bookaddict43 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bookaddict43) wrote2006-09-02 12:37 am
bookaddict43) wrote2006-09-02 12:37 am
What the Captain doesn't know won't hurt him : prompt # 18
Title: What the Captain doesn’t know won’t hurt him
Prompt #18 Rose
Author: Bookaddict
Characters: Jayne/Kaylee, Crew, Ocs
Rating: M for violence?
Word count: 1755
Comments : Comments: a collaboration between![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
squish_67 and myself. Prompt table and previous chapters here. Thanks to bookishtype for the banner. Mouseover Chinese translations. Sorry this one took me so long to write. RL kept interfering!!
“Kaylee.” Jayne said it louder this time. “You gotta talk to me, let me know you’re okay. ‘S drivin’ me right crazy.”
“I’m fine, Jayne.” She tried to reassure him, but her throat hurt so much.
“You ain’t fine an’ it’s all my fault. Gorramnit girl, I…I’m sorry.” He wanted her to look at him, but she didn’t move.
“Just leave it be, Jayne.” Kaylee began to cry quietly, hopin’ he couldn’t hear her.
Rich’s hand had fisted in her hair and he’d drawn back his fist and hit her! Kaylee had screamed – she’d never been hit by anyone in her life. It terrified her. The fists came at her again, thuddin’ against her body and the pain made her catch her breath, made her helpless, vulnerable.
Determined not to give Rich satisfaction by screamin’ again, Kaylee had mentally begun to recite her workshop manual. She knew it off by heart almost and the comfortin’ instructions flowed through her brain, dullin’ for a while the agony of the beatin’ she was gettin’.
The manual was no help to her though when Hessian grabbed her hair again and started rantin’ ‘bout an eye for an eye. She’d thought the end was comin’ then, but to her relief he was interrupted and she was shoved roughly against the wall.
Kaylee jumped at the sound of the shot and felt a curious sense of satisfaction when she took a frightened glance and saw Rich dead on the floor.
The satisfaction was replaced with dread when she heard what the evil guy said. The dread grew worse after he turned to look at her. He didn’t care ‘bout them, he was gonna kill them and any of the crew who were out there.
***********************
“The tracks are mighty plain sir.” Zoe remarked.
They’d climbed down into the drain where their opponent had disappeared, and found where he’d surfaced again. They continued to follow tracks that no self-respecting mercenary or thief would ever leave.
“That they are.” Mal agreed. “I’m thinking our man is maybehaps setting a trap.”
“So we keep following?”
“Yep, he wants us to follow him and we will. ‘Sides we can’t do much else. We want to find Kaylee and Jayne and we know he’s going there. Just keep alert and watch for traps. If Jayne’s not hurt he’ll be trying to escape and that’s in our favour.”
***********************
Jayne stood and slowly worked his hands in the handcuffs. He’d already got his feet out of the ropes that tied him. He had to get them outta there before the Captain turned up.
Hearin’ footsteps behind him he instantly stilled and was surprised to feel someone grasp the handcuffs.
Turning his head slightly he saw the pilot guy standin’ behind him, lock picks in hand. “What’re ya doin’?” he queried. “Go check Kaylee if ya want to help.”
“She’s not tied up. You are,” Tom’s voice was a whisper, “and I’m guessing you won’t leave without her.”
“You guessed right there.” Jayne growled. “But that don’t explain why yer helpin’ us.”
“I feel guilty ‘bout the girl.”
“Ya and me both,” Jayne muttered. “Can’t ya hurry?”
“Haven’t had much experience with these things.” Tom answered. “Rich and the others did that bit.”
“Man got what he deserved.” Unconsciously Jayne’s fist clenched. He’d wanted to finish the wang bad an himself.
Tom looked at the clenched fist and the hands rubbed raw from trying to escape and said quietly. “I’m thinking he was a mite wrong ‘bout you. He seemed to think you didn’t care about anyone or anything. But you do, don’t you?” The first handcuff clicked open at last.
“Maybe,” course he cared ‘bout Kaylee. She was his friend, or had been till he ruined everythin’, and she for sure didn’t deserve everthin’ that was happenin’ to her.
“Maybe nothing,” The other man scoffed.
***********************
Kaylee listened to their murmured conversation as her brain drifted in and out. Jayne cared ‘bout her, she knew.
