River lay alone on the topmost walkway connecting to the stairs in the belly of Serenity.  She listened intently as Jayne lifted weights.  His thoughts came to her in a rhythm.  Lifting and breathing deep and lowering the bar.  It was glorious.

The man had his own song, created while attempting to make better a body which River was quite sure couldn't become more appealing if it wanted to.

She listened well to him, sometimes blocking everyone else to hear his every inkling.  She awoke from her stupor as he overexerted himself.  She ran quickly down the stairs, sliding down the last bit.  She ran towards him, and managed to catch the bar as it fell quickly to his massive chest.  She helped him pull it up to the bar and then stuck her head under it, lips nearly contacting his as she inspected his bare chest, making sure he hadn't injured himself too badly.

"Watch out moonbrain."  He slid out from under her and stood, rotating his right arm at the shoulder to check for injury.  He winced as his tricep flexed. 

"You shouldn't do that."

He shook his head and looked over at her.  "Do what?"

She walked over, checking his arm.  "Overexert yourself that way.  It's dangerous."

"I know that.  Wasn't on purpose.  Ain't got no spotter no more."  He winced as she pressed firmly at his injured muscle.

"Owe!  Stoppit!"

"I was trying to help."

"By pokin sumthin that ya already know hurts?"

"Was trying to see how badly."

"Why don't we leave that to yur brother."  He  took a step to walk in the general direction of the infirmary.  River placed a soft hand on his chest.

Jayne stopped, surprised by the amount of strength the girl could muster if she wanted.

"Don't want to do that.  He's busy."  River spoke, not removing her hand from his chest.

"Ain't too busy ta do his gorram job." 

River nodded, smiling.  "Yes, he is."

Jayne made a twisted face shook his head.  "Nah mei guan-shee."

River smiled, finally removing her hand from his chest before taking a seat on the bench and speaking in a whisper.  "Jen dao mei."

Jayne rose an eyebrow.  "Huh?"

"Nothing."  She waited a moment before speaking again.  "Kaylee's bunk now.  I can take care of your arm, but if you'd prefer to go get Simon..."

"Uhhh, no.  If you know what yer doin'.  No need'n goin 'n...interuptin' yer brother."

"I agree."  She grinned widely and grabbed his hand, dragging him off toward the infirmary.

Jayne returned enthusiasm with a small smile. "Sometimes I wonder what the good gorram is runnin' wild in yer head."

She stopped and faced him, head on, looking him straight in the eyes. "Would you like to find out, Jayne Cobb?"

Despite what he felt, he shook his no." Not terribly."

She breathed deep, and exhaled, seemingly frustrated. She shrugged and kept walking, still pulling him along.

He looked down at their hands, joined together by her will. Her hand was soft, strong. He gave it a gentle squeeze and could see a smile form across her lips and eyes.

They had reached the Infirmary, and finally let go of his hand, motioning for him to sit down. He did so, and she turned to go for the weak muscle relaxing cream which would loosen the muscle enough to go back to it's original shape and location. She found it, took off the cap, and squeezed enough out of the tube to apply to his large arm.

She turned back and motioned for him to lift his arm.

She applied it to his arm, massaging it in until Jayne could feel the heat growing between their skin. After a few minutes, River wiped her hands off with a towel told him to flex his muscle, to see if it felt any better.

Jayne extended his arm a few times and grinned wide. "Well, ain't that nice."

"It was effective."

Jayne nodded. "Now I'm hungry." He started to stand.

River placed a forceful yet gentle hand on his chest. She waited to speak, closing her eyes to listen to his heart beat rhythmically.

He didn't move. "Yea?"

She spoke without opening her eyes. "You shouldn't use it for awhile. I saved you a plate from dinner. I'll bring it to you..."

Feeling his heart begin to beat more rapidly than usual when just standing, Jayne took a step back, separating himself from the young woman in front of him. "Ok." he took his seat again.

Her eyes opened as he separated himself from her. She looked at him, question in her eyes, but said nothing, nodding before leaving the infirmary.

*********************

Jayne watched as she left, trying still to calm his heart from it's frantic pace.

"Wus' she just doin' what I think she was?"

Book spoke into his ear, appearing out of who knew where. "I believe she was. What will you choose to do?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. She's, well she's damn fine, but her brother'd-"

Book shook his head slowly. "Leave Simon out of it for the time being. How do you feel?"

Not speaking, Jayne noticed that without River around, his heart had slowed down again.

"Well then, what's the problem?"

Jayne heard River's footsteps a few meters away from the doorway and realized Book had gone. "Nuthin." River walked in, a bright smile on her face, carrying a tray of food. Some sort of soup, it looked like.

Jayne grinned hungrily.

"I cooked dinner tonight. You like soup." She handed him the tray, and stared at him as he grabbed the spoon and started shoveling soup into his mouth. She grinned a bit crooked, finding his many habits somewhat humorous.

Within 2 minutes, the bowl was empty, and sitting on the infirmary bed beside him. He wiped his mouth with the back of his good arm and looked at River.

"Why ya always lookin' at me like that?"

"For the same reason you look at me the way you do when you think I can't see you."

He cocked a brow and grinned. Hopping off the bed and standing tall over River, he picked her up with his left arm and sat her on the bed. She let him, knowing well where he was headed.

Jayne felt his heart pound fast and hard in his chest again. Leaning in, he placed a gentle kiss on River's lips.

She responded with the same. When she brought her hand up to touch his chest again, she felt her heart beat faster. She changed the pace of the kiss from slow and gentle to heated and hungry.

Jayne responded by picking her up and pressing her against a wall, kissing and sucking away at her jaw and neck. River responded in the same, and after a few moments, moved her hands to pull her dress up.

"Wait." Jayne set her down on her feet again and took a few steps back. He did his best to think his heart calm, which was ineffective.

"I can't just do ya like this. 'S not what this is about."

She pleaded with her, eyes portraying the hunger and passion she felt.

He grabbed her hand, staring her directly in the eye.

"Look, ain't like I don't want 'cha. Jus'... jus' don't think it's right for me ta jus' come on in here 'n take ya like that, dong ma?"

She nodded, frustrated and disappointed, but understanding.

He gave her a crooked grin, she smiled.

"So what'll we do for now?" Jayne asked, placing a gentle hand in the small of her back as they left the infirmary.

River leaned into him, comforted by his touch. "Sleep."

*****************************************

Translations:

"Nah mei guan-shee." - In that case, never mind."

"Jen dao mei." - "Just our luck."

"Dong Ma?" - "Understand?"