Its Own Hand
Monday, April 9, 2007
Jayne and Mal face a perilous situation. Jayne POV. Very, very moving (read heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, sadness). WARNING: Character Death. Post-BDM.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 4946 RATING: 9.0 (PG) SERIES: FIREFLY
A.N.: This can be a companion prelude to , but is able to stand alone. With thanks to Chris Rice for the inspiring lyric.
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It only took a split second between the time he conceived the plan and the time he reacted, but Jayne had never had so many different thoughts filling the same moment in time. He and Mal crouched behind the line of boulders which were becoming steadily smaller due to enemy fire. Shattered rock choked the air at their heads, blinding their eyes. Not that seeing would have helped as they only had about six rounds left between the two of ‘em. Nowhere to retreat. No way out. No back up plan. Jayne cast a sidelong glance at Mal and the split second began. One of them would die in this moment, and in all of Jayne’s history of these kinds of situations, it was his partner who did the dying. He could see in Mal’s eyes the same realization that they wouldn’t both walk out of this; but he could also see Mal was ready to lay down his life to protect him – to protect his crew.
Jayne’s life flashed before his eyes. His Ma, his family, the string of partners he had betrayed. He thought of River who had forgiven his betrayal, dancing as he played the guitar in the lounge, laughing at his queasiness when she turned the ship in circles; how Simon looked out for her even as she fought for independence now. And Simon, sewing up his wounds so perfectly that even the deep cuts didn’t leave a scar, fawning over Kaylee, rutting like newly weds even though they wouldn’t be married for another six months. Kaylee smiling like sunshine, smudging fresh grease on her face as she brushed the hair from her cheek, cooking a cake for his birthday or for any excuse if they had enough flour and chocolate. And he thought of Zoë, now five months pregnant. This was the first job she’d sat out and he saw how it pained her to stay behind. How much greater would that pain be if Mal didn’t return on this job? Maybe if it were the
Heart-wrenching, tear-jerking sadness indeed. And Thank You for the insight as to how Jayne dies in your series. Gotta admit I was mighty curious about that one.
I LOVE that Jayne was not a self-serving hundan here. I hate it when people make him out as a stupid git who just loves guns, booze and women. And not neccessarily in that order.
He's very well humanised here. Very true to his character (and Mal's for that matter)-knowing just how much Mal means to everyone. His concern for them, especially Zoe. Loved it all.
Brillinat, and Thank You.
I agree with BornToFly; seeing Jayne as an honorable character with morals that aren't enforced by someone holding a gun to his head is a wonderful change of pace, and you pulled it off beautifully.
If you haven't already, perhaps you could write a follow-up piece where we get to see the crew's reaction and the funeral?
You can't take the sky from me
What he/she said!! Twice!!
Vera <sniff>
I loved the journey through Jayne's thoughts - the fact that he spared an individual reflection on each character, his worry for Zoe, and his realisation that if Mal died, the crew would. Wonderful character insight and a Big Damn Hero moment if ever there was one.
Great work, well done.
Oh...and could you do a follow up where the rest of the crew finds out the news and gives Jayne a proper send-off? Cuz I too would really like to see that;)
BEB
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