Jayne was just walking. He didn’t know where, and he didn’t much care. His head was down and his hands were in his pockets, ignoring the people he passed. People who tended to get out of his way, if truth be told. A big man exuding trouble tended to do that.

It weren’t fair. He shook his head. It just straight up weren't fair. There he was deciding to stay on Serenity, and havin’ to ask Mal’s permission …

“Thought you’d want to get gone,” the captain had said, leaning against a stack of crates in the bay. “Ain't Badger waiting for you?”

Jayne knew he was baiting him a little, but let him get away with it. “Badger was … hell, I didn’t want to be workin’ for him in the first place. Most of the time I felt like tearing him a new one, but I didn’t.”

Mal smiled. “Very restrained of you, Jayne.”

“So I kinda figured, if you hadn’t got anyone else, which I see you ain’t, that … well … maybe …”

“You’re asking for your old job back?” Mal crossed his arms.

“Yeah,” Jayne finally admitted.

“Well, see, that may be difficult. Jethro’s coming along real well, and soon as he learns to shoot straight I'm thinking he may be just the person to take your place. Especially since he don’t eat me out of the entire contents of the kitchen every day, and makes do with seven percent.”

“Aw, Mal …”

“And we’ve kinda got used to you not being around the place with all your noxious odours and worse language.”

“Mal …”

“Except that I think little Bethie would never forgive me if I said no.”

“Mal, come on, I …” He stopped, the last words sinking in. “You mean I can stay?”

“Ground rules, Jayne. You don’t kill Jethro. Even if provoked.” Jayne went to speak but Mal went on, “And no maiming. Not even a tattoo.”

“Mal, that ain't fair.”

“Life sometimes goes that way.” He gazed at the big man. “But you’ve done a lot for Freya, and I'm grateful.”

“She’s …” Jayne paused. “I ain't never had a sister, least not one that lived, and I guess maybe …” He blushed, hating himself for it.

“