Thanks for reading and reviewing guys! Enjoy this chapter!

Love Song

His mind could not stay still. It twisted and turned, spinning out of control. How could River let it happen to her? He was quickly reminded. She was unstable. Unpredictable. Any medication she took, was quickly disposed of as 'weak'. He remember a few times when she put them under her tongue, and spit them out when he wasn't looking. But those days were bad, when she couldn't ever remember what her name was. When she said she was fine, and two minutes later go on a rampage, calling him all sorts of names. It hurt him, those things she said, but he knew it wasn't her. Deep within, he really wondered if she felt that way about him.

Simon winced, bringing a wet rag to his face. Three times he was close to trashing his Infirmary, and then packing up to leave. But, his options were slim to none. He had no place to go and if he did leave, there went his cover. Up here, in the sky, no one could find them. But being on the ground was a whole other ballgame. He thought back to that image that insisted on planting itself in his brain. Jayne touching her, violating her. He slammed a fist onto the counter, clenching it tightly. If he could just get a gun maybe, unload the whole gorram clip into that giants forehead. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes-oh how it hurt to do that! Not only was his left eye the size of a golf ball now, but he saw Rivers face in every shadow. He exhaled, picking up a swab to clean his knuckles'. He dabbed them lightly, clenching his teeth together. Moving his throat, he nearly shouted at the immense pain in his gut. He finally sat down, leaning against the chair in the center of the room. "What am I going to do?" he whispered in the darkness, the stale air infecting his lungs. The quiet annoyed him, irked him to no end. A small noise caused him to stir, standing up to look out of the room at the window outside. River? No, it was Kaylee. His stomach wrenched, his throat closed up, causing him to nosily exhale. Kaylee didn't even glance in his direction. What if he tried to apologize? Yes, maybe then. No. She wouldn't except, he had been a real Hwoon dahn. She gathered a few things, and disappeared from sight.

"What am I going to do Zoe? As much as we need both of them, they're causing a helping of trouble, and aint got the appetite for," Mal sighed, rubbing his temples. Zoe nodded, letting her Captain have his fill of complaining. He really deserved at least that.

Mal stood leaning on a crate, Jayne nosily cleaning his guns-which always seemed to calm him. Mal and Zoe stood talking at one side of the Cargo Bay, Jayne at the other. He didn't say a word, but he could hear them. Jayne was honestly, stuck. On one hand, he didn't want everyone to know, he fell for the crazy girl, on the other, he wanted River more than air itself. His stomach was a junction of knots, refusing to untangle even for a brief moment. He pulled back the hammer to his gun, spitting inside and sticking his finger in to clean out the grime. He looked up, watching the two converse, and was annoyed by the fact, Mal believed Simon. Jayne had been here longer, and that automatically made him the obvious choice to believe. Or so the gunman thought. He looked up, a breath of air making him freeze. It came again.

"Pssttt."

Jayne glanced behind him, seeing two bright blue eyes peering from behind the stairs. He narrowed his eyes, seeing it was River. How much more trouble could he get in? He laid his weapon down, and stood up, putting his hands into his pockets. He whistled, trying to seem incestuous. Oh yes Jayne, you are an expert. He slowly climbed behind the stairs, and met her in the darkness. No words were exchanged, they just breathed and faced each other, knowing exactly what was going to be said. Knowing exactly how they felt. Knowing exactly what would happen. Jayne swallowed, but his throat remained dry. He finally spoke, but his voice crackled. "Why didn't you say somthin?" Rivers lips trembled, she reached out to brace herself against the wall. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her throat moved up and down as she strangled the words out.

"I-I don't know," she said softly. That was about the first not crazy thing shed said all day. Jayne sighed, nodding slowly. It was unusual for him to understand exactly what she meant, but now he really could. She was scared. A feeling that enthralled her, had taken over, and she didn't know what to make of the outcome. She and Jayne were close to becoming one flesh, and then like a meteorite, Simon came along to ruin it all. For once, River felt utter hatred for her brother. She didn't know whether she should cry, be upset or just pull out her hair. So she did all at once, which resulted in a mass hysteria. "He came, and took you away. He cheated, didn't follow the rule-" she said in sobs. Jayne reached forward, grasping her shoulders. He felt a wave of hurt fall over him. He had brought this on her. Damn his good looks! He sighed, bringing her in against his chest. She could still say he hadn't touched her wrongly. That is was all consensual. But, then he may accused of threatening her. He wrapped his arms over her, and she laid against his chest, wheezing and coughing as she cried it all out. All the things she could remember came out in a flood of hot tears and cold sweat. She gripped his soaked shirt with trembling fingers, and felt so safe in his arms. Jayne glanced to make sure no one had noticed.

