A Jayne Fic Part 4- Boy Gets His Wires Crossed "Can someone tell me why there's a gorram net strung up in my cargo bay?" Mal stormed into the kitchen when his good for nuthin' crew sat flushed and enjoying cold drinks. Drinks he ruttin paid for. Mal grew even more incensed when everyone began laughing. "Badminton." Was Abbey's reply. "Yeah Cap'n Simon was teachin us- it's fun." Kaylee beamed at him, ecstatically. "Yes Mal, you really should try it sometime, it can be quite exhilarating." Inara gave him a warm grin, hell even Zoe was smilin. It was enough to make a man feel old.

"Jayne get that net squared away, Simon considerin this fun was all your idea, you can go help him. And count all of yourselves lucky that I'm not goin to start lookin for a new crew once we're planet-side." Jayne and Simon rose grumbling. "I'll get started on lunch." Kaylee kept laughing. "River- did you want to help me pick an outfit for me to wear to meet the Vice-Chancellor?" Inara asked and even Mal softened at how quick she shot out of her chair. "Don't worry Mal," said River patting him on the arm "you aren't that old."

With that she followed Inara to the Companion's shuttle. "For that River, you can check our course before you go play dress-ups with Inara." River stopped, turned and rolled her eyes, coupling it with a sigh that only moody seventeen year old girls can perfect. "Abbey, I need to be having a chat with you later." The redhead gave a small nod as she rose to help Kaylee.

Abbey had started helping Kaylee with lunch but her mind was on other things. "Sit." The small mechanic ordered, "You're messin up my rhythm." Abbey sank into a chair across from Zoe. "Anythin wrong?" Zoe asked frowning at Abbey over the scarred table. "It's Jayne." Abbey bit her lip and allowed her head to flop back, so she was studying Serenity's roof. "What about Jayne? You two seem to be getting along all right." Kaylee remarked as she sliced some tomatoes. "He hasn't harassed you none has he?" Zoe looked concerned. "No Zoe, if he'd harassed me I wouldn't be complaining." She favored the two girls with a dry smile. "Well what then?" The women looked confused.

"He's being so darn nice. I mean it's sweet an all but it ain't what I want- it's like he's courtin me." The two other women burst into laughter. Kaylee even had to put down the knife she was laughing so hard. "Well now," Zoe cleared her throat "That's the first time I ever heard anyone accuse Jayne Cobb of being too nice." Abbey rolled her eyes. "It's not like I want him to beat me, it's just-." "You know I went through the same thing with Simon." Kaylee broke in and "I can tell you that the one thing I wish I'd done was make my move first." Abbey's brow crinkled in thought. "He is." River's voice startled the three women. "He wants to make sure you won't leave or change your mind before he loves you." With that the mysterious young River headed off in the direction of Inara's shuttle.

"Abbey- can I borrow you before lunch?" Mal asked, well it was more of an order disguised as a request. "How 'bout now?" She asked looking up from her book. "If you ladies aren't in the middle of anythin urgent, now would be best" He gave Zoe a glance she gave him a slight shake of the head. "Nope Cap'n. I'm all yours." Abbey jumped out of her seat. The two of them disappeared towards the Captain's bunk, just as Jayne walked in to the galley from the other direction. "Jayne would you set the table, please?" Kaylee asked the merc. Jayne just grunted in response. "Was that Abbey goin' off with Mal just now?" He asked, trying to stay casual. "Reckon it was, Jayne." Zoe said glancing up. "You want me to tell the other's lunch is ready?" She asked Kaylee. "Thankya Zoe, that's real sweet of ya." Kaylee beamed in her direction and Zoe felt her spirits rise just that fraction higher, something was afoot on the ship but as long as Kaylee was still chirpy it'd all work out fine.

When the Captain and Abbey got around to lunch almost everything had been cleaned out. Luckily Kaylee had kept them both plates. Jayne barely glanced up when they walked in and didn't even return Abbey's smile. "I'll be in my bunk." He growled, dumping his plate in the sink and stomped off. "Just, keep within shouting distance- we'll be planet-side in an hour." Mal called after him. "I have great news..." Jayne heard Abbey say as he turned a corner.

