First love
Title: Nirvana (11/?)
Series: First love
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is boss, I am but a lowly subservient.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Not entirely a girl’s night out.
Notes: I am forever indebted to the lovely
elsibet34!
To brush up go here
Notes: Flash backs are in italics. FB #1 After Objects before Miranda. FB #2 takes place before the epilogue some time after Miranda. FB #3 Takes place sometime before River starts getting weired out by her feelings. FB #4 is a little moment between the two in the infirmary after Jayne is shot by the slavers. FB #5 After Jayne gets out of the infirmary, before their all night chat.
“Scat, moonbrain! Don’t even wanna catch ya lookin’ at my girls funny. Dong ma?” Jayne wearily eyed the girl.
“Abundance of artillery attests for the over compensation.”
“Shén ? Speak normal girl.”
“You are feeling inadequate. So you make up for it by purchasing a massive arsenal.”
“Inadequate?” Jayne let out a mischievous snicker. “Now I know fer certain you ain’t no mind-reader.”
The man gathered up his guns in a quick bundle and headed out of the mess. River quietly got up and followed a distance before Jayne became aware of her presence. He turned abruptly and glared at River.
“Gorramit girl! Will ya quit stalkin’ me? I ain’t yer ruttin’ playmate. Go find Kaylee or yer brother to pester. Color a picture; throw some food or whatever ruttin’ else it is that ya do!”
“She is fine. Thank you. She is observing the mercenary. She has to shadow his movements in order to collect and process data from habit and routine.” After a pause, River continued. “She is considering entering the profession.”
For a moment, Jayne forgot that he was annoyed with the girl enough to let out a laugh. “Yeah, well, you’d have to work on the huddlin’ in the corner thing first.”
He stopped just outside the bathroom, turning to his stalker again. “Jayne has to be takin’ a leak now, unless ya want to be processin’ that data too?”
River raised an eyebrow in contemplation.
“That weren’t no invitation, crazy. Called sarcasm. Now git! When I come out, I wanna see ya good and gone!”
“All talk and no action. Jayne is just for show.” River singsonged. Jayne let out a loud grunt of annoyance and slammed the door in her face.
While unzipping and taking care of business, Jayne thought to himself. That girl is getting a mite brave.
“She is not afraid; there are worse things to fear.” River called through the door.
“Grrr! Will ya stop pokin’ ‘round in my head! If’n ya don’t quit, I swear to god I’ll show ya a new definition of fear, girl!”
“Didn’t. That one was loud… Idle threats are ineffective on the girl. She can handle Jayne, but she will go for now.”
Jayne sighed in relief, finally some peace!
“Same time tomorrow?” called a little voice.
“Grrr.”
“She will take that as affirmation.” After a brief moment, River added. “Don’t forget to wash your hands; there are a high percentage of infectious germs residing on your corpus spongiosum.” River whispered quietly through the door. “That would be your penis.”
Jayne reached his hand out and steadied himself, almost stumbling over at the girl’s brazenness.
---
Zoë and Kaylee were busy chatting about frivolities as they prepped the mule. Inara had suggested taking a rather upset River out for a girl’s night on the town.
They had received a courtesy wave earlier from the contacts that had provided them with the Ultrasound. The kind hospitable country folk had extended an invite to the crew, to attend a little hoedown they were throwing. It wouldn’t be classy or even dignified. However, it would be a distraction for River, thought Inara. She had brought Zoë up to date on the drama inspiring their outing.
Mal was not too pleased when Inara insisted that the girls go alone. After listing the possible perilous scenarios that might arise, Inara impatiently cut in. “I don’t need a lecture on the dangers of uncivilized night life, Mal. I am well versed on the subject thanks to you. We can handle ourselves.”
“Just don’t see why you’re so hell bent on excluding us.”
“Sometimes you are such a child. It’s just for one night.” One look from a determined former companion completely closed the issue.
Before, there would have been a long drawn out battle. Mal would have put his foot down, and his word would have been law. God, the women on this boat were making them all go soft.
---
Jayne was leaning against the wall just outside River’s room. His heart was beating something fierce in his chest as he practiced the words he wanted to say repeatedly in his mind.
