“… and with her hand she comforted me, Made all my worries rush away, And soft kisses she poured on my lips, Until I saw the soft start of the day …”

Jayne was singing softly as he fitted the sliding door into the runners, his deep voice filling the room pleasantly, putting the finishing touches to the nursery before it was time.

“I don’t think those are the right words,” River said, sitting on the ladder into Mal and Freya’s bunk, her feet through the rungs.

Jayne didn’t turn. “They’re fine as far as I’m concerned.”

“But you don’t kiss anyone on the mouth.”

The big man sighed. “It’s a song. Ain't the truth. Just someone put some pretty words together and made a tune to fit. Ain't meant to be real.”

“But you’re thinking about someone.”

Jayne threw down the screwdriver and turned, his face dark. “You stay outta my brain. I told you before. There ain't nothing in there for you.”

“Why are you angry with me?” she asked, putting her legs out straight and leaning back as if she was on a swing, and any moment she’d start to move backwards and forwards, her hair blowing in the breeze.

Jayne exhaled noisily. “Didn’t say I was angry with you. Just don’t want you walkin’ through my memories in your bare feet.”

River closed her eyes. “Bare feet. Naked feelings.”

“You havin’ one of those days again?” he asked, screwing his eyes up just a little. If he squinted enough, it really looked like she was pumping into the air.

“I might be.” She smiled. “Then again, I could just be saner than the rest of you.”

“That ain't possible.”

“So sane I've gone all the way through and come out the other side.” She looked at him and laughed. “Sanity is a circle … you just come back to where you started.”

Jayne leaned over to pick up the screwdriver again and she admired the definition in the biceps muscle, the way it was so smooth under the skin. He peered at her. “What you looking at?” he asked.

“Power,” she said. “To make or break.”

This time he sighed. “Yep, one o