Someone to Watch Over Me

PART 6

Three months later:

River bent backwards slowly until her palms hit the deck behind her making a bridge of her body. A bridge with a very large speed bump on top. Jayne looked on from a crate, making sure River didn't hurt herself or the baby.

"Huh, where'd that come from?" Mal wondered aloud as he came to stand beside Jayne.

"The very last store we looked in." Jayne grumbled, but looked on in approval at the stretchy leotard and leggings that River was wearing.

"Shopping trip didn't go well?"

"All damn day, in and out of stores."

"Liar."

Mal and Jayne's heads turned to River who was now on her back stretching her legs out in a straddle.

"Hey!"

"You are, you were sad to come back, sad our alone time was up."

"Well, maybe a little bit."

"Plus you liked all the jealous looks."

At that Jayne smirked, "It is nice to have a beautiful young thing on my arm when I'm out and about."

"That wasn't all they were jealous of."

"Yeah? Impressed that you could bag me, huh?"

River rolled her eyes, but didn't deny it, "They were jealous that you got to come into the changing room with me while they had to sit on the uncomfortable chairs the stores provide."

"Really? I bet they turned bright green when they heard you gigglin' away."

Mal swallowed, "You guys were doing that, in public!?"

River sat up calmly, reaching one arm over her head, the other holding it in place, "No, he was tickling me, but you are right, the men outside have dirty minds like you."

"Those guys were havin' dirty thoughts 'bout you?" Jayne scowled.

"Yes, but most also thought about how they'd have to get rid of you first and that would be very hard to do."

"Damn right, it'd be hard." He said, flexing his arm muscles.

River switched arms, "But that wasn't even the best moment."

"Ya, when was that?"

"After the fourth store, when you asked what was next."

"Oh ya, you said we had to get to the ammo store 'cause we needed more rounds for our guns. I could practically hear the other men groaning. It was awesome."

"Plus I promised to buy you a whiskey at lunch for being such a good shopping partner."

"Good stuff, too."

Mal looked on in amusement as he watched this conversation like a tennis match. "Well, I'm glad you all had a good time spending my money."

Jayne glared and growled, "Our money . . . next time I'll let you get shot and then you can make some claim on my cut."

Mal held his hands up quickly. "Hey, hey, I was just joking."

"Ya, so was I." Jayne's scowl said otherwise.

"Come on, I'm done."

Jayne immediately dropped the scowl when he looked down at River. "And?"

"I exercised, I'm sweaty, I need a shower."

"Hell ya, seeya Cap'n."

River took Jayne's hand and pulled him out of the bay.

AN: No more linear storytelling, the rest of the chapters will go through her pregnancy and then a little bit of baby time before ending. There is a story focused on the baby as it gets older that I've been working on to follow this one. As always, though, I won't post until the whole story is done. Love and virtual cuddles to my reviewers!