Pained Hearts Chapter 6

Authors Note: Hey all… I am sorry it has been almost a month since my last installment. Now that I have two jobs and a BF I was a little busy… Plus I had wicked bad writers block which sucks. But here it is…

As dinner came around the Cobb family refused to let anyone lift a finger to help out. “Come on Jayne, it’d be rude to have our guests workin’… Tomorrow might be another story.” Josh laughed out. Jayne chuckled, knowing full well he was going to be the only one from Serenity doing any of the work Josh was talking about. Everyone was telling jokes and making small talk while they were serving themselves some food. Kaylee was hurrying around the table with two plates trying to get food for Simon and her. “Kaylee, dear, let me help you with that.” Ellie said picking up one of the plates. The two women headed into the house together half smiling.

“So, Mal, Jayne told us you get shot a lot.” James said with a smile. “What’s that like?” Mal looked up at him and smiled. “Well, it is a barrel of fun… You should try it sometime.” He said taking a bite of his biscuit. Mostly everyone burst out laughing leaving Vera and Inara to glare at the men and River who seemed to be shrinking into her seat.

Zoe was the first to notice how pale River was. Sweat was gathering on her knitted brows and her eyes were unfocused. Her voice broke through the men’s laughter. “River honey, are you alright?” The only reply was a small soft whimper.

What’s wrong with her? She don’t look good… Ain’t gonna go all fung luh on us is she? Something isn’t right, she is too pale. What’s wrong? How come I didn’t notice there was something wrong? I hope she isn’t ill, that poor child has been through enough.

River whimpered again. All eyes were on her now… Her head snapped to look at each person’s new thoughts, there were too many. Her stomach turned and her eyes started to roll back into her head. Then suddenly her eyes snapped open when she heard Jayne’s voice. “Crazy?” His arm was around her keeping her from falling out of her seat.

“Let's get her to her brother.” Zoe said quickly. Jayne nodded and stood up bringing River with him. As soon as her feet touched the ground River just fell down limply. Everyone gasped; Jayne scooped her up as fast as he could. Fear and panic took over. “Girl, you okay? River?” Jayne called to her quietly. “To loud!” she whispered leaning against Jayne her eyes shut tight. “It’s okay.” Jayne said comforting the “oh so small” looking girl, he was cradling in his arms.

As Jayne took River inside, Mrs. And Mr. Cobb stared at each other knowingly. “Seems Jayne is rather attached to that girl. Odd how just months before he was saying he’d wish she’d just go away.” Robert said matter-of-factly.

“River is now a part of the crew… I think Jayne feels comfortable with her. They have a lot in common, even though River does things to annoy Jayne…” Inara explained. Mal nodded and then shrugged. -- Simon was just sitting down with Kaylee and Ellie to eat when Jayne walked in carrying his sister who looked less than healthy at the moment. He quickly stood, “What is wrong?” He asked checking her over. “I’m alright Simon.” River said yawning. Simon pursed his lips and looked to Jayne for an answer. “She said it was too loud with all of their thoughts… Guess she shouldn’t be around my family much anymore.” Jayne pouted out. He was really disappointed that she couldn’t spend time with him and his family.

Jayne’s gut tightened in realization. He really cared for River, and it scared him. “Here. Take her.” Jayne said putting River on her own two feet before fleeing the room. River growled out loud as Jayne left. Simon put his arm around her and moved her towards the empty seat next to his and Kaylee’s. “No!” She yelled and pushed Simon away. She turned and exited the room mumbling something about men and boobs and stubborn and tying someone up. -- Jayne walked into his old room and sat on his small bed. It was no longer the lust and the need to protect River for him, like it had been when he discovered who she really was under all the crazed innocence her brother dressed her up in. It had become love… He, Jayne Cobb, the grumpy old mercenary was in love. And it scared him.

River watched from the doorway, her body pressed against the frame and her hair hanging in her face hiding her small smile.

“Nine.” She said calmly. Jayne’s eyes shot up to look at her. “What are you doing here girl?” he growled out. River ignored him and continued to look around the room from her perch at the door. “Nine.” she repeated. Confused, Jayne asked, “Nine what?” River looked at him, giving him that “I am smarter than you” look. “Women…” she said pausing. Before Jayne could say anything she continued. “You have had sex with nine women in here.”

