PART SIX

*

Bring me my bow of burning gold

Bring me my arrows of desire

Bring me my spear; oh clouds, unfold;

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand

Till we have built Jerusalem in England's green and pleasant land

*

[William Blake: Jerusalem]

[If you know what William actually had in mind when he wrote about that sword...!!!]

*

Vera was wearing a big white kaftan affair and waiting on the bank with Clarry and Ares and the children as the crew emerged, dirty, tired and scruffy. Even Inara was looking less than her usual svelte and groomed. Within moments, Jayne, Clarry, Vera and Ares were engaged in a huge group hug, being careful of the metal caging and bolting down his left arm. There were several steel rods; one holding the collarbone and shoulder still at front and rear then one on the outside of the upper arm and the last on the lower arm below the elbow. Adjoining rods went through the skin and screwed into the bone. His tee shirt was mosly cut away on the left side. Ares' tail was wagging fit to bust as he nosed his way closer. The twins ran to Kaylee and Simon and Zoe was already hugging Sarah.

*

Jayne inhaled deeply, “Home. Been too long, mi mei gui.” He stole a brief, hard kiss. Then the baby kicked and he stepped back, eyebrows arched in surprise, “Wow. He's grown a fair bit, huh?”

Vera guided his hand down to the top of her bump, “Here, Jayne.” The baby obliged and kicked against Jayne's hand.

“Gorram. Never thought I'd feel that till recently.” His voice was thick with emotion and went gruff in trying to conceal it.

“It's great to have you back, Pa.”

He clasped her shoulder with his good hand, “Hey, Clarry. I swear you've grown a couple'a inches since I left.”

Mal came over, smiling tiredly, “Need to have a conference afore anything else. We learned a lot in that Reaver colony. After that, I'm hoping for real food, beer, a good wash and bed in about that order. We'll get Serenity re-fuelled and then flown back to Ale