Here's a new story, as always, I own nothing about this except how I put this series together. This is the first chap of what I originally wanted as a short story, but my mind took over as always and I kept writting. Doesn't mean I'm not working on the others, but some are on hold for now.

mei-mei-----little sister

dong ma----understand?

wu dong---- i understand

tamade-----dammit

go se----- shit

bao bei---sweetheart/sweetie

hwoon dahn-----son of a bitch/ bastard

Gorram----god damn

feng le-----crazy

feng dian----crazy (adj)

wang bao dahn----- dirty bastard

shumma---- what?

wuo de ma---mother of jesus

ni zi---little girl

teng-----flying dragon

xiao teng--- small/young/tiny dragon

biao xiong-----male cousin

wu ji-----dancing girl

bai chi---- idiot

bu jing chuan----- whaling ship, whale catcher

xie xie-----yes(more like yeah, yeah)

yin hui---- coarse, obscene

ba ba---- daddy

Renzi de Shang Di, qing dai wa zhou----Merciful God, please take me away

4654654654654654654

Jayne grunted as he shifted the cargo crate in to the wall of the bay. They were expecting a new cargo, and Mal had ordered him to make space in the Firefly's creamped hold. The captain hadn't bothered telling what the new job was but he was used to that. The captain was full of go se about crew being family, but even after Miranda, that family seemed to exclude Jayne unless there was heavy lifting or killing to be done.

He didn't let it bother him though it took all of his limitted self-control to keep from bashing the smug bastards face at times. Rest of the time, he ignored the insults and mistrust, smirking inwardly. He wasn't as stupid as he made out, but he'd learned well from his Ma and Pa that if you showed people what they expected, they'd leave you be to live how you wanted to. And for him, he mostly enjoyed his current life. He got to see a lot of the 'Verse, more then even his Pa had during the Rebellion. He got to fight when he felt like and kill some of those that needed killing.

Plus it was a lot of fun watching Mal constantly getting into ridiculous situations. And the women folk were much more interesting out on the RIm then back home. Only girls there were sisters, nieces, Aunts, and other female relatives. Ain't none of those out on the Rim far as he knew. Those few as left home world, went Core ward since that's were all the big money was ripe for the plucking.

He finished moving the last crate, then dusted his hands on his pants. Mal, Zoe and the Doc were picking up supplies for the next leg of the trip. Kaylee was busy running some tests on the newly repaired systems. Mal thought that the alliance might of slipped a tracer or two on board. Kaylee was scanning for any little tricks left behind. Inara was in her shuttle, keeping CrazyGirl busy. They were putting up her fancy drapes and such. Inara had finally decided to stop whoring and had gotten some kind of license that allowed her to remain a Companion without having to perform that function of the job.

She and the captain were still dancing around, but captain still wasn't healed up from the surgeries done on the alliance vessel. Hell, neither were Zoe and the Doc, which was why all three had gone for a relatively easy pick up and why he'd been left behind. He and CrazyGirl were the only ones who were all healed up aside from Inara, who had only a few scratches. Kaylee was still a little on the weak side, tiring easily.

As for the CrazyGirl, she was starting to settle down. Though there were the a few times she'd near lost it while they were ferried to Persephone by the alliance ship. She wasn't totally normal, but it was easier to understand what she was saying now. She still had that lost look in her eyes, but then again, even Zoe was a bit emotional right not. Mostly anger, but he could hear her crying in the bunk she'd shared with Wash.

He missed the little guy. And the Sheppard. Book was the first person since he'd left home that had treated him with respect as a person, not just a tool to be used. His self-reflective moment was halted as he heard the roar of the mule zooming to the ship. He leaned against the stairwell, watching the yellow hover crawl it's way up the ramp to bump down lightly as the engine shut down.

"So what's the job?" he asked again, not really expecting a reply as the captain leapt from the passenger seat.

Mal regarded his hired gun for a moment then shrugged. "Got some crates to transport and a handful of livestock. A few horses and the like."

Jayne grunted. They hold would be a mess and more then likely the captain would find some reason to make him clean it up. But the coin should make it worthwhile. Horses were a major source of profit on the Rim. They were easy to keep, could be used for transportation as well as labor, and if absolutely neccesary, for food and such.

"Where we heading?" he asked, again not expecting an answer.

"Going to some moon opposite side of the 'Verse. Some place called Greymalkin. Even got some money upfront, so when we get loaded here, want you to head out and stock up on ammo and such. Zoe's gonna grab Kaylee and bring her to the shops see what else Serenity might need. Doc's already got his supplies. I'm gonna have Inara go get some more foodstuff and fill the stock ..." Mal trailed off as he noticed that Jayne had frozen in the process of lifting one of the creates from the back of the mule. He was again surprised by the casual display of strength. The case had to weigh close to 100lbs. and had taken both he and Zoe to lift and Simon to position to get it on the mule. Even healthy, he could barely have lifted it that height alone. But Jayne was holding it in the air chest high with no sign of strain in his arms at all.