Jayne swallowed hard, she knew about them and he felt guilty. “Yeah, but that was when I was a kid.” River lifted an eyebrow. “You still have sex with women. And you’re not a kid now.” She pointed out, pushing away from the door frame. Jayne scowled, “Yea’, what’s your point girl?” River ginned and took a few small slow steps towards him.

“Jayne never kissed any of them on the lips.” She stopped in front of him making him look up at her. “I don’t kiss on the mouth, everyone knows that. They are just there so I can get some tail.” Jayne said gruffly.

“I’m not tail… This girl means more to you.” River said, their eyes locked, neither willing to blink. “No ya ain’t.” He said averting his eyes from hers. The word “Liar” from River’s mouth brought his eyes back to her. “Jayne I am a mind reader. You like her… and she likes you.”

Joy spread through Jayne as she said those last words. He looked over at River and said “Is that so?” River nodded and stepped fully into the room. An evil grin spread over her face with every step she took towards Jayne. “You’re going to kiss her… On the lips.” River stated, stopping in front Jayne. “You sure?” Jayne asked taking her hips in his hands. She was small but fit perfectly in his grip. “Yes.” River gasped out as Jayne pulled her onto his lap.

Jayne knew if anyone from Serenity had walked in at that moment he would be humped; River was straddling him, her dress up by her hips where his hands still sat. But to Jayne it was worth the risk. He glided his hand up her back and let it sit at the base of her neck, pulling her closer, so that he could ever so gently press his lips to her. Electricity shot through River starting at her lips, she couldn’t help but gasp at the sensation. Jayne pulled away and smiled.

He opened his mouth to ask her if she was okay, but River launched herself onto his mouth. Jayne couldn’t help but respond quickly, sliding his tongue into her mouth. All River could do was moan into his mouth. They melted into each other as they continued kissing, only gasping for air, before reattaching their lips to one another.

In an instant River was out of Jayne’s arms and standing four feet from him. “What da hell… What’s wrong? Ya don’t like it none?” Jayne asked very confused. River didn’t answer but looked to the door in waiting. Jayne’s brought his brows together and let out a low growl as Mal appeared in the door frame.

“Hey little Albatross… You doing any better?” Mal paused looking at the two sensing that something was wrong. “I’m not interruptin’ anything am I? Jayne?” Mal asked in his “Captainy” voice. Jayne shook his head and stood up. “Nah Mal. Just gonna get some sleep. The girl might need some too… We’s were just talkin’ ‘bout taking her back to the ship is all.” Jayne lied, glancing at River, waiting for her to say something... anything.

“I want to sleep under the stars…” River said as if on cue. Both men stared at her in shock. “Huh?” Mal asked, confusion written all over his face. River looked at the floor and said. “She… I have never “camped out” before. It wasn’t proper… And being left on a deserted moon to see if I would live or die… Doesn’t count…”

Feelings of guilt and sorrow hit both men. River never really talked about her time at the Academy, so when she did it wasn’t pleasant. Mal instantly felt bad that River never had a proper childhood and he knew if he could do anything to make it better for her he would. “Alright, I’ll see what we can scrounge up for a tent.” Mal said and turned to leave.

“NO!” River yelped. “Too many thoughts, she’ll get lost again.” She mumbled, shaking slightly. Jayne had to fight the urge to rush over to her and wrap his arms around her and protect her from everything. “I’m not letting you stay outside with no tent all by your lonesome River.” Mal stated roughly. River looked up with only her eyes. Both men could see the mischief behind them. “Jayne will go with. Doesn’t hurt her head when thinks…” Jayne went rigid as she opened her mouth to day something more. “I rather enjoy HIS thoughts…” That girl was going to get him shot or worse put in a damn airlock.

Mal was about to protest when he saw River pouting. Tears in the corner eyes, lower lip jutted out ever so slightly and her big brown eyes pleading silently. He sighed making River smile. “Thank you Capt’n Daddy!” River cheered pulling Mal into a hug. “I haven’t said yes yet.” Mal protested. River cocked her head to one side and lifted an eye brow at him. “Gorram mind reading genius.” Mal muttered out. “Jayne keep her safe or the airlock will be the least of your problems. DONG MA?” Jayne nodded and watched Mal leave the room.

River looked at Jayne grinning. They were going camping all alone. Now this can be interesting…

I promise it will get better and there is a treat in the next couple chapters to come. I hoped you like this one. I will try to whip out the next chapter very soon.