Disclaimer: I’m not sure who owns them at the moment, bit as far as I’m concerned, it’s Joss.

Rating: PG-13

Notes: Not beta-ed. Sorry but I’ve had problems with Word and won’t send a doc file to anyone until it’s cleared up.

Challenge: Curikitten’s 21st Birthday. I had two sets of words: boss, deity, and hero; trust, betray, and secret. I’ve made them into one story. Happy 21st Birthday!

Timeframe: The first part takes place after Jaynestown and the second a year after Miranda. Both sections are posted together.

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Chaos Theory

By

Lattelady

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Why are all our heroes so imperfect?

Why do they always bring me down?

Why are all our heroes so imperfect?

The statue in the park has lost his crown.

~ Heroes ~ sung by Jill Solube

Part 1 – A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings

It was late and most of Serenity’s crew was sleeping, but not River Tam. No matter how hard she tried to block out the deep soul wrenching pain that was coming from Jayne Cobb, nothing worked. It beat at her until she was as raw with sorrow and guilt as he was. Something had to be done before he tore them both to pieces.

With graceful sure steps she moved through the ship until she found the big mercenary hiding in the shadows behind crates in the cargo bay. He had a cheap bottle of whiskey held tightly in his hand, and was drinking heavily.

“Jayne,” she whispered as she knelt on the cold deck beside him.

“Go away, Moonbrain,” he grouched and glared at her. “I ain’t in the mood for your nonsense.”

“You are hurting.”

“I ain’t,” he mumbled and took another swallow from the bottle. “Nothin’ hurts me.”

“Please, I can feel it,” her voice broke and it took all her effort to keep from covering her ears and cowering, even though she knew that wouldn’t shut out his inner voice that echoed loudly through her mind.

“I said git, Girl!” The big man lash