Title: Coming Together (7 of 10) Rating: pg-13 to be safe Fandom: Firefly Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee Word Count: 2638 Summary: BDHs and a big damn misunderstanding. This chapter is angsty. Warning: Sequel to story 'Pulled Apart'. Characters and places do not belong to me.

Authors note: Thanks to squish_67 for betaing. She rocks so, so much. If you want to read Pulled Apart or the previous chapters in this story, click on my name, they're all there.

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61. Pictures

Kaylee approached Simon slowly, her head still aching from her hangover, but she knew she had to do this. Taking a deep breath, she moved next to Simon in the infirmary. He was looking through a book that had all sorts of pictures of the brain. Most of the pictures were confusing and even a little disturbing, so she looked away from the page and up at the doctor.

"Simon, can we talk?" she asked quietly.

"Sure," he said, closing the book. She knew he hadn’t meant to close it so hard, but the noise reverberated around in her skull. She took a deep breath and leaned against the counter.

"I’m sorry ‘bout last night. I had a lot t’drink. Bartender was slippin’ me somethin’ he weren’t supposed to. Anyway, Jayne found me and we had an argument. It ain’t no excuse for bein’ mean t’you like I was last night, but I didn’t mean what I said. You’re a swell guy an’ I carried a torch for you for a long time." She let out a deep breath and looked at him to see if he would say anything.

"It’s fine, Kaylee," the doctor said after a few moments. "I could tell you were inebriated last night, I shouldn’t have tried to talk to you about Jayne when you were so obviously upset. Let’s just forget the whole thing? I’m sorry about my part in the argument you and he had." Simon’s voice was lacking emotion as he spoke, Kaylee couldn’t figure out what Simon was really thinking. He just opened his book back up and started looking through the pictures.

"Why’d you kiss me, Simon?" The question had been boggling her mind for the past week. She’d just been so wrapped up in trying to get Jayne to talk with her that she hadn’t even found the time to go and speak with Simon.

"It just happened," Simon said slowly. "I think I realized I made a mistake by turning you away, my priorities were confused. I shouldn’t have kissed you, Kaylee, I over-stepped my boundaries with you and for that I am sorry." He looked up into her eyes and Kaylee could only nod.

"Okay….well I guess I’ll see ya ‘round then," she told him, slowly making her exit. Now she needed to find Jayne. Simon’s words still echoed around in her skull and she didn’t know what to do with them. She’d given up hope so long ago that Simon would come around. A big part of her wished he would have never come around. Things were easier that way. Kaylee didn’t like breaking hearts and it seemed to her no matter how this turned out, someone’s feelings were gonna get hurt.

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62. Hat

Jayne watched Kaylee walk off. He knew he should go after her, make sure she made it back to the ship alright, but he couldn’t. He didn’t know if he would say something he would regret later. He didn’t trust himself.

Going back into the bar had been a mistake though. He walked by the seat little Kaylee had vacated earlier and saw her mug still on the counter. There was another pretty young thing getting the same talk from the bartender Jayne was sure Kaylee must have got when she first came into the pub. Who knows what would’ve happened to her if he hadn’t come by.

Jayne wasn’t able to keep his anger in check though when he saw that girl smile so graciously up at the bartender and take the offered drink. He could see the man who had been hitting on Kaylee earlier that evening keeping an eye on the new meat. Made his stomach roll thinking about what they might’ve done to Kaylee. Jayne took a few quick, long strides and leaned over the bar, fisting the bartender’s shirt in his hand. He hauled the man over the counter and dropped him on the ground.

"You make it an everyday habit of liquoring up little girls so others can take advantage of ‘em?" Jayne growled. He didn’t give the man a chance to answer, just kicked him square in the face with his boot. The barroom brawl that erupted was just what Jayne needed. Everyone seemed to jump from their seats ready for a fight. Fists were flying in every direction, making Jayne grin. He liked bruising everyone’s face up.

The local law busted the fight up pretty quick, but Jayne had gotten all of his stress out. Even came out of the fight with a little token. When Wash found him, Jayne was trying on his new fedora for size. It had belonged to some hundan who thought he had it in him to bring Jayne down. The merc had knocked him unconscious and taken the fancy looking hat for good measure.

"Jayne!" Wash said, jogging to meet up with him. "Captain wanted to be off this planet already."

