Pained Hearts

Chapter 2

Authors Note: Okay so this Chapter kinda is just to fill up time and establish a few things. Enjoy!

The ship was quiet. This was the way River liked it. She didn’t get lost in others thoughts this way. She had gotten better after Miranda, but she was still a reader and everyone’s thoughts bombarded her. It caused her pain and made everything confusing for her to the point she couldn’t even sort out whose thoughts were whose. So when the ship was quiet and most everyone was asleep her mind was clearer and she could wander through her mind and everyone else’s with no pain or confusion at all.

River slid open her door and dragged Jayne inside with her. Jayne couldn’t help let his thoughts wonder from his dying brother to the small minx in from of him. Her nightgown pulled at all the right places. He stared at the white fabric stretched across her hips and backside; it was amazing no one had snatched her up as their own. It really made sense though, since she never really left the ship unless they had work. Everyone was taken too, but him, which made him feel lucky till he realized she would never want a merc like him.

River growled to herself at his last thought. She was starting to think all the men on this ship were boobs when it came to women. With a good push Jayne was sitting on her bed. He watched her in surprise when she shut her door and then proceeded to take the bottle of engine whine from him. It was a pure shock when she lifted it to her lips, and took a shot from it, and then handed it back to Jayne making a disgusted face. Jayne’s laughed echoed through the small bunk.

Moving past him with a smile, River climbed into the bed and covered herself up so that she was facing Jayne. “Sleep, Jayne.” She said pulling on his shirt.

“There ain’t no ruttin’ way I am sleepin’ in here with you, Crazy.” Jayne replied, taking a swig from the bottle.

“Please?” Asked her little voice. “Makes all the monster dreams go away... Please?” She had jutted out her lower lips, to pout. The same pout that she used on everyone. And it worked.

Jayne smiled and figured this was probably his only chance to get this close to her without anyone trying to kill him or harm him in anyway. Placing the bottle on the floor, he laid next to her without the two of them touching. It only took a second or two before River had her arm wrapped around his large arm, her leg slung over his hip, and her head resting on his shoulder. Jayne had to admit it was nice to have her so close to him, though the fear of getting thrown out into the airlock still plagued him. “He won’t.” River stated nuzzling into his shoulder. Jayne gave up fighting it and untangled his arm from hers and wrapped it around her small frame letting his other hand drift to her knee, still making sure she was cover mostly by her blanket. River sighed happily and fell into a peaceful slumber with Jayne soon following suit. -- Jayne woke up to a load playful scream from River. He sat up tiredly only to have her dart behind him. Jayne opened his eyes to see Simon coming at him with a needle.

“Dung ee-maio! What the gorram hell is going on here?” He shouted. Simon froze and River giggled behind him, and then stuck out her tongue at Simon. Jayne could feel River’s arms around his shoulders, and her breasts pressed against his back and he could almost swear she was teasing him.

“I could ask you the same thing! I came down here to find you in bed with her!” Simon growled at the large man. Jayne glared at him and mumbled something about falling asleep, and Rivers nightmares. “River needs her shots, but she is being a brat. I was all too surprised when I came in and found you in here though.” Simon explained still aggravated, glaring at his sister and the large man she was hiding behind.

“Don’t want them. Head gets jumbled and nothing but black can save me.” River whispered into his ear. Jayne liked the way her breath tickled his neck. “Doc you heard her… She don’t want ‘em. And we can’t have her whinin’ ‘bout those needles all day. I got better things to do than bein’ this moon-brained girl’s barrier from you.” Jayne said standing up to leave. The events of the night were all coming back to him. The last thing he needed was to get in the middle of the family fight. Jayne was slightly stunned when two small arms wrapped around his neck from behind him.

“You heard him, NO SHOTS!” River told Simon. “Since when do I listen to that big ape Mei-mei?” Simon retorted with a sour face.

“Since now!” Jayne said sternly. “Girl, get the ruttin’ hell off my back now.”

River didn’t let go, but instead wrapped her legs around Jayne and tucked her head into his neck. “No! You need me…” She said quietly, “And I need you, you’re like the black to her.” Jayne was just in shock. He didn’t understand. Did she want him, like he wanted her, how he dreamed of her?

His thoughts were interrupted by Simon. “Fine,” He yelled. “Listen though; you still need your vitamin shot River. That one won’t do anything to you.” Simon tried to explain. “Lair…” River spat back. Both Simon and Jayne were shocked. Jayne glared at Simon. “Alright Mei-mei it isn’t vitamins… You still need it.” Simon tried to reason with his sister. “What’s it then?” Jayne asked trying to ignore the squirming girl attached to his back.

