They were making ready to land. The merc had stayed in his bunk all morning, choosing to lay low, keeping out of the way of trouble and a certain member of the crew who it followed.
He was still cursing himself for being so stupid when his hatch door cracked opened.
"Jayne, you in there?"
It was Mal and he sounded pissed.
"Yeah." He answered sheepishly, fearing the worst.
" You have a mind to come help out with our cargo anytime soon?"
Cobb sighed with relief and dragged himself off his bed, "On m' way captain."
He was still in the clear, but for how long?
Maybe River would forget all about her little crush if he stayed away from her, paid her no attention.
Perhaps she'd forgotten already, who knew what went on in that crazy coconut of hers.
The thought gave him a little solace, but not hardly enough to lighten his mood.
Jaynes expression was hangdog as he slipped on his boots, "Understanding." He muttered to himself, shaking his head, " Why do folks always got to go understanding things." His shoulders slumped as made his way to the cargo hold.
They'd landed. He threw himself into action, busying himself with the job of unloading the hooch into Fredricks wagon.
They were half way through the job before she'd joined the rest of the crew to help.
Jayne swallowed hard when he saw her, averting his eyes almost reverently.
There was something unfamiliar in the air, something that was turning his calm into a full blown clamour.
Why did he feel guilty? He didn't do anything.
Still he had a mighty unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Jayne concentrated on hefting a heavy crate of hooch onto the mule, the warm burn in his arms giving him comfort.
None of this was his fault.
He repeated that to himself again and again, believing it more and more as he finished packing the wagon.
He didn't deserve no blame, and if it came his way he'd argue to that end.
The bottles were loaded. River stood close by, he could feel her eyes on him, waiting, urging him to acknowledge her. He focused on the conversation between Mal and Fredrick, unable to bring himself to meet her gaze, choosing anything as a distraction rather than that.
Fredrick was happy, clapping Mal on the back, " When Malcolm Reynolds says he'll deliver, he delivers!" Another hard slap against the captains back.
Reynolds returned the smile, " Well, Fredrick don't get yourself too excited now. Next time we haul this devils brew for you I might need to reassess our fee." Malcolm's eyes hardened, "This here hooch is a bona fide health hazard. You failed to mention that this load would be so gorram combustible." He leant in closer, "How the hell do you serve this poison to your customers?"
Fredrick giggled, " One third hooch, the rest water. I have no interest in killing my dear patrons."
Mal raised an eyebrow, " Killin them, oh no. Now that would be bad business," He shook his head, the smile returning to his face, "Fleecing em though, now that's another matter."
Friedrick laughed heartily, and slapped Mal on the back once more. He was a big man with a sunny disposition, his over enthusiastic camaraderie was something that Reynolds liked most about him. The back slapping was something he could do without though.
"Everybody, you must come to the Belle, enjoy my hospitality." He winked at the captain, "No fleecing!" Another fit of giggles, "The drinks are on the house."
He climbed up onto his loaded wagon and motioned for everyone to join him.
The crew looked to Mal, "Well, you heard the man." He said, waving an arm in an affording gesture. " We ain't about to turn down such a gracious invitation now are we."
The Belle was an interesting place. The décor was baroque, chandeliers hung low, velvet drapes bedecked the windows and walls, ornate framed artwork hung conspicuously in the recesses.
Curios and trinkets were found everywhere, none worth a penny, as they were mostly made of plaster, iron or reformed plastic, gilded to appear fancy. The feel, none the less, was more theatre and elegance than most folk out on the rim had ever seen before.
If you looked at her real hard, she was tattered in some places, worn by the years, but her lustrous charm still remained. The clientèle on the other hand: Criminals, hustlers, hornswogglers and thieves, couldn't care less if there was a satin cushion for their behind or a well crafted leg on their table, they came to the Belle for the same reason the crew of Serenity did.
Fredrick.
He provided a safe place to conduct business. And while some people, who didn't know the landlord well, might scoff at his choice of furnishings; believing the man to be soft, a push over,or sly with no back bone, they would find out the hard way to never judge a book by it's cover. You couldn't find a tougher, more unyielding man in the entire verse, than sweet old antiquing loving, Fredrick.
The crew were letting their hair down in style.
Kaylee had managed to convince a well oiled Simon, to throw caution to the wind and join her on a makeshift dance floor. The boy stood on her toes every other step, but it was the happiest Cobb had ever seen her.
Inara was surrounded by a crowd of eager, adoring men, who waited in turn, admiringly, to play darts with her. Dupes even brought her darts back to her.
Zoe was sat with the captain and Freidrick. They were taking bets as she got ready to arm wrestle a cocky young man.
"You sure your ready for this ma'am? I'll take it real easy on ya, I promise, seen as you remind me so much of my dear old Ma."
