Heart of Gold: Rayne style Chapter 2: Aftershocks, a firefly fanfic

Title: Aftershocks

Series: Heart of Gold: Rayne style

Author: Sevangel

Disclaimer: Not mine, belongs to Joss Whedon and co

Rating: R-NC17

FYI: Still working on my other stories but this just dug into my head and wouldn't get out. Takes place a few days after the firt part; they are still at Nandi's.

"Inara, are you okay?" Nandi questions as they fix dinner. The Serenity crew had decided to stay for a couple of days, helping out with the clean up. "You seem upset."

"Oh, I'm not upset." Inara replies. "I'm pissed. Mal dragged me out of the room 3 days ago, saying we needed to talk. Now he's completely avoiding me."

"Are you sure you're not overreacting?" Nandi asks.

"No." Inara replies. "When I walk into the room he finds an excuse to be elsewhere. I just wish I knew what he wanted to talk about."

Nandi bites her lip, knowing what he wants to talk about but not wanting to say anything. "He seems completely driven with the cleanup; maybe it's just distracting him."

"I don't know." Inara replies. She moves the food platters from the counter to the table, Nandi following behind her with the plates and silverware. "Why only 10 plates?"

"My people have the night off; they've all gone to town or are staying in their rooms." Nandi answers. "It's just going to be your crew and myself."

"Okay." Inara says. "I'm going to go get the crew."

"Alright." Nandi replies.

Inara moves out of the door and walks down the hallway towards the room Simon and Kaylee were hanging out in. "Kaylee, Simon, we are getting ready to eat."

"Kay Nara." Kaylee replies, moving off the bed her and Simon were sitting on. "Come on, Simon."

Simon sighs heavily, stands up, and moves out of the room.

"He's still gettin used to River and Jayne." Kaylee tells Inara as they walk down the hall. "Don't think it's helping that we can hear em all the time. Guess it's a good thing cap'n made me and Wash go to town to get that sound proofing stuff for Jayne's bunk. Don't think none of us would get any sleep with them two."

"Yes, they are a little on the loud side." Inara agrees.

"A little?" Kaylee says with a giggle. "Ya didn't see the cap'n runnin out of his room last night in his underpants. River was screamin so loud he thought we was under attack again."

Inara smiles at Kaylee's comment.

"What are we laughing about?" Wash asks as him and Zoe walk out of their room.

"Cap'n runnin down the hall in his underpants last night." Kaylee answers.

"Yeah, that was kinda funny." Wash agrees.

"No it weren't." Mal growls, coming up behind them. "Those two are bout to drive me insane. Don't know how they got the energy to be that active. This gorram 'honeymoon' stage best be over soon."

"Still can't believe Jayne got married." Wash replies, still in shock.

"Can't believe we didn't get to see it." Kaylee complains. "I wanted to be in the wedding."

"Kaylee, I already said I'm sorry." Book replies, pulling her chair out for her.

Kaylee takes her seat at the table and then looks up at the Shepard. "Yeah, I know."

"I had no choice in the matter." Book says.

"You could have said no." Simon mutters.

"Yes, well the gun strapped to Jayne's hip made me rethink that." Book defends. "Besides, your sister was the one who said they were getting married. If I hadn't done it they would have gone into town and had the local judge do it. Did you really want her being married by a stranger?"

"No." Simon slowly says. "I didn't want her being married at all."

"Simon, ya need to accept this." Kaylee replies, getting a little pissed at Simon's attitude. "There ain't nothin ya can do bout it now; what's done is done."

"I'm trying." Simon replies.

"Try harder." Kaylee orders.

"Speaking of marriage." Book says, looking at Mal. "Are you going to tell me why you made me give you a copy of their marriage certificate?"

"Nope." Mal says with a grin. "It's a surprise."

"I just can't believe ya bought them a bed as a wedding present." Kaylee tells Mal.

"What?" Mal says, looking offended. "I can be nice. Sides, Jayne's bed ain't big enough for him, let alone him and River; he'd probably end up squishin her one night."

"It's what he got me and Zoe for our wedding present." Wash comments.

"What'd you and Inara get em?" Mal questions his mechanic. The two women had gone into town with him when he bought the bed but wouldn't show him what they bought.

"Clothes for River." Kaylee answers.

"How's that a wedding present?" Mal questions confused. "Wouldn't it just be a present for River?"