“Birth-control.” River giggled into his ear. Jayne’s thoughts went crazy. He thought of sexin’ her up, everywhere on the ship. River giggled once more at his thoughts. “Hey, stay out of my head Crazy!” He growled.

There was silence for a moment.

“Food time and Kaylee’s looking for you Simon.” River said looking upward. When Simon didn’t move, she realized he was trying to think of a way to bribe her into taking the shot. “Just hurry up and do it, Simon. She’s hungry and so is man with a girl’s name, but boy parts.” Jayne growled at her comment, but she loved the vibration through his body that is caused.

Simon nodded and picked up a separate needle. Then he went behind River and gave her the shot in her rear-end. River squeezed Jayne as she received the shot. “Now, food! GO Jayne go!” River bucked trying to get the large man she was attached to, to move. Jayne just growled again and left the room, Simon trailing behind them, amused. Both were a little frightened at how River could get the merc to do her biddings. -- When they entered the Mess, Wash was basking in the attention his wife was giving him. Maybe I should get hurt more often. He though as Zoe fed him another bit of protein.

“No. She needs no more stress, something else to worry about now.” River said, making everyone stare at her.

“River you got something attached to you. Oh, that’s just Jayne.” Wash joked. Everyone, but Mal and Jayne, laughed.

“We’re about 15 hours out. Wash plotted the best course there… Little albatross, why don’t you let go of our merc and tell us who doesn’t need the stress?” Mal said picking at his food.

River leaned forward and planted a kiss on Jayne’s cheek and jumped down. “Thanks!” she said. Stunned Jayne mumbled a ‘don’t mention it’ and went to his seat across from Zoe and Wash.

“Heard about your brother.” Zoe said, “I am sorry, we should get there in time though.”

Jayne once again mumbled something, and started to serve him self some food. When Inara walked in she went over to Jayne and put her hand on his shoulder. Her looked told him everything, her sorrow and hope that the doc could help. Jayne nodded at her and went about his business.

“Simon, Zoe will need to see you today…” River said, helping Kaylee and Simon finish cleaning up some pots and pans.

Zoe cleared her throat and looked at Simon. “That’s right. I was wondering if I can get a physical, I haven’t been feeling up to par lately.”

“Yeah she’s been throwing up in the mornings.” Wash said intertwining his hand with hers. Simon thought for a moment and then realization hit him. “Oh! Yeah, after breakfast, come to the infirmary. I’ll run a test or two. It won’t be any trouble. I have to start prepping things for tomorrow anyway.” He said trying to make it seem like nothing at all. River stared at Jayne. She could feel his sorrow building and burying him.

Suddenly she felt trapped. Everyone was feeling and thinking too loudly. Her breath started coming in short gasps of air. She didn’t even notice Kaylee asking if she was okay. She felt dizzy. She needed an anchor, something to hold her down anything. Slowly, she stepped away from Kaylee and Simon. With each step, she felt a small weight drop from her.

Jayne watched; in fear that something was wrong with River. As she stepped closer and closer to him, he felt relieved and frightened that she might hurt him. It was only when she plopped down in the chair next to him, did she take a deep breath and close her eyes.

Yes, she thought, everything is much clearer here.

“You alright lil’ Albatross?” Mal asked.

River smiled and nodded. “Just took many thoughts and emotions…” She said simply and then started to serve herself some food. Mal nodded and went back to eating. The rest of the meal was oddly silent. A few words passed from Inara to Kaylee and Simon, but this meal was like when they found out that River was an assassin reader.

Jayne was the first one to leave, saying something about lifting weights. Simon and Zoe were next. Kaylee asked Inara about brushing her and River’s hair.

“Only if Mal doesn’t mind, I would hate you to get in trouble once again.” Inara said staring at Mal. She was teasing him and he knew it.

“It’s fine. But don’t go neglecting your duties on this ship just ‘cause you’re getting’ pampered up.”

Kaylee jumped up excited and hugged the captain. “I love my capt’n!” She said with a kiss on the cheek. River stood up and took Kaylee’s hand as they dashed out of the Mess ahead of Inara.

“Thank you Mal, they need something to make them feel womanly.” Inara said with a sweet smile. Mal goofily smiled back and she left.

“Wow, now who would of guess you two have a thing for each other.” Wash teased. In return for his comment, Mal threw his roll at him.

“Yeah well, looks like we’re stuck with da clean up.” Mal pointed out making Wash groan.

::Okay so, this chapter is done. I know it isn’t the best but tell me what you think.