Disclaimers: Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon own it all.

Reviews: Feedback very welcomed and appreciated

Timeline: Takes place during Safe, only this time Jayne gets snatched

Pairings: Jayne/ River, naturally; Zoe/ Wash

Rating: M for all the usual reasons

River moved about the sick room, attempting to help Simon, but only succeeding in being bored. "There really aren't that many ill people here Simon. I speculate as to why they felt the need to abduct a doctor." She was looking through the meager supplies. "Seems it would've been more logical to appropriate medical supplies if the law was to be broken."

Simon smiled as his sister's analysis of the situation. "Yes, it would seem so." He looked over at Doralee and felt this was as good a time as any to put Jayne's and his plan into action. "But I have noticed a few of the children haven't been as healthy as they should be. They have no immunizations and I just hope we aren't going to see an appearance of pertussis."

Simon had actually been stunned that Jayne had come up with the idea to fake an epidemic. 'Nobody wants their kids to die, so if we say they could…" The big man shrugged and left the rest up to him, and this was the best he could do on such short notice.

"Hmm, have you noticed the symptoms? Nasal drainage, unusually active tear ducts?" River was intrigued. She had never seen a case of 'whooping cough' as it was commonly referred to.

"To early to tell, but I wish we had a way to immunize these children. Jayne did say he saw a medical supply station in town." He turned from River, who was eyeing him with suspicion.

"Really?" She asked with one raised eyebrow.

"So, Jayne says we're having dinner in your cabin tonight?" Simon quickly changed the subject.

River noticed the alteration in conversation, but allowed it. "Yes, for my birthday."

Simon smiled as he leaned over and kissed his sister's cheek. "I can't believe my little mei mei is going to be 18. I wish…"

"I know Simon, please don't be sad. You have always done your best for me. This," she waved her arm about the room, "this is not your fault. She would never blame you for anything. You gave up your future for her." She leaned against her brother's shoulder. "Someday she will make up it to you."

"Oh River, never think…I wouldn't change a thing, except that I would never, ever let you go away."

She smiled up at him. "She…I appreciate you so Simon. But even if you would never have let me go, mother and father…"

Simon stood back to look at this sister. "Don't think of them, they are…they never meant…"

"It's alright Simon, you make up for so many of the ills in my world. You and Serenity…Jayne." She blushed slightly.

Simon pretended not to notice, so he changed the subject again. "You seem to be doing much better River, even without your meds. I was very worried." He hugged her. "Maybe you're turning a corner, maybe…" He wasn't sure what else to say, he was just so relieved she hadn't had one of her fits since they'd arrived. In the back of his mind he had to wonder if it had anything to do with Jayne, but quickly dismissed it. He hated the thought that that man was able to do for his sister with his mere presence what he was unable to do with all his education and love.

"Oh Simon, fahng-sheen (don't worry), just accept." She kissed him before leaving the sick room. "Come over when you're done, we'll be ready." She called over her shoulder.

River smiled up at the two men in her life and blew out the one candle on the cake. A real cake.

"Did you make a wish mei mei?" Simon asked his sister.

"Yes, I did." She looked up at Jayne, who shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, what was it?" Simon was not completely unaware of the relationship shift between the mercenary and his sister, he just wasn't sure what it was, and to be honest, he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"Simon! Can't tell. If I did my wish wouldn't come true and I'd be very disappointed."

"Okay, well...I do have a gift for you, but it's on the ship. So, we'll have to have another party when we get back so you can open it." He ruffled his sister's hair.

"Another party sure sounds good to me. Kaylee can make up a mighty fine cake with that protein mash." Jayne added as he cut the cake.

"I miss Kaylee." She turned to face the two men. "So, is Jayne leaving tomorrow to try and wave the captain?"

"How did you…" Simon didn't finish his question.

"Simon, I'm a reader remember?" River rolled her eyes and Jayne laughed our loud, warrenting a dirty look from Simon. She was sure cute, he thought to himself.

"Yeah, I'm gonna try to reach the cap tomorrow. Hopefully that damn Patron won't see though the plan." Jayne shoveled a big bite of cake into his mouth.

"It will work, I'm sure of it." River took another bite of her cake, as well. "We must save a piece of this for Erin, I'm sure she would enjoy the fruits of her labor." River cut a piece to set aside.

"That's very nice of you River." Simon looked softly at his baby sister. He was saddened by the fact that she had to celebrate her eighteenth birthday as a captive, pretending to be married to the ape man.

"It's all fine Simon. One can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. It's all how one holds the situation." She lifted another spoonful of cake to her mouth and then licked the remnants off her lips, relishing the look Jayne had on his face as he watched.

Simon took a deep breathe. "Well, I suppose I should get going. I need to be up early to get the plan into action." He had an air of excitement. "Come over before breakfast, maybe we can get them to send you off tomorrow."

"Just make sure your convincin', you ain't the best liar around." Jayne said with his mouth full.

"Sorry we all can't be as accomplished as you are Jayne." Simon deadpanned.

"S'right, you have your points." Jayne waved his spoon at the doc.

"Yes, well. Good night mei mei, soon we'll be back on Serenity and life with get back to normal." Simon hesitated at his statement. "At least as normal as life can be on board Serenity."

"Yes, good night Simon." River stood up and kissed her brother's cheek.

Once her brother was gone, River cleared up the table and set the dishes in a small tub of water to soak. She turned to Jayne.

"Thank you for making my day special." She eyed him shyly.

"Ain't nothin'. Your eighteenth should be special, is all. We'll do it up right once we get back on board." He glanced up at the girl.

"Jayne?"

"Yeah?" He responded slowly.

"Why are you being like this?" She sat down next to him.

He shrugged. "Already done told both you and that brother of yours. It's my job. Dong ma?" He bit out.

River nodded. "Dong ma." She rose. "Time to get ready for bed, a big day tomorrow, plan to get us home comes into play."

Jayne watched as she headed for the bedroom and he inwardly groaned. He wanted the girl, wanted to sex her more 'n he ever wanted anything. He shook his head. Why was he bein' like this, he asked himself for the hundredth time? Why was he takin' care of the two of 'em? Why didn't he just head out a month ago and wait out Mal's return? Why was he brushin' River's gorram hair every night? I'm not a nice man, he told himself. Not a nice man, his brain screamed!

"Jayne?" River poked her head out of the bedroom door. "Come to bed, it's our last night."

He looked up at her and his breath caught in his chest. How did she become so gorram beautiful in just a month, he thought?

"Yeah, I'll be right in." He put his plate with the others to soak and took a deep breath. I can do this, just one more night then life will be back to normal. Just one more night.

-fahng-sheen: don't worry

-the following chapter contains graphic sexual situations, please skip to chapter 6 - labeled 5b - if these sorts of situations offend you. Thanks!