Title: The Contract / Revenge 4/5 Author: hisgoodgirl

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

Paring: Jayne/Kaylee

Rating: PG-17 for adult language, sexual references.

Compliment to my story, THE CONTRACT. To read my other stories, click on my name above. This falls between "RED" and "Too Little, Too Late", post OIS, pre BDM.

Dedicated to BlueEyedBrigadier for challenging me to figure it out. Thanks, BEB!

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

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

Thanks!

*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*

Two blocks up, a pair of Alliance troopers spotted the uproar and pushed into the crowded street. Recent gang conflicts made the docks unusually tense and the local dock patrol had been reinforced with a contingent of Federals well trained in crowd control to help keep the peace.

The group of Dragon Clan members up ahead were gathered like vultures around some poor soul and the sight set Jayne’s teeth on edge, but it was the sound of Kaylee’s voice, shrill and furious, that sent the big mercenary into full battle mode.

He plunged headlong into the milling crowd, shoving people right and left. The already anxious crowd parted, giving way before the huge man bearing down on the gang like a freight train. Yanking loose a wooden support pole from one of the vendor awnings, Jayne swung the heavy staff like an oversized baseball bat, the unexpected blow sending two of the Dragons sprawling.

The tall, lean gang leader glared at his adversary with narrowed eyes, his forearm tight across Kaylee’s throat as he backed away, dragging the thrashing girl with him. For one heart-stopping second, Jayne’s eyes met Kaylee’s as she struggled with her captor. The remaining subordinate drew a wickedly sharp dagger and lunged at Jayne, but ye