Archangel – Chapter Nine

Author owns no rights to Firefly and no copy right infringement is intended.

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Serenity sat down on Beaumond, and the crew prepared to take care of their business. Jayne had appeared in the bay as if it were simply another day, lowering the mule, and loading the cargo without needing to be told. He had been doing that since Miranda. He did what was needed, with no one needing to tell him.

Mal and Zoe helped finish the loading, neither speaking much. Jayne wasn’t hostile, but the usual chatter was missing. Zoe hadn’t realized how much they had bantered back and forth until it didn’t happen.

She thought about trying again. Trying to make Jayne listen to reason, but one look at his face convinced her it was useless. Mal had told her earlier of his own attempts to make things right. She bit off a sigh as they loaded up. Jayne was leaving.

And that was that. Without a word spoken, they set off to deliver the cargo.

River watched them go, almost smiling. She would have one last opportunity to convince Jayne to stay. She’d hit him when they returned, a surprise attack.

The odds were not in her favor, she knew. But she had a good plan, and plenty of ammunition. She did smile then, as she equated her plans to those of a battle. It was not a ridiculous comparison, though. She would have a fight on her hands, convincing Jayne to stay.

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For a wonder, the job went smooth. No trouble, no fuss. Paid on delivery, and promise of more work in the future. Dealing with Inara’s contacts was a much more sedate experience than dealing with their old one’s had been.

When the three arrived back at the ship, Jayne took his pay without comment, and left, heading to his bunk to collect his gear. Mal watched him go, his mind racing in a futile attempt to find one more reason for Jayne to stay. One that might convince him.

He came up empty though.

“Kaylee, you need anything for the engine?” he asked.

“No, Cap’n,” Kaylee shook her head, her