“Jayne, I brought you something.” River had glided up to him unnoticed, but he was almost used to it now. He only jumped a little.

“What could you think I might want, little moonbrain?” he asked, sitting up on the bench and grabbing the towel from the floor. He wiped the sweat from his face and muscular arms.

“You gave away your painting.”

Jayne stopped in the act of rubbing the back of his broad neck and looked up at her. “That … it weren’t really mine to give. Just made sure it got home.”

“But you paid for it. Saw it and bought it. Haggled the man somewhat, but gave your money for it.”

His brows drew together. “You reading me? Thought we agreed you wouldn’t do that no more.”

“Not reading you, silly. But I know you.” She smiled, her black hair sliding forward.

“Yeah, well, that don’t make it any less creepy.” He stood up. “So what you get me? And if’n you have, it don’t mean I gotta get you something back,” he added quickly. “Ain't gonna start playin’ those kinda games.”

“It isn’t meant like that.” She moved her hands from behind her back. “I just thought you shouldn’t have to lose out.”

“I don’t lose, River,” Jayne pointed out, eyeing the flat package. It was done up in brown paper with a pink ribbon around it. “Pink?” he asked. “What is it with girls and pink?”

“It goes with your heart,” she said mysteriously.

“What?” He looked at her in puzzlement. “You trying to say I'm girlie?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” She held out the package. “Take it.”

He rather reluctantly took hold of it, handling it as if it might explode at any moment. “Girl …”

“Open it.”

Oh hell, he could only die once, and he was pretty certain she could kill him a lot easier than with something as unsophisticated as a bomb. He pulled the ribbon off and ripped the brown paper away. “ Wuh de mah ,” he breathed.

“I did it myself for you, had it framed on Persephone. I think they’ve done a good job, don’t you?” She moved next to him, looking over his shoulder, reaching around