Title: Through the Eyes of Innocence Lost
author: jmaria
Rating: PG
pairing: Spike, River, Jayne

joss100 Set, Prompt: 2, #049. First Love

Words: 354
Disclaimer: Joss owns them, I do not pout
Summary: That's the one you love?
A/N: Because I'm a Rayne addict . . .also set only after Objects in Space. Set in the same 'verse as I Find You Irksome (a Simon, Illyria centric fic).
Set (because we all know the insanity that is me): Little Girl with a Big Gun - 1/6.

Through the Eyes of Innocence Lost

The captain had told them that there was likely to be a spot of tension between Jayne and any newcomers to Serenity. Spike didn't really care, figgered he could take the bloke, if need be. Not that he was expectin' a fight - hoping for one, definitely. When he, the Poof, and Blue got on at Beaumond, they hadn't been expecting more than a quiet trip outta the core.

Things were mighty dangerous for a demon-king, and two vamps creeping up into their 800 and 700's respectfully. Being in the black kept 'em far away from the Sun-that-was-no-more, and these new worlds didn't have suns quite as powerful. Lube up with some sunscreen, and Mr. Vamp could be like Joe Average.

Didn't expect to meet a bird who'd remind him so strongly of Dru on her best days and the bit on her worst. Didn't expect to find himself playin' mentor to the wounded little bird, who had the potential. And that's how he found hisself on the wrong side of the big man a sight quicker than the rest.

The man actually tried to choke him when he'd been dancing with the bit. 'Course his idea of dancing was a bit different than Jayne's, and the girl took the blow well enough. Man saw red anyway, and Spike found himself getting well acquainted with the cargo hold's hull.

"You do realize that chokin' me ain't gonna kill me," Spike said after about five minutes of this.

Obviously he hadn't. Took Mal's threatening to shoot him if he didn't stop and River's hand laid gently on his to get him to stop.

"I'll be in my bunk," Jayne grumbled before stomping off.

Spike only laughed. River looked at him oddly, irritation in her eyes as clear as the bit's would have been if he'd been laughin' at her boyfriend.

"Coulda picked worst for your first love, bit. Mine was a snob of a girl what got turned into a vengeance demon. Oh, and Dru. Course, you'd be all about the bad boys."

"Not bad, misunderstood," River murmured staring at Jayne's back as it disappeared.