"You listen here. I-if I want somthin, I take it. Aint no city dandy gonna stop me from getting somthin I want. Why should it steer you from something?" he said, looking down at her. River paused, considering his notion. She looked up, trails sweeping away from her eyes. She hiccupped, letting her eyes close.

"He wont listen. Wont understand," she said, bringing her arms to wrap around his torso. Jayne shifted, placing a hand on her head. They stood in the dark for five minutes, the only sound was their soft breathing, and River occasional sob. She finally looked up, standing on her toes to press her lips into his. She softly parted, and slunk away into the dark shadows. Jayne stood there, feeling alone and empty. Confused and broken. All at once. He heard his name called by the captain, and quickly sauntered from the stairs. As he entered the light, he noticed the Doctor standing by Mal and Zoe. He felt his body break out in a sweat, his heart doubled its speed. He wanted to deck Simon in the face, and while he was Mal too. He approached them, his throat moving as he stood before the three. The quiet gnawed at his stomach, and he felt as if it would never end. Mal was the first to break the silence. He glanced to the glaring Simon.

"Go find your sister," he said, looking to Jayne with a bit of apparent annoyance. Zoe shifted, crossing her arms and leaning back. Mal sighed, scratching his eyebrow. Simon returned a few minutes later with a reluctant and complaining River. He held her arm tightly, but stood opposite of Jayne, glaring daggers at him. Jayne switched feet, and looked at River, who avoided his gaze. Mal took a breath. "Alight, the doctor has suggested something to me," he began, crossing his arms. "Now, your all my crew, and I need Simon, as much as Jayne. Even little River," he said, glancing to each one in turn. "But, if I have to sacrifice one, or two, for the sanity of my ship, I intend to." Mal glanced to Zoe, who was focused on her boots. "The doctor wants to leave. With River," he said. Jayne backed up, as if a mighty blow hit him head on. His mouth gaped for amoment, but screwed shut after Simon gave him a hot glance. River struggled away from her brother and shouted.

"No," she said firmly, backing away from him. Simon tried to explain, but River ignored him, "I'm not old enough to leave the nest," she said, her words cutting into the silence like a serrated knife. Mal watched, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "No," she repeated, moving away as Simon approached her. Jayne felt a stab in his stomach as he heard her strained voice. Mal looked up.

"Aint got nothing to say Jayne?"

"Nothing to say," he said, his voice obviously distraught. Mal took note of that, and looked to River, who was still yelling at her brother. He gently took her arm, but she shoved him away, turning towards Jayne, a pair of pleading eyes sewn over her. Jayne looked at her, replying with a blink. She looked to everyone, and back to Jayne.

"Love is a state of mind," she whispered, glancing to Mal, who seemed affected be her words. "Something we cant feel or touch. it's an illusion. I love him," she said, glancing to Jayne. The gunman stumbled, and glanced to everyone. Oh man. Now what? Tell everyone he was in love with a psychic, or let her slip from his fingers. Forever. He opened his mouth to speak, but Kaylee walked in the room, pausing at the doorway.

"I-I, heard something," she said sheepishly, watching with dull eyes. Jayne glanced in her direction. Simon grabbed Rivers shoulder, looking her in the eyes.

"Mei mei, you don't love him. You cant. He hurt you," he said, pleading with her. River pulled away.

"No. You hurt me. Needles, medicine, he wants me. Loves me," she said. The words stung Simon like a wasp. Kaylee gasped, glancing between the lovers. She eyed Simon with more annoyance and hatred than ever before. "He makes me….happy" she said, the last word so foreign to her sibling, it was sour. Simon stumbled for words, glancing to Mal who was wide-eyed and fully surprised.

"Well doctor, I have to sa-"

"No. No. She doesn't know what she's saying. We are leaving," he shouted in denial. River backed up, glaring at her brother. Jayne was in his own universe now. She loved him. Hot damn she did! It wasn't some sick mind game! Zoe touched her gun as the two siblings argued. Simon harshly yelling at her. "He's no good River!" he said tersely. Kaylee glared.

"Better than you," she commented, glancing to Jayne was completely in the dark right about now. He didn't understand a word after leaving Planet Jayne. Simon glanced to Kaylee, then to River and Jayne. "If they love each other, I think they should be together. Don't you C'apn," she said, glancing to Mal. Mal glanced between the two, and sighed.

"Uh. Well, the doc here seems to think she is still crazy. Which. I cant argue with," he said, Kaylee put her hands on her hips. Mal shook his head, "Little River seems to think different. And like you said doctor. She is smart." He looked up at Jayne. "Well Jayne. You lover this girl back?"

Jayne paused, swallowing a very large lump in his throat. He didn't move, is muscles twitched, everything became foggy now. Jayne gripped his fists. Finally as the room went dead silent, he nodded quietly.