"Trust me, Jayne's gonna enjoy em more that her." Kaylee smirks.

"Huh." Mal replies and then winces when he hears River scream, again. "That sound proofin stuff best work or I'm libel to shove em both out the airlock after a week of that."

"It works." Kaylee assures him. "Me and Wash tested it after we installed their bed."

"Tested husband?" Zoe asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, not like that Zoe." Kaylee replies. "I'd never do that and neither would Wash."

"I know that Kaylee." Zoe assures the young mechanic. "Was just teasing Wash. Have to keep him on his toes."

"Oh." Kaylee replies. "Anyways, I stayed down in the bunk while Wash stood outside the door. I screamed as loud as I could and Wash said he didn't hear anything."

"That's the best news I've heard all day." Mal replies.

Kaylee gets ready to say something when River screams again followed by a low yell from Jayne.

"Wonder what he's doin to make her scream like that?" Kaylee says.

"Kaylee, that ain't somethin I wanna be thinkin on." Mal groans.

"I have to agree." Simon replies.

"Well, it's not like I got anyone makin me scream." Kaylee complains. "Gotta live through somebody." She sighs and then turns to look at Wash. "Wash, tell me I'm pretty again."

"Like I said before, if I wasn't married, I would take you in a manly fashion." Wash replies.

"Cause I'm pretty?" Kaylee questions.

"Cause you're pretty." Wash states.

"Zoe, ya got a wonderful man." Kaylee says. "Knows just how to make a girl feel better."

"He does at that." Zoe replies, patting Wash's hand.

"I'm still wondering how they kept it a secret for 3 months." Wash replies. "They aren't the least bit quiet here. How'd they keep quiet on the ship? Sound carries pretty well on it."

"Jayne used his mouth." River explains, moving quietly into the room, Jayne right behind her. "And if his mouth wasn't available, he used his hands or a pillow."

"Gorramit, River." Mal yells. "Don't sneak up on people like that."

"Sorry." River replies. Jayne pulls her chair out for her and then drops down in the chair next to her.

"Nice that you two could join us." Nandi says with a smile.

"Yeah, needed food." Jayne grunts. "Baby, ya need to eat."

"Okay." River replies. She takes the bowl Jayne hands her and dumps some food onto her plate. She reaches over and grabs the roll of Jayne's plate and places it on her own.

"Think ya're so cute don't ya?" Jayne drawls at her, reaching across the table to grab another roll.

"Know I am." River replies sweetly.

"Yeah." Jayne agrees. He glances up and sees the entire crew staring at them. "What?"

"It's so adorable." Kaylee gushes.

"What is?" Jayne grunts.

"You two." Kaylee replies. "I ain't ever seen ya bein so sweet Jayne."

"Hey, I ain't sweet." Jayne protests. "I'm a cold-hearted merc; ask anybody."

"River?" Kaylee questions.

"He's sweet to me because I'm his." River answers. "Other than that he's mostly the same Jayne, which is good. I like my Jayne the way he is."

"Damn straight." Jayne agrees.

"How'd ya guys get started?" Kaylee asks.

"Yeah, I have to say I'm awful curious myself." Mal replies.

"We done told ya that we started up after Ariel." Jayne replies.

"Call me crazy but I don't see how that made you inclined to start up a relationship." Wash replies. "She sliced your chest and according to what she said a couple days ago, you turned her into the Alliance. How does that lead to marriage?"

"Just does." Jayne answers, thinking back on how the whole thing started.

Jayne climbs down the ladder into his bunk and drops the guns he just got done cleanin onto the ground. Pulling his shirt and pants off, he drops down on his bed. The last couple days have been hell. He's not a man for regrets but he can't help but regretting what he done. Ain't no real excuse for it; the money was too damn good. He figured he could get some extra cash and get rid of the doc and his crazy sister at the same time. But seein what was done to her made him all kinds of mad. She was just a girl; nobody had the right to play with her brain.

Mal was right to throw him out the airlock. He put the entire crew in jeopardy over some coin. And the moonbrain knows what he's done. He can tell by the look she gave him. She was always looking at him weird; it completely freaked him out.

With a sigh, he lies down and pulls his blanket over his hips. Closing his eyes, he tries to forget bout the past couple days. He's asleep within a few minutes, snoring slightly.

