A/N: I am SO sorry that it took this long to update my story, but my laptop crashed. I lost the whole hard drive and had to return it to the manufacturer to get it fixed. That took entirely too long and they still haven't sent my battery back after being contacted about it. ANYWAYS- getting on topic here. After re-reading the first chapter I realized just how awkward all the foreign cuss words felt in the story, so this time I removed them completely despite losing some accuracy in transferring from the show. I hope that's okay with all of you. Thanks so much for everyone who reviewed, I appreciated those so much and hope that more will come. I hope this second chapter was worth the wait.
Simon looked around the room nervously- drumming his fingers on the counter while watching a pot of the amorphous protein they passed for food bubble in a pot. He jumped and turned when he heard heavy footsteps approaching- afraid that they belonged to the one person he currently feared on this boat. River hopped into the kitchen with a wide grin on her face. She had been uncharacteristically quiet as of late and often gave him conspiratorial looks that could only mean trouble.
When he smelled the odd odor that signified the "food" was done he served River and himself a bowl. Sitting her down and getting her prepped for interaction with the others took only a minute but that was entirely too long for his dinner time jitters. Grabbing his own bowl he headed to the only spot that he really felt safe on the ship- his infirmary. Finally safe, he smiled when the ratty beat down couch came into view. From what he had overheard the couch had been on Serenity longer than any of the crew including the captain and it has long earned a place of respect among all of them.
He forced himself to take a few bites of the food (Jayne's words in the bathing room had been echoing inside his mind ever since), but was unable to eat even half. Lately he hadn't been able to eat much of anything let alone their food substitute- he'd begun losing weight and the crew was beginning to notice, so he had taken to eating alone (which just so happened to coincide with his wish to avoid Jayne). He prided himself on the fact that for approximately two weeks they hadn't been in a room alone together despite Jayne's attempts to corner him.
He sank back into the ever deepening couch and rubbed his eyes- insomnia taking its own toll on his current condition. Closing his eyes he felt as though he might actually be able to take a quick nap. He stretched and yawned- looking very much like a kitten when he heard a barely audible "Awwww…". Jayne immediately turned red and cleared his throat, looking as though he might turn away despite finally finding Simon in a compromising position.
Simon wished he could just run, but he knew this would come sometime if he and River were to stay on this ship. He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a deep sigh, "I suppose this has been a long time coming."
"Well, don't sound so excited 'bout it." Jayne gave a sheepish grin, his attempt at lightening Simon's mood falling flat. He dropped heavily beside the smaller man and placed two shot glasses with one and a half bottles of some really foul smelling spirits on the table with a clink. "Y'know you should really try an' eat more," he gestured vaguely at the doctor "it's starting to show. And that's a shame for such a…. healthy man such as yerself." He rubbed his neck awkwardly "You wanna… talk or sumthin'?"
Simon laughed halfheartedly and turned to look at Jayne for the first time since he entered the room. " Is that what the alcohol is for? That actually works quite well for me. Communicating has never exactly been emphasized in my family- hence River's extreme condition." He attempted a smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. He expected a laugh or even a look of disdain, but to his surprise the mercenary had a soft, concerned look in his eyes. He was confused for a moment, but then he remembered the strangeness of their confrontation weeks earlier. "Jayne- what exactly are you hoping to get out of this?" He watched the other man intently and felt taken aback when he saw hurt blossom across Jayne's face.
"I see how it is then." Jayne moved to get up, but stopped when Simon laid his hand on the older man's arm. The look on his face was so full of hurt and desperation Jayne scolded himself for being so brash. He quietly filled the glasses and handed one to the doctor. For the first few minutes they drank in silence- neither willing to make the first move, but soon fighting the intoxication became too difficult.
Jayne turned to the other man and watched as his head lolled back and forth, not holding his liquor as well as the much more 'experienced' mercenary. When he finally caught Simon's eyes, he couldn't help himself from spilling out everything that had been swirling within him for the last few months. "I aint never met a person as stubborn, prissy, or ornery as you. For some reason, I like that. I've tried my best to ignore you and erm- distract myself with other exploits, but for some reason I just can't get you outta my head. There, said it." He put his lips to the bottle in his hands and took a generous swig, hissing as he swallowed.
He couldn't bring himself to look at the doctor in fear of rejection, but slowly turned when he felt a careful hand massage his shoulder. To his surprise he met a pair of soft, pink lips and frightened blue eyes.