Rating - R - Please note rating change

Disclaimer: It all belongs to Joss.

Beta: TamSibling

Pairings: J/R; M/I

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14276>Back to chapter 3 Falling Without Gravity

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Precious Commodity

By Lattelady

Ch. 4 Flying Without Wings

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River skidded to a stop in the corridor ten feet from the entrance to the main lounge. With her head tilted she concentrated all her efforts on listening and feeling. She could hear Jayne’s deep masculine voice very near and he was clearly distressed. There was another person present, who spoke in hushed tones, which made it impossible for the girl to identify who it was.

Survival instinct sent her shivering back against the bulkhead. Her brain didn’t have to tell her fingers to disengage the safety on her gun. They did it of their own accord. Moving with stealth, she sniffed the air as she crept along until she was almost to the door. Jayne’s tone carried a message of danger, but her mind couldn’t feel any in the immediate area or near future. Self preservation won out as she readied for action. Seconds later she sprang and landed in a crouch, ready to fire at the unknown person who had dared come aboard Serenity uninvited.

“Easy there, girl,” Jayne called out as he quickly grabbed her wrist pointing her gun hand toward the deck. “It’s just Inara, come for a visit.” He wrestled the weapon from her fingers and glared at her. “And I thought I told ya to keep the damn safety on this thing!”

“Give me back my gun.” River shook with anger and embarrassment.

“You’ll get it back when it’s just you and me on this here boat.” He stuck the pistol in the back of his belt and dared her to challenge him. “I don’t want no accidents while we got company.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” The Companion stepped between the glaring pair. It was apparent the