Ashley lead Jayne into the part of the ship where the cattle were being held. She smiled brightly as they all turned and looked at her, but they eyed Jayne with suspicion. Jayne frowned.
'Why are they looking at me like that?' he asked.
Ashley laughed.
'You're new,' she said, 'they know who I am. They only recognize people from my family's farm. That's why Daddy and Hayley had to help load them. If you guys tried doing it on your own, they wouldn't have budged.'
'You don't say…' said Jayne, trying to sound impressed.
Ashley smirked.
'Come on,' she said, 'why don't you pretend to be enthused about cows while staring at my ass?'
Jayne raised his brows. Ashley slowly swanked her way over to the cows, swaying her hips with each step. Jayne moaned.
'Man, you got yourself a nice little dumper…' he purred to himself.
Ashley turned her head.
'Excuse me?' she said.
Jayne's eyes widened.
'I didn't say anything!' he said, 'I swear!'
Ashley shrugged. She placed her arms on the fence, her green eyes shining with un-shed tears as she looked at the cattle. Jayne came up beside her, studying her face. He sighed.
'I'll bite…' he said, 'what's wrong?'
Ashley turned her head. She was surprised. A short time before they came in here, he was trying to get her to sleep with him, and now…he's actually showing…compassion. She heaved a shaky breath, turning her head to the cattle again.
'I need to ask you something, Jayne…' she said softly.
Jayne frowned.
'What?' he said, sounding very puzzled.
Ashley laughed.
'Do you think I'm innocent?' she asked.
Jayne raised his eyebrows. Where was she going with this?
'What do you mean?' he asked.
Ashley sighed.
'Just answer the damn question…' she said.
Jayne sighed.
'You look innocent…' he said uncertainly, 'and you sure as hell act innocent…so…yeah, I think you're innocent.'
Ashley turned her gaze to Jayne's face again. A smug smirk played across her lips.
'Honey…' she said softly, 'I am far from innocent. Hayley's the innocent one. Me? I'm the little devil that pops up on your shoulder when you're contemplating on doing something incredibly suicidal or stupid.'
Jayne chuckled.
'Really, now?' he said.
Ashley nodded.
'Mhm…' she said, 'got into a lot of trouble back home…we lived on Ariel, but…well…that can be saved for another time. It's a long story.'
Well…Jayne didn't know what to think. He just stared blankly at her. What could she be capable of?
Mary Belle mooed curiously as she looked at Jayne. Ashley smirked.
'It's okay, Mary Belle,' she said softly, 'he won't hurt you.'
Jayne chuckled.
'You're really good with animals,' he said softly, 'I guess you could say you have a gift.'
Ashley laughed.
'Yeah…' she said, 'I guess…'
Mary Belle mooed again. Ashley sighed as a single tear ran down her cheek. She didn't want to tell Jayne about her past, but at the same time, she wanted to be honest with him. After all - he's the only member of the crew who's actually made her feel at home. The others shunned her. Then Mal's voice rang out.
'WE'RE AT OUR DESTINATION! GET THAT GIRLFRIEND OF YOURS TO HELP US UNLOAD THE COWS!'
Ashley giggled.
'I suggest you go talk to your captain before he has a stroke,' she said, 'I'll be here.'
Jayne nodded. He gently wiped the tear from Ashley's eye with his thumb before turning and walking to where Mal's voice came from. Ashley sighed.
'遠離家鄉…' (Far From Home)
Another day in this carnival of souls
Another night settles in as quickly as it goes
The memories of shadows, ink on the page
And I can't seem to find my way home
And it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything
Your heaven's trying everything to keep me out
All the places I've been and things I've seen
A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams
The faces of people I'll never see again
And I can't seem to find my way home
'Cause it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything to break me down
'Cause it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything to keep me out
Your heaven's trying everything
Your heaven's trying everything to break me down