River lay on Jayne’s chest, staring at him. It seemed an age since he’d been in their bed, and she was making the most of every opportunity, particularly since the rest of the crew were staying at Inara’s place. They had the ship to themselves, and she was taking advantage. Right now it was to see if he’d changed.

She examined the neatly trimmed goatee, the lips that could sneer or swear more crudely than anyone she knew, or make her fall again and again with just a touch. His nose, his eyes, closed in rest, a slight sheen of coital sweat on his forehead, looking more like the boy he still was on the inside than the mercenary he was without. Her gaze lingered at the line of white hair above his left ear, and her fingers hovered over it, drawn to it.

“Like what you see?” Jayne’s voice rumbled from deep in his chest, making her vibrate.

“A little.”

He opened his eyes on her, their blue different from the captain’s, yet still as full of mischief. “Only a little, huh?”

“Perhaps some.”

“You seemed to like it well enough a short while back.”

“I hadn’t had sex in a while.”

“I’m kinda hoping you ain't had sex since you left me on Lazarus.”

“I might have found someone.”

“And who would this guy be? Just so’s I can thank him for keeping you warm for me, o’ course. ‘Fore I tear him limb from limb.”

“Who said it was a man?”

He tensed under her, obviously mentally going through the options. She didn’t even have to look. Suddenly he sniffed and shook his head, relaxing. “Nah. Ain't no-one around here you’d go to bed with.”

“Are you sure of that?” River lifted her head. “Maybe I asked Inara to service me.”

“She ain't a Companion no more, remember? She ain’t likely to be doing that, leastways, not for money.”

“Maybe it was as a favour. To an old friend.”

“Freya watch?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Is that what you’d like?”

“My birthday, maybe.” He smothered a yelp as she pinched his nipple.

“Sorry,” she apologised, kissing it better.

“’S’alright.” He wra