Jayne flopped down into the snow, exhausted, staring up at the pale blue sky. He had dragged that piece of metal up the big hill at least ten times and now, gorramit, he was pretty near all tuckered out! River, however, seemed to have boundless energy. Of course, she wasn't the one who had to carry their makeshift sled. She bent over him, her long, wet hair falling around her face.
"Just once more?" she asked, sounding and looking very much like a little girl.
"I'm all worn out." Jayne replied, panting. "Ain't you tired yet?"
River shook her head.
"Well, I am and if you want to play some more I have to get some food in me." He heaved himself to his feet, dusting the snow off his coat and the back of his pants. "Let's go."
River bounded ahead of him, stopping every now and then to catch snowflakes on her tongue while she waited for Jayne to catch up. He smiled, something he didn't do often. River's playful antics reminded him of his little brother. Something roused inside of him, like sympathy and understanding, toward Simon. If anyone cut on Matty like River had been cut on he would want blood. He would do anything to keep Matty safe. That didn't mean he liked Simon any better. He just understood him.
"Hurry up, slow poke!" River called, waking Jayne from his silent reverie. She took one of his big hands in her two small ones and pulled him along.
"I'm comin', girl!" he complained, gently tugging her hair in a teasing manner. River's laugh was like a high, clear bell. Jayne could hardly believe that only just over a year ago he had tried to turn this happy, playful girl over to the Alliance for money. Just the thought made his stomach churn with guilt. It was for precisely that reason that he watched over her so closely, that he was so patient with her. It wasn't good enough to say he was sorry. He had to prove it.
"There she is!" chimed River. "There's Serenity, just where I left her!"
"Did ya think she'd a crawled off while we was gone?" Jayne asked. River stuck her tongue out at him.
They stamped their boots to jar the snow loose as they walked up the cargo ramp. The cargo bay was ice cold; a few small icicles hung from the catwalk.
"Who left the door open?" Jayne yelled, as he pushed the button to close the doors. "Tryin' to make the whole ship a gorram freezer?" He beat his arms against his body in an effort to coax some warmth back into his numbed limbs. River stood patiently waiting for him.
"Let's get some supper, eh?" he said, throwing an arm around her and leading her up the stairs.
The rec room was cozy and warm and filled with good smells. Simon, who had been in his room, came in to get something warm to eat and apologize to Kaylee. He was startled to find Jayne and River bundled up in blankets on the coach, slumped against each other for support. Both were sound asleep.
"Ain't that just a sweet sight?" Zoe sighed, coming out of the kitchen to stand next to Simon. The doctor's lip curled with disgust at the insinuation. Zoe didn't seem to notice and continued, "Jayne has been so good to that girl as of late. Sure makes things easier for the rest of us, with him takin' care of her an' all!"
"It's just swell." Simon mumbled sarcastically. "I should wake her…" He started to make a move toward the couch but Zoe caught him by the arm, holding him back with her vice-like grip.
"You leave that poor, tired girl alone." She murmured firmly. She gave him a warning look and then released him before turning and leaving the room. Simon rubbed his arm in an attempt to massage away the soreness. He glowered at Jayne before following Zoe out of the open doorway.
