Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Nine

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

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Before anyone could answer Mal’s demand, Kaylee flew down the ramp, launching herself at Jayne. The big man caught her with ease, and Kaylee practically climbed him to reach a point where she could look him in the eye, and then kissed him soundly.

Inara likewise came down the ramp, albeit at a more dignified pace, and threw herself into Mal’s arms. Everyone watched with a grin, though River, watching Jayne and Kaylee, again felt the spike of envy.

“I was afraid that. . . .” Kaylee gasped, releasing her hold on Jayne’s lips.

“River took good care o’ me,” Jayne told her solemnly. Kaylee looked at the beaming little figure in armor, and smiled.

“Thank you, River,” Kaylee said to her. “For everything.”

“What friends are for,” River smiled.

“And you’re my best friend in the whole world, too,” Kaylee told her, and River’s smile brightened. Simon walked up to her, looking at her blood spattered armor, and his eyes looked shocked.

“Mei mei?” he said hesitantly.

“Yes, Simon,” River grinned at him. “I’m glad to see you,” she added, hugging him.

“My God, River!” Simon breathed, looking her over, from head to toe. “You look magnificent!” River’s face again blossomed with a smile, and her heart warmed at the praise.

“She don’t just look it, neither,” Jayne told the doctor. “She’s fought like a demon, done as well as any of us, and better’n most. She’s earned that armor, Simon.”

If anything, River’s smile grew larger, and her face reddened.

“I’m so proud of you,” Simon whispered, hugging her again. “So grown up. And so fierce looking!”

“I am fierce,” River growled at him, a mock glare on her face. “Archangel, no less!”

“What?” Inara, Simon, and Jazz all said at once.

“I am,” River insisted, looking at Jayne, who was still holding Kaylee in his arms.

“She is,” he confirmed for her. “And one of the best, too. Best not give her no sass, Doc,” he winke