TITLE: "WHY NOT?"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Jayne reflects.

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "WHY?"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://unilelu.net/Alison/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Jayne ruminates over the loss of the Captain

and comes to the only possible solution."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"WHY NOT?"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Pain was almost gone now. Only an occasional twinge when he moved a mite too quick without thinking. When he opened his eyes and finally took a good look at himself the mercenary noticed he had some pretty impressive cuts and bruises. Jayne poked at his face as he looked in the mirror above his sink watching the coloured shine and examined his hurts in preoccupied detail. Yeah, doc did good work. Then memories crowded in and he grinned through his split lip. It was a ruttin' good fight and no mistake. He could not stop chuckling over that Alliance General's expression when Mal head butted him and broke his pompous arrogant nose. That was just so *haoxiao*. Never could accuse the Cap of being dull.

Dull. The grin in the mirror faded. Jayne stared passed his reflection as if someone else was standing right behind him. Course there was no one there 'less you counted your conscience and Jayne had never had a problem keeping that little annoyance in line. But this was the Cap, on his way - if not there already - to some remote Alliance prison. Jayne shuddered. Served the *chunren wangba dan* right. What in *diyu* had he been thinkin' starting a fight in a crowded Alliance-friendly bar on Uni Day? Jayne had been in plenty of *jianyu* and while none of them were good the very worst you could land in was an Alliance one. Es