The Contract / Revenge 1/5

Author: hisgoodgirl

Disclaimer: Joss's toys, my make-believe. No money changed hands and all that.

Paring: Jayne/Kaylee

Rating: PG-15 for language

Dedicated to BlueEyedBrigadier for challenging me to figure this one out. Thank, BEB!

To read the other stories in this long Jaylee story arc, check out my earlier fic by clicking on my name, above. This falls between "RED" and "Too Little, Too Late", post OIS, pre BDM. Compliment to my story, THE CONTRACT.

Technical assistance from my very own bigbadman, with beta by the lovely ArtemisPrime. Italics represent internal dialogue.

Nothing so pleases and inspires a muse as thoughtful and insightful feedback. Thanks!

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“Kaylee, darlin’, ‘lessen you at least know the basics of handlin’ a firearm, I’m gonna keep on worryin’ about ya, ‘cause even I can’t keep you safe every minute.” Jayne was tired and frustrated and his voice held a tang of exasperation that was growing stronger by the minute. He put down the revolver he’d been cleaning and laid the swab on the old towel he had spread on the galley table.

Women. Why do they always gotta be so squeamish about simple things, yet don’t go wobbly when it came to the really scary things like birthin’?

Kaylee poured them each another cup of tea. It was late and Serenity was dark and still. As the rest of the crew slept, Mal kept company with his thoughts up on the bridge, affording some privacy for this awkward conversation.

The pretty mechanic was frustrated, too. “I know you think if I can handle a gun, then I’ll be okay, but Jayne, that ain’t kept you and Zoë and the Cap’n from getting’ shot up various times. I ain’t never liked guns and would just as soon not use one.” Kaylee crossed her arms over her bosom and just shook her head.

Lord God, but the woman was stubborn.

Jayne sighed in an effort to calm his rising temper.

“I ain’t sayin’ you gotta go a