Serenity was two hours away from setting down on a nice, quiet, natural moon that had been terra formed for recreation and wildlife preservation. River had read up on the moon on the cortex downloading many trail, hiking, swimming and biking guides. She noted that the weather pattern was comparable to that of Osiris, with a temperate, warm climate and many lakes, streams, fields and trails to picnic, hike, camp and bike on. It was a "pack in" moon which meant there was nothing but nature. You brought in what you needed and took it back with you when you were done. No official camping facilities or restrooms or picnic areas, just nature in her glory.

The crew had been in the black for over three weeks and everyone was itching to get out and enjoy the sunshine and some fun recreation. Simon and Kaylee planned to bike to a nearby river for some "fishing" which everyone realized really meant sex by the river even if they did go to all the trouble of dragging fishing poles with them. On a recent stop, Simon had come back to Serenity with four beautiful mountain bikes after spending a grand total of twenty minutes setting and casting Badgers broken wrist and administering a mild pain killer. He'd laughed off the idea of collecting any fee from Badger so Badger insisted Simon take the four new bicycles as payment. How Badger had acquired them didn't really matter, Simon realized they probably had a questionable history but after a brief hesitation, he agreed. It would do them all good to get some off ship exercise when ever they could fit it in and the bikes could be easily stowed in the cargo bay.

Mal and Jayne planned to hike to a nearby lake for a swim, while Zoe and Inara were planning a picnic fairly close to the ship in the shade of a large oak tree. River noted that Zoe seemed more relaxed and was dealing fairly well with Wash's death. Mal and Inara were getting along well and seemed to be heading down a path of commitment and comfort with each other. Jayne had begun to laugh and joke with the crew again and he seemed to be more accepting of his dual role as both Serenity's protector and family member. They'd all become much closer as they healed.

River planned on joining Inara and Zoe for their picnic lunch then taking a nice afternoon nap in the shade, then after the weather cooled slightly she would bike one of the many trails that lead to the lake where she would meet up with Mal and Jayne to enjoy a swim. The three of them would then hike back to the ship together pushing the bike along with them or riding it if one of them desired.

River put on a sport bra and bike shorts that would also serve as an appropriate swim suit and threw on a colorful tank top to wear as she picnicked and biked. She carefully slathered on sunscreen and dug through her dresser to find the old ball cap and sunglasses she kept for such occasions. She chose to wear an old pair of Kaylee's canvas athletic shoes that would protect her feet as she biked and that could also be worn into the lake for swimming. She put her hair up in a ponytail, and shoved the cap and sun glasses into her back pack and headed out.

"Little Albatross, you be careful on that bike. No stopping, just ride on til you hit the lake. Jayne and I'll stay on shore close to where the trail ends so you should be able to easily find us. I figure it should take ya about an hour or so."

River smiled and assured the Captain she would be careful. As Mal and Jayne began to walk off, Jayne hesitated and said something inaudible to Mal who shrugged and took off walking as Jayne ran back towards her.

"Hey Moonbrain, come with me fer a sec I wanna get ya a gun to put in your pack just in case ya run into trouble."

River followed Jayne down to his bunk. She'd been there before, but always enjoyed getting to see his girls hanging on the wall behind the blanket and getting a good dose of Jayne's unique man scent. Jayne briefly perused his collection, finally grabbing Roxanne, a small five shot 38 special that would be light enough in Rivers back pack and tiny enough to fit into her small grip while providing her with good protection should she need it.

Jayne was starting to see River for the beautiful, confident young women she had become. While he admitted she used to annoy him, now he was used to her strange way of speaking and realized she did make sense, she just used different words to convey her meaning. She didn't have the wild swings in her emotions as in the past and seemed to be calm and comfortable around the crew and around him. He also struggled with the growing attraction he felt towards her. They spent time together on jobs and during their leisure time on the ship. He'd sit with her in the common area on occasion and watch films on the cortex with her. She'd join him dirt side on shopping trips to buy supplies, ammo and parts for his guns. They'd often dined together while running errands and he liked being with her. He also knew she was less likely to run into trouble when he was with her.

