“Would you look at all those guns..” Eleonora gawped at Jayne’s bedside collection. “You really need all those?” “Some I need.. Some just make pretty noises.” He smiled that slightly psychotic smile of his. “Hmm.. At least I know I’ll be well protected” She glanced at him. “Sure will be. Ain’t no Reavers gettin’ their...” He stopped and shuddered at the mere mention of those creatures. “Aw..” She held onto his muscular arm. “Let’s not think about Reavers.. It’s been an adventurous enough day with them..” “Still can’t believe a lil’ delicate thing like you ’scaped them..” “Well it was a joint effort..” She stopped, interrupted by a dismissive sigh. “What?” “Uh.. That doctor lovin’ friend o’ yours..” “’Doctor lovin’’?” “Yeah.. Ain’t the women on that moon like real men?..” “Well.. I think at least one does..” He chuckled, “That’s what I like t’hear..” The two were silent, slowly leaning in towards each other. “Kaylee! I just remembered.. I said I’d help her with dinner..” “Aw, lil’ Kaylee’ll do jus’ fine.. Ain’t much you can do with that protein junk anyways.” “So.. you think I should just stay down here in your bunk?” “Uh-huh…” “… With you?..” “Uh.. Yup..” “Well… Okay then” She grinned. He pulled the sheet back across his weaponry wall and they sat more comfortably on the bed. “So I hear you was a Companion back on some of the central planets.. That right?” He asked intently. “Yes, I was. Just for a few years.” “Why didja quit? Give up all them riches?..” “I was so sheltered there. It wasn’t until I was working on Ariel that I heard about the troubles on the outer rim. Up ‘till then I thought all those stories were fiction. So, I… borrowed” Both of them giggled softly as she drew out that word. “a client’s shuttle and flew out to the nearest moon I came across. I don’t know exactly what I though I’d do.. I know I couldn’t fix anything.” “So you jus’ gave up all that money?” He asked, still not getting his head around the prospect of sacrificing money. “Yep..” “Just.. To go live in the dirt like normal folk?..” She eyed him sadly. “Pretty much.” He began to become genuinely interested. “So.. Is life better when ya got nothing’?” “In my experience.. I’d have to say.. Yes. I’d have never met Mina otherwise.. Or you..” She looked down, suddenly shy. His expression changed between shocked, confused and happy. “What?.. So you hangin’ out with me.. Not jus’ to humour me.. Or cuz ya though I might threaten ya..? “No.. I.. Like you..” She smiled. “But.. What? You don’t think I’m an idiot? That’s usually what most women jump to..” He said, his voice showing only the faintest poignancy. She wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled into him. “Well.. I think you’re incredibly sweet.. and handsome.. and brave.. And-” He began to turn red. “-Aw, hell, girl.. You had me at ‘guns’” He laughed, placing a strong arm around her shoulders. “Y’know.. I’ve never been so grateful for Reavers..” She laughed to let him know she understood what he meant, so he would have to start trying to explain. “I think I’d have to agree.” She said before looking up to kiss him.