The more he thought, the more jumbled they became. Hell, he weren’t a man for words. His hands were sweating as he silently prayed to anyone who was listening to make this go down right.
He watched silently as River stepped out of her room and slid her door closed. His mouth practically dropped to the floor when he spied her attire. She was dressed up in one of Inara’s old dresses. The golden, satin material molded to every curve and there were plenty of them to be had. The neckline scooped low, exposing the swell of her smooth milky breasts. The skirt had been altered full and short. Her long hair hung in loose curls over her bare arms.
Any plea that Jayne may have partly formulated before River stepped out of her room, looking more than womanly, had quickly dissolved. His feelings teetered from arousal to anger in a flash. He gave the girl a start as he addressed her in a rumbled tone.
“If ya go out on this here rock dressed like that, yer askin’ fer trouble little girl.”
“Little girl?” River looked at Jayne coolly. “Well, I suppose since I am just that, it won’t matter much will it?”
River was a little shocked to say the least to find Jayne waiting outside her room. When she tried to continue past, the merc put his large hand out to stop her. Her heart raced at his calloused touch.
The feel of her skin was like silk. Fighting the urge to let his fingers linger, he quickly pulled away.
“Ya know what I were meanin’. Dressin’ up like some gorram companion look-a-like. That’ll be the fastest way to git the wrong sort of attention.” He looked at her, part concerned, part irritated.
Already upset that Jayne pulled away from her as if she had some sort of plague, and now insulted by his words, she laughed incredulously. “Didn’t you know? That is what she was hoping for. Even little girls have needs.”
River paused and said these next words with a little more malice, to make him feel some of the hurt he had caused. “Although, she will not have to pay someone to attend to them.”
River tried to leave once again, but this time Jayne placed his hand heavily on her shoulder and left it there. She looked down at it resting on her bare skin, which now burned along with her anger.
Jayne took a deep breath, biting back any fighting words bubbling to the surface. It took every ounce of control he had. This was not the way things were supposed to be going, but gorram it if the girl didn’t get under his skin!
He tried to make his voice sound as friendly as possible when he spoke, but it came out strained and contrived. “That’s what friends are fer, wěi ? Give advice, let each other know when somethin’ ain’t right.”
“Friends? Is that what we are? She has enough friends Jayne! Ones who actually make an effort not to tear out her heart and stomp on it!” River was growing more frustrated by her lack of control. She wanted to run away, but Jayne’s grip tightened around her small shoulder blade.
Jayne was now blazing with fury; he was trying to make this right. Why was she being so difficult? A voice in the back of his mind shouted; just tell her that you didn’t do anything!
Instead, his words spewed out like venom. “I don’t know why yer makin’ such a fuss! This is who I am. Ya like me so ruttin’ much, ya better like the whole package, baby, because this is it!” He instantly regretted the words, but the damage had been done.
River’s face turned bright red and she shot daggers into Jayne as she spoke. “Oh, she is fully aware! She won’t ever again make the mistake of thinking you were more than a selfish, egotistical, one-dimensional bēi jiàn hún dàn! She feels sorry for you Jayne. You push and you push until they all scatter away. You don’t really want to be alone, but you will be!” At that, River shook free of the large man’s grasp and ran away as fast as she could.
---
“If I have to keep a ruttin’ eye on ya moonbrain, you best be provin’ yerself useful. Grab that crate over there, and push it on over.” Jayne directed at River who was sitting up on some cargo.
“Your bark is loud, but your bite is weak. I will comply only if you stop calling her moonbrain. The enduring term has grown tiresome.”
“Can call ya what I very well damn please. Got no edge girl, ya need to toughen up some. That brother of yers babies ya too much. Now stop chatterin’ on, and git to work. Like it quiet when I’m doin’ stuff. Gives a man time to clear his head.”
“It was clear before. Deep thoughts do not resonate well within shallowness. You should pick up a book, or do some charity. There is much to learn.”
“Are ya callin’ me dumb?”
“Jayne is a quick study.”
“Look! I’m doin’ me some charity right now by lookin’ after yer crazy ass. Smart enough to know the job don’t pay near enough if‘’n I have to put up with yer gibberish!”
“How does it feel?” River challenged.
