Title: That Which Shapes A Man 1/13

Chapter One: A Tough Beginning

Author: hisgoodgirl

Characters: Jayne/crew, ofc, omc, some Jayne/Kaylee – consider it my AU if you have issues with the pairing/timing

Setting: Just prior to “Those Left behind”; also, twenty-eight years previously.

Warning: PG-15 this chapter, for strong language and implied violence.

Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss. Just one woman’s take on the story. No money exchanged and all that.

A/N: From the first time I watched Firefly, I wondered what circumstances might have shaped the character of Jayne Cobb, an exceptionally complex man. This story emerged from the questions I asked.

Thanks to ArtemisPrime for her most excellent beta, and for making me dig deep. Sincere thanks to my dear friend Kristy Bartley, Ph.D., psychologist and therapist, who introduced me to the amazing work on intergenerational family dynamics done by Dr. Terrance Real, and gave me insights into the circumstances that might have created the character we see.

Italics represent internal dialogue, emphasis, Chinese phrases.

Questions, thoughts and comments are sincerely appreciated. Thanks!

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Chapter One: A Tough Beginning

Serenity is moored at the interconnected hodgepodge of freight containers and discarded ships generally known by travelers as the Space Bazaar. A chaotic complex of shops and bars and brothels providing a wide variety of services and sundries needed out in the Black, the Bazaar is used by many ships as a regular mail stop.

With fuel cells near to empty and the ship’s larder down to powdered milk and instant protein, Captain Malcolm Reynolds has decided that restocking the Firefly can’t wait any longer. With any luck, he figures, they’ll also manage to line up another job and be on their merry way soon enough. He automatically checks the cylinder of his revolver before holstering the sidearm and slips his arm