“WHAT is going on!” Jayne wakes up at the sound of the shout, and realizes that he is still laying on the couch, and looks up to realize River is laying on top of him, still asleep. He would have smiled, except he realized that the Captain was the one that shouted, and looking very angry.

“Uh…Captn…this ain’t what it looks like!” River looks up suddenly.

“Yes it is.” She looks at Mal. “We snuggled.” Jayne gapes at River and Mal shakes his head.

“Let’s jus skip right ahead of that statement, and ya’ll tell me why my merc is layin underneath my pilot?” He looks at the two of them expectantly, and Jayne can only stutter. Smiling, River puts her legs on the floor and gracefully climbs off of Jayne. She puts a hand on Mal.

“It’s ok, daddy. We did not engage in intercourse.”

“WHAT?” Jayne yells, jerking up, his face several shades redder than it usually is. Mal raises an eyebrow.

“I think our lil’ Albatross is growin up, makin the big merc squirm.” He tries to put on a stern face. “But I will not hear such crude language from my pilot, and there’s no need of makin me feel older than I am. So, if you two are done, River, I’d like you to take the helm and set a course for Demeter.”

“Yes daddy,” she replies, smiling, and skips off. Once she disappears, Jayne starts to strut off, but Mal stops him.

“Jayne. Want to explain what that was all about?” he asks, sternly. Jayne looks at the floor.

“Not really.”

“That’s good. Cause’ i’m sure you know enough math to calculate the age difference between the two of you. Wouldn’t be safe if I found you two in that particular position again. Dong ma?” Jayne just nods, and then struts off towards his bunk, muttering in Chinese.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jayne awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of feet. Trying the clear the hazy sleepiness of his eyes, he looks up and realizes River is standing on the corner.

“Jiadan Maing! What in the Spicter hell are you doin here, girl?” She stares at him, sadly.

“You were ha