Zoe cricked her neck, " Sit down son."
He was about to learn a painful lesson. Jayne had seen that look in Zoe's eyes before, it never ended well for who ever was on the other end of it.
The merc was at the bar.
He chanced a look at River. She stood against a pillar, hands clasped together in front of her, watching wistfully, as Kaylee and her brother twirled clumsily around the floor. A soft smile played on her lips and she nodded her head lightly to and fro.
All of a sudden she turned to look his way, her eyes inviting him with a pointed sidewards glance to join in with the dancing.
Jayne frowned, averting his gaze abruptly. How did she always know when he was sneaking a look at her? It was unnatural.
A voice piped up to his left, " Women, demanding creatures, eh."
Cobb side eye'd the guy.
" Can't live with them," He continued, " Can't live without em." He raised his glass towards Jayne, proposing a toast. Reluctantly, he reciprocated, clinking glasses with his new best friend.
His drinking mate was watching River with interest.
"So, how much for some quality time with the brunette?"
Jayne looked over at River then back to the stranger, he chuckled at the misunderstanding, " Mr, she ain't no whore!"
The man seemed unperturbed, "Name your price, I've set my mind on her." A smarmy grin spreading across his face, "I always get what I set my mind on."
He was staring hard at the girl, like a wolf eyeing a newborn lamb.
Suddenly it didn't seem so funny.
"Like I said, she ain't no whore."
Jayne was surprised by the stiffness of his reply, this idiot was starting to get under his skin.
" She ain't even been with a man, so ease off."
He had no idea where this protectiveness had sprung from, he twirled the liquid in his glass, glowering at his own words.
The strangers eyes lit up, " So she isn't your girl then?" He raised an eyebrow, "And she's inexperienced in the ways of the world, huh? " He clicked his tongue over his teeth, " Guess it's high time somebody taught that girl about the birds and the bees." He motioned to the bar man, " Two more."
Jayne was having some difficulty understanding how he felt about this exchange.
Normally a sleaze ball like this wouldn't bother him, hell, he probably would have had a drink with him, slapped him on the shoulder and wished him good luck.
He watched as the man made his way towards River and frowned.
Something just didn't sit right.
Why was he bothered anyway? Crazy would take one look at him and burst into tears, or start talking gibberish like some lunatic; that was enough to send any man running.
He raised his glass and downed his drink, If he was lucky she might even bust the guys nose open.
The sleaze ball had reached his target.
He smiled sweetly at River, extending a drink towards her, introducing himself. Jayne watched as her eyes flit from the drink to the man. Here it comes he mused happily, leaning back against the bar.
Slowly she reached out and took the drink.
The stranger was still talking and smiling and River was listening.
Any minute now Jayne thought.
Some time passed and they were still talking.
Cobb grunted, feller sure liked the sound of his own voice.
Then, suddenly, the stranger was laughing, and she was laughing with him; giggling like some idiot kid.
The smile lit up her face.
He felt a rush of anger. What'n the hell was so funny anyhow?
River took a small sip of her drink, wrinkling her nose at it's bitter taste, poking out her tongue in distaste; much to the amusement of her new acquaintance, who laughed heartily.
Jayne didn't understand. Why weren't he high-tailin it yet? Why hadn't she planted that oh so dainty fist of hers in that big, fat, flappin mouth of his?
Before he knew it, he was standing behind the guy, reaching out, tapping his shoulder.
He was aware that River was watching him and he registered the stranger's annoyance at having his grand seduction interrupted. None of it seemed to matter as much as the burning rage he was suddenly experiencing.
The sleaze ball opened his mouth and Jayne drew back his arm and let loose his fist.
One punch, perfectly delivered. He watched as the man bounced off a table, smashing some glasses, before crashing down to the floor unconscious.
He smiled as he viewed his handy work. Satisfaction washed over him, squelching down his anger.
"Hwoon dahn." Cobb muttered triumphantly.
River was talking at him, he turned and tried to focus on her words. Her eyes were wide and Jayne dropped his gaze to her beautiful, full lips as she repeated herself.
"Duck!"
He understood a fraction too late. A bottle smashed against the back of his head sending him stumbling forward.
Reynolds paced back and forth hands on hips, head shaking, as the rest of the crew sat, uncomfortably, around the galley table watching his progress.
Finally he stopped and turned, jaw clenched, to address his crew.
" How," He grit his teeth again, calming his temper, "How, did that get so out of hand?"
He turned to Jayne. " You have a mind to tell me, why you took it upon yourself to sucker punch that man into next week?"
Cobb looked down at his cut knuckles, afraid to meet the captains eye. He couldn't tell the truth, he'd rather die.
"Feller looked at me funny." he grunted.
Mal lent forward, placing his own bruised knuckles on the table. "Looked at you funny!" he repeated, a forced smile on his face.