Sometime later he feels something warm and wet touches his chest but he just grunts and ignores it. It moves down his chest to run around the band of his boxers. He feels himself harden and that makes him start wakin up. Cold air hits his cock and that makes him realize his boxers weren't on no more. He starts to opens his eyes when his cock is enveloped in the same warmness that just ran down his body. He slams his eyes open and looks down his body to see a dark head over his lap.

Long, brown hair is curled over his legs and he can feel sharp nails digging into his thighs. It takes him a few moments to realize it's the doc's little sister with her mouth around his cock.

"Girl, what the gorram…" Jayne starts to growl at her but only ends up groaning when she cups his balls and grazes him with her teeth. "Ya gotta stop." He orders, not really meaning it. He don't know where she learned it, but she's suckin him off better than any whore he's paid for. Her tongue travels up and down him as she massages his balls. Then she drops her mouth down on him until she's got his entire length in her mouth, the tip hitting the back of her throat. He groans loudly, feeling his balls tighten. He knows he's bout to cum and closes his eyes waiting for the sweet release. A few seconds later, he groans harshly and bucks his hips, emptying himself into her mouth.

He feels her crawl up his body but doesn't open his eyes, just lies there panting. When he finally opens his eyes he ends up staring into a pair of brown eyes glazed over with lust. As he watches, she reaches down and pulls her nightgown up and over her head, leaving her completely naked on top of him.

"Why are ya doin this?" Jayne questions trying not to stare at her naked body but failing miserably. "Do ya even realize who I am?"

"You're Jayne Cobb and I'm River Tam." She whispers as she moves higher until she's straddling his belly, her wetness pressing down on him.

"Yeah." He agrees. "Do ya know what ya're doin?"

"Leaking on your belly." She answers, slightly rocking herself on him.

He doesn't know what to say to that so he reaches up to grasps her hips, stopping her movements. "I don't know why ya're down here but ya bests git for I can't stop myself from takin advantage."

"No." She replies.

"Gorramit girl, this ain't right." Jayne growls. "Ya ain't all there and ya're too gorram young."

"Can you please stop talking and touch me?" River asks.

He just stares at her and she shakes her head in disappointment before reaching down and grabbing his hands off her hips. Bringing them up, she places them on her breasts, mewling at the feel of his palms cupping her.

Jayne's hands tighten against his will and she starts to rotate her hips against his stomach. Finally giving in, he flips them over until he's on top. He watches her, waiting for her to freak out or somethin like that. She doesn't; just keeps looking at him with those lust filled eyes.

"Ya sure ya really want this?" Jayne asks, giving her one last chance to back out.

"I want you." River answers.

With a growl, he moves over enough so's that he can pull her leg up and over his hip. Reaching between her thighs, he's shocked at how wet she is. Her juices are actually running down her thighs.

"Aww….please touch me." River moans loudly.

"Girl, ya gotta be a little quieter." Jayne orders, slipping his fingers between her folds. She bucks towards him, her eyes widening. He slips one finger inside her, causing her to moan loudly again. She's biting her bottom lip but it's not enough to hold back her moans. He pumps his finger in her and brings his thumb up to rub her clit. That's all it takes. She slams her lips onto his, screaming her release into his mouth.

Her walls clench tightly around his finger and he can't help but wonder what it'd feel like around his cock. He pulls back from her mouth to look down at her. She's breathing heavily, her hips still lightly riding his finger, and her eyes tightly closed. After a few moments, she opens her eyes to look into his.

"More please." She moans bringing her own hand down to place between her thighs, right over his. She presses onto her clit, making herself whimper. Bringing her wet finger up, she places it against his lips. He can smell her scent and it makes him harden instantly. He opens his mouth and pulls her finger inside, sucking her juices off of it. She moans loudly at the action, rocking her hips against his finger again. He sucks her finger clean, wanting more. Pulling his finger out, he moves her leg off his hip to move onto the ground. She moans at the loss, trying to pull him back.

"Calm down, girl." Jayne orders huskily. "Ain't goin nowhere."

Pulling her legs over his shoulders, he pulls her body closer until her pussy is only inches from his face. He brings his hands up to open her folds and runs his tongue between them. River screeches loudly, bucking her hips against his face. "Gorramit, ya gotta quiet yurself." Jayne growls at her. "Somebody's gonna hear ya."

"Can't." She moans. "Feels too good."

