Simon slid the cargo bay door closed behind them with as much force as he could muster, causing it to slam loudly. The sound echoed down the metal body of the ship and it caused Jayne to flinch as if being struck. He looked down at his feet, unable to look the doctor in the eye.
"What was that?" Simon finally asked. Jayne didn't answer. Simon slammed the palm of his hand against the mercenary's chest, pushing him back against the wall. "If you ever touch my sister again—"
Jayne shoved him away with such power that the doctor would have fallen to the ground if he hadn't grabbed the opposite wall.
"I ain't done nothin' but take care of that little girl!" the big man growled, looking up at Simon darkly. "Don't you dare say I done somethin' wrong to her. I would never hurt her."
"What do you call that then?" Simon shouted, gesturing toward the cargo bay. "I don't think happy girls do that, do you?"
"River weren't never a happy girl!" Jayne replied. "Ya may not say it, but I know yer bitter 'bought her distrupting yer perfect little life! She's more my kin than yer kin! You don't understand her like I do!"
Simon shoved him again but this time Jayne didn't budge. He was done getting pushed around.
"How dare you! She's my sister!" the doctor sneered.
"And you can't stand it that she loves me too." Jayne shouted.
There was dead silence for a moment as both men processed this statement. They both were breathing heavily as if they had run a long distance, adrenaline pumping through their veins.
"River could never love an ignorant ape like you." Simon said at last.
He didn't even have time to react before Jayne's fist slammed into his face. The doctor fell to the floor, blood pouring from his nose and dripping onto his fancy silk vest. The cargo door opened and Kaylee poked her head in.
"Simon!" she exclaimed, rushing in to help him. "Jayne, what did ya do?"
The big man stood in silence, looking down at Simon with eyes hard as flint, his hands still clenched into fists. Then he turned and walked away without a word.