Title: Misunderstood

Author: hisgoodgirl

Rating: PG-15, for profanity

Characters: crew, implied s/k (I know – don’t faint!)

Timeline: During the series, between “Bushwhacked” and “Shindig”

Disclaimer: All belongs to joss. I’m just messin’.

Author's Note: Thanks to bigbadman for the final line and inspiration. 1,802 words

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Misunderstood

From the moment Simon Tam set foot on board Serenity, Jayne had despised him. The Good Doctor Tam represented everything the mercenary scorned. He despised the doc’s prissy wardrobe and proper manners, his haughty Core-world accent and the way he talked down to the rest of ‘em, like they was just goushi somehow got on his purty shoes.

Where Jayne was raw and muscular, Simon was slender and refined. Jayne’s clothes were sturdy and practical, while Simon’s wardrobe was smart, tailored and formal. The merc was adored by whores on most of the Rim worlds and Simon couldn’t seem to raise the nerve to kiss one li’l gal who was fallin’ all over him.

The big merc hadn’t had much luck convincin’ Mal it was a bad idea, lettin’ the doc and his fong luh sis stay onboard. An’ ai ya , if li’l Kaylee hadn’t gone all sweet on the doctor to boot. The Captain’s protectiveness and the girl mechanic’s affection for the doc made it difficult for Jayne to deal with him outright.

Still, the mercenary delighted in finding ways to embarrass and humiliate the young doctor who, for all his top 3% and fancy education, seemed inclined to be amazingly gullible. Twenty-four hours on Santo and Jayne had already managed to get drunk, get laid and set up a big ol’ surprise for the doc.

“The doc’s gonna meet up with us in the cantina after the drop, Cap’n.” Jayne kept his face impassive, his eyes focused on the street in front of them. He knew the minute Mal got a clear look at him, the hún dàn’d know h