Reaching behind him, he grabs his shirt and tosses it at her. "Bite on that."

She grabs the shirt and puts it over her face. "Please return." She moans, rotating her hips at him.

He returns to his task, hungrily lapping at her juices. She tastes so gorram good. He don't do this to his whores; who'd wanna put their mouth where someone else just emptied his load. But he knows ain't nobody been between her thighs but him, could tell by how tight she is. He pushes his tongue deep inside of her and then pulls back to lick her clit. She's moaning into his shirt loudly, her hips writhing on his bed. Bringing one hand up, he places it on her stomach to hold her still. He sucks her clit into his mouth and nibbles on it while at the same time bringing two fingers to push inside of her. She bucks harshly, despite his hand holding her down and screams his name into his shirt as she orgasms. He rides her orgasm out between her thighs, his face getting soaked with her release.

Once she's come down, he stands up slowly, his cock harder than it's been in a good long while. He's been with more women than he can count but he's gotta admit he ain't ever gotten this hard watchin a woman cum. She's just so damn vocal and responsive.

"Ya got one more chance to leave cause I ain't gonna be able to stop myself in a minute." Jayne growls down at her. He wants to be inside of her; he can't remember wantin anything so much.

"Want you inside of me." She purrs up at him.

With a growl, he picks her up and drops her at the head of his bed, moving down on top of her. "Ya're a virgin, ain't ya?"

"Not for long." She replies.

He closes his eyes, trying to gain some control. He'd never of thought she'd be open bout what she wanted. "It's gonna hurt, ya know that right? I'm a large man and ya're pretty gorram small."

"I know." She responds. "Just do it."

Holding his upper body up with one hand, he reaches between them to open her folds. He gently pushes inside of her, placing his other arm down to steady himself. Her eyes widen and she flinches as he stretches her. "It'll be over in a second." He assures her. She nods shakily and spreads her legs wider to help his entrance. Bending his head down, he pulls her right nipple between his lips, biting down gently. She mewls and arches her chest at him. He sucks her nipple harshly into his mouth while at the same time pushing into her, breaking her maidenhead. She lets out a small cry of pain, tears filling her eyes.

"Sorry, girl." Jayne mutters. "Best just to get it over with at once."

He can feel her nails digging into his back and welcomes the pain. He knows he's done hurt her; probably almost torn her in half. He doesn't move, just gives her time to adjust. After a few minutes, she starts to slowly rotate her hips against his as if testing her body.

"Are ya okay?" Jayne questions. "Can I move or do ya need more time."

"It still stings but you can move." River answers.

He pulls out slowly and then gently pushes back in. She's still grimacing and he knows it's still hurtin her. He continues this way for a few minutes, tryin to be as gentle as he knows how. He's holdin on by a thread; he wants nothin more than to pound into her. Right when he thinks he's gonna lose it from holdin back, she wraps her legs around his hips and thrusts her body against his. He takes it to mean she's okay and starts to put more force behind his thrusts. Her eyes are closed and she's pantin pretty heavily. Reaching down between them, he finds her clit and pinches it. Her eyes shoot open and she groans his name. He pinches it again and can feel her walls start to flutter around him. He does it one more time and pushes her over the edge. Her mouth opens wide and he knows she's gonna scream again so he quickly presses his mouth against hers, voluntarily kissing a woman for the first time in years. She screams his name into his mouth, back arching as her walls squeeze tightly around him.

His eyes cross at the sensation and he pumps into her 3 times and then cums harder than he has in years. His arms feel boneless and he quickly turns them over until she's resting on his chest, him still inside of her. They're both breathing heavily and covered in sweat.

A few minutes later when he feels like he can move, he sets her to the side and pulls out of her. He stands up and goes to remove the condom when he realizes he didn't use one, for the first time in his entire life. He starts to freak out when she speaks.

"Don't worry." She whispers, still panting.

"Course I'm going to worry." Jayne growls. "Do ya know what this could mean?"

"Nothing." She replies. "I stole one of Inara's birth control packs and gave it to myself a few weeks ago. I'm protected from pregnancy for the next 3 months."

"So's ya was plannin on gettin laid weeks ago?" He growls. "Was I just handy or somethin? Were ya just plannin on grabbin the first male available?"

She sits up slowly and looks up at him with very lucid eyes. "No, it was always going to be you."

