A/N: Written for the fall challenge over at Copper for a Kiss. Prompt # 28 Acorn.

Jayne had an uncanny knack for finding the moon-brain; especially when he wasn't looking for her. She always seemed to be popping up wherever he was, like his own personal shadow. So it was, that one day after their latest shipment had been acquired he found her in amongst the nuts he had been sent to sort. He scoffed; really it was the perfect place for her to be. She'd fit right in. Even with her brother continually telling him she was better now, she'd always be moon-brain to him. Still though, it was unsettlin' to see her knee deep in what would amount to his next payment. Buddha only knew what she could get up to with them nuts.

Jayne stopped in his tracks when he noticed the crazy girl was wearing nothing more then her white cotton undies and a tight white tank top. He decided it was definitely not appropriate for him to be having the thoughts he was currently having and shook his head to rid himself of them. "What the gorram hell are you doing Moony?" he asked, annoyance tinged with confusion seeping through in his tone. He also wondered why whenever he saw her lately she was scantily clad. It was almost as if she went out of her way to be as naked as possible around him.

"I am communing with the patience seed" she responded as if the words she spoke made perfect sense. Jayne rolled his eyes. Like usual, he had no idea what she was talking about. He scratched his head and did his best impression of a cave-man while she regarded him with her patented "you are a boob" face.

"Patience seed?" he asked, knowing all along he would more then likely regret engaging the girl in conversation.

"Great oaks from little acorns grow," she quoted, after a moment of pause revealed he still didn't understand, she continued, "Patience is a virtue I lack. I am asking the acorns." That clarification really didn't help much. Jayne knew he shouldn't have asked. But still, if the girl was up to something creepifyin' then he really did want to know about it. With River around it was always important to be prepared. He had learned that lesson with a knife dragged across his chest. He winced at that memory.

He rolled his eyes once more. It really was important to know what she was up to besides, curiosity was definitely beginning to creep its way into his mind. River smirked. He got the feeling curiosity wasn't the only thing creeping into his mind.

"What do you need patience for feng le?" He asked, trying to keep his voice calm. Don't piss off the crazy girl; that way leads to blood and pain and possibly soup in the hair. She just cocked her head to the side as if she were listening to something only she could hear. She put her finger to her full lips before whispering, "Shh, they're telling tales." Well, wasn't that just creepifyin'?

A few moments of silence stretched between them while River listened to the "tales" the acorns had to tell. Jayne spent the silence trying to figure out the girl's meaning. He failed miserably. He wasn't sure if it was her words or her state of undress that rendered him unable to decipher her meaning. River smirked again.

"Stay outta my head girl!" he growled, slightly embarrassed. Then, in a more aggravated tone he added, "And answer my question. What do you need patience for?" Truth be told, he was getting a little fed up with this conversation.

In response to his gruffly delivered demand River danced her way out of the pile of acorns, sending a few skidding across the floor. She glided to a stop right in front of him, and placing her small hands on his t-shirt clad chest she smiled. "You," she whispered before leaning up to plant a small kiss on his cheek. Before Jayne could even react the gorram crazy girl had danced out of the cargo bay. Maybe he should ask the acorns for patience.