The muse's name is April. She prompted me with security…and viola…a treat for Halloween.
I don't own this, well, I own a fabulous molasses cookie recipe, but other than that, I own nothing.
Security Blankets and Molasses Cookies
"What is she doing?" Simon asked Kaylee as he walked into the mess and sat next to her on the couch.
"She's makin' cookies," Kaylee told him with a smile.
"Won't share, don't even ask," River threw over her shoulders at the pair. Kaylee's smile fell into a frown.
"Spent all o' your pay on flour an' ya ain't gonna share? That ain't right," Kaylee grumbled.
"Why is she making cookies?" Simon asked, confused.
"Took me all mornin' to figure it out, but I conjured it's Jayne," she explained. "Notice how he came back all bruised?"
"Yeah, but I figured it was just a bar brawl, he does like to start those," Simon supplied.
"It was a bar brawl alright," she agreed. "River and Jayne were supposed to be casing the place for the next job when River bumped into some man. Guess the man tried to feel her up an' she decided to break his hand."
Simon's eyes widened in shock. "She didn't say anything about it, is she okay?" Kaylee shook her head.
"'Course, don't make it more than it is," Kaylee huffed. "So's Jayne's in the back of the bar, doin' his job, when he sees River's takin' on the whole bar." Simon looked a little green. Kaylee put her hand up to stop him from interrupting. "Let me finish, and yes, she's fine and dandy. River's got 'em all taken down, and some guy walkin' in sees this passel of men on the floor, River fending off a last man, and he pulls his gun." Simon sucked in air, Kaylee shook her head. "Jayne grabbed the gun, but the guy put up quite a fight. That's why he's got the bruises."
"What does this horrific story have to do with River making cookies?" he finally spit out.
"Jayne is River's protector," River sang from her spot by the oven.
"But you took out the whole bar. He only took out one guy, sounds like he didn't even help you with the others, just watched," Simon argued. "Why spend your entire pay on flour and sugar for Jayne?"
"Silly Simon," River giggled. "Jayne doesn't smother, only helps when needed. Like a security blanket. Just in case. I like to fight my own battles."
"I don't even like Molasses cookies," Kaylee butted in. "Just so you know, I prefer chocolate chip."
"Next time you save my life," River told her smiling. "I'll make chocolate chip."
"My sister seems to think you saved her life," Simon told Jayne. He'd found him in the cargo bay, working with his weights.
"Nah, just got us outta there a little faster," Jayne grunted, lifting the weight bar back to its resting place. "Hell, I probably slowed her down."
"She's making you cookies," Simon added. "And calling you her security blanket."
"Got no need for protein mash made to look like cookies," Jayne said, grimacing. "Ain't no girl's blanket neither."
"You don't understand she spent all her pay from the last job to buy flour, sugar, even molasses."
"Molasses," Jayne perked up. "Ain't had molasses cookies in years, she can call me whatever she wants if'n I get molasses cookies outta the deal." Jayne smiled like a little kid and turned toward the mess to taste his sweet reward.