River sat back in the shadows and watched. She was sitting beneath the steel stairs in the hold, in one of the darker spots where no one ever came. Her eyes were fixed on Mal and Zoe. They were standing together on Serenity's open ramp, profiled against the background chaos of Persephone.

She brought her fingers to her mouth, and chewed nervously. What were they talking about?

She had of course heard that there had been some commotion with the mercenary. Apparently it had involved some gun waving. Most of the crew had heard Jayne's roars. Simon had also been called to his bunk to apparently re-stitch his wound. But she wasn't sure what had truly been discussed - and from her attempts at listening in on the crew's conversations, nor did anyone else.

Mal was keepin' whatever it was, close to his chest. But she knew that if he had shared it with anyone, it would be Zoe.

She looked out again at the Captain and his number two. They were both talking in low voices. Zoe had her hands on her hips. If only she could hear….

Certainly Mal had looked very severe these past few days. She also sensed a great deal of sadness from him. Part of this, she knew was linked to Inara. Within hours of setting down on Persephone, she had swept down the ramp, her skirts and bags in her hands, her face steely, and disappeared into the throng.

But she also sensed a sense of concern from him about something – or someone – else. Did he know? River asked herself. Had Jayne told him about her? In which case – what was Mal planning to do? A shiver of terror passed through her body as past memories surged into her mind. Blue hands.

Either way, she had overheardthat, today, there was some kind of meeting scheduled between Mal and the mercenary. Just like Inara, Jayne had also left the boat as soon as the ship touched down. Weighed down as normal with weaponry, she had watched with a mixture of curiosity and disgust as he had strode off the boat. There had been a suggestion that perhaps he wasn't coming back.

He had been too far away for her to sense his mood or thoughts. But just from looking at his body, she knew that he was – somehow – different. A week ago, every step he took had vibrated with that cat-like, light defiance. But now, even though to other eyes he no doubt retained that swagger, she saw different. His steps were heavier. He was carrying something. "But it can't be seen," she whispered.

Strangely, she felt a pang of guilt. She knew she had been stupid to attack him. And she had known, as his eyes had become hot coals, that she had truly wounded. In fact she had been surprised at just how successful her words had been. But he was only gorram well being Jayne, she realised. Of course he would try to gain as much as possible out of any given situation, for the least amount of effort. Blackmail was probably a hobby.

But where she should have foreseen this, and tried to manage it, she had allowed herself to react emotionally. And from the look on Zoe's face right now – she had probably made things much, much worse. But she had just been so angry with him. Because despite it all, she knew that her stupid, essentially optimistic nature had hoped that somehow, well – he might have started to become a friend.

But instead, he had cruelly let her down.Treated her like one of his gorram whores. And then used played with her worst fear. That Simon - might not understand - what she was.

Of course she knew that he had suggested the shooting lessons as a self-benefit. But she had thought that, her games aside, she had started to make a real impression on him. Of course, she had seen his lustful side. Which, she now knew, had part-thrilled her – at least when he was at arms length. But she had also, she had been so certain, glimpsed a new light in his eyes when he looked at her after that first meeting in the hold. A near-indistinct softening of his voice. Not much – she recognised he wasn't built to be over sentimental – but she was sure she had sensed something.

And also, he had been the only one who actually talked to her like a real person. Like she actually had value as an individual, not just as a gorram weapon or a guilty weight around her brother's neck. He had been communicating with her – River Tam.

She moved her fingers across and touched her cheek. She was surprised to find water there.

She was glad her links to him had now been severed, but she was still crushed by the disappointment of what might have been. And she realised, she had never felt as lonely.

Over on the ramp, Zoe looked at Mal and gave a sigh. "Well, sir, it sound's like he's already made his mind up."

Mal looked up at his number two and frowned. "Yeah, well as much as I hate to admit it, it's a blow. He's deceitful, but he's sure made up for it many a time with those gorram skills of his. He's gonna take some replacin'"

"Any idea why the change of heart?"

"Not really. Seems he just woke up with a bulls-head and made up his mind. I dunno, maybe the cat shook him up. That's a pretty bad cut he's nursin'.. And you've gotta admit, he's taken quite a bit of damage these past few months without too much recompense. He also hates the Tams. So he probably figures he could get a better deal elsewhere. Given the limits of what he does."

Zoe nodded. She knew what he meant. Men like Jayne rarely lasted over forty, so already he was approaching borrowed time. No time to lose…

"So what's the plan?" she asked.

"Well, I'll offer him a better deal. But I'm hopin' to appeal to more than just one side of him. You see this meet I've organised with the gorram ape also involves one of the biggest ruttin' merchant dogs in this town. He's got a big job which is jus' the sort that should get Jayne well lubed."

"Lots of violence?" inquired Zoe.

"Yep. Maybe even a few kneecaps, " he mused, a dry smile on his lips. "Certainly some garotting."

"Should certainly cheer him up, sir," she replied.

"Yeah, well. Anyhow, I should be back in an hour or so."

He turned to go, but as he did so, twisted his head and fixed Zoe with a strange look. "In the meantime, you might wanna clear out our newly spare shuttle.You never know, we might be able to find ourself another whore." Then he walked away, his brown coat flaring in the wind.

Men, thought Zoe. Gorram Idiots.