“What? Having to be ‘round ya? It ruttin’ stinks!”
“No. When I wounded your ego.” River tilted her head and smiled at Jayne. “I need to toughen up; you need to grow a heart. I think this friendship is beneficial to both parties.”
“We ain’t friends and never will be.”
“We will.”
---
The lights on the mule cut through the dark as Kaylee drove the girls to their little shindig. Inara was seated next to her in the front, while Zoë and River occupied the back. Zoë looked over at River who was staring straight ahead, looking a little distraught. Leaning in, she addressed the goggle-clad girl.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Mostly I would like to forget.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Epically.”
“You had words then?”
“I feel foolish. Should have had more restraint. Even before I went to the acad… Well, it takes a great deal to make me enraged. Jayne is an inhibitor to rational thought.”
“I understand, believe me. Wash and myself, we have our disagreements. Can get pretty ugly sometimes.”
“Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” River agreed as she remembered the quote from a book she read about a mathematical genius that once lived on earth-that-was.
“True. Rarely is anything settled during a dispute.”
“Except, you’re happy most of the time?” The girl inquired candidly, her large eyes searching Zoë’s.
“We are, very.” Zoë smiled to herself as she remembered the last thing Wash had told her before they left. “Remember, no picking up on the locals, unless she is mēn rè. Then maybe we can work something out.” She had playfully belted him after that remark.
Zoë looked over at River as she continued. “But it takes work, just like anything else. Sometimes you gotta step back and try to see things from their angle.” Zoë then added sarcastically, “However disillusioned it may be.”
“I can no longer read thoughts…”
“You don’t need to be a Psychic, just patient.”
“It doesn’t matter. Jayne is fire and I am a River. It is an incongruous combination.” River exasperated.
“I never thought I’d hear myself say this, let alone think it true, but there may be hope for the man yet. I’ve seen him do some growin’ since our first winsome introduction.” Zoë half chuckled at the memory. “We all knew the man could turn on a dime, literally. Didn’t want you and the Doc about, and made it a point to see to that. I see the two of you now, and it strikes me as some bizarre dream. Never once did I ever think ya‘d ever be civil, let alone friends.”
“Friends. Partners. Who toil well in crime, yet drive one another mad.” River said as she let out a sigh.
“That’s called passion.”
River looked quizzically at Zoë.
“The fighting ain’t such a bad deal. It means you care, maybe too much. When you no longer rile each other up, that’ll be the time to start worryin’.”
---
“Scoot yer butt over. Yer hoggin’ all the suds.” Jayne nudged his hip in to Rivers to get her to move over to the adjacent basin.
“The studs are as plentiful as the dishes. We can share.”
“Don’t know what your talkin’ ‘bout.” Jayne stated, dipping his hands into the water. “I’m just gonna stand here and pretend, looks like yer doin’ a fine job, though.”
“Captain will be unhappy to find out you’re using the girl to avoid kitchen duties. He likes to be informed when his crew is acting dishonestly. Cap…”
Jayne quickly muffled River’s voice with one large soapy hand.
“All right, ya win. Like gettin’ me in trouble, don’t ya?”
“It keeps me busy. It is also very entertaining.” River smiled up smugly at the mercenary.
Jayne was not impressed. “I bet. Ya need to find someone else to bother. Someone less inclined to violent reaction. Also, ya need to stop taking my things and hiding them. Mal don’t like thieves neither. Maybe he should know there’s a little sticky fingered crook living among us.”
“He knows. Thinks it’s cute when I do it, and amusing. Thieving is useful in our line of work. Also, I’m still not scared of you.”
“Well, ya should be. Everyone else is.” Jayne softened his tone and appealed to River once again. “Just give me back my hat at least. My ma made it fer me.”
“See, that’s why people aren’t very fearful of you. The hat counters the menacing effect. I am doing you a favor. Don’t worry; it will be safe with me.”
“Errr. You better not be gettin’ yer girl stink all over it. I’m gonna need it one of these days, gets cold.”
“Jayne is a girl’s name and Jayne is partial to girl stink.” River winked at Jayne as she said this.
“No, Jayne likes Woman stink, and you ain’t no woman.”
