Disclaimer: Joss is my Master!
A/N: a continuation of Jayne's Turn
River was never certain just how long after the Operative's 'stand-down' order she stood there.
Normally, Simon would have rushed over and fussed at her but Simon had been shot. All of Serenity's crew was injured, except for River and Inara, and Inara's entire focus was on the Captain. Mal had been determined to show the Operative his "world without sin" and was now in the process of passing out from the consequences.
An so River stood among the bodies with her captured Reaver weapons held loosely in her small hands-not an immediate threat but easily able to become one if needed.
It could have been minutes or hours that she stood there.
Finally, it was Jayne who approached her.
He walked slowly, his arms extended slightly in front of him to show he had no weapons in his hands. She could see he was uncertain whether she would recognize him.
As he approached she glanced down at the floor, watching his boots moving carefully among the dead. Finally, Jayne drew to a stop in front of her.
"Your turn?" River asked, with just the slighted hope in her voice.
"Yeah, yeah, River-girl, my turn. My turn to take care of you."
Carefully, as if she was the most precious thing he had ever touched, Jayne pushed her hair back from her face tucking it behind her ear. Cupping her chin he brought her face up to meet his eyes.
"My turn now, then later-maybe it'll be our turn…"
The smile on her face was all the answer Jayne could ever want or need.