"Got a problem, Jayne?" he asked, banishing the awe and respect to the corner of his mind. Wouldn't do for the merc to know how much he admired the man's strength.

Jayne swung from the mule, lowering the crate surprisingly gently. "Aw hell Mal, I can't go."

Mal blinked. He'd never heard that tone in the merc's tone before. "What do you mean you can't go? This is a job Jayne, not a pleasure trip. And you work for me or did I miss a memo? I tell you where we're going, I expect you to ask about your cut and do your job. Ain't in the mood to hear you whine about another planet you gone and done wrong, dong ma? You can't go, then you get the hell off my boat and don't try coming back. Had too much attention lately to deal with your go se."

Jayne snarled, his temper straining for release. "Ain't like that Mal. Ain't never hurt no one from Greymalkin. Just can't go back."

Mal was frustrated and for him that lead to anger. "Why the hell not?"

A voice replied for the merc. "The progenitors and their kith await the return of the missing piece. Flock needs the return of the lost to complete formation. But the fledgling is worried it's been too long and the nest mates won't recognize their brethen."

Jayne flinched as the voice finished, glad that Mal was still looking around for their eavedropper. "Stupid CrazyGirl. Couldn't make sense if you gave her twobits." he muttered loud enough for her and Mal to hear. Zoe had left in search of Kaylee and Simon had fled to avoid conflict. He winced as he was hit with a stale roll, not in pain, but in anticipation of further damage.

The roll was followed by 105lbs of annoyed leapt down from her hiding place in one of the little areas that made FireFlys a favorite of smugglers. The girl landed inches from Jayne, between him and the captain. She was glaring up at him in obvious annoyance.

"Girl has sense. Has too many sense. Not girl's fault if the oaf is too unfocused to know what sense girl is using." She stated with a huff, her hands on her hips.

Jayne bit back an appology. He hated how often she'd been reminding him of his Ma and older sisters. The little gestures and tones of voice that they seemed to possess from birth. He couldn't belieave they still worked on him. Shaking aside the instinctive need for approval, he snorted. "Who are you calling an oaf, little girl? And stay the hell out of my head."

"Girl is not going in rock's head. Rock is throwing out his thoughts trapping the girl in their web. Can't help hearing what is thrown out. Not from rock, not from sunshine, or brother boob or even Captain Daddy. Two by Two, hands of blue poked and cut her brain so she hears everything that is opened. Can't stop though she tries. Made her crazy with secrets, but she is getting better."

Mall looked between the two, a small frown on his face. If he didn't know better, he'd say Jayne was understanding his albatross a bit too easily since they continued the back and forth arguement. Something about their bickering reminded him of something, but he couldn't quite place the memory.

"Stop." he ordered, interrupting River's talk of natural inflictions vs superstring quadra somethings. "Enough of that. Jayne, since you seem to have an understanding about what the little 'tross was saying about flocks and fledglings, I want you to tell me what it is and why it's making you not want to go to Greymalking. Lil' 'Tross, you go up to the bridge and prep for take off. "

"But Mal..."Jayne started to say, only to be cut off my Mal's glare.

"Gorram it Jayne, I thought we were done with this. I tell you to do something, you do it or you take a long walk out a short airlock."

Jayne grumbled and glared but it had no effect on the Captain. "Damn it Mal. I take a lot of shit, but this ain't got nothing to do with you or anyone onboard. You want to throw me out the airlock, then gorram it, you go right ahead you damn hundan. I'll go get Vera and walk out my self. Don't give a damn anymore. But there ain't no way I'm going anywhere near that damn rock."

Mal blinked, anger warring with astonishment and fear in equal measures. He'd never seen Jayne so... resolute and determined about something. The man was completely serious. He would rather take a walk in the Black then go to this out of the way moon. It was fear that was making the man refuse, but Mal couldn't tell what it was that drove this reaction.

"We'll talk later. Right now, want you to make sure you go get our ammo and gear."

Jayne grunted and left, heading to his bunk to arm up before taking a trip to town.

Mal nearly jumped when a hand grazed his shoulder. He spun to look down into River's face.

"Can not let the rock depart from Peace. Must cajole and pester for the truth." the girl stated.

"Don't know what you're talking about, little 'tross. Just trying to have Jayne tell me what he was arguing with you about. Ain't gonna throw him off for that."

River studied him for a moment. "Good. Rock thinks it's good to be lonely and hard but forgets that is only compressed loose framents that can be worn down over time. Would hate for the river's work to be wasted. Have nearly worn the river's way to the rock's core. Soon will crumble enough for river to enter the core."

Mal listened but hoped he wasn't hearing what he thought he was hearing. "Now girl, maybe I heard wrong, but you can't be wanting to be sweet on Jayne. Man's too old and too ornery for the likes of a lil' 'tross like you."

River just gave a cryptic smile and spun, rushing off into the dark bowels of the ship.

Mal tried to call her back to explain, but she ignored him. "Gorram it." he grumbled while heading to his bunk. "Can't one of my crew actually obey an order without arguing or ignoring me. I'm only the captain and owner this bu jing chuan."