“There is a woman waiting. The girl just prevails.”
To affirm the statement, River then flicked some suds across Jayne’s face.
---
The girls had arrived at the entrance of a large, open barn style bar. It consisted of three levels. Bordering the outer walls were many cozy booths. A couple steps lead down to a second level filled with tables and chairs. More steps lead down to the center of the establishment which contained a wide, wooden dance floor. The band was situated in the back. A large bar with stools flanked the entire right side of the barn. The seating areas were dim with small lanterns adoring the center of each table. The dance floor was brightly lit and cheery, and it was packed full of swishing dresses and stomping boots.
It was much nicer than Inara had anticipated. She glanced over at River who had an enraptured look on her face as she took in the scene before her. The jolly woman who had invited them welcomed them in.
“Ya made it!”
“Yes, thank you, Eve. It turns out this was just the sort of break we needed.” Inara smiled and took the woman’s hands in greeting.
“Well, can’t imagine sailing around on that ship offers too many opportunities to let loose. You girls take a seat; have a drink and a dance. Ya need anything, just holler on over.”
Eve greeted each woman before she made leave to attend to a patron waving her over.
They took a table on the second level close to the dance floor and ordered a round of drinks. Inara and Kaylee ordered sakes, while River and Zoë chose tea.
River was feeling better already, first cheered by Zoë’s little talk and now by the liveliness of her surroundings.
As soon as they were settled, Inara looked cogently across the table at River. “Ok lady, out with it. Don’t think for a second I did not notice something was amiss before we left.”
River sipped her drink and then simply stated, “Jayne did not find my attire appropriate. He thought I might rouse the interest of the locals.” She looked around at each of the women before adding, “A verbal altercation ensued.”
“Serves him right!” Kaylee declared. “Pullin’ kōng xīn stunt like that! I don’t get these guys. They’s always wantin’ one thing, but doin’ another.”
“In all fairness, us women tend to say one thing and mean another. It’s a sort of dance.” Defended Zoë.
Inara laughed at the truth of the rationalization. “I suppose there is no mystery in being forthright.” A new thought suddenly flooded the companion. “River, how long exactly was Jayne inside the cathouse?”
“Seven minutes, twenty-eight seconds.” River answered undoubtedly.
The girls all chuckled and River looked around, trying to figure out what she had missed.
“Aw shucks, ain’t nothing’ happened then.” Resolved the mechanic. “We all know when Jayne goes for a roll in the hay, the rollin’ is gonna take hours at least.”
Zoë shuddered. “It’s true. Had the unfortunate duty of havin’ to cut one of his trades short.”
“It is not uncommon for a man to seek comfort in another woman’s arms when he wants to deny himself what he truly craves.” Inara’s eyes went adrift for a moment upon reflection. After the memory faded, she came to a resolution. “Fear breeds stupidity.”
“And Jayne should have plenty to fear.” Zoë added. “Between the captain and your brother, there could be civil unrest.”
Kaylee’s expression was unsettled. “But they’d want River to be happy, wouldn’t they? And Jayne? We’re as much a family now than ever. Don’t families want each other to find some gladness?”
“All previous evidence points to an unfavorable conclusion.” River paused for emphasis. “They are both pig-heads.”
The women erupted into laughter.
“I concur.” Inara chuckled as she patted River’s hand.
River smiled appreciatively and addressed her friends. “Thank you. Girl talk is most conducive after an emotional meltdown.” She then looked eagerly at the dancers. “May I dance?”
“You don’t have to ask permission, River.”
“Sorry, old habit.”
“Go on, dance until your heart’s content.” Inara replied warmly.It only took River a few moments of observation to memorize the steps to the simple English country-dance. She allowed her to body relinquish itself to the sound of fiddle and clapping hands. Soon, she was linking arms with happy strangers, spinning, swinging and clomping her shoes across the dance floor.
A young man stepped forward and asked her to be his partner for the next dance. Unsure of what to say, she just smiled and nodded.
He led her around the room, with one hand tastefully on her waist and the other clasping her out stretched hand from behind.
When it was time to turn and face one another, she considered his appearance. He was tall and thin, with dark hair and clear green eyes. When he smiled at her, she felt herself blush. She wasn’t used to being stared at by anyone, except maybe... Jayne.
