You guys have been waiting awhile so I figured it was better to give you a little now, than a lot even later. Thanks for all your great reviews!

Chapter 4, Part I-

Simon watched through hard eyes from the far end of the table as Jayne related the story of Kaylee’s little act of sabotage. It was the first time Simon and Jayne had been at dinner together since they struck their bargain and the doctor found himself wondering if it had been like this at every meal he had missed. Jayne was sitting next to Kaylee, one of his hands resting on the back of her chair as he told everyone about the little adventure they had shared. She laughed and interrupted him and he waved away her arguments with an easy gesture. Everyone at the table was laughing- except Simon.

He had thought this would be easy- it wasn’t like Kaylee had been subtle in her admiration for him. But somehow whenever he tried to get close to her something would go wrong. And now here was Jayne, who seemed closer to her every time he turned around. Reaching out with one hand, Simon snatched up a piece of bread irritably and found himself looking into his sister’s watching eyes. He pushed the frown aside to smile at her.

“Do you want half, mei-mei?” He asked holding up the bread. There was a burst of laughter from the other end of the table and Simon couldn’t hide his brief scowl.

“What do you want?” She asked, her head tilted to the side. With one steady finger, she reached across the table slowly to touch him over his heart. “Gotta know the value of what you ask for.”

“You don’t have to give me anything for the bread- I’ll share.” He said, frowning at his sister gently though he squeezed her hand before she pulled it back. Did she really think she would have to bargain with him over a piece of bread?

There was a moment of silence.

“Okay.” She agreed, everything normal all of a sudden.

He handed her half, still examining her expression but she just smiled vaguely as she took it. Tearing off a bite, she used it to wipe up some of the extra sauce on her plate. Before popping the bread into her mouth she added, “Don’t play too rough.” She turned to the conversation going on around them before he could ask what she meant.

Simon lowered his eyes to his plate and tried hard not to hear Jayne’s familiar teasing tone and Kaylee’s easy laugh. He wasn’t going to lose, he promised himself. Not to Jayne.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a three day haul to their next stop and everyone was a little antsy having worked themselves up for a confrontation with Patience that never came. Mal, feeling the mood of the ship like his own suggested a game of hoop ball to help work off all the extra energy the crew was sitting on.

Everyone consented- without argument which Mal figured was about the closest you got to eager with his crew.

They met in the cargo bay around midday, shipside time: Zoë, Wash, Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, Book, and even Inara and River to watch from the upper deck. Even Simon wanted to play which gave them an uneven number of players, until- being the good preacher man that he was- Book offered to act as referee to even out teams. Though what he thought he was going to referee seeing that hoop ball didn’t really have any discernable rules, Mal didn’t know.

By virtue of being the actual ship’s captain, Mal always got to be a team captain, leaving the question of who would be the other team captain. Book proved his worth by solving this problem as well.

“I’m thinking of a number between one and fifty.” He announced.

“Twenty-five.” Said Zoe.

“Seventeen.” Growled Jayne.

“Thirty-four.” Kaylee guessed.

“Twelve.” Offered Simon.

“Forty-nine.” Wash said with absolute surety.

Everyone turned to look at him.

“What?” He asked bewildered, “It’s perfect! Nobody would suspect it!”

“Nobody but you, honey.” Zoë observed fondly.

“Actually the number was ten-” Jayne, Wash, and Kaylee all groaned, “the same number, incidentally,” Book added raising his voice, “of God’s commandment’s to his people.”

“Thanks for the bible study, Preacher.” Mal’s voice was dry, “I’m sure we all feel very enlightened.” He slapped his hands together and gave them an anticipatory rub, “Let’s get this game moving. Doctor,” He motioned Simon to stand beside him. “I get first pick,” He told the young man when Simon moved next to him and the captain opened his mouth to name his first choice.

“Wait- Why?” Simon interrupted.

Mal shut his mouth and turned toward the doctor. “What about the phrase, ‘Because I’m the captain’ do you people all find so incomprehensible?” He faced the group again, “Zoë.” He called and his second-in-command came to stand beside him.

Simon surveyed his three possible choices. He and Jayne’s deal had been simple- no interference. But simple wasn’t necessarily the same as clear. What did this little game constitute? There were all kinds of possible repercussions here; one of which was Kaylee would be pleased and flattered if he chose her first. Hmm. . .

Simon couldn’t afford to pass up an opportunity.

And he wasn’t entirely convinced Jayne had been playing by the rules anyway.

“Kaylee.” He announced his choice, deliberately not looking at Jayne. The mechanic gave him a bright smile and when she walked past, her hand brushed his. A small smile parted his lips, as well and Simon lowered his head as he un-buttoned his shirt sleeves to hide it.

“Jayne.” The captain called the big man over to his team and Simon didn’t know whether to be grateful or worried. Wash gave his wife a shrug and moved to stand with Kaylee and Simon.

Picking up the ball, Book carried it to the middle of the bay, just under the large hoop dangling from the ceiling. “Toss-up. Take your positions. We’ll play to fifteen.” Mal pushed Jayne forward and the big man went to stand beside the Shepard.

Simon turned to his teammates. Wash shrugged, “I’d go but you’re taller.” He slapped the younger man on the arm, “Good luck.” He moved to stand between Zoë and the little tableau beneath the hoop. Looking over at Kaylee, Simon was rewarded with a small rueful smile.

“He’ll try to push you over and just take the ball,” she told him, “You gotta be ready for him.” She glanced over her shoulder at Jayne and then back at Simon. “It’ll be fun.” She told him in a voice full of buried doubt before she moved to guard Mal.

“Fun. Right.”

Standing in the middle of the cargo bay, Simon took a deep breath and looked at Shepard Book’s familiar face. Holding the large silver ball balanced carefully on the pads of five fingers, Book raised it up high to the ceiling and the doctor followed the motion with his eyes. The harsh lights overhead created little circles and half moons of white in his vision and he followed the ball’s path as Book lowered it between him and the big man. Simon held his gaze level until the ball moved away to reveal Jayne’s murderous glare. It was all the doctor could do not to flinch.

Apparently, Jayne felt this did constitute a breach of their contract.

Suddenly Book launched the ball into the air and backed off hastily as Simon jumped for it and Jayne jumped for him. Expecting the blow, Simon stumbled heavily but managed to hold onto the ball when Jayne threw one muscled shoulder into him. Kaylee was at his elbow and he passed the ball hastily to her.

The game had begun.

Tbc . . .