Zoes hand reached out and wrapped around his wrist in a vain attempt to calm him.
It wasn't working, "Your telling me we broke those peoples heads and turned that place upside down, all because of a funny look?"
Cobb shrunk in his seat.
"I would'n a started it if I'd a known he had so many friends with him."
Simon chipped in, he was sporting a shiny new black eye. "Those friends were his crew, I believe he was their captain."
Jayne huffed, " Stupid buhn dahn was no captain."
The doc continued, "So the 'this is for our captain' speech I was subjected to before I got punched in the face, was for a completely different bar fight?"
Jayne sunk lower.
Mal went back to pacing. "You realize now we're getting next to nothing back from Fredrick for hauling his hooch. After we settle up for breakages, we're barely turning a profit. We'll be lucky if he ever lets us anywhere near his place again after that free- for- all. Dang near brought the roof down!"
He swung back around to face Cobb again, pointing his finger at him. " I warned you. You've pushed your luck too far this time."
Zoe interrupted, trying to ease the tension, " Captain, come on." Her lip was split and she had a nasty graze on her cheekbone. She too sported bloody knuckles.
Reynolds rounded on her, "Come on?" His face pure exasperation, "Don't think I didn't see you raisin hell back there." He focused his ire, taking a deep breath, "Come on!?... You, you almost beat a man to death, with a dolphin statue."
Zoe smiled.
Simon interjected, " actually, I think it was a porpoise."
Mal exhaled, "Doc, you were no help back there, and you sure ain't no help now."
He turned to River, " And you!" She moved her gaze from Jayne to her captain. "Why th' hell didn't you do your thing? You could have put an end to that fight before it even got started."
River answered in a series of clicks and high pitched noises. The captain shook his head, "What?"
Her brother explained, "She's being a porpoise." he looked rueful, "It's a statement. She's saying she's not a blunt instrument."
Mal blinked. Today just wasn't his day. He made a mental note to never ask the girl why she did anything, ever again, then turned his attention back to the cause of all his misery.
"One more mess up from you and your off my boat, for good." He stared hard at Jayne, " Do we understand each other?"
Cobb nodded.
Satisfied, the captain relented. "Inara, we're going back to the Belle. You can use some of your notorious charm to try to smooth things over with Fredrick. The rest of you, try not to do anything stupid until we get back."
Inara stood up and straightened her dress. "You don't need my 'charm' Mal." she answered wryly. "That poor, misguided man's been in love since the first moment he laid eyes on you."
The captain was lost for words. Everyone turned to look at him.
Finally, he managed a, "Say what now?"
She rolled her eyes, as she always did, when Reynolds was too stupid to see the truth. "It's painfully clear. Why do you think he throws so much business our way?"
Mal rallied, " Cause, he knows we're a capable crew, good in a real tight spot."
Kaylee sniggered, "Good in real tight pants, more like."
Reynolds left his crew, giggling, like children.
As soon as Jayne got back to his bunk he reached for the hip flask he kept stashed under his bed. He took a long, hard slug.
What happened back at that bar? Why in the hell had he gotten so mad at that guy?
He took another drink and slumped down onto his mattress.
This whole thing had him rankled.
Jayne leant down to undo his boots and winced, his ribs hurt real bad.
He pulled off his T shirt and inspected the damage. Bruised but not broken, mighty uncomfortable though.
Another big slug to numb the pain.
Before he knew it, he'd finished the whole flask and was in a nice drunken haze.
He was just about to lie back and try to get some sleep when his hatch opened.
River descended carrying an ice pack, she crossed the room and sat down next to Cobb.
Smiling shyly, she presented the pack, motioning to his ribs, "It'll help."
Jayne held up the empty flask and wiggled it. " I already helped m'self."
He Looked her over. Keen, bright eyes, limbs folded about herself, watching, waiting.
"What'cha doing in my bunk crazy?" He frowned, "Deals over, I done my time."
"I thought..." She started.
He interrupted, "No thinkin, or understandin, or anything. I held up ma part of the agreement, I ain't got paid yet, So, unless your coming in here with a big stack of dough, ya'll can just head on straight back out."
"I came to say thank you." She blurted, then looked down at her hands, embarrassed, "For protecting my virtue."
Cobb squinted, "Your what?"
He shook his head, trying to jog her words out. He needed to set the girl straight.
"I laid that slimy, little knuckle-head on his ass because he was a blowhard, peanut brained, chwen!" He pointed a finger at her, "I weren't protectin no virtue." He was getting aggravated. "I ain't the kind of man who protects virtues." Time to push his point home, he scowled, "I'm the kind of man who takes em."
There, he thought. That should clear up the misunderstanding. Point made.