'I hope she and Mal are very happy together.' Jayne thought glaring at the wall of his bunk, nothing was making him feel better, not even cleaning and detailing his ample weapon collection was calming him down. 'Don't know why I got so ruttin' interested, nothin' she has that your average whore doesn't. Mal can gorram keep her.' It seemed all too soon before Mal was shouting for his help. "Mal if you don't mind, we girls are going shopping." Inara asked politely. "Ok but this is just a basic supply stop, I want to be about of here by nightfall." "Don't worry Sir I'll have them back with ample time, provided you and Jayne can stay out of trouble." Zoe barely bit back a smile.

She did get the girls back in time and they were cooking dinner by the time Mal, Jayne and Simon returned without the usual gunfire ringing in everyone's ears and safe in that knowledge River planned a nice leisurely take off. They were greeted by the smells of fresh fish frying, and real vegetables roasting in the oven. "Well you ladies seem to have had a productive day." Simon smiled at Kaylee, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Jayne turned his head sharply, the last thing he needed to see was how happy the doc was with lil Kaylee. "I'm not hungry, I'm goin ta bed." He glared at the Doc and turned to leave. He felt Inara's hand close around his wrist, hard. "Jayne, we worked hard on this, Abbey went out of her way to buy these things and you will sit down and enjoy it. You will also," She added, her eyes narrowing "be a gentleman throughout the meal and help Zoe and I with the cleaning up, do you understand?" Jayne just sat down dumbly. "Thank-you." Inara smiled serenely as she turned to help Abbey set the table. Through out the meal Jayne played at being polite, but he wouldn't look Abbey in the eye no matter how pretty she looked that night, she'd made her decision she was obviously more interested in the Captain- just going off with Mal to his bunk like that. She hadn't been in his bunk, that's for sure.

Jayne finished helping the girls with the dishes and was glad to notice that both Mal and Abbey must have retired, probably together for all he knew. He grunted a goodnight to Zoe and Inara and River who was sitting at the table, uncertain as to why Jayne was so mad. Clambering down the ladder Jayne was startled to see Abbey sitting on his bed. "Ye Soo!"

"Why won't you speak to me?" She accused him. "What did I do?" She sat on his bunk. "Get out." He couldn't manage to say anything else. Abbey watched Jayne, searching his face for a clue as to what she did. "You won't force me out and I'm not leaving until you tell me what I've done." She wasn't afraid to meet his glare straight on, despite the dramatic difference in height. "I thought you were different, but you're a Tchen wah just like every other gorram woman." Jayne slammed his hand on the wall, scared that otherwise his fist would end up shattering her jaw. Abbey stood there looking shocked. "You Tah mah de Just who am I supposed to have slept with?! Because it wasn't you!" Jayne couldn't meet her gaze. He stood there feeling stupid, not knowing exactly what he was supposed to be saying anymore. "I, I thought it was Mal." He felt a heat build, starting at his neck it climbed quickly up his face. Until it felt as if his entire face was on fire. He could hear Abbey's laughter.

"Even if Mal could tear his eyes away from Inara for a second do you think he would have a chance with me once I'd laid eyes on you." She swallowed, hard. "Now, I need to leave." She rose and in an effort to make a quick getaway she accidentally tripped. Jayne reached out in an effort to steady her. That was all it was supposed to be just an innocent rescue, until he felt a warm sensation on his mouth. Abbey was kissing him, hard. Her tongue massaged his, he tasted chocolate and something else, that was just Abbey. The kiss was broken as a loud clang echoed through Jayne's bunk. "Ow." He rubbed the back of his head and they both started laughing, hard. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He sat down on his bunk, rubbing his head. "So if you weren't sleeping with Mal, what we're you two up to?" Jayne rubbed the lump he was sure was forming on the back of his forehead and watched Abbey, she lay down on the bunk and put her head on his lap.

"I bought myself a permanent place on the ship." She grinned, laughing. "I used some of my savings and bought my way on the ship." She lay there smiling, looking up at him, her green eyes shining. "So you're staying, here on Serenity?" His smile echoed hers, his blue eyes burned into her, as he met her lips for a second kiss, a longer kiss, this one proving to be less painful than the last.