Title: Not Paying Enough Attention Series Title: Both Sides (2 of 18) Author: Humbug Rating: PG Fandom: Firefly Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee Word Count: 668 Summary: Told from both sides of Kaylee and Jayne's relationship Disclaimer: Joss is Boss. I'm just borrowing his characters for fun!! Warning: Jaylee goodness! But other characters can't help joining in.

Authors note: Thanks to bookaddict43 for betaing.

*********************** Thanks for daring me to write my own Jaylee story, Squish_67 and Bookaddict43!

Be gentle! It’s my first fanfic story. It’s told from both sides of the relationship. Each part is from Jayne or Kaylee’s point of view, or both! Other characters pop in and out. Some chapters will be from their point of view. The plot bunny came from the Philosophy_20 prompt table at Livejournal: #7 both sides. Enjoy! (I hope….) ***********************

Part 2

She hissed through her teeth as her hand brushed against the hot metal of one of the moving parts of the engine. “Ta da me!” she swore. Then proceeded to roll off a series of expletives that made even world-weary Jayne smile.

Jayne reached over to grab her hand and look it over. It was beginning to go red and pucker. He gently blew on it. Kaylee gasped and trembled as she felt his breath cool her skin.

“Come on, let’s get that under some cold water.” Gently he led her over to the kitchen, one hand holding her wrist, the other on the small of her back, causing her to tremble again for another reason than the pain.

Stopping in front of the sink, he stood behind her and leaned across to start running the cold tap. She felt his breath by her ear, and his body warm and firm pressing against her.

“Ya gotta be careful, lil Kaylee,” he whispered softly. “Ain’t no use my helpin’ ya, if ya don’t pay attention to what ya doing ‘cause ya yappin’ away at me.”

When the water was running cold enough he held her burn under the steady flow of soothing water. She hissed as the cool water began to chill her skin and ease the burn..…….. no, that was a lie! The sharp intake of breath was also because of the proximity of the tall, handsome, if a bit gruff, Merc standing directly behind her.

She began to think of the talk she had had earlier with Inara in her shuttle.

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“If you really feel that way about him, Kaylee, you’ve got to let him know.” said Inara brushing Kaylee’s hair.

“But I’ve been all but ignorin’ Simon!”

“Mei Mei, we, as women, find these little things important. But men see things in a different way….. I know you’re remembering the things I’ve taught you about how to be graceful and ladylike with a man, but it really depends on the man you’re trying to attract. Sometimes being refined doesn’t work. A man like Jayne, well, I think you REALLY need to make it obvious that you like him.”

“But what if I’ve got it all wrong, ‘Nara! What if he doesn’t like me like that?”

Inara turned Kaylee around and looked straight at her, holding her face in her hands so she couldn’t look away.

“Kaylee dear, I’ve seen the way Jayne looks at you. It’s the same look he has when he’s cleaning Vera, or when we’re on a planet long enough for him to see one of his…… um…… ‘women’, or when eating one of your hearty meals…..”

“Really?!!”

“Really, truly, Kaylee! It’s the kind of thing a man like Jayne can’t hide. He’s in love.”

“If he likes me so much………. loves me,” she said with a blush, “why hasn’t he made a move then?”

“Because he thinks you still love Simon.”

“That was over weeks ago. I hardly even talk to the man anymore. I’m ignorin’ him, and I spend as much time as possible with Jayne, gettin’ him to help me in the engine room and sittin’ next to him, not Simon, at meals. When it’s my turn, I cook what he likes best, and even give him the biggest portions….”

“I’ve noticed, mei mei,” smiled Inara, caressing Kaylee’s hair.

“Oh no! Has EVERYONE else noticed?” blushed Kaylee.

“Not Jayne, and not Mal……”

“But everyone else? Even Shepherd Book!”

“Shepard Book was the first one to come and talk to me about it. He’s very close with Jayne and wanted to give him the best advice ……”

“Oh, ‘Nara!” Kaylee buried her face in her hands, “how can I look anyone in the face again?”

“Mei Mei, falling in love is not something to be ashamed of….”

Kaylee looked up and smiled shyly, “We’re just so alike…I got more in common with Jayne than I ever had with Simon…… I don’t know what I was thinkin’ not noticin’ him first…..”

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To be continued