AN: What would be angst if Jayne weren’t so damn Jayne-like.

Part 5~Firecracker

Everybody wants to go forever, I just wanna burn out hard and bright I just wanna be your firecracker, maybe be your baby tonight ~ Ryan Adams, Firecracker

“Well.” Mal nodded. “That was the fastest job ever.” “Almost too fast, don’t you think, sir?” “No shootin’,” Jayne said, hovering halfway between happy and disappointed. “Got Kaylee a shiny present though.” “Well, we got the cash, let’s get back on the boat. We’ll be outta here by sunset.” Jayne turned around. “Wouldn’t say that,” he said, cocking his gun. “What the hell do you want?” The man didn’t answer. “You one’a Niska’s men? Aw, hell, I ain’t afraid’a Niska. I’ll shoot ya just the same as I’d shoot anyone else.” He felt the shot before he heard it. “Gorramit! You’re a fast li’l bugger.” He looked down at his shoulder. “Ah well. Ain’t nothin’ more than an scratch.” He gingerly transferred the gun to his good arm and fired two shots. The man fell down, and Jayne grinned over at the slightly horrified Mal and Zoë. “D’ya reckon there’s more? I got more bullets.”

***

“Ow! Gorramit, doc, ya tryin’a kill me?!” “If you would just sit still I could dislodge the bullet…Stop wriggling!” Jayne grinned over at Kaylee, who was watching with worry. “Aw, I’m okay.” “Who shot you? Were there more? Oh, Jayne, you didn’t make him mad, did you? If he was Niska’s…there might be more an’…” “Hey! Boy’s dead now an’ I got nothin’ ta show for it. ‘Nother scar never hurt nobody. Hey!” he glared at Simon. “Bullet’s out now,” Simon said. “I’m going to put a bandage on it. There’s a disinfectant in it that might sting some, but you should be just fine. You should report back here in a week so I can monitor your progress, do you understand?” Jayne glared. “No. Couldya dumb it down for me?” “I’m putting something in your bandage to make it so you--” “Doc?” “Yes?” “You ever hear of sarcasm on that stuffy planet you’re from?”

***

“So, little one, we gonna take off?” “I tried to warn you.” River gave Mal one of her withering looks. “Warn us about what?” “Jayne.” “Aw, Jayne’s fine, River. Yellin’ at your brother and just as shiny as can be.” “There were supposed to be more. They knew with whom they were dealing and got yellow. He got lucky.” River nodded fervently. “Tell him to buy more bullets next time we land.” “Will do, little one. Where we headed next?” River sighed. “Home.”

***

It had been awhile since Kaylee had waved home, and it was a comfort that everything there was the same old same as it always was. “Kaylee? Is that you?” Kaylee grinned. “Yup.” “We was just talkin’ bout you, baby! Where’s life takin’ ya lately?” “We just left Persephone. I stayed on the ship, though. Time for maintenance. Gotta keep my girl happy.” Mrs. Frye smiled. That was her Kaylee. “You have anyone else in your life now? What’s that doctor’s name?” Kaylee swallowed. “I’m getting married.” Squeal. “To the doctor?” Kaylee shook her head. “No. But you’ll like him, promise. He’s real nice, and he’s strong and a bit funny.” She smiled. “Even though I think he don’t mean to be funny.” “When’s the wedding?” “Well…we ain’t really talked about it much. Cap’n says we can have it on Zephyr, so whenever we manage to land there…I want ya there.” “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, bao bei.” “KAYLEE!” Kaylee glanced over her shoulder. “Cap’n’s callin’ me, mama. I gotta go.” “Love you, baby.” “Love you!” Kaylee turned off the cortex. “WHAT?” she yelled back at Mal. “Change of course. Get in here.” Kaylee padded into the cockpit. “Where we goin’ now? Thought we was makin’ a delivery on Whitefall.” River smiled. “Goin’ home.”