up farm implements. A man like him couldn't strategize with a room full o' clutter.

Zoe thought 'bout stayin', but they had long since lost track o' her. As she turned, she felt a funny ache in her growin' belly. At first she was alarmed, but remembered that Simon told her the seed were goin' ta' start kickin' any day now.

The End

Translations

Wah de tyen, ah Dear God in heaven!

Hundan Bastard or Jerk

Fei Fei Baboon

Ta muh dah Fuck me blind!

Go se Crap or shit

Ni men dou idiot

Dong ma understand

Yu bun duh Stupid