Big Blue Chapter 18

Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

This story takes place three years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows immediately after Out to the Blue.

A/N:

Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

Big Blue

Chapter Eighteen – Osiris

The two surviving Slavers were dragged roughly into Serenity's cargo bay. Jayne and Oso making sure their bound forms bumped into every exposed bolt and corner in the process.

Rolling the two scruffy men into a sitting position, the two big men stepped aside, glowering at them. Calmly, Reggie Michaels pulled up a crate in front of the two men and made himself comfortable.

“Afternoon, gentlemen,” Reggie smiled, “Not having the best day are we?”

“Huh choo-shung tza-jiao duh tzang-huo!” swore the one on the right.

“Language please. There are ladies present,” Reggie smiled as he indicated River standing nearby, slowly polishing the blood from her Katana. Both men paled. They had seen what River had done to their captain.

“Now this is the way I see it,” Reggie began, “Did you two jin tzahng mei yong-duh moron's pick out this ship in particular or were you just cruising for supposedly easy targets?”

“Easy targets,” the man on the left said. His companion swore at him.

“Well, that makes it a whole new ballgame,” Reggie sneered, “Do you two idiot's know what the penalty is for Piracy and Slaving?”

The men shook their heads no.

“Well it depends on who catches you. Most local lawmen would just hang you from the nearest tall object. I, however am an Alliance Military officer. Therefore I am beholding to turn you over to the first Alliance ship available. Afterwards you will be brought before a tribunal and tried for your crimes. If you're lucky, they will wait until you are planet side to carry out the executions. Planet side, you get a nice comfortable needle. If the ship's captain is a bit of a hundan, well then it's a long walk out a short airlock without a suit... dong-ma?”

One of the men lost control of his bladder, Jayne wrinkled his nose and River giggled.

Reggie scowled, “You two have a choice. You can keep quiet and see if you can breath vacuum or you can speak nicely with the officers coming to pick you up. If you tell the nice officers where you go to deliver your... cargo, what ship's you've hit, etcetera. You might live to be old men... on the penal moon. Think about it,” Reggie finished with a smile and walked away from the men.

XXXXXXXXXX

Simon was kept busy seeing to the injuries inflicted on the former captives. A few of the women had untreated fractures and most had at least a few bumps and bruises. All were dehydrated and malnourished.

The fifteen odd children were a little better off but not by much. Allan and Zoë raided the freighter's galley and found a couple of cases of protein bars and bottled water. Soon the frightened children were drinking water and munching on the bars. Once the kids were fed, Mal and Oso distributed the remaining rations to the adults.

A lurch and metallic clank announced the arrival of the Alliance destroyer. A moment later the secondary airlock opened and a platoon of heavily armed fleet marines led by a Lieutenant entered the holding area.

“Who's in charge here?” the young officer yelled.

“That would be me, son,” Mal replied.

“And you are?” The Lieutenant replied with some contempt.

“Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of the transport ship Serenity.”

“I was told there was an Alliance officer on board.”

“Got two, actually,” Mal replied.

“Where are they then?”

“Right here, Lieutenant,” Reggie replied, rifle slung over his shoulder. Oso standing right behind his boss.

The captain looked at Reggie and Oso suspiciously. Oso rolled his eyes and handed over his ID at the same time a scowling Reggie did so. The young officer looked at the ID's and paled. Snapping to attention, he addressed his superior, “I'm terribly sorry, Major. What do you need, Sir?”

I need a medical team over here ma-shong to see to the captives. A few are injured. Also we have two surviving crew members. I think they will cooperate for a more lenient sentence.”

“Very good, Sir.”

Three hours later, the captives had been transferred to the destroyer. Serenity backed away from the slaver's ship as did the warship. As soon as both ships were far enough away, The IAV Eagle fired four missiles into the ship.

“Good riddance,” Allan replied as he observed the fading light from the explosion.

“I agree,” River replied from the pilot's chair.

“Get us back on the way to Osiris, River,” Mal ordered just before leaving the bridge.

Serenity turned silently in the darkness and with a flash of golden light, shot away. Course set for River and Simon's home planet.

XXXXXXXXXX

At the same time Serenity was back under way, a gray haired man shook hands with the captain of the ship that had brought him to Osiris.