---
"Ow! Tryin to kill me, girl? Bet your enjoyin’ me all helpless ‘n’ such.”
“You’re not helpless. Hopeless maybe.”
“For someone who doesn’t like to be teased, ya sure dish it out.”
“I have adapted. Now hold still, and stop being a big baby.”
‘Not a babieeee…ow! Gorram! Now I see why yer brother does the doctorin’. Yer vicious.”
River responded in a mock Jayne voice. “Got to toughen up Jayne.” Returning to River speak, she then reprimanded the merc. “Now stop yelling, the doctor needs his rest.” She looked over at Simon, who was sleeping peacefully on the other bed in the infirmary.
“Ya ever gonna let me live that down? Stopped callin’ ya moonbrain didn’t I?
“Yes. You are right. You have been very sweet.”
“I can start up again, ya know. Don’t tempt me!”
River giggled. “You took long enough to wake up. It was becoming uninteresting around here. You are the most fun to bother, because you are so bothered.”
“No I ain’t! Well, ya do annoy the heck outta me, but it don’t mean nothin’ special. Sneaky genius just knows how to push my buttons, is all.”
“Glad you’re better, Jayne. Soon, you will be up and walking around.” River looked at Jayne with a devious expression. “Then, you can try and find where I hid your girly publications. Bye.” River leaned up and planted a quick peck on the man’s red face before dashing out of the room.
“Ergh! You best be hiding with them magazines, cause when I find ya…” Did she just kiss me?
---
The women watched River in amusement as she danced. A young man had stepped forward and asked her for a go, and River had politely accepted.
It was then Inara noticed several familiar faces enter the establishment and take up a corner booth.
“Jen dao mei!" Inara muttered angrily.
Kaylee and Zoë turned to see the men seated in a booth across the room, trying to flag down a cocktail server.
“Just can’t stay away.” Zoë observed dryly.
“That man never listens to a word I ask.” Inara was vexed.
“I’m sure the cap'n just wanna look out for us.” Asserted Kaylee. “They don’t seem to be noticin’ us none, though.” She remarked while waving her arm in their direction.
“Good.” Inara said firmly. Kaylee quickly brought her arm down.
“I just want River to have a nice time. Inara tried to justify her remark. When Mal comes around, things become less enjoyable and more violent. I don’t think River seeing Jayne right now will help the matter.”
“River sure do look awful happy dancin’ out there.” Noticed Kaylee. “Wouldn’t even know it that she were so upset before. The feller she’s dancin’ with don’t look half bad neither.”
---
Stepping out of some small run-down bar, and all a bit tipsy, the men could hear loud music emanating from down the way. Mal looked through the deserted street towards the music and laughter with a sly smile. “Ain’t that a fine coincidence? Isn’t this the little shindig our woman folk ran off to?”
“Looks like.” Confirmed Wash. “Are we spying? Cause if we are, I’m selling you out. You know that right, Cap?”
Mal looked down at his pilot as he wheeled him into the club. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Wash. A man needs a drink, he goes to the liveliest establishment in town.”
“Well, it’ll get plenty lively if’n they see us. Better keep to the corner.” Jayne led them to booth ducking in quickly. The U shape booth gave all a clear view of the open room.
“I think I might die of shock. Jayne, intimidated by our lady counterparts?” Simon catechized, sliding in next to the big guy.
Mal helped Wash in and he took his seat at the end. He ignored the exchange as he waved a woman over and ordered four whiskeys.
“I’m intimidated.” Piped Wash. “For good reason, too. Have you not seen the way some of these gals handle a weapon? We have been conditioned to fear the deceptively charming woman creatures.”
“They don’t scare me. Just don’t feel like a tussle, is all.” Jayne mumbled.
“Oh dear God! What has happened to our Merc? You feeling alright there?” Wash teased.
“Fine. Dandy.” Jayne grumbled.
The drinks were promptly set down before them and the waitress was thanked.
“If they do look over, whatever you do, don’t make eye contact. Maybe we could feign ignorance?” Wash advised.