"What?" Jayne questions, shocked. "Why?"

"Because." River answers. "It was always going to be you, since I came out of that box and heard your thoughts."

"Ya heard me?"

"It's a girl, cute too." River says in a perfect intimation of his accent. "But I don't think she's all there, course not all of her has to be."

"Oh." He replies, not sure of what to say. "And that made ya want me?"

"You never saw me as a helpless little girl." River explains. "You've always realized I could be a threat and treated me that way. Besides, you're the only person I've ever been attracted to."

"Why ain't ya soundin crazy-like?" Jayne questions as he moves over to his sink to rinse off a towel. Moving back over to her, he sits down on the bed and pushes her onto her back.

"Lay down and spread your legs." Jayne orders. She obeys, spreading her legs widely. He places the towel between her thighs and gently cleans the blood off of her.

"It's quiet in here." She whispers. "Everybody else pushes in on me and I can't get away from them. You don't. I can be myself."

"Oh." Jayne replies. He finishes cleaning her and tosses the towel into the corner of his room. "Ya stayin or leavin?"

"Simon won't be up for a few hours." River answers, moving over so he can lie down beside her. "I'll leave before he gets up."

"Kay." Jayne mutters, pulling his blanket off the ground and covering them up. She curls into his side, her head resting on his chest. He gives thought to the guns next to her but figures if she was gonna kill him, she wouldn't of slept with him. Closing his eyes, he falls back to sleep, her right beside him.

The next two weeks he tells himself it's just bout sex, lots and lots of sex. They did it everywhere, at least 2 or 3 times a day. He don't know how they didn't get caught but she somehow knew when it was safe and when someone was coming.

It's two weeks from the night they started that he realizes he cares bout her, more than he's ever cared bout another woman.

Jayne moves down into his bunk and drops heavily onto his bed. He ain't seen River in 2 days and he can't believe how much he misses her. Not just the sex, he misses her. Her hundan brother gave her some more of his drugs, which in his opinion don't due nothin but screw with her head. Whatever it was, messed her up. Doc had to sedate her and she ain't been out of her room since. He knows he ain't gonna get to sleep anytime soon so he grabs Vera and starts giving her a good cleanin. Bout 20 minutes into it, he hears his bunk unlock and glances up to see her comin down the ladder.

She moves all the way into his bunk and turns around to lock the door. Turning back around, she faces him. Her eyes are blood shot, her skin pasty, and she's shakin so hard he can almost hear her bones rattlin.

"Girl, ya okay?" Jayne whispers.

She just shakes her head, tears filling her eyes.

He drops Vera to the ground and holds his arms out. "Come here, baby." Jayne whispers, not realizing what he called her.

She launches her self into his arms, wrapping her entire body around his. He rubs his hands up and down her back as she tries to burrow into his chest. He lies down, pulling her with him and pulls his blanket over them. She's sobbin her eyes out, talking nonsense. All he can get is 'blue-hands', 'needles', and 'make it stop'. His teeth clench and rage fills his body.

They don't do nothin that night; he just holds her while she sleeps.

After that he don't call her nothin but 'baby'.

He realizes two weeks later he's in love with her.

Jayne's sittin at the mess table cleanin a couple of guns while Mal sits at the opposite end tryin to do Serenity's yearly taxes. Inara and Book are standin by the counter talkin bout some book or somethin like that. Zoe and Wash are sittin beside Mal; Zoe flipping through the large tax booklet tryin to help Mal while Wash watches.

Mal cusses something fierce then throws the pen down. "There ain't a soul in the verse that can understand this go-se." Mal growls.

"Why ya doin it for?" Jayne questions.

"Because if we get stopped without proof of paying taxes, we'll lose the boat and probably end up on some penal moon." Zoe answers. "Sir, I'm thinking you're going to have to pay the guy who did them last time."

"Yeah, I don't want to though." Mal replies. "We ain't got the extra cash."

Simon and Kaylee come into the room, Kaylee telling a story and gesturing wildly.

"Hey doc, know anything bout taxes?" Mal questions.

"Yes." Simon answers. "Enough to know to pay someone to do them for me."

"Ya didn't do them on your own?" Mal asks.

"No, my lawyer and accountant took care of everything." Simon answers. "Why?"

"Tryin to do Serenity's." Mal answers. "It don't make a bit of sense."