Jayne just grunted and pulled a cigar out of his pocket. He lit it up and started walking back towards Serenity with Wash. Jayne could already feel the tension he had just relieved, building up in his shoulders again at the sight of Serenity. Kaylee’s words played over in his head again. Maybe it wasn’t all just drunken talk, maybe there had been something to it. Then again, maybe not.

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63. Winter

Kaylee’s head was still throbbing as she moved through Serenity trying to find Jayne. She had checked his bunk, be he wasn’t there. The kitchen came next and she finally found him in the cargo bay, lifting weights with the preacher.

"Jayne?"

The barbell clanged loudly and Kaylee grimaced. She watched as Jayne set the barbell on the hooks and sat up. His face was cold and distant as he looked on at her. Book quietly excused himself, leaving the two of them in the cargo bay by themselves.

"Whacha want, girl?" he asked, looking away from her.

"Well I just wanted t’check on you, make sure you made it back alright," she said timidly.

"I’m here, ain’t I?" Jayne asked with a shrug. Kaylee just nodded and didn’t moved—neither did he.

"I…can we talk?" she asked.

"We are talkin’, aren’t we?" Jayne asked, standing up and grabbing a towel to wipe his sweaty face. Kaylee swallowed thickly and nodded.

"Guess we are, but I was thinkin’ somethin’ more specific."

"Not right now Kaylee. I don’t wanna do this yet," he said roughly. He walked past her and out of the cargo bay, leaving the room cold as winter.

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64. Summer

"Mal, we need t’talk," Jayne said as he headed up onto the bridge. He looked over at Wash giving him his best ‘get lost’ look. Wash didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly excused himself, leaving the captain and Jayne alone together.

"Yes Jayne?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I wanted to talk to you ‘bout Kaylee. I’m worried ‘bout her not bein’ able t’take care o’herself. Think you should be makin’ her carry a gun ‘round when she goes t’town," Jayne said firmly.

"Kaylee don’t need t’carry a gun around," Mal said, just as firmly.

"You can’t tell me after everythin’ that’s happened t’that girl, you don’t think she needs t’protect herself?" Jayne growled.

"I’m saying that my innocent little mechanic shouldn’t have t’carry a gun ‘round t’protect herself, not when I got a gorram mercenary on board. Though I can see what a bang up job he’s done so far!"

Jayne took a step forwards, nose to nose with the captain. "You tryin’ t’say something, then just come out and say it," Jayne said in a dangerously low voice.

"I already said what I had t’say," Mal said, not backing down. The heat coming off the two men could have seared the sun.

"You sayin’ I ain’t taken good ‘nough care of her? Well maybe I haven’t, I ain’t a gorram babysitter. This is why she needs a gun. I ain’t gonna always be ‘round t’watch her ass, Mal!"

"I said no. Kaylee wants a gun, I will teach her myself how t’shoot. But until then, I ain’t making that girl carry a weapon. This conversation ends here," Mal said, pushing past Jayne and heading towards the galley.

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65. Fall

Kaylee was heading for the engine room when she heard the shouting. She paused when she realized just who was shouting and just what they were shouting about. Kaylee pursed her lips and waited just outside the bridge. Mal came out first, if he saw her, he didn’t take notice. When Jayne came out a moment after the captain, Kaylee stepped in his way. He growled and looked down at her.

"I ‘ppreciate you worryin’ ‘bout me," she said. He groaned and looked down at her.

"Got a knack for gettin’ in trouble, girl," was all he said.

"I didn’t kiss Simon, Jayne. Didn’t want him t’kiss me neither. I want you. You’re the one I fell for," she said. Jayne stared down at her for a long moment, then shook his head.

"Kaylee, you’ve been carryin’ a torch for the doc since he came aboard. So I’m your rebound boy, ain’t nothin’ I can’t deal with." He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at her.

"I don’t want th’doc. Chew on that for awhile, Jayne. You believe me, you’ll meet me down in my bunk in an hour." Kaylee turned and headed for the engine room. She held her breath and prayed silently he’d show up.

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66. Spring

Kaylee looked up at her clock and bounced her leg up and down anxiously. It was already a couple minutes past when Jayne was supposed to show up and she was already nervous all over. She been sitting on her bed for he last twenty minutes hoping and praying he would show up. She wanted things to be right between her and Jayne again. She hoped he’d show.

When the clock clicked twenty past the hour though, she sighed and laid back on her bed. Maybe their relationship wasn’t destined to bloom again. If Jayne wouldn’t believe her when she told him to his face that she wanted to be with him, there wasn’t much else she could do.