“Thank you for the ride, Captain Reynolds,” general Michaels said.

“Not a problem there. Like I said, call me Monty.”

“Only if you call me, Andy.”

“Deal,” Monty chuckled.

“I must be going cap... Monty. I have family waiting on me.”

“Sorry to see ya go. Been a while since I's had a passenger a polite as you. You ever need a ride, look me up.”

“You can count on it, Monty,” the general replied as he hefted his duffel and faded into the crowds of the docks.

As soon as he was out of sight, Anderson Michaels' smile faded. Walking slowly he made sure to avoid and surveillance cameras. The sunglasses he wore, kept retinal scanners from scanning his eyes.

Upon finding a low priced hotel near the docks, he made his way inside. Using his O'Leary alias, he rented a room on the spaceport side of the building. The better to watch and see if Serenity landed.

Turning on the Coreview in his room, the general plotted his revenge against Allan Bryant, River Tam and Richard Farnsworth, the Prime Minister.

XXXXXXXXXX

“What do you mean he disappeared?” the Prime Minister thundered.

“I'm sorry, Sir,” The justice minister apologized over the cortex screen, “He duped his driver and then General Michaels apparently killed the two men I had tailing him. It's been three days and no sign of him anywhere”

The Prime Minister sighed, “I know, Ping. Not your fault. The man is a professional intelligence officer. Your men were up against the varsity. Please send my condolences to your men's families.”

“Thank you, Sir. I will do that.”

The Prime Minister cut the wave and looked at his assistant, “This is bad.”

“I agree sir. Perhaps we should bring in the general's aide?”

“A very good idea. I also want Miss Reed here as well.”

“When, Sir?”

Two hours... in my office.”

“On it, Sir.”

An hour and forty-five minutes later, Juliet Reed was led into the Prime minister's office. She was dressed in the same business suit she had been wearing when she had tried to assassinate Allan Bryant months ago. While still handcuffed, the young woman looked like any other young employee of the government.

“How are you, Miss Reed?” The Prime Minister asked.

“I am well, Sir,” she replied.

“Juliet has made remarkable progress these last few days,” her handler remarked.

“Is that so?”

“It is, Sir,” the girl replied, “I haven't felt this... sane in a very long time.”

“I am very glad to hear that my dear,” The Prime Minister replied, “I brought you here to assist me in an...”

“Interrogation,” Juliet finished for the Prime Minister. “I will assist you. I want to see the one's who did this to me punished.”

“I see. Am I included in that group?”

“No, Sir. You have done your best to help me.”

“Will you cause any problems if we remove the handcuffs?”

“No, Sir. Besides, I could have gotten out of them at any time.”

The Prime Minister paled, “I see. How, may I ask?”

The petite blond wiggled her shoulders a bit and slipped her handcuffed hands under her legs. With her hands now in front of her, she concentrated on the locking mechanism for a moment and suddenly the metal cuffs fell to the floor. The Prime Minister's jaw fell open.

“How... how did you do that?”

“I have a slight telekinetic ability. I can only manipulate things I can see. The Academy suppressed that part of my brain. Now that I no longer have the drugs in my system... I've been practicing,” the girl finished as she rubbed her wrists.

“Indeed...”

“You are now frightened of me. Before, your emotions were pity, remorse, concern and guilt. Now I sense fear.”

“I'm sorry, this is all quite new to me, I'm afraid...”

The girl smiled. The kind of smile that would melt the heart of any red blooded male within ten feet, “You have no need to fear me. You are, in effect, family.”

“Family?” The Prime Minister asked.

“I am your wife's third cousin on her mother's side of the family.”

Richard Farnsworth, Prime Minister of the Alliance was speechless for a moment. Then a small smile crept across his face. Juliet matched it.

“My dear, we have much to discuss later.”

“I look forward to it.”

A soft knock at the door announced the arrival of general Michaels aide. Escorted by two large soldiers, Captain Simmons looked nervous. When he saw Juliet Reed sitting calmly on the Prime ministers sofa, the captain's nervousness turned to pure white fear. He knew just exactly what the girl was capable of.

“Captain, please have a seat,” Farnsworth said politely.