Jayne feels River walk into the room and glances up just in time to see her pass by him. She walks over to stand behind Mal. "That's wrong." River says, pointing down at the forms on the table. "So is that."

"How the hell do ya know that?" Mal questions.

"Just do." River replies. Before he can say anything, she grabs the forms and the pen off the table and then grabs the book out of Zoe's hand. Moving over the table in the corner of the room she spreads them all out in front of her before sitting down on the floor.

"River, I think the captain was using that." Simon says.

"Don't worry bout it doc." Mal says. "I was bout to burn it. She can play with it."

Jayne goes back to cleanin his guns while Kaylee and Simon sit down to talk with rest of the crew. Bout 30 minutes later, River moves back over and drops everything down in front of Mal.

"Ya know, it says something when a ruttin genius gets bored after 30 minutes of tryin to understand this crap." Mal says. "Done flipping through it?"

"Done reading it." River answers.

"What?" Mal questions in shock. "Ya read the whole think in 30 minutes?"

"No." River answers. "Learned it all in 20 minutes. I spent a few minutes correcting it and then filled out your forms."

Mal grabs the book and flips through it seeing where she crossed some things out and wrote over top of em.

"Those were wrong." River says.

Mal stares up at her before grabbing the forms. He flips through them for a few minutes before looking at her again. "I'm gettin money back?"

"Yes." River answers. "Didn't you last year?"

"No, I had to pay." Mal responds. He stands up quickly and pulls River into a hug before kissing her forehead. "Little witch, ya're my hero. Whadda ya want? I'll give ya anything within reason."

Before River can respond, there's a loud bang as Jayne roughly stands up and moves out of the room.

"What's with him?" Kaylee questions.

"He's just being Jayne." Wash answers. "Probably don't like all this happiness."

"I'd like some new colored pencils and paper." River answers. "And some strawberries for Kaylee."

"Done." Mal says. "Come on Wash, need ya to help me transcribe this onto the cortex."

Zoe and Wash follow Mal out of the room, Mal holding his prize tightly in his hand.

"Inara, you and Book wanna play cards with me and Simon?" Kaylee questions.

"Sure." Inara answers. She walks over to the table with Book right behind her.

"Mei-mei, do you want to play too?" Simon questions.

"No." River answers. "I would just win and it takes all the fun out of it. I'm going to go draw."

"Are you okay?" Simon questions, concerned.

"Fine, Simon." River answers. "You guys have fun." River walks out of the room and waits in the hallway until she hears them start the game. Once she knows they're distracted, she walks down the hall to Jayne's bunk. Pushing the hatch back, she climbs down the ladder into his bunk where he is pacing back and forth, clenching his fists.

Jayne takes one look at her then walks over and grabs her arm pulling her to his chest. He kisses her deeply for a few moments before pulling her dress over her head. Dropping her on the bed, he kneels down and pulls her legs over his shoulder and dives in, making her moan loudly as his teeth nip at her clit. He sucks and nibbles at her harshly, bringing her to an orgasm in a few minutes. He doesn't let her recover; just shoves two fingers into her to push her into her next orgasm. Her body's shaking hard with aftershocks as he pulls his fingers out. Pulling his pants off, he picks her up and then drops back onto his bed. He moves her to straddle his lap, his hands on her hips and shoves his cock into her. She moans harshly and starts to ride him. He uses his hands to move her faster, his hips slamming into hers. She cums again, biting her lip to keep from screaming.

He flips them over and pulls her legs to rest on his shoulder before pounding into her like he's trying to brand her. He reaches between them to roll her clit between his fingers and bends over to suck one of her nipples into his mouth. She cums again, biting his arm to muffle her scream. Jayne pulls out and flips her over onto her knees. Reaching down to open her folds, he pushes into her harshly. She arches her back, turning her head to find his mouth. He shoves his tongue into her mouth while reaching down to find her clit with one hand and a nipple with the other. He pounds into a few more times, pinching her clit at the same time. She screams into his mouth as she cums for the 5th time. He pumps into her one more time and groans loudly as he cums. She collapses onto the bed, her body completely spent.

