Title: Love to Get to Know You Series Title: Love … Author: Humbug Rating: PG13 Fandom: Firefly Word Count: 1025 Summary: Jayne and River and Maggie Warning: Full of Jayne goodness. Beware if you don’t enjoy non-canon pairings. Disclaimer: Joss is Boss. I’m just borrowing his characters for fun!!

Authors note: Thanks to bookaddict for beta-ing.

And troy_gal - Thanks to for the plot bunny. This fanfics for you!

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hua li = gorgeous biao zi = whore da fa lei ting = extremely angry mei li = beautiful bao = Chinese dumplings Shi yu yuan wei = Things don’t always turn out the way you want/ plan ding hun = engaged fei-fei = luxurious / beautiful/ fragrant wu hui = ball/ dance

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Love to Get to Know You

Mal was in the middle of introductions when Jayne came down. “Ah, and finally here comes our hired gun and mercenary, Jayne Cobb.”

Jayne nodded and even managed to look embarrassed that he had kept everyone waiting. Zoe had beat him to the shower, so he had to wait till she’d finished, smellin’ all fresh and peachy. Then he had to get himself real clean, make a good impression on that mei li Maggie, so he even trimmed his beard. He tried on his whoring shirt, but changed it for his newest t-shirt.

Mal continued, “He’s a fine tracker, an excellent shot and his intimidatin’ manner gets us bargains we couldn’t find no other way. Just proved himself today, gettin’ us a bargain that will make us all a tidy profit when we sell the goods on.” Jayne sat down in the only spare seat available, next to River and opposite Maggie. River frowned, reading his thoughts.

Mal was impatient to get to eating all this fine food. “Now that everyone is here, let’s get started. We don’t stand on ceremony here, so tuck in as soon as you get served. Book an’ Kaylee, will you do the honours?”

Shepherd Book loaded the plates with meat, noodles, fresh bao and vegetables, whilst Kaylee passed them out. Murmurs went around the table over how good everything smelled.

“Mmmm! This here’s a fine meal,” said Mal as he tucked in. “Thank you, Shepherd and Kaylee. Ya did a mighty fine job cookin’,” agreed Wash, “Is this really fresh bao?”

Kaylee nodded. “Wouldn’t be half as fine without Maggie’s help,” she admitted.

“She’s got a real way with combinin’ ingredients in the kitchen.” said Book.

All eyes were on her and Maggie blushed under the attention. “Without the fresh produce from the Abbey...”

“Don’t be so modest girl,” scolded Book, “Got yourself a fine cook here, Tom. You’ll never go hungry with this one organising your kitchen.”

Jayne just stared at her, wondering how she could be any more perfect. She was hua li, ‘specially in that dress she wore this evening. Pure silk it must be, the way it shimmered in the lamp light, huggin’all her curves.

He liked them like that, gave him a little something to grab onto, not stick thin like so many from the core planets. Her eyes were warm, like melted chocolate, and the way she talked was so fancy, core, kinda like Inara. Only Maggie was a real core lady, not some fancy biao zi. An on top of all that she could rustle up somethin’ like this, with all the go se they had to eat on Serenity. She must really enjoy her food to be able ta make it like this. If only she wasn’t ding hun.

“Ya gonna eat Jayne,” Mal joked, “or try catchin’ flies with ya mouth hangin’ open like that?”

Jayne blushed, piled a huge mouthful onto his fork and smiled at Maggie, her eyes flickering with laughter.

River gave him a swift kick under the table, sending his food flying.

“Ahh! Gorrammit, Crazy girl, why’d’ya do that for?”

She frowned at him. “Not crazy, just da fa lei ting.”

“Ya got no need,” Jayne growled, “Shi yu yuan wei.”

“Not listening,” said River holding up her hand and turning away, “Talk about this later.”

He loaded up another forkful and shoved it into his mouth.

Maggie smiled. He might not be a fancy eater, but he really enjoyed his food.

When he’d nearly finished she got up, “Anyone for seconds?” She grinned as every plate was passed down for another helping.

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Kaylee gasped as she looked through Maggie’s clothes. “They’re all so fei-fei.”

Maggie looked confused, so Inara explained, “Fei-fei means they’re all so luxurious and beautiful.”

“Thank you for explaining, Inara,” she said, squeezing the Companion’s hand, “I’m a Londinium native so I don’t speak a word of Mandarin. It helps when you explain the Mandarin you use. And thanks, Kaylee, for the compliment about my dresses. I have so many, I can’t possible wear them all, but Tom does like to spoil me.”

“These really are beautiful,” responded Zoe as she ran her fingers along the rich fabrics.

“They are the latest fashion.” Inara noticed, “Is your fiancé very well connected?”

“He’s is one of the richest men on Londinium.”

Kaylee piped up, “You know the Cap’n plans to take us all to a Wu Hui on Osiris in your honour. Oh, sorry, I mean a Dance.”

“Mal got the tickets weeks ago, so we could celebrate your visit in style,” Inara told her.

“Well then, you must all choose a gown to wear.”

“I can do everyone’s hair and make up,” offered Inara, “We’ll be the Belles of the Ball.”

Kaylee, Inara, River and Zoe all began to search for the perfect dress.

Zoe found a gold slinky one she was sure that Wash would love. Inara located a beautiful plum Kimono that showed off her figure and her olive complexion. Kaylee pounced on a pink party frock that she could dance all night in. The skirt had yards of silk in it that would swish around her as she danced and the top was tight across the bust and left her shoulders bare. Simon wouldn’t be able to believe his eyes.

River found a silver dress which accentuated all her curves, which she hoped Jayne would not be able to take his eyes (or hands) off. Maggie already had her dress picked out, a sleeveless red dress with lots of slink, beautiful embroidering over every inch of the tight fitted skirt and bodice, and a silky over skirt to show off her curves and slim waist. It was a dress to catch the eye of her fiancé. A last ditch attempt to win back his affections.

Inara was already planning make up and hair styles, when Book came knocking for Kaylee to prepare the meal.

“Can I come and help?” asked Maggie, “I love cooking.”

“Are ya sure? More hands the merrier.”

And off they headed, leaving Zoe, River and Inara looking through Maggie’s shoes, hair accessories and make up.

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To be continued