“I ain’t gonna be popular.” Jayne broke the silence that had descended as they walked.

Kaylee shook her head “River fell in her ownself, ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong.”

The girl always did want to see the best side of things Jayne thought, didn’t know how she could with all they’d seen.

“Maybe not,” he shrugged. “But I’ll go take me a warm shower first before all the yellin’ starts.”

Kaylee unconsciously tightened her grip on River’s shoulders. She didn’t like the acceptance in Jayne’s voice, how he obviously expected to be treated. She was all set to call him on it but they had already reached Serenity, and she saw he was right.

Simon was hoverin’ in the cargo bay and caught sight of River straight off. “Mei mei what happened?” He glared at the mercenary “what did you do Jayne?” He started fussin’ round River, tryin’ to steer her into the infirmary.

Jayne glared at the doctor and turned away headin’ toward the crew’s bunks unfortunately meetin’ the Captain and Zoe comin’ down the passageway.

“Jayne, what the hell?” the Captain’s eyes went to River dressed in the mercenary’s coat. “Want to tell me what happened?”

“Nope, gonna go have a shower, then clean some fish for dinner.”

The Captain went to say something else, to stop Jayne and get some answers, when Kaylee put her hand on his arm. He glanced down to see his mechanic looking angrily at him.

“Ni men dou shi shagua, did anyone notice that Jayne’s wet and River’s dry?” Kaylee’s voice was as cross as anyone had ever heard it. “Did ya notice that he was blue from the cold and River ain’t cause she’s wearin’ his coat?” She looked at their faces “I guess not.”

“I wanted to commune with the fish, floating, peaceful.” River’s voice was dreamy as she interrupted.

“Oh River,” Simon sighed.

**********************************

Kaylee watched Jayne’s big hands as he skinned the fish for her. He was good at the little day to day things she thought. Might be a bit slow sometimes, real dense ‘bout noticin’ her advances, but he was sorta dependable.

“Jayne.”

“Hmm?”

She put her hands over his to still them, waited till he looked at her. “You count.”

**********************************

Jayne watched covertly as Kaylee ate her fish. It’d been fascinatin’ last night, it was even better tonight. Smilin’ all over her face, eyes half closed, little pink tongue lickin’ her lips, moans and sighs echoin’, the girl was a sight to see. Only reason no-one else was noticin’ the Kaylee show was that they were all actin’ the same way. The fish sure tasted sweet and Kaylee had cooked it fine.

When a bit of fish juice ran down her chin Kaylee unconcernedly caught the juice with her fingers and sucked them. Gorram it he was goin’ to have to sit here for ages after the others finished.

When Kaylee told him last night he counted he was hard put to keep his hands off her. For all his fine notions ‘bout not thinkin’ ‘bout sex and Kaylee, he couldn’t stop lustin’ after her, thinkin’ ‘bout her. But he couldn’t do what she wanted.

Kaylee only wanted him for relief, not for keeps. When she wanted to finish it, he’d do somethin’ stupid, or worse still, somethin’ bad. He’d have to leave Serenity and what passed for his family, leave her. He couldn’t do it. Just stayin’ friends was best.

**********************************

Jayne was still sittin’ at the dinner table, even though everyone had long finished. He was starin’ into space and lookin’ downright serious.

Kaylee had thought when she told him he counted that Jayne had actually reacted. For a moment she glimpsed a look in his eyes, kinda like he was hankering after her. She thought he might finally let her in, let her come close to him. But at that moment Wash came in for a cup of coffee and Jayne tensed up all over again. Exasperatin’ man!

She wondered what he would do if one night she just appeared in his bunk with no clothes on. Kaylee shivered in anticipation and then sighed; it might not be a good idea yet. She wasn’t sure how Jayne would react, and she didn’t think she could take the rejection.

“Kaylee, why are ya just standin’ there?” His voice startled her out of her thoughts.

“Thought ya might play a game of cards with me Jayne?” She could wait for him. If she didn’t explode first, the man was worth it.

Ni men dou shi shagua = idiots all of you