Maybe not in the ‘sleepin’ always in her bed’ sorta way that she wanted, but he did like her. They were friends. She’d let that yin jian zi de yi biao convince her otherwise for awhile. But the moment Jayne had asked her to talk to him – she’d known that she and Rich were both wrong.
Her fuzzy thoughts were interrupted by Jayne shushin’ the other man.
“Hear that?” Jayne canted his head better to listen, “someone’s comin’. Get yerself gone.” He ordered.
Jayne waited body coiled, tense. He had one workin’ hand and his feet were free. He was plannin’ to use them to effect on anyone who came close. He risked a quick glance at Kaylee lyin’ too still over by the wall, we wanted to get her outta there.
Eviller guy and one of his guns came into the bay just as the door to outside opened.
“Two people approachin’ boss.” The other gun reported from the doorway.
“How far away?” Hatcher asked.
“Not more than five minutes out.” The man came right up beside Jayne and the other two moved closer to listen to him. “They’re pretty well armed, look like soldiers.”
“Don’t matter.” Hatcher shrugged. “We got us two insurance policies here. Though I’m thinkin’ the little girl is probably the more important.”
He turned in Kaylee’s direction and Jayne jerked forward bringin’ his booted foot up and under the man’s chin. Hatcher fell with a thump and the two guns swung round to face Jayne.He lashed out with his free hand, handcuff and chain still attached round, catchin’ them both across the face.
Gun number one dropped his weapon and clawed at his face. Gun number two snarled and pointed his gun in Jayne’s direction.
The mercenary ducked as the bullet sailed over his head. Keepin’ his head down, he rammed it into number two’s stomach, droppin’ him to the ground. Scoopin’ up the man’s discarded weapon, Jayne shot him in the head and then shot at the chain of the other handcuff.
Wakin’ up, gun number one turned back to the fray, fists clenched. Jayne turned and swung chain and handcuff again, this time around the man’s throat. Grabbin’ the end of the chain in his other hand, the mercenary yanked, breakin’ his opponent’s neck with a snap.
Hatcher began to struggle to his feet, head muzzy from the impact of hitting the ground. Jayne stepped forward and kicked out, knocking the man’s feet out from under him, shootin’ him in the chest as he fell.
Jayne waited a moment to make sure all of them were dead then turned toward his number one priority.
“Kaylee?” Jayne questioned as he bent over to pick the girl up. She weren’t capable of walkin’ after the beatin’ she’d taken. He gave her a quick look over; the girl needed doctorin’, sooner rather than later.
She hadn’t answered him and that hurt like hell, but there was no way he was gonna talk about things now. They needed to get outta there before more bad guys turned up. Gently he turned her over to face him and slidin’ his arms round her broken body, lifted her easily.
***********************
“She gonna be alright?” Simon looked up at the hoarse anxious voice to see Jayne standing in the doorway, kitten in hand, eyes fixed on Kaylee’s still form.
“She’s been beaten severely.”
“I know that Doc, I was there.” Jayne’s voice was tight. “I wanna know how bad.”
Simon sighed. He already had this conversation with half the crew and River hadn’t left the infirmary since Kaylee and Jayne had come back.
“Kaylee’s ribs are broken as is one of her cheekbones; she has severe bruises and contusions on most of her body and is going to have two black eyes.”
Jayne looked at her little body lyin’ there and inwardly shuddered. He’d been the cause of all her hurts, and not only the physical ones either. The girl was never gonna trust him again; he’d lost her friendship for sure.
“Kaylee’s friend Mr Bevis has obtained a bone-knitter for me.” Simon continued. “With that I’ll be able to help alleviated the pain of the broken bones more quickly.”
She’d still be in lots of pain though, Jayne didn’t want to think about Kaylee sufferin’ like that. “Can the kitten stay on Kaylee’s bed? It’ll be sorta comfortin’ for her when she wakes up.”
The Doctor opened his mouth to start telling Jayne how unsanitary the animal’s presence would be; but was stopped by the misery in the man’s eyes. It was obvious Jayne was feeling some guilt about what had occurred and was worried about both Kaylee’s health and well being. Since he was concerned too, Simon considered that he would accept anything that might assist in her recovery.
“If it keeps on the bed and not on the benches or equipment, it may stay.” He was rewarded with a nod from Jayne and a beaming smile from River.