“Tha... thank you, Sir,” the man stuttered.

Juliet smiled at the captain, her head tilted slightly. Appearing like she was listening to something only she could hear, which wasn't far from the truth.

Within ten minutes, The Prime Minister knew everything he needed to know.

XXXXXXXXXX

Serenity approached Osiris. River sat behind the controls. Simon occupied the navigators chair with Kaylee in his lap. Gabriel and Reagan stood, hand in hand behind their daughter. Jayne next to them. Allan sat in the co pilots seat, Zoë standing behind. Mal and Inara stood in the center of the bridge. Alisha and Reggie sat on the stairs leading to the avionics bay. This was Simon and River's moment but everyone wanted to share in their homecoming. Oso had volunteered to sit in the engine room for the landing. The big Polynesian knew enough about ship systems to watch the gages and shut the ship down. Leaving Kaylee free to be with her husband on the bridge.

As Serenity penetrated the lower atmosphere, and the terrain became visible, River had tears on her face. She had never thought that she would ever see her home planet again. Jayne gave River's shoulder a squeeze. Gabriel saw his son-in-law in a new light at that moment.

Soon the spires and towers of Capital City came into view. Serenity banked slightly as River guided the ship lower.

“River?” Gabriel asked.

“I remember the way, Daddy,” She replied with a teary smile, “Serenity will fit on the pad behind the house.”

Soon the old freighter was flying low over the suburbs. Spotting a familiar landmark, River began the landing cycle, A few moment's later the ship settled to a gentle stop behind the grand house that Simon and River had grown up in.

The houses architecture blended Victorian, Chinese and Southwest design styles. Gabriel saw that the entire domestic staff was waiting near the pad. While some families of the Tam's wealth and position used indentured servants or even sometimes slaves. All the Tam's servants were well paid employees.

At the front of the group stood Clair Marcotte, Reagan's sister and the families attorney.

Everyone gathered in the cargo bay. River was pleased to see her husband had dressed up for the occasion. New cargo pants and a button front shirt. Kaylee was wearing her nicest jeans and a floral top. As usual Inara was dressed to the nine's, and Mal was wearing his nicest shirt. Alisha wore a simple skirt and blouse and Zoë wore her black trousers and a rose colored blouse, A wide leather belt around her waist. Allan was in his nicest shirt and black jeans.

Serenity's ramp touched the concrete of the landing pad. Breathing in the warm late summer air, Gabriel and Reagan strolled onto the grounds for the first time in almost eight months.

Clair ran to embrace her sister, tears in her eyes. Gabriel got a hug a moment later. After a beat, Simon and River approached their aunt, spouses in tow.

“Hi, Aunt Clair,” River said.

“River, my god is that truly you? You're so beautiful,” Clair beamed. River blushed at her aunt's complement

“This is my husband, Jayne Cobb,” River introduced after a moment.

Clair was taken aback. Her petite niece was married to this large brutish man?

“Pleased to meet ya, Ma'am,” Jayne said nervously, “River speaks highly o' you.”

“Pleased to meet you as well... uh, Jayne. That is an unusual name I must say.”

“His sister is named Fred,” River giggled.

“Indeed.”

“Hello aunt Clair,” Simon smiled. Clair pulled her nephew into a hug, “Simon my boy. It is so good to see you. And is this your wife?”

“It is,” Simon replied, “This is Kaylee.”

“I'm pleased to meet you, Kaylee,”

“Happy to meet ya too,” Kaylee beamed. The rest of the crew stepped up behind the Tam's.

“Let's go inside,” Gabriel said, “We can finish the introductions inside out of the heat.”

As the large group began to walk across the impeccably manicured grounds, the waiting domestic staff fell in behind them. One by one as they were passed. Many of the junior staff didn't even know Simon, let alone River but as River passed Martha, the head housekeeper, she had tears in her eyes.

“Welcome home, Sir,”

“Thank you, James,” Gabriel replied to his butler, “These people are our friends and the people who kept Simon and River safe. They will be afforded every hospitality.”

“Of course, Sir.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Kaylee's eyes bugged out at all the finery in the Tam mansion. Even Inara was impressed.

