Conscious Thought
Author: Kryptonite
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly. Though I wish I could kick Fox executives in the ass.
Summary: What if River wasn't always totally insane? Third person following River mostly.
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" So how's… the shuttle holding up?" Mal asked uncomfortably, trying to ask about River without letting the guests know there was someone else on board.
" I had a small glitch last night in the viewing screen but other than that it's been working peacefully." Inara answered, apologizing silently to Simon that they had to talk about his sister like a shuttle and keep her hidden.
" That's good."
" Do you have frequent glitches in your ships technology?"
" Not generally Mr. Lawrence." Kaylee answered, smiling at the older man cheerfully.
" And you take care of all the maintenance, is that right?" Kaylee turned to Mr. Lawrence's sister, and did her best not to glare at the tome in which that sentence had been said.
" Yes ma'am. I make sure Serenity's in workin' order ta get ya where ya pay ta go." Kaylee grinned at the sour-faced woman before going back to her meal. Ms. Lawrence simply sniffed in disdain before going back to her own meal.
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River laid with her ear pressed against the floor of Inara's shuttle. Sounds of footsteps coming closer to the shuttle caused River to scurry from her resting place to try and hide underneath the companions bed.
" Girl?" Jayne's voice called, followed by his booted feet. " Gorram girl." He muttered, setting something metal down on a table. He continued to whisper. " I don't have time ta play hide n' seek." River reached a hand out and placed it on his leg, just above his work boots.
" River." She whispered, crawling from under the bed, squeezing to get her lithe frame out from the cramped space.
" What?" He asked, a confused look settling on his features as he took a step back.
" My name is River." She answered, settling in a chair to eat the food Jayne had brought. " Thank you." River called before Jayne had taken more than a few steps towards the shuttles' door.
" Well, I would have let you starve but Mal and Simon had other thoughts." Jayne was stopped from leaving by River's next statement.
" You talked."
" And just what does that mean?" He turned, angry. River smiled before taking another bite of the protein.
" You have trouble keeping nice things in your mouth. Just like when Simon first came on. Mal sent you from the table then, too." Jayne took four angry steps, getting right in the girls' face.
" I don't like you in my head girl." River glared right back at him.
" Then stop projecting." She answered before stretching up and pecking him on the lips.
" Jayne? Mal's looking for you." Inara spoke, coming into the shuttle, the door shutting behind her. Jayne jumped, looking guilty. He stuttered a bit before he managed to force his legs to leave the small living space.
" What did you say to him?" Inara asked, impressed with the Reader. River simply smiled before continuing to eat her dinner.
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A/N: Sixth chapter, still short. I hope everyone liked the Jayne/River interaction. I was really just trying to catch Jayne off guard… not to mention it was just so perfect with him that close to her.