Title: S is for Slap
Prompt by: goddessofbirth
Rating: PG
Setting: non-specific
Word Count: 351
Nobody knew what she was thinking, nobody ever did, and once in a while that worked to River's advantage.
They were waiting around for Mal and Wash to finish up on the bridge so they could play their game of ball, just hanging around with nothing particular going on, when suddenly Jayne let out a yell and jumped a clear foot in the air.
"Jayne! You scared a year off my life!" exclaimed Kaylee, a hand at her chest, whilst Simon and Zoe nodded their agreement that they had also been startled.
The merc didn't seem to hear a word as he turned and glared hard at River who only giggled at his reaction - that only made him more mad.
"What the hell you think you're doin', ya feng-le little..."
"What's the problem here?" asked Mal as he descended the stairs and caught the tail end of the situation.
"Your soldier is strangely sensitive, Captain" said River in a little sing-song voice, a grin still fixed on her face.
"Sensitive ain't a word I'd much use for Jayne" replied Mal as he and Wash came to join the others.
"She done slapped me on the be-hind, Mal!" the larger man told his Captian, much to the amusement of the others, the girls most especially, "That ain't right!" he declared, his own hand going to his rear as if he was protecting himself from further 'attack'.
"He does it" River argued, "Women in taverns when we're off the ship. She has seen him"
"That may be so, little one" said Mal, trying to hide his smile, "but aboard ship we keep our hands to ourselves unless invited otherwise, dong ma?"
"She will comply, Captain" she almost curtsied, acutely aware of Jayne's eyes still burning holes in her back as the game began.
Backing up a few steps, she leaned in close to the mercenary when nobody was watching, speaking softly near his ear.
"She awaits this invitation with breathless anticipation"
Next thing Jayne knew, the ball hit him right in the head, and laughter echoed through the cargo bay once more.