***********************
Mal was making his rounds before bed when he spied Jayne crouched in the passageway near the infirmary. Despite the hard times the mercenary and Kaylee had obviously been through the Captain was still pretty angry with Jayne.
“What are you doing?” he snapped.
The big mercenary barely glanced at him. “Watchin’.”
“Watching what?” Mal glanced through the window to see Kaylee motionless in the infirmary, the doctor pottering around. “How long you been here?” He frowned and took note of Jayne’s clothes for the first time. The man was still dressed in the clothes he’d been wearing when they found him, his eyes were bloodshot and his face blank.
Jayne shrugged, eyes still fixed on the window and obviously not caring how long he’d been sitting there.
“The Doc doped her pretty good. She’s not going to wake up for hours. I think you need to take a break.”
Jayne didn’t even look up. The Captain frowned again, “come have a drink in the galley and I’ll get Simon to call us if Kaylee stirs.”
“Could do with a drink,” Jayne agreed and rose from his crouch, hopin’ that if he went Mal would leave him alone eventually.
“So could I.” Mal nodded following behind slowly. “You go ahead and get the glasses ready. I got some real good stuff in my bunk.” He watched as Jayne made his way in the right direction and turned instead toward the passenger dorms.
“Shepherd,” he looked through the open door. “Think I might be needing your counselling services.”
Prompt #18 Rose
Author: Bookaddict
Characters: Jayne/Kaylee, Crew, Ocs
Rating: M for violence?
Word count: 1755
Comments : Comments: a collaboration between
squish_67 and myself. Prompt table and previous chapters here. Thanks to bookishtype for the banner. Mouseover Chinese translations. Sorry this one took me so long to write. RL kept interfering!! “Kaylee.” Jayne said it louder this time. “You gotta talk to me, let me know you’re okay. ‘S drivin’ me right crazy.”
“I’m fine, Jayne.” She tried to reassure him, but her throat hurt so much.
“You ain’t fine an’ it’s all my fault. Gorramnit girl, I…I’m sorry.” He wanted her to look at him, but she didn’t move.
“Just leave it be, Jayne.” Kaylee began to cry quietly, hopin’ he couldn’t hear her.
Rich’s hand had fisted in her hair and he’d drawn back his fist and hit her! Kaylee had screamed – she’d never been hit by anyone in her life. It terrified her. The fists came at her again, thuddin’ against her body and the pain made her catch her breath, made her helpless, vulnerable.
Determined not to give Rich satisfaction by screamin’ again, Kaylee had mentally begun to recite her workshop manual. She knew it off by heart almost and the comfortin’ instructions flowed through her brain, dullin’ for a while the agony of the beatin’ she was gettin’.
The manual was no help to her though when Hessian grabbed her hair again and started rantin’ ‘bout an eye for an eye. She’d thought the end was comin’ then, but to her relief he was interrupted and she was shoved roughly against the wall.
Kaylee jumped at the sound of the shot and felt a curious sense of satisfaction when she took a frightened glance and saw Rich dead on the floor.
The satisfaction was replaced with dread when she heard what the evil guy said. The dread grew worse after he turned to look at her. He didn’t care ‘bout them, he was gonna kill them and any of the crew who were out there.
***********************
“The tracks are mighty plain sir.” Zoe remarked.
They’d climbed down into the drain where their opponent had disappeared, and found where he’d surfaced again. They continued to follow tracks that no self-respecting mercenary or thief would ever leave.
“That they are.” Mal agreed. “I’m thinking our man is maybehaps setting a trap.”
“So we keep following?”
“Yep, he wants us to follow him and we will. ‘Sides we can’t do much else. We want to find Kaylee and Jayne and we know he’s going there. Just keep alert and watch for traps. If Jayne’s not hurt he’ll be trying to escape and that’s in our favour.”
***********************
Jayne stood and slowly worked his hands in the handcuffs. He’d already got his feet out of the ropes that tied him. He had to get them outta there before the Captain turned up.
Hearin’ footsteps behind him he instantly stilled and was surprised to feel someone grasp the handcuffs.
Turning his head slightly he saw the pilot guy standin’ behind him, lock picks in hand. “What’re ya doin’?” he queried. “Go check Kaylee if ya want to help.”
“She’s not tied up. You are,” Tom’s voice was a whisper, “and I’m guessing you won’t leave without her.”