He roughly stands up, his body shaking, and grabs his pants and puts them back on before moving out his bunk. He returns a few minutes later with a warm washcloth in one hand and a tube of some kinda burn cream in the other. He moves over to the bed where she is still lying on her stomach, breathing heavily. He sits down next to her and flips her over onto her back. He gently pulls her legs apart and presses the cloth against her abused flesh. She winces slightly making him feel like the bastard he is. He squeezes some of the cream onto his fingers before gently applying it to her folds. Once he's done he wipes his fingers off on the towel and then drops it onto the ground.

Placing his elbows onto his knees, he cradles his head in his hands. He feels her sit up and then she wraps her arms around him from behind and lays her head onto his back.

"I'm sorry baby." Jayne whispers. "I was outa line."

"It's okay." River whispers. "Are you okay?"

"No." Jayne answers. "I'm a violent man; I accepted that along time ago. But when Mal grabbed ya and kissed ya……I've never wanted to kill someone more."

She moves around him until she is sitting on his lap. Looking up at him she whispers, "I know."

"The thought of anyone touchin ya fills me with a rage I don't think I can control." Jayne explains. "You're mine. I don't deserve ya but I can't let ya go."

She places her hands on each side of his face and looks him squarely in the eyes. "I love you Jayne Cobb, every part, even the violent ones because I know you would never really hurt me."

Jayne stares at her for a few seconds before gently kissing her. Pulling back, he looks into her eyes before whispering, "Love ya too baby, even the crazy parts."

Jayne stands up and lays her on the bed before pulling his pants and shirt off. Lying down next to her, he pulls her against his chest, kisses her forehead, and covers them up before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

"Jayne." Mal yells, getting the merc's attention. "What the gorram hell's wrong with ya? Ya ain't touched your food."

Jayne glances down at his full plate. "Huh." He mutters before grabbing his fork and digging in.

"He was remembering when he realized he loved me." River comments as she stares at Jayne.

"Yeah." Jayne agrees. "And it's all your gorram fault Mal. I was content not admittin it to myself."

"My fault?" Mal screeches. "What the hell did I do?"

"Ya kissed her." Jayne growls still not liking the memory.

"What?" Mal screeches again. "I never…..when the gorram hell did I kiss her?"

"Said I was your hero." River comments as she slides over onto Jayne's lap. She kisses his chin to sooth him before turning back to the crew. "Hugged me tight, kissed me, and then bought me art supplies."

"Ya talking bout when ya did the taxes?" Mal questions. River nods at him while reaching down to steal some food off Jayne's plate. "I kissed ya on the forehead."

"Yeah." Jayne growls. "And I never wanted to kill someone more than I did that minute; why I stormed off, knew if I didn't I probably would of."

Mal stares at him, his mouth hanging open. "Ya wanted to kill me cause I kissed her forehead?" Mal questions after a few moments of complete silence. "Jayne, that's kinda…"

"Scary." Jayne offers. "Think I don't know that. The thought of anybody touchin her fills me with a rage that I don't think I can control. She's mine; I know I don't deserve her but it don't change nothin. I ain't letting her go. Somethin happens….someone tries to take her….well, I'll kill every person standin between me and gettin her back."

"It's kinda romantic in a completely violent and scary way." Wash comments after a minute or two.

Simon drops his fork before setting his head on the table.

"Simon, ya okay?" Kaylee questions concerned.

"Yes." Simon answers before moving his head up to stare at Jayne. "I don't…..thank you."

"Huh?" Jayne questions in shock. That was the last thing he expected comin out of the doc's mouth.

"They're not going to stop coming after her." Simon says. "I will do everything in my power to protect her but I know it won't be enough. It's just…….I know Mal would try to save her but you don't know how much of a relief it is to know there is someone who will….."

"Kill every person he has to in order to keep her safe." Zoe finishes for him.

"Yes, it's actually reassuring." Simon replies.

River gives a small squeal before jumping off Jayne's lap and running around the table to hug her brother. "Thank you for understanding, Simon." River gushes.

"Never said I understand, mei-mei." Simon says. "I agree that he doesn't deserve you but I'm glad you have him."

"Jayne, stop it." Mal tells the merc.

"What?" Jayne growls.

"Ya're looking at the doc like ya wanna rip his head off." Mal replies. "It's her brother."

"Yeah, I know." Jayne growls. "Can't help it."

River kisses Simon's cheek before moving back around to straddle Jayne's lap. Reaching up, she kisses him deeply. Jayne fists one hand in her hair and the other caresses her back.

