Shades of the Past – Chapter Twenty-Six

All previous disclaimers are still in effect!

______________________________

River slowly swam up from the depths, forcing her eyes open with the greatest of difficulty. She felt like she was being held down by something. As her eyes focused on the ceiling above, she looked around her. She remembered being outside, with Ami, then. . .she’d been shot! She tried to move, and groaned at the pain.

The weight disappeared, and Jayne’s head popped into view.

“Baby?” Her heart leaped at the worry in his voice. She smiled, or thought she did, and squeezed his hand. Jayne had fallen asleep with her hand in his. The weight she had felt was his head, resting by her side.

“Jayne,” she whispered, hoarse from thirst. He grabbed a cup of water with a straw in it from the nearby table, and held it for her. She drank gratefully.

“Better, now?” he asked, watching her closely. She nodded.

“Much better,” she whispered. “How long have you been here?”

“I don’t really know,” he shrugged. “I came in and sat down not long after Simon finished. Been here ever since.”

“You should be resting,” she told him.

“Like I’m gonna rest while you’re in here,” he snorted. “You scared me, baby girl. I thought. . .there for a minute, I wasn’t sure. . .” he trailed of, and she felt her heart twist up when his eyes watered.

“Sorry, Jayne,” she said, squeezing his hand still tighter. “I was bad. Should have worn my armor, like you told me. Promise I won’t do it again.”

“You better not,” Jayne told her. “I can’t. . .I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you, girl,” he said softly, stroking her forehead. He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.

“Promise,” she repeated. “What about Ami?” she asked.

“She’s still out,” he nodded. River turned her head to see Ami on the other bed, tubes and monitors attached in several places. She looked back to Jayne.

“Bad?” she asked. He nodded.

“Simon did all he can, now we just have to wait and see,” he told her quietly. “But she’s a st