He noticed on more than one occasion the looks she got from the local menfolk. One unfortunate dumb-ass even catcalled at her when she'd walked out of a store without him. As Jayne exited the store a moment later, he'd heard the man trying to come on to her. She was unconcerned and almost amused by the attention from the man. He was short, bald and paunchy and had bad teeth. She'd almost thought for a brief moment of actually walking over to him and pretending to be interested just to see what he would do and just how nervous she could make him. Jayne was having none of it and stalked over and knocked the hun dan to the pavement. She weren't no piece of ass and it irked him something fierce when idiots came onto her.

He also puffed up a bit in her company as he knew most folks assumed they were a couple and it gave him a secret rush to play the part accordingly. He even found himself spiffing up an extra bit when going out with her. An extra careful shave, a splash of his nicer after shave and more effort in the clothes he chose to wear. On more than one occasion, nice folk would comment on what a beautiful wife he had and an odd, pleasing feeling would come over him. River for her part played right along and would often smile and take his hand or wind an arm into his and walk along with him. She'd further surprised him once when she leaned up and kissed his cheek when answering an old Granny as to how long they'd been "married." "We're newlyweds" she'd giggled to the old woman. When she kissed him, he felt a powerful sensation in his gut and a shiver down his spine. What in the hell was she doing to him he sighed to himself.

"Mal an' I are gonna stay at the lake til late afternoon then head back to the ship. Ya sure yer gonna be all right by yerself? I can dump his sorry ass and bike with ya if ya want me to?"

"Thank you Jayne, but I'll be fine. It will only take me about an hour to join you and I will enjoy the time alone to relax and ride." He slammed his bunk shut and they walked out of the ship together, Jayne taking note of her cute little outfit she'd put together and the lack of a proper helmut. "Hey, hop up on that bike and let me check the seat height and the handle bar height before ya take off." She obliged and got onto the bike. Jayne's strong hand held the bike upright as she placed both feet on the peddles. Jayne noted the seat was too low, he skimmed his hand along her thigh and behind her knee, "Ya should be able to almost fully extend yer leg with just a slight bend at yer knee, the seat's too low as yer knee's all bent up... hang on a sec and I'll go grab my tools an adjust it." River moaned inwardly as his hand ran over her thigh. Why did her body respond whenever he touched her or she touched him? Simon touched her all the time and she never felt this way. The Captain casually touched her on occasion as did Wash and they didn't make her shiver like Jayne did. What was wrong with her she wondered?

River found herself actually seeking physical contact with Jayne. She often touched him, held his hand or grabbed his arm when they were together. She didn't like being in crowds and getting jostled about and noted that Jayne never seemed to mind when she clung to him or touched him. She'd even been so bold as to kiss his cheek once as they shopped together. He didn't seem to mind that either. Actually, she realized that he touched her quite often as well and she smiled. He'd lift her out of the mule, or place his hand on her back when walking behind her and just like now, he'd brush his hand against her at the dinner table or while seated next to her in the mule. She watched him jog off to the cargo bay. He was tanned, tone and all muscle. How did he get tan in the black she mused. She knew how hard he worked at keeping his body tough and toned with his weight lifting, but the tan color of his skin always amazed her. He returned and she got off the bike as he raised the seat slightly. "Okay, jump back on. How's that feel now?"

"Good, I fit better now."

He tinkered for another minute checking the lug nuts on the wheels and making sure the handle bar was tight and the brakes worked properly. "Kay, yer all set Moonbrain...have fun." He watched as she rode off towards Inara and Zoe noting again that she wasn't wearing a helmet.

"Don't go crashing that fancy ass bike and damaging that genius brain a yers no more, don't want ya forgetting' yer times tables or yer abc's" he shouted after her. River turned and gave him a dazzling smile and waived him off. Once, those comments would have angered and hurt her, but now she realized he was being playful as only Jayne could be. She laughed and thought of how far they'd come.

He watched her ride off, ponytail blowing in the breeze and got the damn shivers again when she turned and dazzled him with a beautiful smile. "Hope she don't take a fall and knock all them gorgeous teeth right outta that pretty little mouth a hers" he muttered as he sped up to join Mal.