Almost five months on from the day of the funerals Jayne leaves Serenity. It’s not because he misses Book’s friendship like his guide rope’s been cut. It’s not even because the expression on Zoë’s face grows emptier and emptier as time passes. In the end Jayne leaves Serenity because he has no choice.
He makes sure to fix himself up as good as he knows how: scrubbed clean with soap, beard trimmed neat, wearing Sunday best clothes and shined boots. Packing away his favourite weapons in an old kit-bag he keeps just one pistol on him, resting snug inside his grandpa’s old holster.
Jayne waits until the right moment--a time when most everyone is holed up planet-side, trying to wash away that raw pain with drinking and sexing--then he strides into the cockpit.
Captain’s there just like Jayne knew he would be, staring out at nothing, waiting until they can leave this rock and head out for a new piece of dirt.
“I’m gone.”
“You took your time.”
Them words burn Jayne deep, but then Mal looks ‘round, pushing himself up from the pilot’s chair and, by the look on his face, it seems like he’s understanding the finality.
There ain’t room for talk. Jayne takes a step forward, leaning down and kissing Mal harsh but fervent on his lips. It’s over almost as quick as it began and, without waiting for a knee to his balls or a telling off, Jayne turns and leaves.
DONE