River reached over and took hold of his hand, she pulled it to her and thrust it under her dress, holding it between her legs.
Jayne startled, tried to pull his hand away. He felt her grip tighten around his wrist.
"What are ya doing?" He breathed. "You out of your mind?"
She cocked her head to one side, "I'm giving you my virtue."
They sat staring at each other for a moment.
He could feel the spring of hair beneath her panties and the soft skin of her thighs against his hand.
Cobb swallowed, he couldn't let it turn him on.
"Let go little girl."He whispered.
She persisted, "You fought for it, so, I'm giving it to you."
"I don't want it!" It came out far too high pitched and whiny, even drunk he knew it sounded lame. He countered. " An stop sayin I did it for yuh, I didn't."
What in the verse was he doing? Playing around, having a discussion about it; he was twice the size of her. If he wanted to take his hand away, he could take his hand away.
They remained in deadlock. Her eyes searching his.
The sudden thought that he might be the first man to really touch her invaded his head, torturing his senses. It made him absurdly hard.
"I ain't kiddin. Let go." He demanded in a hushed tone. Desperate to get her to push him away.
She weren't giving in.
Jaynes resolve on the other hand was less resolute.
He watched her face, transfixed. Slowly, he slipped his fingers inside her panties and started to rub.
He was drunk and it felt surreal, like someone else was doing it. Not him.
She closed her eyes.
It was good that she weren't watching him no more, it made it easier.
He found a rhythm. Her chest started to hitch up and down as her breathing got more ragged, she frowned in concentration, biting at her lip .
A face of pure bliss.
Her free hand was curled up in her dress and she clenched it hard. Jayne had never seen anything like it. This weren't the way he fooled around with girls, normally it was straight to the point, get the job done, get going. Nothing this intimate.
But watching River.
The girl was panting and moaning and he wanted to keep it going forever.
His fingers were wet, they glided over her, moving with great attention, pulling sweet noises from her pretty mouth.
He pushed one inside, and she drew in a sharp breath. She weren't ready for that yet.
Jayne moved back to her sweet spot, massaging, coaxing. There was no other word to describe it than exhilarating. He had her at his mercy.
The merc finally found his voice, "D' ya like that?"
He felt huge satisfaction when River groaned in appreciation and pushed down towards his touch, asking, begging for more. Her cheeks flushed and her brow knit as she concentrated on nothing else but his hand on her.
He quickened and she tightened her grip around his wrist, holding him fast. "That's it" he murmured, "Let it come."
She responded with a pleading moan and he reached out lacing his hands through her hair, tugging her head backwards. Cobb leant in and kissed her long slender neck, "Beautiful." He whispered.
With a soundless cry, River shuddered to a climax.
Her grip loosened and Jayne slowly pulled his hand away. He leant back and looked her over. Her eyes were still closed and her breathing was fast. She looked almost unreal, like a vision seen through somebody else's eyes.
He started to feel mighty strange and when she lowered her head and looked at him, he knew he was humped.
Instantly he felt his head clear, the fugue of drink lifting, leaving him as sober as the day he was born.
He was regretting it already.
What had he done?
Stealthily he moved himself away from her side, scooting along the mattress until he sat on the very end.
He cleared his throat, "Huh herm," His eyes shifted to look at the floor, keen to escape her piercing gaze. " Ah just remembered," He floundered, "I promised th' captain I'd move ma weights. He said they were in the way, y'know someone could trip over em, get hurt. Sounded real urgent like, so..."
He stood up and without another word, or a glance behind, left his bunk.
Jayne walked quickly. Once in the cargo hold, he wasted no time before starting to heave his heavy kit to the other side of the bay.
As he worked his mind spiralled. What could he do? What could he say to make her forget all about it?
Or keep her quiet.
An ice chill spread through him at the mere thought of being discovered.
It weren't him, it was all her.
That defence wouldn't save him and he knew it.
Just as he was contemplating running, flitting out before things got real messy, Mal returned.
The captain strode up the ramp, a bottle of hooch in his hand and a tired expression on his face. He stopped and looked to Cobb, " Why'n the hell are you moving that over there?" He shook his head then headed off towards his bunk, " Move it back." He commanded over his shoulder.
When he was done, Jayne sat down on his bench. There was no way he was going back to his quarters tonight, not if there was a chance she was still in there. He lay back, wrapped his arms around himself and closed his eyes.
"Gorram crazy headed witch, hypna-tized me." He muttered to himself, feeling a little better.
It'd be OK.
She weren't completely unreasonable.
He just needed to find a way to let her down gently.
He could do that.
She was young and wet behind the ears, he was a man of the verse. There weren't no predicament he couldn't get himself out of, if he set his mind to it. And he'd been in a lot of predicaments.
He already had a plan forming.
Jayne smiled as he ran through the details in his head.