Someone to Watch Over Me

PART 3

"What?" River managed to finally squeak out.

"You're pregnant, four and a half months along I assume. And the voice, I think, oh god, I think you've been talking to your baby."

River clutched her belly. Baby? She thought.

Hmmm, this is more logical than the conscience and angel theories, the voice responded.

Then River noticed the wave of jumbled emotions hitting her from around the corner. "If you don't get in here this instant I'll squeeze your balls so hard they'll fall off."

Simon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at who she was talking to and then shot up when Jayne practically ran into the room and scooped River up in a crushing hug. River clutched him just as tightly.

Then a voice extremely muffled by Jayne's shoulder said, "A baby! Oh Jayne, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Jayne ran soothing hands up and down her back. "Hey, hey, shh, shh now, no apologizin', ain't your fault. Now, I can't say I ever planned on having youngins, but I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't thrilled that you're the one that's havin' it."

River looked up at him, "Really?"

"Of course, really, just look."

River stared into his eyes for a moment and, obviously liking what she found in his head, slammed her mouth on his for a deep kiss.

Simon's choked gurgling sound brought them back to reality. River turned and looked over at Simon. She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped at seeing his shock.

"You think this is funny, River?"

"No, this is not funny, your face is."

"Mei mei, you're with Jayne, you're," Simon swallowed heavily, "having his baby."

River looked more serious, "Yes, I am, but remember when I said I'm happy, that Serenity is home, a home I've always wanted and never had? Jayne's a huge and essential part of that, so Simon, try for me, please?"

Simon sent a calculating look at Jayne, who hadn't released River yet. "Are you really happy and ok about this?"

"Ya, and I know you'll be harder to convince 'cause you're not a mind reader, but River sees it, she sees I love her and she knows I'm not lying." River nodded enthusiastically.

"Will you take care of her and the baby?"

"Well, since you seem to have trouble keepin' this in mind, I'll remind you that she can take care of herself." River gave him a kiss on the cheek for that, "And yes, I'll take care of her when she lets me, take care of the baby always, and love them both forever, I ain't going nowhere."

That declaration got him a big kiss on the lips from River and a grudging look of respect from Simon.

"Happy?" Simon tried one more time.

"Happy," River responded firmly.

Simon sighed and said, "Then I'll do my best to be happy too . . . just. . . . stop kissing in front of me, ok?"

Jayne laughed and scooped River off the table and into his arms, "Hear that baby? We're gonna have to take the celebration elsewhere."

River laughed and threw her arms around his neck. They were almost to River's room when Simon's voice made them stop and turn.

"River? When will you tell the others?"

"Dinnertime is soon enough."

And with that Jayne stepped into her room, River reaching out to slide the door shut behind them. Simon retreated quickly to other parts of the ship, escaping before River's giggles turned to other sounds.

AN: Thanks so much for my reviews, they make me so happy! Next chapter, the rest of the crew!