The Favour

Asking a favour from someone who's screaming at you is never easy. Asking a favour from someone who's screaming at you while the whole ruttin' crew looks on is even harder.

Jayne picked out a few words from the Doc's enraged ranting and reflexively responded, his voice a threatening growl.

"I ain't never sexed up River! I ain't never even tried!"

Simon was torn between mistrust and relief. "Then… what are you talking about? You said you had 'feelings' for River." His tone traced the words with disbelief and disgust. "There's only one part of your ape body that has feelings towards a woman, and it's not your heart!"

Zoë's mouth twisted in distaste, while Mal's was set in a grim line, hand still resting on the gun holstered at his side, as it had since the whole sorry conversation had started.

Noticing this, Jayne's voice became slightly panicked. "We kissed, that's all. I swear!"

"You kissed?" Kaylee practically combusted with shocked excitement. "Jayne, you don't never kiss. Not on the mouth leastwise… What's gotten into yer?"

Zoë was amused; Mal and Simon were not, as evidenced by their both shooting to their feet, their expressions screaming "AIRLOCK!".

Actually, Mal's expression screamed "AIRLOCK!"; Simon was just too busy screaming.

Zoë stepped between Mal and Jayne; Kaylee performed the same service with Simon, trying to soothe him.

For a Core boy, Simon had quite the swearin' repertoire, Jayne noted, with the sort of detachment that comes from mind-numbing panic.

Zoë's calm voice cut through the din. "What I don't understand, Jayne, is why you'd tell us about it. Granted you ain't the shiniest piece of silverware in the drawer, but you have finely tuned instincts for self-preservation." She paused, eyes boring into him. "So, why you suddenly turned all-fired suicidal?"

Jayne's sharp exhalation was accompanied by a very ripe swearword. "I tole yer – I'm tryin' to do this right. River's father ain't around – thought about askin' Mal, but Simon's her closest kin…" He realised he was mumbling and drew in a breath, before turning back to the Doc. "You're the one who needs to give… permission."

Simon had been frowning in mounting bewilderment, but at Jayne's last word, pushed out from behind a cloud of mortification, his jaw dropped open in sudden comprehension:

"You want to marry River?!"

Just hearin' the words out loud almost made Jayne bolt.

Then a small hand crept into his, squeezing encouragement, eyes shining with love and trust. She had been standing by his side throughout, unflinching and chin proudly raised. But she hadn't spoken, knowing this was Jayne's battle to fight.

His beautiful, shiny xiōng can sha shǒu. She could floor him with a look just as easily as she could floor him with a kick. Not quite knowing which it would be was part of the reason he'd long since realised she was the only girl he could contemplate settlin' down with. His fēng diān bǎo bèi. As always, he became lost in her eyes, those deep, hypnotisin' eyes. Jayne drew strength from what he saw there.

The words that emerged weren't just an answer – an acknowledgement of Simon's correct understanding – they were a pledge. A promise.

A vow.

"I do."

River beamed. "You may kiss the groom."

And standing on her tip-toes, that's exactly what she did.

Glossary:

bǎo bèi– darling

fēng diān – crazy

xiōng can sha shǒu - ass-kicking killer