Kaylee felt a silly little tear try and run down her face and she pushed it away as quick as she could. She was a gorram fool for trusting her heart to anyone.

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67. Sharp

Jayne had been keeping watch on the time, trying to decide what he needed to do. Most people thought he was just dumb, and sometimes he was, but right now he was being deliberate. Jayne Cobb didn’t give his heart out lightly and little Kaylee had stolen it away like a thief in the night. He’d been okay with that up until now. Jayne was worried though. If the doctor was showing interest again, there was no telling how long little Kaylee would go before the doc’s fancy charm finally won her over.

She wanted him to trust her though. She ain’t never given him a reason not to trust her. Jayne knew he couldn’t stand her up. It was about five till the hour, Jayne headed for Kaylee’s bunk. Whne he got there, the captain was standing between Jayne and his woman’s bunk.

"Need your help in the cargo bay, Jayne," Mal said.

"I got somethin’ that needs t’be done, Mal," Jayne said.

"Maybe you ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, Jayne. But this here is my boat and when I say jump, you best ask how high, else you may find yourself gettin’ spaced, dong ma?" Mal crossed his arms over his chest, daring Jayne to argue. Jayne wasn’t in the mood for this right now, but he didn’t want to fight with Mal either. Kaylee would have to wait a few minutes longer.

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68. Dull

Kaylee heard the knock on the hatch door and straightened. "Come in!" she called. She ran a few fingers through her hair and waited for the person to come down. She couldn’t help but let the disappointment show when she realized it was Simon. Who was she kidding? Jayne wasn’t going to show.

"Not who you expected?" he asked. Kaylee gave him a half hearted smile and shrugged.

"Somethin’ you needed, Simon?" she asked, trying not to let Jayne’s absence bother her. It was a dull ache in the pit of her stomach, but there wasn’t anything more she could do about it.

"You’re upset." It was a statement and the doctor immediately looked concerned.

"A little," Kaylee shrugged. She patted the spot next to her on the bed and Simon moved over to sit next to her.

"Jayne?"

"I don’t know what t’think. I care ‘bout him so much. I guess I gotta stop carin’ so much for people," she shrugged. Simon sighed and placed his arm around her shoulders.

"That’s what makes you who you are Kaylee. There are not many people out there in the world who care about people as much as you do," Simon tried to comfort her.

"Thank’s doc, that means a lot coming from you." She tried to give him a smile, but it faded from her lips. "Simon…me and you….I can’t do it. I mean I carried a torch for a long time, but I love him. I know it’s crazy and all that, but I do." She could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he only smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"I just want you to be happy, Kaylee," he told her sincerely.

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69. Book

Jayne finished unloading the crates for the captain. The job had taken a lot longer than he had hoped, little Kaylee was probably thinking that he didn’t believe her. Jayne wiped the sweat off his face and hurried to her bunk. He kicked open the door and dropped down the ladder. If she wasn’t decent…well it wasn’t something he ain’t ever seen before.

"Kaylee, I’m sorry I’m late, Cap’n had me…." His voice died off when he realized just what he was seeing. Simon with his arm wrapped around Kaylee while they were sitting on her bed. He just shook his head and climbed back up the ladder. He could hear Kaylee calling his name, but he didn’t care. This was the last gorram time he was going to be made a fool of. Jayne headed towards the guest quarters to find Book. He needed to lift some weights and get as far away from Kaylee as he could.

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70. Music

Simon was being sweet as pie to her, considering all the mean words she’d said to him yesterday. He wasn’t trying to get fresh with her neither. It was a comfort just to have a friend there with her. She was still in shock that Jayne hadn’t come, that he hadn’t believed her.

The hatch door opening and the sound of Jayne’s heavy body coming down that ladder was like music to her ears. "Kaylee, I’m sorry I’m late, Cap’n had me…." He started, but he stopped when he saw her. It took her a second to realize why.

"No, no, no, no, Jayne. It ain’t what you think. Jayne!" He was already heading up the ladder. She jumped to follow after him, climbing up as fast as she could in her shocked state. He was already rounding the corner to the guest quarters.

"Jayne! Jayne! Gorramit listen t’me!" she yelled. Jayne turned and looked at her, his eyes burning with anger.

"It’s him or me, Kaylee. Him or me! You can’t be choosing both," he snapped.

"It’s you," she sniffled. When had she started crying? "It’s always gonna be you, Jayne."