Based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon ---------------------------------------------

He found his best t-shirt, grabbed his favorite pair of lucky jeans, and then just to make sure it was perfect, he tossed on the cunning hat his ma had made him. Casting a look in the mirror, Jayne splashed some water on his face and then wiped it dry with the towel by his side.

It was his favorite day of the year, Valentine's Day. A day that some idiot made up and gave every man in the 'verse a full 24hrs to get lucky with almost every lonely woman willing to spend her time with a stranger. He would stop in town and get some pretty flowers before hitting the bar.

Walking down the catwalk, he could hear Mal and Cat talking, whispering on the bridge about what they would be doing tonight. Always wondered if she was as much a beast in bed as she was on the battlefield. Kaylee sat on the bed in the infirmary, two months pregnant with the doc's baby. It came to him as no surprise, especially as much as Kaylee girl liked her sexing. He hadn't seen much of Zoe, but that was typical especially after Wash died.

Strolling toward the open ramp, he spied River in the common room, reading a book that was probably as wide as his bicep. He didn't bother looking to see what the title was. Jayne was too busy thinking of the fun he was going to have today that he completely missed the young girl sitting on the Mule. Kitty cleared her throat as he turned.

"Hey there, munchkin." He smiled.

"Hi, Jayne." She smiled slightly, not the typical sunshine grin he was so use to seeing. "Where are you going?

"Out on the town. Not for little girls, though."

"Oh, I know that. It's just, well, I'm bored and..." She looked up at him, her beautiful blue eyes sad. "Lonely."

Jayne's countenance changed as he walked back toward her swinging a leg over the Mule and taking a seat. "Well, I'm sure if you ask River..."

"She's too busy studying about thermal dynamics and aquatic propulsion. Cat and Mal are having adult time as well as Kaylee and Simon, and Zoe is locked in our room, wrapped in her blanket with a little plastic dinosaur listening to some music from a place that juggles geese."

Jayne had to laugh at that, but then ruffled her hair. "Well, I'm sure a resourceful girl like you can find something to do to entertain yourself."

"Can you answer me a question before you go?"

"Sure, munchkin, what's up?" He wrapped an arm around her as she spoke.

"Well, I want to know what this Valentine's Day is about. I mean I know the technical history of the day, but why would anyone want to celebrate a day that you should do every day?"

"That's a good question. I never quite got it either."

"But, aren't you off to celebrate with someone you love? I mean you're going out in your best t-shirt and everything."

"Actually, no." He sighed.

"I'm confused."

"So am I, Kitty." He leaned against the hard back of the mule and looked at the littl girl beside him.

"I don't want to keep you though. I hope you have a great time." She leaned over to kiss his cheek with her soft little lips as he smiled. "I love you, Jayne and am glad to have you as my very best friend."

"Awww, love you too, munchkin." He humored her, but as the big merc muttered the few words he did, something dawned on him. In front of him was a beautiful little girl, who beyond all reasonable logic had attached herself to him and his burly ways. She had turned him into a bed time story reading, piggyback ride giving, blue eyes sparkling push over, and strangely, he actually liked it.

He stood heading for the outside word again as Kitty took her seat back on the Mule, her little head hanging. "Hey, Kitty."

"Yes, Jayne."

"If you could do anything right now, what would it be?" He dreaded her response, waiting for it to be calculating something or going to the local library.

"I want to ride a horse by myself. Without anyone holding me on."

"Well, come on, girl. Those horses won't wait for anyone."

"Really?!" He heard her little feet hit the floor and rush over to him. "But, what about your night on the town?"

"Figure why go out lookin' for purdy women when I got the purdiest one right here." Jayne made a funny face as she giggled.

"It's pretty."

"Nope, you're too good for pretty."

"And after our ride, could we go for ice cream?"

"Don't see why not. You got money, right?" He teased her as they both walked down the ramp holding hands.

"Jayne, you're the man. You're suppose to buy."

"So, read that, too, huh? Got to talk to Cat about what she's lettin' you read." Their conversation faded into the sun as in the shadows of the catwalk, stood the beautiful and ever watchful Cat. As the cute little 'couple' disappeared from view, she turned and headed back toward where Mal was waiting, but not before her hand touched Serenity's bulk head. With a whisper, she grinned as the shadows engulfed her. "Happy Valentine's Day, Serenity."