PART TEN

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I was nothing but a lonely boy

Looking for something new.

And you were nothing but a lonely girl

But you were something

Something like a dream come true

I was a varsity tackle and a hell of a block

When I played my guitar

I made the canyons rock -- but --

Every Saturday night

I felt the fever grow

*

In the middle of a steaming night

Im tossing in my sleep

And in the middle of a red-eyed dream

I see you coming

Coming on to give it to me

*

All revved up with nowhere to go – Meatloaf

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If this is the last time I'm ever, ever gonna hold you.

Let me hold you tight till the morning light.

If this is the last time.

Ooh we'll ever be together.

Kiss me and baby give me something.

Tender to remember you by.

*

If this is the last kiss – Meatloaf

*

[The first song is for Jayne and Vera; the second one is mostly for Mal & Inara]

It was almost dawn by the time all the equipment had been allocated to the correct places and Jayne and Vera got a room. There was a small double bed, a tiny bathroom with shower and a built-in wardrobe, all in shades of grey metal. The sheets were basic military white; the only colour was the vibrant hand crocheted blanket and cushion. On the wall with the wardrobe was a single shelf and a communication unit.

Vera dumped her bag of basic clothing and flipped the switch, “Grayson? Any news?”

“Reavers still ransacking and burning the city. Got more refugees coming in. Zhai's got more than enough room for them all. Best catch some sleep and a rest; it'll be all hands on deck once they realise what's happening and follow the trail of ships and other vehicles leaving the city.”

Jayne was behind her even soon as she cut the comm, nuzzling her neck with a rather stubbly face and goatee, “We can have more 'n a quickie then, darlin'. D'ya still want me all sweaty and dirty?”

Vera's innards clenched with anticipation as she turned in his arms, “Oh, yes! Then a slow wash in the shower afterwards, hmm?”

Ares smelt the human pheremones flying and went out in se