“You guessed right there.” Jayne growled. “But that don’t explain why yer helpin’ us.”
“I feel guilty ‘bout the girl.”
“Ya and me both,” Jayne muttered. “Can’t ya hurry?”
“Haven’t had much experience with these things.” Tom answered. “Rich and the others did that bit.”
“Man got what he deserved.” Unconsciously Jayne’s fist clenched. He’d wanted to finish the wang bad an himself.
Tom looked at the clenched fist and the hands rubbed raw from trying to escape and said quietly. “I’m thinking he was a mite wrong ‘bout you. He seemed to think you didn’t care about anyone or anything. But you do, don’t you?” The first handcuff clicked open at last.
“Maybe,” course he cared ‘bout Kaylee. She was his friend, or had been till he ruined everythin’, and she for sure didn’t deserve everthin’ that was happenin’ to her.
“Maybe nothing,” The other man scoffed.
***********************
Kaylee listened to their murmured conversation as her brain drifted in and out. Jayne cared ‘bout her, she knew.
Maybe not in the ‘sleepin’ always in her bed’ sorta way that she wanted, but he did like her. They were friends. She’d let that yin jian zi de yi biao convince her otherwise for awhile. But the moment Jayne had asked her to talk to him – she’d known that she and Rich were both wrong.
Her fuzzy thoughts were interrupted by Jayne shushin’ the other man.
“Hear that?” Jayne canted his head better to listen, “someone’s comin’. Get yerself gone.” He ordered.
Jayne waited body coiled, tense. He had one workin’ hand and his feet were free. He was plannin’ to use them to effect on anyone who came close. He risked a quick glance at Kaylee lyin’ too still over by the wall, we wanted to get her outta there.
Eviller guy and one of his guns came into the bay just as the door to outside opened.
“Two people approachin’ boss.” The other gun reported from the doorway.
“How far away?” Hatcher asked.
“Not more than five minutes out.” The man came right up beside Jayne and the other two moved closer to listen to him. “They’re pretty well armed, look like soldiers.”
“Don’t matter.” Hatcher shrugged. “We got us two insurance policies here. Though I’m thinkin’ the little girl is probably the more important.”
He turned in Kaylee’s direction and Jayne jerked forward bringin’ his booted foot up and under the man’s chin. Hatcher fell with a thump and the two guns swung round to face Jayne.He lashed out with his free hand, handcuff and chain still attached round, catchin’ them both across the face.
Gun number one dropped his weapon and clawed at his face. Gun number two snarled and pointed his gun in Jayne’s direction.
The mercenary ducked as the bullet sailed over his head. Keepin’ his head down, he rammed it into number two’s stomach, droppin’ him to the ground. Scoopin’ up the man’s discarded weapon, Jayne shot him in the head and then shot at the chain of the other handcuff.
Wakin’ up, gun number one turned back to the fray, fists clenched. Jayne turned and swung chain and handcuff again, this time around the man’s throat. Grabbin’ the end of the chain in his other hand, the mercenary yanked, breakin’ his opponent’s neck with a snap.
Hatcher began to struggle to his feet, head muzzy from the impact of hitting the ground. Jayne stepped forward and kicked out, knocking the man’s feet out from under him, shootin’ him in the chest as he fell.
Jayne waited a moment to make sure all of them were dead then turned toward his number one priority.
“Kaylee?” Jayne questioned as he bent over to pick the girl up. She weren’t capable of walkin’ after the beatin’ she’d taken. He gave her a quick look over; the girl needed doctorin’, sooner rather than later.
She hadn’t answered him and that hurt like hell, but there was no way he was gonna talk about things now. They needed to get outta there before more bad guys turned up. Gently he turned her over to face him and slidin’ his arms round her broken body, lifted her easily.
***********************
“She gonna be alright?” Simon looked up at the hoarse anxious voice to see Jayne standing in the doorway, kitten in hand, eyes fixed on Kaylee’s still form.
“She’s been beaten severely.”
“I know that Doc, I was there.” Jayne’s voice was tight. “I wanna know how bad.”
Simon sighed. He already had this conversation with half the crew and River hadn’t left the infirmary since Kaylee and Jayne had come back.
“Kaylee’s ribs are broken as is one of her cheekbones; she has severe bruises and contusions on most of her body and is going to have two black eyes.”