Jayne instinctively looked up and scanned the room for long chestnut hair. He stopped when he found her swinging on the arm of some xiao zi. His hand tightened around his drink, as he knocked back its contents, returning to scowl at the smiling couple.
See now, that right there is why I appreciate my solitude. Don’t have to answer to not a one.” Mal scoffed.
Simon rolled his eyes at Mal. “Right and Inara has no sway in your actions what-so-ever. Why is it that we are here again?”
“Inebriation, or so it would seem.” Wash declared as he held up his drink.
Jayne could barely hear the conversation going on around him. He was trying to figure out why the girl looked so gorram happy. Shouldn’t she be feeling as miserable as he was?
“You want the truth? Here it is. Just wanna find out why Inara were so gorram determined that we stay away. Somethin’ don’t sit right. ”
“So, instead of respecting their privacy and honoring their trust, you thought to intrude on their night.” Simon accused.
“Pretty much.”
Wash forged a shocked expression and gasped. “It must be a conspiracy! I think they are planning on over throwing the ship and creating a female dominated society!”
“Ya never know.” Mal remarked partially serious.
It was probably better this way, Jayne reasoned as he watched River take a seat on the stool the boy had pulled out for her. He wanted to be the one to make her smile like that, but he’d screwed it all up.
“Mebbe theys just need some space. Hell, sometimes I need to get away from you hun dans.” grunted Jayne.
He watched as the kid reached over and touched River’s hand. His whole body tensed up as anger and jealously dominated reason. All he could do was sit and glare. It was then she looked up right at him and smiled. He froze. Was she rubbing it in his face?
“You gettin’ sick and tired of us already?” Mal looked amusingly at his mercenary. “What happens when we break out in song and dance?”
“Please don’t. There is not enough liquor in this town to make that an enjoyable spectacle.” Simon retorted.
“Heard you got a fine singing voice. You gonna show us all up?” Mal challenged.
“I thought the point was not to attract attention.” Simon countered.
“Yes, please. I want to live to see my first born.” Implored Wash.
“Will you knock it off with that? Ain’t anyone killin’ nobody less I say so. It’s unnatural for a man to be that afraid of his woman.” Mal reproved as he shook his head at Wash.
Wash pointed a drunken finger in the captain’s face. “Just wait till you and Inara get hitched. You’ll learn good and fast its better not to bite the hand that gives you nightly comfort.” He took another swig of his drink. “When are you gonna make a move, anyways? I’m growing tired of just watching you procrastinate. Can only imagine how fed up she must be.”
“Hey now, I’ve made moves.” disputed the captain.
“Yeah, you’re a regular Casanova,” remarked Wash with a smirk.
“Just makin’ things happen on my own terms.” Mal was growing more defensive.
“Whatever. Ya’ll are whipped.” Pointed out Jayne. “Wash, you and Zoë have each other under lock’n key. Can’t do nothin’ wit’out the other sayin’ so. Simon, well, ya was a pansy ‘afore so it don’t matter. And Mal, ‘Nara has you wound tighter than a gnats ass stretched over a rain-barrel.” Jayne looked over once again at River. “I ain’t ever gonna be so screwy over some moonbrained girl.”
They all shot Jayne a curious glance at his choice of words.
---
“I didn’t touch your girly pictures. I was pulling your leg. May I come down?”
“I can see that.” Jayne looked to the massive stack on his dresser. “Just for a sec. Ya know yer brother gets pissed when ya come down here.”
“Yes, that’s half the fun.” River climbed down and handed over Jayne’s orange knit hat. “Here. It smells like girl. Sorry.”
Jayne took the hat and brought it up to his nose, drinking in the scent of River embedded into the fabric.
“Naw, it smells good. Like a woman.”
“You really think so?” River smiled, beaming up at him. “I guess it is time to grow up. No more hiding Jayne’s things.”
“I don’t mind so much. Gets borin’ round here. ‘Sides, I figure ya didn’t get to be a kid much growin’ up. Stuff like that’s important. Jayne looked contemplatively at his hat for a moment before holding it back out the her. “Here, you keep the hat. Looks cuter on ya anyhow.”
River took the hat and held it to her chest, looking at Jayne as if he gave her the moon.
“Stop lookin’ at me like that. I’m a mean old man, remember?”
