"You look good Jayne."
Jayne looked at Kaylee doubtfully. He smoothed his hand over the blue fabric, as if reassuring himself that it was really him wearing the crisp, official looking uniform. Kaylee beamed at him and reached up, standing on tip toes to adjust his cap.
"You look like a regular hero Jayne Cobb."
Jayne smiled down at the top of her head. He couldn't imagine Serenity without Kaylee, always making everybody feel good, even if they didn't deserve it. Especially those who'd sell out others for cash. Or maybe, secretly, for a girl. He knew that she definitely shouldn't be nice to him, could get the both of them in a peck of trouble. He was all set to be villainous today, to get her supposed sweetheart and his mind-fucked sister pinched. But now here she was telling him he looked like a hero.
i Maybe my mustache isn't big or black enough. /i he thought irritably, wishing she'd said something else.
Kaylee's hand brushed his ass. "Your rear looks right shiny in those trousers!" She grinned at him. He winked back at her.
Of course, the Doc would pick now to come flouncing in with his ingenious plan and his fancy shoes. Kaylee immediately forgot the mercenary, uniform and all. She fluttered around him, shy and nervous. Jayne hated Simon for making Kaylee shy like that. Kaylee was usually anything i but /i shy. He looked away, not wanting to seem interested.
A few minutes later Kaylee walked over to where he was standing, trying to look nonchalant. She seemed sad and all manner of frustrated. She didn't look at him, preferring to look at her shoes. Jayne had never been very good with women when they were sad and was at a loss as to what to do. "Are you sure I look convincin' enough?" he said suddenly. "'Course, Jayne. You look right i swai /i in it. Wish you dressed like this everyday. Then maybe I could get the Doc off my mind."
She gave him a small, sad smile.
He winked at her. "Don't worry darlin'. I'm pretty sure you won't have to think on him much longer."
Kaylee gave him a questioning look, just as Mal entered the cargo bay. "Alright, Jayne, you ready to play the hero?"
He gave Kaylee a last smile before clambering into the salvaged ambulance.
"I reckon I am."