A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update, but I am trying to figure out where this story will be going. Jayne and River keep heading for his bunk, and I don't think it's quite that time yet. Well we will keep arguing and hopefully I will win and be able to update faster.

Thanks to all who have reviewed, and to all those who have read this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I only enjoy playing in thier 'verse

Several weeks after her 'heist' River went flying past the infirmary, Simon called out to her, as he was still unsure of her apparent recovery. River waved her hand, and called back over her shoulder, "Sorry Simon, you can't help me with this chemistry project."

More than a little worried of what his sister would consider a chemistry experiment on a ship in the middle of 'no and where' as one of the Captain's expressions went. Simon found his sister huddled in deep conversation with Kaylee.

"I can't believe you got all the things you'll need." Kaylee wiped her hands off on a rag, spotting Simon her face lit up with a grin. "Hey Simon, guess what River is doing?"

"A chemistry experiment, I heard" Simon couldn't help but smile back at Kaylee, theirs was a new relationship, but somehow Simon felt that Kaylee understood the real him. He brought himself back to the conversation, "I'm sorry, I"

River giggled, "You just wandered off into Kaylee land." Both girls broke into giggles as Simon blushed and stammered. Both girls leaned over and bussed Simon's cheeks, leaving him standing stunned in the engine room they made their way to the common room.

Several hours later River put the finishing touches on the meal she had prepared with Kaylee's help, River never remembered having so much fun. She hoped that Simon got his head out of the sand and asked Kaylee to marry him soon.

River heard footsteps as the rest of the crew descended into the common room, she smiled as the Captain escorted Inara to her seat.

"What's all this then?" Mal asked as he sat down at the head of the table, taking in the fresh bread, a variety of different dishes, all made of protein but all looking and smelling different. He reached for a bowl, "Stop" River cried, "All family must be here, before we eat."

Once everyone had made it to the table, including Zoë, River sat back and listened to her family, as they enjoyed the meal she had prepared. The warmth of belonging flooded through her, she could feel Jayne's thigh brush against hers as he leaned to grab another serving of the spiced protein. River was stumped on how to move their relationship forward, Jayne had put her into a box labeled 'friend' and no matter what she did, she could not make him see her any other way.

Realizing that everyone had finished, River rose to clear the table, Kaylee and Inara waved her off and took over the job. Once the dishes were removed from the table River went into the kitchen and reappeared with the apple upside down cake she had baked. Setting it down in front of Jayne, she kissed his cheek, "Happy birthday, Jayne."

"Wha, huh, how did you know?" Jayne stuttered, no one since he had left home over twenty years before had given him anything resembling a birthday cake, blushing he ducked his head. Raising his eyes he looked at River, Jayne could see that she was worried about his reaction to her surprise.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned over and brushed her cheek softly and whispered "Thank you, boa bei," in a louder voice he asked, "Who want's cake?"

Mal's voice came over the com, "We're landing in 10 minutes people, you all know what we're doin'." Hanging up the mike, he watched as River smoothly brought Serenity through the air traffic toward the Eavensdown docks. "So little albatross, any plans on scaring your Captain out of several years of life again?"

River smiled, she knew Mal had been mad at the escapade that she and Jayne had pulled, but it was a mad due to his fear for their safety. "No Captain, I have no plans along that line, I had hoped to accompany you to meet with the Badger."

Concentrating on piloting around a larger transport, River missed the look that Mal threw her way, but did not miss the emotion behind it. "Captain, I believe I could be of some help to you during negotiations."

"Huh," thinking a moment, Mal nodded, "sure thing, I'll let Zoë know the change in plans."

Jayne watched as Mal led Zoë and River down through the crowds milling around the docks, he found himself at loose ends, so decided to get himself a little trim. He wandered down toward a little bar he knew just outside the docks. He entered the smoky, dusty, stink filled bar, he allowed a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkened interior, not seeing anyone he would consider a threat, Jane moved over to the bar and ordered a beer.

A soft sultry voice spoke from behind him, "Well if it isn't Jayne Cobb," Turning Jayne saw an older woman who was very well preserved, the makeup and hairstyle made her look years younger than she actually was. Laughing, Jayne leaned down and hugged her, "Eleanor, when did you start workin here?"

Stepping out of his arms to lean on the bar, "Work here, I won the place from a hoon dan who didn't know a plum from a planet." Signaling the bartender that Jayne's drinks would be on the house, she led him to a back room.

Sitting down at her table, Eleanor waved Jayne to sit down across from her, the old friends reminisced and caught each other up on what had happened in their lives since they saw each other last. Closing down the bar, Jayne was simply to drunk to make it back to Serenity on his own, so Eleanor brought him up to her room and let him sleep on her couch.

The first words Jayne heard when he woke, were "So who is River?"

Not being the most thinkin man on the planet when just woken up, Jayne replied without thinking, "The most beautiful woman in the verse." Running a hand over his face Jayne sat up and grabbed the cup of coffee waiting on the side table. After taking a huge gulp, he realized what he had said. Hoping that Eleanor wouldn't catch the longing that had been in his voice, he croaked, "So I guess I'd best be goin then."

A knock on the door interrupted them, the door flew open showing a furious River, and a smugly smiling Mal. "See Little Albatross, told ya he would be fine. Jayne just needed to be, well Jayne."

Not looking at anyone else or even acknowledging that she had heard Mal, River stalked across the room, 'Gorram she's gorgeous when she's mad' crossed Jaynes thoughts, as he shrunk further back into the couch. Taking a quick look about Rivers body, he breathed a small sigh of relief at least the girl didn't have anything sharp and no guns.

Halting between Jayne's spread legs, River rolled her eyes, "No touching guns"

That was the last Mal and Eleanor understood, as River proceeded to ream Jayne out in their twin speak, deciding that Jayne wouldn't be murdered on the spot Mal looked over at the other occupant of the room. She was a bit older than Jayne's usual pick of whores, but Mal could see that the years sat easily on her face and figure.

Sensing his perusal Eleanor turned, "Captain Mal Reynolds?" She walked over and held out her hand for Mal to shake, "I'm Eleanor Sparks, an old family friend of the Cobbs. You and your crew are welcome in my establishment any time your on Persephone." Looking back over her shoulder she saw Jayne trying to explain something with much hand waving. "Looks to me like Miss River has Jayne under control, would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"No killing my mercenary now, no matter how much he may deserve it." With that Mal held out his arm for Eleanor to clasp, leaving the two combatants to settle their problem themselves.