Title: Equations Author: meimei42 (Dani) 30_angsts Theme(s): 12. Chemistry (~eletric shock) Pairing/Characters: Jayne/Kaylee Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer/claimer (if needed): Post BDM, I do not own any of it. Summary: They didn't get the equation right Word Count: 721

Author's Note: special thanks to squish_67 for betating! This is for my 30_angsts challenge. Depending on how well behaved my muse is, I may write more. Also, not everyone is gonna like the idea of this fic, but not everyone has to. Just don't flame me because of it, that's all I ask.

His hands were warm against her flesh; it still sent a shiver down her spine. She wanted to call out his name but Jayne shook his head. She stifled her moans when he entered her. Her nails dug deep into his shoulders; if she gripped any harder she might draw blood. Jayne liked that though, he liked his play rough and Kaylee was more than happy to oblige, to give Jayne what he needed.

It was over quickly, it had to be. Their alone time together was so brief they had to make the most of it. Kaylee peeked out the engine room window. She didn’t see anyone and quietly motioned to Jayne. He gave her a wink and pulled the door open. He grabbed her hand as he passed her, their fingers touching for a brief moment; a spark of electricity went from his fingers to hers, shocking them both. Kaylee hissed inwardly while Jayne just grinned and left. She was left staring down at her hand in a state of uncertainty. She leaned against the engine room wall and took a deep breath, smoothing her hair down. It would help if she didn’t look like she had just been so thoroughly kissed. Finally Kaylee pushed off the wall and headed out of the engine room.

She tried not to walk funny as she moved towards the infirmary. Jayne usually made her knees a little wobbly right after they had their romp. Simon never noticed though. She twirled the gold wedding bank around her ring finger as she stepped into the infirmary, leaning into the doorway as she watched Simon work. He was so meticulous in everything he did. Even when they made love, it was so precise; Kaylee wondered sometimes if he planned it out.

“Hey bao bei,” she whispered, breaking the silence in the room.

“Oh Kaylee,” Simon said, turning to face her. He smiled, but his face fell quickly as the realization struck him. “Dinner…”

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, moving to her side.

“’S’okay, Simon. I know you’re busy workin’ real hard,” she assured him. He took his hand in hers and she couldn’t help but notice how his fingers didn’t shock hers the way Jayne’s had. She looked into her husband’s eyes and didn’t understand why her stomach didn’t turn to butterflies every time he smiled at her. She wished it did. She wished Simon could make her feel the way Jayne made her feel. Maybe then she could have quit that gorram mercenary.

That wasn’t to say there wasn’t love. She loved Simon, loved him something fierce, but it was the wrong kind of love. She wanted it to be more, but when their eyes met…

“Wrong chemicals. When mixed they produce only a premature reaction,” a voice behind Kaylee startled her. She turned to see River standing in the hallway.

“What was that, River?” Simon asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Wrong formula, Simon,” she said simply. Simon sighed and nodded, leaning against the counter for a moment.

“You’re right actually. I thought the two medicines would work well with each other, but they aren’t producing the desired reaction,” he said.

“Better as friends,” River said softly.

“Friends?” Simon asked, he shrugged it off, probably thinking it was just River’s strange way of playing with words. “You’re probably right, River. Why don’t you come and sit down, it’s time for your medicine.”

Kaylee watched River move gracefully to the med table and take a seat. The girls’ eyes locked and for a moment Kaylee felt the burning heat that was coming off the younger woman. River’s glare was too hot and Kaylee had to turn away, biting on her nails as she stared down at the ground. “I’ll see you tonight, Simon,” Kaylee said softly, turning to leave the siblings alone in the infirmary.

“Tonight,” Simon agreed, “and I’ll make up for dinner, I promise.”

“Don’t worry about it, Simon,” Kaylee shook her head.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” River agreed, her eyes still trained on Kaylee. The mechanic wondered quietly to herself just who River was talking to. The genius’ face gave nothing away and with a resigned sigh Kaylee headed out of the infirmary. No matter how right it felt, she knew her feelings for Jayne were all wrong.