Fic: Stages, Part 2 Denial
Title: Stages
Chapter: 2, Denial
Author: RayneSupreme
Summary: Nine months post-BDM, Jayne is left struggling with his own feelings after River leaves Serenity.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don’t sue. Just playing around.
Denial
Jayne pulled out his paper and pen. With his chores done for the day and his muscle sore from working out so much, he figured he hadn’t written his mom in a while and she’d be expectin’ updates on all the happenings.
Plus, he’d been meaning to ask his mom if she could knit Moonbrain some warm socks. Ain’t right the girl run ‘round the ship all barefoot. The thought of her lying somewhere up in an airvent right now, freezin’ to death made him wanna start searchin’ again. But, after a week, he was done with her game. Admired her holding power though. Sure, it obvious she took the joke too far but it’d probably be hilarious when she suddenly reappeared in the seat next ta him at chow time, or maybe she’d just be waiting in the mule tomorrow ‘fore they left out ta the meet up. Either way, he’d know her reappearance would be funny.
Jayne picked up his pen. “Been seven days since Moonbrain’s big joke. Crew’s pretty wrecked up over it. I keep tellin’ him that if she wants to stay hid, she’s a gonna stay hid. Just who she is. I’m fine. Workin’ out plenty. Cleanin’ the girls more than usual but seem to have more time on my hands than usual right ‘bout now. Kaylee and Simon are sad all the time and I cain’t stand to be ‘round ‘em more than the eatin’ times. Cap’n and Inara keep to their shuttle or the bridge most days. And Zoe, well, Zoe is still greivin’ Wash. Don’t come outta her bunk ‘less its necessary. Not used to da quiet, Ma, bit offputting to be truthful. Oh, can you make River some socks? Girl’s gonna freeze her toes off one of these days. Hope all is well at home. Your son, Jayne.”
Satisfied with his letter, Jayne curled up under his blanket and shivered against the cold.
“Damn girl gonna’ freeze herself ta death.”
_______________________________________________________
Jayne had ta ‘fess up. It was true. The girl done gone an’ left ship. He’d spent two gorram weeks lookin’ through every hidey-hole he knew of and found some he didn’t. He’d also insisted on lockin’ up the pantry every night, thinkin’ that the feng le girl had ta come out to eat sometime. No one fought him on it, mostly ‘cause they’d taken to thinkin’ he was crazy. Which now, in hindsight, he kinda was. Lookin’ like a damn fool!
‘Cept it weren’t foolish ta thinkin’ it was a big joke! Crazy was always up to some nonsense or another. And, the girl could stay hid when she wanted to. Seen that time and time ‘gain. Plus, people don’t just up and leave Serenity. Well, the preacher did but that didn’t work out so well ‘fer himl. Well, and Book, but that tweren’t by choice.
The girl is just off on vacation somewhere. ‘S only natural for girls of that age wantin’ to run away, explore the ‘verse a bit. Probably shopping fer girly dresses. Probably just needed a few more days and she’d wave and then Cap’n insist we go get straightaway ta fetch her, regardless if were off to our next job or not. Betcha Cap’n will bitch about it the ‘tire time but probably welcome her back with hugs and all. Oh, and that ain’t saying nothin’ but the screamin’ and carryin’ on from Simon. Jayne was not lookin’ to be ‘round for that go se.
But, sure ‘nough, Jayne wouldn’t have no warm hugs or words for the girl. Fact is, he’d planned on not saying a word once she’s returned. Joke weren’t funny. Plus, he wouldn’t know what to say anyway.
_____________________________________________________
Somethin’ caught his attention from the corner of his eye. For a split second, his heart kicked up, thinkin’ he’d seen Moonbrain peeking out from behind a crate in the corner. ‘Supposed some say that were wishful thinkin’. More like his brain was so used ta havin’ her flit about while he was ‘round, dancin’ or starin’ or runnin’ ‘bout, that it was just natural that his brain conjure her up once in a while. Tweren’t odd, really. And certainly, didn’t mean shit. She hadn’t been washin’ dishes or laughin’ or dancin’ in the hold those times before either.
Since he’d taken to spendin’ most of his time either in his bunk or in the bay, workin’ out, his brain didn’t play so many tricks no more. Sure as shit wasn’t plannin’ on bein’ anywhere near the bridge when the crazy girl did decide to be wavin’ in and beggin’ ta come back. Nope. Jayne figured his time was better spent just carryin’ on as usual so when she’d did come back, and it hadda be any day now, things could jist go back to normal. She’d had her fun and she’d feel better if’n everything was just as she left it. No sense in her knowin’ all the weepin’ and cryin’ that had been going on fer a month now.
Plan was to git her home and everythin’ could go back to normal. Jayne wouldn’t even bother to ask her where she been or who she’d been with, though that part did tear him up a bit.. Wouldn’t matter in the end. She’d be back. And then everything would be back too.
______________________________________________________________