"Awkward Situations - Part 2"

Series: Fluffy Pink Things

By LadyCleo

As always thanks to my wonderful betas; firelily for keeping me from word and comma abuse and taramonk for provide the feedback needed to encourage the muse!

Part of the BOUND lifetimes; the third encounter between Colonel Jayne and Prima Ballerina River.

"What the hell was I thinking?" Dropping her head down to rest on the steering wheel, River resisted the urge to restart the car and drive away. Lifting her head back up she peered out the window at the small house and bit her lip, "It's not like we've ever gone beyond causal flirting- I've only seen the man three times before and now I'm going over to his house to meet his family. Something just doesn't seem right about that!"

"It can't be that bad, hon," Kay whispered from the passenger seat. "What's the worst that could happen?" Tossing her hair over her shoulder she leaned over to peer at the small house. "If it gets bad we can always claim there's an emergency and ditch!"

"I could always say that there's a dead body I forgot to put away!"

Glancing over her shoulder River glared at her older brother. "Funny Sam! You're not helping the situation!"

Sam shrugged, "Since when do I ever help the situation? I'm family, I'm supposed to be a nuisance and cause trouble! Why are we even here? All I've ever heard about this guy is that he's an annoying and likes to step on your toes in more ways than one."

River sighed as Kay turned to her and questioned, "Why'd we bring him anyway?"

"Because you just 'had' to marry him! Honestly Kay, couldn't you have done better?"

"We'll hon, the lesbian thing wasn't working for us. I needed to get into the family somehow."

Both girls giggled as the man in the back seat groaned, "Are we getting out of the car anytime soon?"

"I suppose we ought to, River honey, they probably think we're lost or something. That is if they haven't noticed the car that's been sitting in front for the past fifteen minutes."

"Alright, alright, we'll go in, but Sam-" glancing back over her shoulder the Ballerina fixed her brother with a hard glare, "play nice, else I'm telling Daddy about the time you tried to cut open my cat!"

"I was twelve!"

Ignoring her brother, River pushed open the car door and stepped out; pausing to gaze up at the small house with a resolve she wasn't feeling.

Coming over to her side, Sam stared at his little sister worriedly, "What's the big deal anyway? I thought you said this guy was just a big oaf? It's not like you're gonna marry him or anything."

Kay laughed lightly as she joined the pair, "Honestly Sam, you are clueless." Wrapping her arm through River's, Kay started to pull the girl towards the looming door as Sam trailed a step behind them. Reaching the front door, the other girl reached forward and gently pressed the buzzer. "Remember to breathe, darling, don't wanna pass out; Sam can only declare the cause of death."

The door pulled open and Jayne smiled down at the three. "Was wondering when ya'll were going to come in."

Susanna stepped around her brother-in-law, lightly smacking him on the shoulder. "Just ignore him; we're so glad you could make it." Pushing Jayne back the slightly smaller woman made room for the three to enter.

River cleared her throat nervously, motioning to her brother and his wife, "This is my brother, Samuel Tam and his wife, Kaylyn Tam."

"You can call me Kay and him Sam," Kay declared with a friendly grin as she shook hands with the other woman.

"This here is Colonel Michael Jayne and I'm Suzy Jayne, the Colonel's sister-in-law; it's a pleasure to meet you all. Why don't you follow me out back and I'll introduce the rest of the clan?" Taking Kay by the hand, Susanna led her towards the back porch with Sam in tail.

"Glad ya could make it." His rough voice startled her slightly and the Ballerina spun gracefully around, almost slamming into his chest as the Colonel abruptly halted. His hand rose swiftly to catch her by the arm, lingering there for a second though she didn't need the assistance.

River cleared her throat nervously again and averted her gaze back down to her toes, "Was there ever any doubt that I would?"

Jayne chuckled lightly, "Well that whole situation was kinda awkward. Sorta like this one."

Taking a step back, River found herself nervously laughing, "Awkward? Nothing awkward about it." Glancing around the small bachelor pad, she tried to find a way to change the subject, but the place was only sparsely decorated with only the essentials. "We should probably join the group. If I don't watch out for him, Sam tends to insert his foot into his mouth."

Jayne nodded, stepping around the slightly smaller Ballerina he lead her through the living room to the patio doors, pulling open the glass door for her. River smiled at up at him and stepped into the warm D.C. air, her cheeks hewing red as she felt his eyes follow her.

Well this was going to be fun!