Jayne pushed the barbell away from ‘im like it’d done somethin’ personal.

His teeth were still grit. They were startin’ ‘ta hurt. But he was frustrated. He’d been frustrated fer… over a year now. Frustrated lookin’ at Kaylee an’ not touchin’. An’ now frustrated with bein’ so close an’ havin’ that go se doc…

It was like they was lookin’ at each other through a little hole in a wall. An’ she was practically beggin’ fer ‘im ta come over ta her side.

Huh choo-shang tza-jiao duh tzang-huo.

His knuckles were white on the barbell. Gorram fantastic time fer Kaylee ta notice that there was a big piece a Jayne hankerin’ fer her.

Fan-ruttin’-tastic.

An’ what was he supposed ta do? He weren’ no gentleman. Under normal circumstances, he’da smacked the doc around an’ taken Kaylee. But this weren’t normal circumstances. They was all sittin’ in a little ship in the middle of a little rock waitin’ fer a gorram companion ta—

“You tryin’ ta hurt yourself? ‘Cause you’re doin’ a good job.”

Jayne let the barbell drop inta place real loudly an’ sat up ta look at Zoe. “Why the gorram hell are we still on this gorram rock? There are other jobs ta be done an’ other money ta be had. What’s so special about this job an’ this money that we have ta sit here an’ rot while ‘Nara goes an… an’… whatever?”

Zoe looked at ‘im real even. “We’re still on this rock because Mal said we stay on this rock. For whatever reason he has.”

Jayne stood up, his anger flarin’ an makin’ ‘is ears buzz. “Well I can’t stay on this ruttin’ ship forever! I can’t sit here an’ just…wait. If the money is so gorram important, why don’t we just go in there an’ take it an get OUT of here?”

Zoe was still givin’ him that look. “Because there are seven of us and at least twelve of them that we saw. Probably more. So if you want ta go try, be my guest. I’m gonna sit here an’ wait.”

Jayne ground his teeth an’ went ta his bunk.

***

Inara came back way before anyone expected ‘er ta. Mal called ‘em all together again.

Jayne sat across from Kaylee again. She was sittin’ next ta the doc. Didn’t even look at Jayne. Didn’t seem ta look at the doc, neither, so that was okay by Jayne.

Inara was standin’ by the stove with her hands folded in front of ‘er.

Mal was sittin’ down. He leaned back in his chair an’ put his boots up on the table. He looked over at Inara. “So what’s so important that you had ta get us all in the same room?”

She stepped forward. Looked like she was tryin’ ta hide a smile.

“I went to the Pink Petals this morning and met with Mr. Pink. And I can tell you, without even the idea of a doubt, that he is… not interested in me.”

Mal slid his feet off the table. “What the hell are you talkin’ about? What’s wrong with you? You’re beautiful!”

Inara glanced over at ‘im. Everyone else did, too.

None of ‘em were blushing like Inara was, though.

“Well…” She looked down at her shoes. “I’m not exactly… his type.”

She looked up at all of ‘em like this was enough ta say.

Jayne still didn’t get it.

Zoe started laughin’.

Mal was laughin’ too.

Jayne looked at Inara. Looked her up an’ down an’ wondered what kinda sly…

Oh.

Jayne let himself have a good chuckle over it.

Zoe sat back in her chair, laughin’ so hard she was cryin’. “He really is sly! It’s not just the name! That certainly changes things.”

Inara’s smile was full-blown now.

Zoe was breathin’ now at least. “Jen dao mei. Just our luck that our seducee likes the boys.” She wiped a tear outa the corner of her eye.

Mal was still smilin’. “Who’da thought?”

Jayne snorted. “All’ve us.”

Everyone started laughin’ again.

“An’ which of us is gonna’ try our hand at Mr. Pink? Me? Jayne?”

They all laughed harder.

Eventually, the laughter started dyin’ down. Everyone was pantin’ a little, still smilin’.

Jayne found himself lookin’ at the doc. Got the sense everyone else was, too.

Suddenly, the doc weren’t smilin’ no more.