Title: The Contract / Revenge 5/5

Author: hisgoodgirl

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

Paring: Jayne/Kaylee

Rating: PG-15 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.

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

Sure makes a writer happy when you take a minute to comment. Thanks!

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On into the evening Jayne and Kaylee continued their work on Serenity’s maintenance, struggling to get the replacement pump operating smoothly. Preoccupied with their repairs to Serenity’s engine, the mechanic and her helper had completely lost track of time until Mal yelled back to the engine room, “Put your tools down and come to the table. Supper’s awaitin’.”

Kaylee glanced over at her helper and laughed. “Can’t tell you how many times I heard my Ma yell the same thing at Pa and me. Well, havin’ a break won’t hurt us, anyways.” She grabbed an old towel and scrubbed off her greasy hands before passing it to Jayne so that he could remove the worst of the grub from his own. Smiling at one another, they headed down the corridor to the galley where, in keeping with Mal’s long-held tradition, they joined their shipmates around the big oak table.

Surrounded by an assortment of chairs, the sturdy old table bolted to Serenity’s galley deck was as important a communications center as the ship’s bridge. Crew members often used the evening meal as a time to share news, discuss upcoming jobs and sort out schedules and other issues, much as any family might. The golden glow of the galley area, decorated by Kaylee shortly after Mal hired her, comforted her and reminded her of home. Suppers on Serenity were a lot like sitting down with fami