Jayne looked at her little body lyin’ there and inwardly shuddered. He’d been the cause of all her hurts, and not only the physical ones either. The girl was never gonna trust him again; he’d lost her friendship for sure.
“Kaylee’s friend Mr Bevis has obtained a bone-knitter for me.” Simon continued. “With that I’ll be able to help alleviated the pain of the broken bones more quickly.”
She’d still be in lots of pain though, Jayne didn’t want to think about Kaylee sufferin’ like that. “Can the kitten stay on Kaylee’s bed? It’ll be sorta comfortin’ for her when she wakes up.”
The Doctor opened his mouth to start telling Jayne how unsanitary the animal’s presence would be; but was stopped by the misery in the man’s eyes. It was obvious Jayne was feeling some guilt about what had occurred and was worried about both Kaylee’s health and well being. Since he was concerned too, Simon considered that he would accept anything that might assist in her recovery.
“If it keeps on the bed and not on the benches or equipment, it may stay.” He was rewarded with a nod from Jayne and a beaming smile from River.
***********************
Mal was making his rounds before bed when he spied Jayne crouched in the passageway near the infirmary. Despite the hard times the mercenary and Kaylee had obviously been through the Captain was still pretty angry with Jayne.
“What are you doing?” he snapped.
The big mercenary barely glanced at him. “Watchin’.”
“Watching what?” Mal glanced through the window to see Kaylee motionless in the infirmary, the doctor pottering around. “How long you been here?” He frowned and took note of Jayne’s clothes for the first time. The man was still dressed in the clothes he’d been wearing when they found him, his eyes were bloodshot and his face blank.
Jayne shrugged, eyes still fixed on the window and obviously not caring how long he’d been sitting there.
“The Doc doped her pretty good. She’s not going to wake up for hours. I think you need to take a break.”
Jayne didn’t even look up. The Captain frowned again, “come have a drink in the galley and I’ll get Simon to call us if Kaylee stirs.”
“Could do with a drink,” Jayne agreed and rose from his crouch, hopin’ that if he went Mal would leave him alone eventually.
“So could I.” Mal nodded following behind slowly. “You go ahead and get the glasses ready. I got some real good stuff in my bunk.” He watched as Jayne made his way in the right direction and turned instead toward the passenger dorms.
“Shepherd,” he looked through the open door. “Think I might be needing your counselling services.”
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I am curious to know what Jayne will say to Book, but it was a wonderful touch at the end. I've always believed in the power of that friendship and I wonder if their conversation will help Jayne in his "talk" with Mal over a drink.
I hope RL doesn't interfere too much in your 'verse so that you can get right back to work after squish gets her chapter up! :)
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Also thanks for pointing out the Book counselling thing. I meant for Mal to be fetching him to help Jayne, but didn't explain it too well *headdesk*. I must tell squish!!
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I love how the two of you are keeping this tension going between them. Both of them thinking they're not good enough for the other, or that they don't feel more than friendly feelings....
here's to many more kitten fic chapters to come, and lots of Jaylee goodness to come! Over to you,
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I really like how Mal knows he needs to have some counselling from Shepherd Book. And Jayne is perfect, I love him more and more every day, and much of that love is thanks to your writing!
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I have 30 years of non-creative energy to appease - so there's lots of ideas swirling round my brain!!
Falling for Jayne is good *nods head*. I went all fangirl and bought the photo op with AB and the one with he and Jewel!!!
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I cannot wait until Flan to meet all y online friends...My credit card hands down refused when I asked if I could get pix with AB and NF...so, I will suffice with whatever I can get myself...It's all good. I will be telling myself that alot!
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*g*
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Ohhh! But I was girly today and got a manicure and a pedicure. Never had one before. And tomorrow is hair and wedding! Okay, enough sharing from me. Excellent chapter!
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I agree both Kaylee & Jayne need lots of cuddling and much more before we're through!! I can't wait for squish to finsih her prompt.
Have fun at the wedding *waves* and see you when you get back!
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You paced the action stuff really well and it dovetails so nicely with Jayne's hovering over Kaylee. It's so typical of Jayne that you can have him snapping someone's neck in one scene, then holding a kitten the next and never once have it be out of character.
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Jayne's multi-skilled and just the one for Kaylee! I just wish he'd realise it. Now we have to wait and see where
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poor Jayne... he needs a break....