A roll flies across the table towards the groping couple. River reaches one hand up in air and catches the roll, still kissing Jayne. She tosses the roll back, hitting Mal on the forehead. She pulls back from Jayne's mouth, panting harshly. She then turns around on Jayne's lap to glare at Mal. "That wasn't nice captain." River scolds.

"This ain't the place for that." Mal growls. "Ya can't control yourself, go back to your room."

River stands up and grabs Jayne's hand, trying to pull him out of the room. "Come on, Jayne. You heard the captain."

Jayne pulls her back to the table and sits her down in her chair. "Ya need to eat more baby." Jayne orders. River looks up at him with wide eyes. "Don't even try that; we ain't goin back upstairs till ya eat. Gotta keep your strength up."

River looks at him one more time before picking her fork back up. "Fine." She slightly whines.

"I still don't get it." Wash replies. "How did none of us notice?"

"He's right." Simon agrees. "You two acted the same around each other. Jayne avoided you or if he couldn't he completely ignored you. And you were always harassing him; like that time we had to hide out from Mal's fake wife. You made fun of his name."

"Teasing him." River replies. "We had sex when you went to get me some headache relief medicine."

"What?" Simon gasps. "I was only gone for 10 minutes."

"Jayne works fast." River smirks.

"But ten minutes?" Kaylee questions. "It couldna been that good."

"It was." River replies.

"Mei-mei, I don't want to hear that." Simon groans.

"I can't believe ya two are so great at pretending." Mal comments. "Hell Jayne, two weeks ago ya was makin fun of her for not being able to eat an ice planet. Ya sayin that was all pretend?"

"Hell no, I was bein serious." Jayne replies. "She's a gorram genius but she can't figure out how to eat an ice planet. Don't make no kinds of sense."

Jayne starts to eat more when he feels River glaring at him. He glances over and groans. She's glaring at him, eyebrow raised, her lips set in a thin, angry line and her arms crossed over her chest. "Oh, no baby, not the Look."

"The Look?" Mal questions, confused.

"Ya don't know bout the Look?" Jayne questions. "The 'ya done screwed up and now ya ain't gettin any' look."

"There's a look for that?" Simon questions.

"Yes." Jayne and Wash both answer.

"I'm guessin ya experienced this look before." Mal smirks.

"Five ruttin times." Jayne groans. "3 times for bein mean to the doc, once for makin a lewd comment to Nara, and the worst was for putting that rat in Kaylee's hammock."

"Ya too, Wash?" Mal questions.

"Yeah, though I never counted how many times." Wash replies. "What's the longest time?"

"Bout 20, I think." Jayne answers.

"20 days?" Mal questions. "Seems like a long length of time."

"What?" Jayne gasps. "Not 20 days; I would've thrown myself out the airlock had it lasted that long."

"19 hours, 27 minutes, and 34 seconds." River answers.

"You're complaining because you had to go 20 hours without sex?" Wash practically yells.

"Yeah." Jayne answers. "What's the longest for ya?"

"Didn't really count; a week and a half probably." Wash answers.

Jayne turns to look quickly at River, panic evident in his eyes. "Ya wouldn't hold out that long, would ya baby?"

"I couldn't." River answers, still glaring. "I don't have the self control that Zoe does. You should know that by now."

"Yeah, but I was just checkin." Jayne replies, relieved.

"How often did ya guys do it?" Kaylee questions.

"KAYLEE!" Mal and Simon both yell.

"What?" Kaylee responds. "Just curious."

"Once or twice during the day." River answers. "About the same amount at night."

The entire crew stares at them, mouths hanging open.

"Ya did it four times each day?" Kaylee gasps out.

"At least." River answers as she finishes her dinner. "What?"

"Qingwa cao de liumang." Mal yells. "Ya sayin all this sexin is normal for ya two?"

"Yeah." Jayne answers. "Why?"

"I thought it was just that 'honeymoon' phase." Mal replies. "Now ya're telling me ya're always gonna be like this."

"Yep." River answers. "I finished eating now Jayne. Can we go upstairs?"

Jayne quickly stands up and pulls her with him. "Ya done gave me the look, baby. Thought I'd be waitin a while. Ya sayin we get to do stuff?"

"No." River answers, smirking up at him. "You get to watch."

Jayne comes to a complete stop, staring at her in lust. "Qu tamade." He groans before picking her up and running up the stairs.