Title: That Which Shapes A Man

Chapter Ten: Resolution

Author: hisgoodgirl

Rating: PG-15 for strong language, angst. Kleenex alert.

Characters: Jayne, ofc, omc

Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee some chapters

Timeline: About the time of “Those Left Behind”

Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss.

Word Count: 3,742; chapter ten of thirteen

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 my excellent beta, ArtemisPrime. To read previous chapters, click on my name, above.

Your comments are sincerely appreciated. Thanks!

*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*

Chapter Ten: Revelation

All day long, the little house on Weaver Street bustles with people coming and going, bringing food and paying their respects. Jayne hasn’t anticipated all the fuss, but it pleases him to see the affection and respect that people in the community have for Mattie and his Ma. There are a few folks he remembers from his early years, mostly family friends and relatives, but the majority of the visitors are strangers to him. Mostly he feels awkward and in the way.

Over and over, his mother calls him to her and introduces him, “...and this is my eldest son, Jayne. He’s the Head of Security for a starship!” So he’d led her to believe when he signed on to Serenity. Sounded just so much better than “mercenary” or “hired gun.” Still, her obvious pride only serves to make him feel guilty for misleading his family about so much of his life.

In an effort to find a corner where he doesn’t feel stifled by the crowd, he wanders back into Mattie’s room and sits down at the small, overflowing desk. It’s there that Liza eventually finds him, thumbing through Mattie’s journal.

“We missed you and wondered where you were.” She carefully lowers her bulk onto the edge of Mattie’s bed, looking at him uncert