You Give Me Fever

Happiness

Jayne awoke to a soft hand stroking his hair. He looked up into River's smiling face.

"Hey, baby, you feelin' ok?"

"Yes, much better. Never woken up with you before, how'd you get past the others?"

Jayne sighed and struggled to sit up, his back protesting loudly after a night spent hunched over. "Ya, 'bout that . . ."

River's eyes opened wide, "I told them! Oh, Jayne, I'm sorry! I'm a tattle-tale, a snitch, a whistle blower, a fink, a stoolpigeon– "

Jayne leaned forward and placed a gentle hand over her mouth, "Shh, don't worry, it didn't go too bad actually. Doc sees this ain't no short-term sex thing."

River's smile lit up the room. "It isn't? You mean you won't leave now that the thrill of secret is gone?"

"Oh, baby, trust me, you are all the thrill I need in my life." He ran a hand down her cheek. "Now, I gotta go get the doc. He said to call him and I'd say this is a big change."

Jayne got up , his back protesting again and walked across the hall, knocking on Simon's door. "Hey, wake up, I think she's better, I think the fever broke."

Simon slid open the door as he finished pulling a sweater over his head, "Is she awake?"

"Yup, and she's all there this time."

They walked into the room to see that River had propped herself up a bit and was looking a little nervously at Simon.

Simon quickly held up his empty hands, "No needles, I promise, but you will need to drink lots of juice so you don't get dehydrated."

River nodded "Yes, I am thirsty," but she still looked weary.

"What's wrong, mei mei?"

"Are you going to make trouble for Jayne now that I'm better?"

Simon sighed, "No, I'm not. I saw how gentle he was with you and how comfortable you were with him. I'm not going to take away something that makes you feel safe." River smiled at Simon and then smiled even bigger at Jayne, taking his hand once again. "I would like to know how long this has been going on."

"Three months in two days."

"You remembered!"

"'Course I did, after that fit you threw on the first month and the pout on the second."

River clapped her hands, "Good boy! I've trained you well!"

Simon let out a guffaw as Jayne tried to look angry.

River pulled a strand of her hair over her shoulder and looked at it, her nose wrinkling. "I need to shower."

Simon stepped forward, "Of course, let me just take your temperature first." Simon grabbed the thermometer off the bedside table and stuck it in her mouth, "No talking for a minute."

Jayne snorted and River glared up at him, but didn't talk, waiting for the thermometer to beep. It did, and Simon pulled it out, "99.1 degrees, much better, only slightly elevated, you'll probably be weak for a few days. I'll bring down a pitcher of juice for you, I'm guessing you don't want any food." River's face scrunched up and she stuck her tongue out. "Didn't think so. Also, you might need some help in the shower — "

"I got it, doc," Jayne picked up River suddenly, making her giggle.

She put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, "My hero."

"That's me, baby, a big damn hero." And he walked out to the showers.

Simon followed them out, shaking his head and smiling, she sounded so happy. Instead of heading to the showers, he went towards the stairs, giving in to his sudden desire to see Kaylee.