Title: Old Warriors - Part 2: The Tussle

Author: hisgoodgirl

Characters: Mal, Jayne (not slash), OMCs

Pairing: References to Jayne and Kaylee in later chapters.

Warning: Some characters are deceased; PG-15 for profanity.

Setting: Long after the Rebellion triggered by events in the BDM.

Disclaimer: All belong to Joss. They just come play in my head.

Author's Note: When I wrote "Old Warriors", I intended it as a one-shot. I left it very open-ended, which apparently hooked some folks and annoyed the hell out of others. I'm not typically a "write on demand" sort, and initially declined the requests for more story and more answers. I LIKE being a tease. However, it's become clear that my muse is a SLUT.

So, for those folks who asked for the tussle, the aftermath and some answers -- They're coming. Mind you, you may not like the answers you get.

Cross-posted on LJ. Comments are appreciated.

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OLD WARRIORS

Part Two: The Tussle

Jayne ran the palm of his left hand over the knuckles of his right as if dusting ‘em off and cocked his head at the trio of Alliance “grunts” bellied up to the bar. “How’s about we have us a li’l tussle for ol’ times’ sake?”

Mal stood and smiled at his old buddy as he cleared his coat behind the antique revolver still strapped against his thigh.

“Shiny! You wanna start it?”

The aging merc shook his head. “You’re the one’s got the grudge against the bastards, Cap’n. Wade on in and I’ll keep ya covered.”

“Like old times?” Mal asked.

Jayne smiled smugly. “Just like old times.”

~ * ~ * ~

The three young men in Alliance uniforms drinking at the bar had no clue that they were about to get a lesson in history, up-close and personal.

Not a one of them had been born when the War for Unification took place, and they were all still in grade school when the Rebellion occurred in the aftermath of Mal’s broadcast about Mirand