“The meanest.” River climbed up the ladder rungs and turned to look back at Jayne who was staring after her. “Jayne, thanks for being my friend.”
“Yeah, just don’t tell anyone. Got a standin’ to uphold.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
---
“Ya wanna take a break and get somethin’ to drink? I’m buyin’.” Inquired the boy after about their fifth dance.
River smiled at him. He really was nice. She had learned his name was Brooke, and had giggle to her self at the coincidence. Perhaps she had a thing for boys with girls’ names.
Jayne. Why could she not stop thinking about Jayne? Perhaps it was because he wasn’t so polite. Reluctantly, she had to admit to herself that his gruffness was apart of the appeal.
She sighed as she accepted Brooke’s offer. They sat down and continued their conversation. Well, actually, he continued on about every topic under the sun. River just gazed dreamily into her beverage, watching the liquid slowly turn and still.
“I like you. You’re a good listener. Most of the girls ‘round here won’t let ya get a word in edgewise. They’re always going on about silly stuff, too. Like their hair, or clothes. Not, you. You’re really quiet. What’d you like to talk about?”
That was another thing she appreciated about Jayne. His Silence. “Quantum Physics.” River replied with a smirk.
“Oh.”
River noticed Brooke’s awkward expression, and realized she couldn’t tease him either. She quickly tried to repair the damage. “I like to hear you talk.”
“Ok, wanna hear about the time when my pa started the biggest bar fight on Salisbury?” Brooke asked eagerly as he rested his hand on hers.
River just nodded. At that moment, she could feel the heat of someone watching her. Instinctively, she looked up to find Jayne glowering at her.
A smile unconsciously formed at the sight of the big man. He looked so handsome at that moment, scowl included. Her friendly expression was only met with a deeper glare. Her smile faded and she relinquished.
She turned her attention back to Brooke, who was now talking about how he was raised on some cattle farm.
She listened for a while, nodding every now and then. Sometimes, she would sneak a peak up at Jayne, who would look away quickly, playing the same game.
Brooke leaned in closer, intoxicated to the point of bravery. “Yer reallie purty.” He said as if telling a secret. “You ‘ave a boy..friend?” He hiccupped and continued. “cause if’n not, can I be yer… Y‘ave b-e-a-utiful hair. ‘an I touch it?” Without waiting for an invitation, the boy reached across and twirled a strand in his fingers.
A loud crash could be heard from across the room. Startled, River looked up to see Jayne barreling towards them. She immediately looked at Brooke, who was now face down on the bar, on the verge of passing out. River readied herself to protect the young boy. He may have been guilty of talking too much, and being a little flirty, but he did not deserve to be pummeled.
----
That did it! The ruttin’ bèn dàn touched her hair. He had been watchin’ the two for the better part of an hour flirting back and forth.
Only just to make sure the kid didn’t try anything funny, he reasoned.
Every minute that passed was torture. He was a bundle of nerves ready to explode at any moment.
River should know better than to let some stranger touch her so intimately. Except, she had let him. Hell, he never even got that far.
When the boy leaned in close, Jayne knew right away what he was getting at. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He summoned every once of control he had, and it weren’t much. However, when the yú bèn kid played with her hair that was the final straw that broke the camels back.
Before he knew what he was doing, he had knocked the heavy table aside, sending glass crashing to the floor. Tunnel vision took over as he made his way over to the pair.
He stopped inches in front of River, who had moved in a desperate attempt to shield the boy with her small body. She looked up into Jayne’s red face, her eyes silently pleading with his.
One look from those big brown eyes melted any resolve he had to smash the boy’s teeth in. He looked over at the kid who appeared now to be out cold. That sad sight kinda took the fun out of that idea anyhow.
Nevertheless, he was still a bit steamed. “Why’d ya let him put his hands on ya?” Jayne inquired, unable to hide his jealousy.
River folded her arms across her chest. “Why did you follow me here?”
“I didn’t! It were the all captain's idea.” Jayne defended.
He watched as River’s face fell for the umpteenth time in the past week. Suddenly he felt the need to put her at ease, he needed her to know just how crazy she made him feel. “Look, didn’t mean what I did, the things I said. Wasn’t thinking straight.”
