A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply
The hum of the engines was broken by a raggedcry, "Quiet, quiet, quiet"
River ran through Serenity's corridors, her fingers digging at her skull as if to tear out the voices that only she could hear. Her frantic pain filled eyes darted around the cargo bay, they lit on Jayne who was sitting on a crate sharpening Boo.
River scrambled up onto the crate, whispering "quiet, quiet now, no more poison sumac, no more watery grave." Leaning up against Jayne's back River shuddered in relief.
"Gorram it Girl, what in the 'verse do ya think your doin?" Jayne tried to slip off the crate; he wanted to get away from the crazy girl. He made the mistake of looking back over his shoulder at River; her pain filled eyes stopped him in mid motion.
"Ah dammit, they got ta ya again didn't they," Jayne observed, some nights River would wake up screaming and Simon would give her a smoother that would calm her down enough so the rest of the crew was able to sleep, other nights she would prowl the corridors like a sleek hunting cat looking for a meal. Sitting back Jayne felt the young woman curl up against his back with her ear pressed against his shirt so she could hear his heart beat.
It was the strangest thing, but on nights like this River always sought him out, at first it had freaked him out, as the only other times River had sought him out he had ended up either in the infirmary or doubting his reality. Taking a deep breath he continued to sharpen Boo, Jayne knew that Simon would come barrelling down into the cargo bay any minute now, yup here he was, hair standing on end, shirt half buttoned, Jayne squinted, with a half grunt half laugh he recognized the start of a hickey on the doc's neck.
Without looking up Jayne called out, "Your Feung Le sister is here doc" he glanced back over his shoulder River was humming quietly as she rubbed circles on his lower spine, sensing his gaze she looked up and sent him the sweetest smile, "think them dreams got ta her again."
Giving the big merc a dirty look Simon edged around the crate that they sat on, he reached up a hand to his sister.
"River, come on let's get you into bed, you'll sleep better there."
"No"
"River, this isn't the place for you, I'm sure Jayne has things he wants to do." Simon tried to coax his sister away;it gave him indigestion to see his sister so close to the man he thought of as an ape. Why River seemed to calm down with the man baffled Simon to no end.
"No, Quiet" River patted Jayne's back with one small hand, "'Huge and mighty forms that do not live like living men, moved slowly through the mind by day and were trouble to my dreams"' William Wordsworth
Simon's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of what River was trying to say, his frown grew darker as Jayne spoke, "Your drugs slow down what she 'sees' when she's awake and they become too clear at night."
Simon gave up trying to coax River away from Jayne, his body tight with frustration and unrecognized jealousy, Simon stomped into the mess where Book and Kaylee were drinking tea.
"Simon, come join us" Book offered as he raised his cup in the air in silent invitation for tea.
"How's River?" Kaylee asked as Simon sat down across from her on the bench, he dropped his head in his hands as he responded to Kaylee.
"I don't understand why she goes to him of all people!" Simon groaned, missing the look that passed between Book and Kaylee.
Kaylee gave a small nod, letting Book know that he could deal with this oft voiced complaint of Simon's.
"Son I think you do Jayne a rather large disservice" Book stated quietly.
Simon looked at the Shepard in shock, bewilderment clouding his features. "What, how?" he managed to stammer out.
Book looked at Simon over the rim of his teacup, with a sigh he placed the cup onto the table, "If Jayne were the man you claimed him to be, he wouldn't be so gentle with River" with a small smile Book continued, "and the Captain certainly wouldn't have him on Serenity."
Simon let out a shocked laugh, "Gentle, Jayne is anything but gentle. That man is a trained ape, and the Captain is certainly no better!" Glaring at Book and Kaylee, Simon continued, "You know what Jayne calls my sister and Mal simply wants her out of his sight."
Sweet gentle Kaylee who never had a bad thing to say about anybody finally had enough of Simon's whining. Standing up so suddenly her chair fell over backward she placed her hands on the table top leaning across so her face was inches away from Simon's.
"That is absolutely enough Simon Gabriel Tam, everybody knows what happened between River and Jayne when you first came on board. We're all tired of you whining about the fact that they get along now. You're just jealous because your little sister isn't running to you for everything. SURPRISE Simon, River isn't fourteen years old anymore, it's very simple why River runs to Jayne." Kaylee's stance softened, though her voice was still stern, "Jayne makes River feel safe, calms her world when it tips on her axis." Looking down at the table Kaylee took a deep breath, "Simon I'm not sure why River feels better when she goes to Jayne, why having him near calms her, but I think it's because he simply accepts what is happening to River without trying to fix her."
Kaylee moved around the table and took Simon's hand in hers, "River knows you love her, and she also knows you remember what she was like before, and sometimes I think that is very hard for River. Simon you have to face this otherwise you won't be any help to River."
Simon raised his free hand and cupped Kaylee's cheek, "How did you become so wise?" he asked softly.
"What's goin on here?"" Mal asked as he stepped down into the mess, "You know I don't like that on my boat."
"Just bringing enlightenment to the ignorant Captain." Book replied with an enigmatic smile.
"Huh, bringin' enlightenment, thought I made myself clear on those types of conversations happenin on my boat"
Kaylee piped up, "Every things shiny Cap'n"
"We're breaking atmo in 20 minutes people, Doc if there is anything you need you know the drill" With that announcement Mal walked out of the mess.