Archangel – Chapter Sixteen

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Mal was still on the bridge when River stepped up and took her seat. She checked things over, ensuring that the ship was still on course. Sitting back, she looked out at the black.

“Would you tell me,” she said, still looking out the window, “what it is about Jayne that has you so set against him?” Mal looked at her.

“Your arguments are irrational, Captain,” River continued. “I simply wish to understand.”

Mal looked back out the window a moment. Finally, he sighed.

“I don’t really know,” he admitted. “I guess it’s the way he keeps talkin’ back to me. Not to mention how like he is to sell us out.”

“What has he done to give you the impression that he would sell you out?” River asked. “And do not mention Ariel,” she added at his look. “That was an act of revenge, not betrayal.” Mal looked at her for another moment, non-plussed.

“He wanted to punish Simon for allowing Kaylee to lay unattended,” River said quietly. Mal nodded absently. He knew that.

“Is it that he no longer takes the abuse you heap upon him?” River continued. “That he has decided he has had enough?” she finally looked at him. “Or is it that you fear him?” Mal’s face reddened at that, and River held up a hand.

“Don’t bother denying it, Captain,” she told him flatly. “You fear him, as does everyone else. Except Kaylee.”

“You, too?” Mal asked.

“Me, too,” River nodded. “I do not fear what he would do to me,” she clarified. “Jayne sees me as a friend, for which I am grateful. But only a fool would not fear what he is capable of. He is on his feet two days after a nearly fatal injury. That is unheard of.”

“I killed perhaps thirty reavers in hand to hand combat,” she went on. “This makes you consider me a killing machine. You’ve used the term yourself. Jayne killed perhaps two hundred. What does that make him?”

“Unnatural?” Mal asked, chuckling.

“Indeed,” River nodded. “Is that why you continue to berate