TITLE: Rivers Key (Part 3/?)

AUTHOR: YmeT

RATING: PG13 (at the moment)

PAIRING: Jayne/River

SUMMARY: AU Something else snaps river out of her assassin mode in the bar.

DISCLAIMER: Joss is a God. (no blasfamy intended) Don’t own anything, its all his amazing creation. Not plagerising but a lot is the same as the movie because I’m going Au half way and wanted the backup.

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The boat touched down on Haven before nightfall setting Serenity down in a mine shaft so as not to be overly noticeable. Shepherd was there to greet them all as they piled off the boat.

River was sneaking along behind them and peeking into the cargo bay As they all said their hellos and grabbed whatever they were taking down to the settlement with them for the night.

As everyone headed after Shepard out of the mine and down to the settlement River saw Simon trailing after Kaylee and felt the love he had for the sweet engineer suddenly bubble up when he saw her scoop a young boy up into her arms like he was precious.

She wanted to hit him when his thoughts turned back to her and he started to feel guilty for what he really wanted. Stupid Simon, he would see soon that she didn’t need him to look after her anymore.

She had Jayne now. He would look after her and when he couldn’t she would be able to look after herself soon.

Just when everyone was off the ramp, Jayne turned back and took 2 steps up into the cargo bay, “You comin with us or are you gona hide up here all night?” he grunted.

River peeked out again and grinned at him. “Can I stay with you?” she asked cautiously, half of her still expecting him to say no and tell her to get lost.

Jayne glanced down at her feet and huffed, “If’in your coming with me you had better get some boots on ya pretty sharpish. I’m not hanging about here all night waiting for you.”

River stepped out from behind the container she had been hiding behind and revealed her black boots in her hand. “Knew you would say that. Help me.” She ordered softly as she sat dome on the step beside her, and holding the boots out towards him.

Jayne stalked back inside the boat, as Mal yelled up at him to lock up after him, grumbling the whole while about being a maid.

“Not a maid Jayne. But do you want someone else to help me dress and undress?” She queried coyly.

“Don’t even think on it. Unless you want somebody riddled with holes.” “With what Jayne? You left Vera back at the bar.” “I did No…I did…Ah damn’it. Now that was my favourite gun, look what you went and made me do you daft girl.” Looking down he realised that he had done up both her boots. Reaching out a hand he pulled her to her feet.

“It’s a good thing Mal got it then isn’t it?” River asked grinning again. “Yea well remind me to get it off of him would ya?” He groused again and slung an arm around her shoulders and tucking her in next to him. “Let’s get out of here before the others get all the good grub.” He gruffed and lead her down the ramp, being sure to lock up the boat.

Down at the settlement after they finished eating they all sat around the campfire, all bar Mal and Shepherd. They were up on the roof of one of the buildings discussin recent events.

River was still tucked up next to Jayne leaning on his shoulder and he had borrowed a Guitar from one of the locals and was strumming a bit of a tune that his pa had taught him when he was a kid. River started to hum along with the music and then sang softly.

~~~~~

Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No Hell below us Above us only sky.

Imagine all the people Living for today ...

Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too

Imagine all the people Living life in peace ...

You, you may say I am a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people Sharing all the world ...

You, you may say I am a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one.

~~~~~

Jayne strummed off the last few bars of music, all the while watching the woman beside him. He couldn’t think of her as a girl after that. Just the fact that anyone who had been through what she had could sing that song so beautifully and with such hope and real feeling was enough to make Jayne almost bow in humility. And he wasn’t a humble man.

In the same instant his blood started to boil with anger that any human being could do what had been done to her to such a gentle soul. They had in essence tried to turn her against her own nature. He really didn’t think it had been in river to kill anybody before the Alliance had messed with her.

Letting his gaze sweep over the others he noticed that most were looking at River with a new sense of respect. The locals that had joined them seemed impressed. One young buck in particular had moved from impressed to appreciative as his gaze travelled up her body from her toes.

Once it reached her face, something of Jayne’s demeanour must have shown because the boy suddenly looked shaken. Jayne grunted and returned his attention back to the guitar.

He started in on another song, and he sang it this time. Half of him wonderin how the others would react when the realised he could hold a tune. He didn’t really care. He wanted to do it for River.

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Childhood living is easy to do The things you wanted I bought them for you Graceless lady you know who I am You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn't drag me away, Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain, Now you've decided to show me the same No sweeping exits or offstage lines Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind

Wild horses couldn't drag me away, Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away

I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie, I have my freedom but I don't have much time Faith has been broken, tears must be cried, Let's do some living after we die

Wild horses couldn't drag me away, Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day

Wild horses couldn't drag me away, Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day

~~~~~

When he finished this he glanced down again at River, Not bothering to look at the others for their reaction. She gazed up at him with wet eyes and leaned in and placed a soft chaste kiss on his lips. Her eyes drifted closed and Jayne realised she was exhausted. It was now well into the night.

Handing the Guitar over to the local boy who had been checking River out earlier, he scooped her up and headed back to the boat.

A short time later as he settled her in her bed she half opened her eyes drowsily and smiled at him. Her hand reached up to stroke along his rough jaw.

“My Jayne. Thank you for my song.” She ran her fingers across his lips as he tucked her hair away form her face. Taking her hand in his he placed a soft kiss to her fingertips.

“I swear woman, you are blowing a hole in my image not easily repaired. You keep this up everyone's gona think I’m a complete sissy.” He smiled.

With that he turned to head back to his own room. Pausing at the door he said, “You know where I am if you need me, Okay? You just come get me if you need to.”

“mmm” River sighed, already on her way back to slumber land.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imagine by John Lennon

Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones

^^^^^^^^^^

AN: I've never done a song fic before and when i saw that part of the movie i really wanted to hear Jayne sing something. wild horses is one of my favs and it seemed to fit so well with how i think Jayne is feeling at this part of the story. I also think that Imagine is a great song for River here. Iagoning a verse were where the things that happened to her would never happen.

What do you all think? Did i hit the nail on the head or did i hit my thumb instead?