“Nice digs,” Zoë commented to her husband, “You ever have anything like this?”

“Nope, it's a little over the top for me,” Allan said, “but more tasteful that I would have thought.”

Zoë snickered.

Reagan addressed her children, “Your rooms are just the way you left them,” She said with a smile, “Particularly yours dear,” she finished to River.

Taking Jayne by the hand, River dragged her husband up the long stairs, a giggle escaping her lips.

“Care to show me your room, Dr. Tam?” Kaylee said coyly.

“I certainly would, Mrs. Tam,” Simon smiled. Soon the newlyweds were out of sight up the stairs as well.

“That didn't take long,” Mal chuckled as he ran his thumbs under his suspenders.

“I'll have the staff set up rooms for you as well,” Reagan said to the rest of their guests, “Shall I set up separate rooms for you and Reggie, Alisha, or will one suffice?” Reagan finished with a knowing look at the chef. Zoë began to giggle at her baby sister.

“Uh, one will be fine... Thank you, Reagan.”

“Dinner will be at seven,” said James the butler.

“Clair? Are you staying?” Gabriel asked his sister-in-law.

“I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Jayne was uncomfortable. He was standing in the center of River's bedroom. He watched with fascination as his wife slowly wandered around the room, her fingers trailing along the furnishings.

He suspiciously eyed the huge canopied bed with it's frilly trim. Even though it was larger than his and River's bunk on Serenity, the big merc wasn't sure he could sleep on something that looked like that. The rest of the room was pure River: teenage girl meets ballerina meets mad scientist.

Next to a book on physics sat a stack of music disks. A telescope next to a pair of toe shoes.

River sensed her husband's unease and startled him by jumping into his arms. Her legs wrapped around Jayne's waist and she kissed him deeply.

“Miss River... Oh my!” exclaimed Martha, the senior housekeeper from the open door.

With a giggle, River dropped to the floor and moved quickly to the elderly woman. River smiled and pulled her into a hug.

“I missed you so much, Martha,” River said through tears of joy. The woman had been like a second mother to her growing up.

“River child, my god, you're so grown up,” The woman said through her own tears.

“I am,” River replied, “I want you to meet someone. Martha Quinlan, meet Jayne Cobb... My husband.”

The old housekeeper looked like she was going to faint, “Did you say husband?”

“I did, Martha. We have been married a whole two and a half months.”

“Pleased to meetcha, Ma'am,” Jayne said with a wide smile. The housekeeper reminded him of his own mother.

“Caught yourself a good one girl,” Martha said in a whisper.

“I know,” River replied in kind, “Wait until you meet Kaylee, Simon's wife.”

“Simon? Married?”

“Ge-ge finally got his head out of his pi-gu,” River giggled.

“Will wonders never cease.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Having time before dinner, Allan and Zoë wandered back downstairs after being shown their room. Zoë had fallen in love with the huge tub in the bathroom. After dinner she promised herself a long soak.

Soon the newlyweds found themselves on the rear patio, overlooking the olympic sized swimming pool. Taking seats at a small table, the couple sat in silence, enjoying the warm sunshine.

“May I join you?” Clair asked.

“Sure,” Zoë replied. She could see the resemblance between Clair and Reagan.

“We haven't been formally introduced, “I'm Reagan's sister, Clair.”

Allan shook the woman's offered hand, “I'm Allan Bryant and this is my wife Zoë.”

Clair's eyes widened with recognition, “The same Allan Bryant who now heads Blue Sun?”

“I am.”

“Well, This is certainly a surprise.”

“We get that a lot,” Zoë chuckled.

“I read your bio and saw the news waves when you took over. Are you really from Earth?”

“I am.”

“And... Zoë is it? Are you also from Earth?”

“Fraid not,” she replied, “Just a rim kid who grew up on a freighter, went to war and ended up on an old Firefly.”

“I'm guessing you weren't an alliance soldier.”

“You guess right.”

The two women looked at each other.

“I guess this is that uncomfortable silence everyone talks about,” Allan said to break the tension.

“I'm sorry, I'm being rude. How long have you been married?”

Allan smiled and Zoë giggled, “Two days,” she said.

Clair's jaw dropped, “Congratulations.”

TBC