Clearing his throat, Jayne awkwardly continued as River stared at him expectantly. “I ain’t ever felt like this ‘afore, all discombobulated an‘ whatnot. Needed to git clear of it. Went somewheres I could be me again. Only, that guy ain’t me anymore.”
Jayne stepped closer and took River’s dainty hands in his, absentmindedly playing with them, savoring their feel. Maybe it was the whiskey kicking in, or all the time he’d spent thinking on her that drove him to finally be honest.
His gaze returning to her eyes, River saw a vulnerability she never knew existed. “No amount of gussied up trollops can compare to ya, moon brain.” He finished with certainty.
River smiled up at him, and brought his hands to her face. She closed her eyes, rubbing her cheek against his skin like a cat. “Do you always talk so much when you’re in love with someone?”
“I…hey now, didn’t say nothin’ about that.”
River raised an eyebrow at Jayne. “Didn’t have to.” She brought the palms of his hands from her cheek to her lips, and tenderly kissed them.
Jayne just stood there watching her in amazement. His flesh grew warm under her kisses, and his body grew flush with stimulation. His heart was thundering in his chest, and the sound echoed through his ears. She let go of his hands and slowly began to move her hands up his chest.
River marveled at the feel of Jayne’s solid form beneath her hands as she smoothed them over his muscles. She could barely contain her excitement, finally able to pet the man she had so longed to touch. She continued to move her hands up over his shoulders, and ran her fingers gently down the swell of Jayne’s biceps.
She looked up both shyly and wantonly through her eyelashes at Jayne. His face had gone slack at her touch, and he now gazed upon her with new passion. He wanted this little vixen so bad, that his body ached in anticipation. The way she was touching him, as if she knew exactly what he wanted sparked a fire in his core.
He sat back on the stool behind him and pulled her into his arms. She moved her hands up around his neck, tracing her fingers lightly in little circles across his skin. She smiled seductively at the man holding her tight. “Well?”
“Well what?” Jayne taunted.
“This is the part where you seal the deal, and kiss the girl.”
“So, ya wanna.” Jayne said with a sly smile, edging his face closer to hers.
“Practically begging.”
“Shouldn’t beg, not lady like. ‘Sides thought you were supposed to play hard to get?” Jayne enticed, his mouth lingering just above her parted lips, and he could feel her heavenly breath panting in anticipation.
“Tired of playing, Jayne. Kiss me,” she whispered, her voice heavy with desire.
Softly their lips brushed against one another, teasing, testing. Slowly, they moved their mouths together exploring the plump softness, hot and sweet. One touch sparked the hunger for more. Pressing together with such need and passion, their bodies trembled at every impact. Each kiss grew more fervent, unleashing the desire encapsulated within. Moans escaped past moving tongues as tentacles of pleasure spread through their bodies. Wrapped in a blanket of euphoria, the room and everything in it had been forgotten. Jayne finally pulled away, short of breath, his eyes still closed, and basking in sensation.
“Gorram, girl.’ was all he could manage.
“I know.” River let out, resting her forehead against his and smiling a most gratified smile.
She laid her head on Jayne’s chest, humming softly as she settled in. River had wanted to help Jayne find home, but instead it was she who had found a happiness she never knew existed.
Jayne was in nirvana over the feel of the girl in his arms. His girl. He pulled her closer and dropped is head down to drink in the familiar scent.
They both slowly turned to find six face’s looking wide-eyed in their direction. Some looked with their mouths hanging open, a few smiling and the remaining doing the other thing.
All were dead silent except for a slightly inebriated Wash. He was among the smiley ones. “Well, I didn’t see that one coming.”
He winked his eye at River and Jayne who were still clinging to one another, raising his drink to them. “As you were, young lovers.”
TBC
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wěi - correct; right
bēi jiàn hún dàn - lowly; mean and low -bastard
kōng xīn - hollow headed; mindless
Jen dao mei! - Just our luck
mēn rè - sultry; sultriness; hot and stuffy; stifling hot
xiao zi. - (n) boy; (n) an implolite term for a person; bloke
bèn dàn - fool; idiot
Next CH: Truth and Perspective
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