Disclaimer: You know the drill.
A/N: I had literally nothing planned for this chapter. I pretty much decided, 'Hey! Chapter 10!' and wrote. What you're reading is me winging-it.
River's eyes fluttered opened. She still felt... off, but better. At least she could feel. It was just a bit slower in pace than average. She wrapped her arms around Jayne's soft pillow and just lay there, cuddling it. It felt nice, warm. It smelled good, like Jayne. This thought made River pause. When had she begun to find Jayne's scent pleasing? He smelled of sweat, guns, and man. That disgusted her. It used to, at least. The human body sometimes changed its reaction to stimuli. That must be the case. Odd.
Jayne jumped up and crouched in front of her. She hugged the pillow tighter against herself. It was comforting in some way. It made her feel safe, loved, warm inside. She felt the corners of her lips tug up. River blinked at Jayne.
"He wishes to speak to her?"
"Yeah, uh, mind if'n I sit down?" He was gesturing to the bed. River thought it was comical that he asked permission to sit on his own bed. She nodded and sat up, curling her legs up and looking expectantly at Jayne. He warily sat down, keeping as much distance as possible between the two.
This was going to be a long and uncomfortable talk.
This were gonna be one hell of a long and uncomfortable talk.
He nervously ran 'is fingers through his hair. He looked over and saw her starin' at him with wide eyes. It was makin' him feel ruttin' awkward as hell. At that thought she glanced down.
"River, look'a me." She obliged, and clutched that damn pillow even closer. She looked like a scared little mouse.
She shook her head. "She is not scared."
"Liar. Yer terrified of me." Jayne knew. He was good at spottin' lies. He was a gorram good liar hisself. Takes one ta know one.
She nodded slowly. "Her fear is irrational."
"Errational! Gorramit, girl! Ya think it's dumb ta be 'fraid of a rapist!" She fliched. He was gettin' a bit too used ta the word 'rape' fer his own likin.'
"Irrational."
"It ain't!"
"It is. There is nothing to be afraid of. He will not harm her, but she is still afraid. Her emotions seem to be stuck in the past." Jayne paused. Made sense, he s'posed. He weren't gonna hurt 'gain. Not ever. He were glad she knew that, but he weren't so sure hisself. He hadn't meant to hurt her in the first place.
"River, I-"
"No." She dropped the ching jong mei yong de pillow an' scooted up next to him. He weren't sure he was comfortable with her that close. "He will never hurt her. She trusts him." She wrapped her arms 'round him and squeezed.
"What in the-!"
"Shh."
Were she huggin' him? She were ruttin' huggin' him! Why fer? He didn't do nuthin' to 'er. Nuthin' good at least. She never even accepted his gorram apology! Jayne just sighed and wrapped his arms 'round her, tryin' to pour all'a his guilt, sorrow, care, an' comfort inta her. Finally an' all too soon, she pulled away. Lookin' in his eyes with a smile he hadn't seen since 'afore last night, she whispered up to him while she managed ta wiggle onta his lap. "She forgives him." Never lookin' away from him, she planted her lips on top of his and threw her arms 'round his neck. An' gorram if he weren't kissin' her back. An' gorram if she didn't taste like apples.
An' gorram if Jayne Cobb didn't love hisself some apples.
Book's arms were crossed. He felt as though he were watching a tennis game. Mal, Kaylee, Mal, Kaylee, Mal, Kaylee. He felt his head snap forward of its own accord. He realized Wash had spoken.
"You got something to say, husband?" Zoe's eyes narrowed. Book had to admit that Wash was a brave man.
"Yeah, I- uh, I don't think Jayne is going to hurt her." Book couldn't believe the man was openly opposing his wife. "But," Ah, there it was. "I think that they do need to come out eventually, so, why don't we give them another two or three hours and then pop the hatch?"
Book was surprised to see Zoe smile and join her husband at the middle of the table. Mal didn't seem to find this a betrayal; he didn't notice that there was more to their places around the table than coincidental seating. Book didn't want to judge others, it was not his place, but the evidence against Jayne was fairly incriminating.
"Captain," Zoe mediated, "I think that there's some merit to Wash's plan, sir. What about you, Kaylee? 'Nara? Simon?"
Kaylee and Inara both nodded slowly. Simon sputtered and made his distaste of the idea clear. Book made sure his reaction didn't show. Mal just shook his head. "This is a fa kuang idea, y'all know it. Fine! Ai ya! We'll do it Wash's way, but we only give 'em an hour starting now, dong ma?" With that, Mal turned and stormed out. Book repressed a chuckle. Mal always needed his control. It was his ship, after all. He repressed another a chuckle.