Since there seems to be some confusion on the issue, this story takes place approximately two weeks after Jayne joins the crew. Feel free to post whatever criticism you desire. I'm a big girl,I can take it.

The First Betrayal

by Judith Moffitt

"Sir, are you sure we should keep Jayne around? I mean I know it got us out of a tight place to offer him a job, but now that he’s been here for a couple of weeks, shouldn’t we dump him first chance we get? We already know he can’t be trusted."

"Zoe, trust me on this. I got a plan. You’re right; he’s not to be trusted. But he is good at what he does and we could really use his skills. Big guy like that - he’s used to pushing people around and having things his way. Ain’t used to respecting someone else. I do believe that if I can teach him respect, he’ll come around. At least enough to be useful. If it don’t work out, we can always toss him out the airlock later. Here’s what I’m thinking we should do."

As he told her his plan, Zoe got a big grin on her face. Even if it didn’t work; it would be hilarious.

***********

Jayne was coming back from the job on Boros. Mal had trusted him with the delivery of the loot and the pickup of the payment and he was quick to see the advantage to him in that. So when he returned to the ship, some of the payment wouldn’t be in the pile he gave to Mal. He felt good about the fact that he’d get paid twice for this deal and knew that no one would ever find the place in his bunk where he planned to stash the loot he’d appropriated. Even had come up with a good cover story. Man wouldn’t pay the full amount agreed, so he made the deal for what he could get. Yep that’s what he’d tell Mal.

Mal and Zoe were on the bridge when Jayne returned giving him plenty of time to stop by his bunk and store the money he’d stolen. ‘Course what Jayne didn’t know was that they were dealing with old friends of Mal’s from the war and that the job was a setup. Mal knew exactly how much was paid because it had come out of Mal’s pocket. Oh and he