By midday it was obvious there was a storm brewing, and not just amongst the human occupants of the house. Outside the air had changed, thickening, almost becoming greasy, and Jayne watched as clouds gathered over the mountains.

“Gonna piss down,” he predicted, holding River around the waist.

“Yes.” She shivered. “I can feel it. Electricity. All around.”

Jayne glanced at her, his eyebrow raised, then concentrated. “Ya mean like all the hairs are standing up on my arms?”

She nodded. “Not just tension.”

He looked over his shoulder towards the house from where they were standing in the orchard. “Yeah. Ya know, someone needs to talk to ‘Nara. If’n she don’t want Sam here, she needs to say. ‘Cause it ain't doing her any good being quiet like this.”

River didn’t respond.

“Hey. You think it’s a good idea or not?” Jayne pressed.

“Freya already spoke to her,” the psychic said, her head on one side. “But I don’t know that any more is necessary.”

“You seeing something, moonbrain?”

“Sparks.”

“You mean lightning?”

“Some.” She moved closer to him, feeling the air pushing against her skin. “And more.”

“Your bro checked your hormones this morning?” he asked, putting his hand on her belly. Maybe he was imagining it, but there seemed to be a slight thickening there.

“Hormones are fine. And a little.”

“So I ain’t imagining it.” He didn’t mind her knowing his thoughts.

“Getting ready to grow.” She put her hand on top of his. “To swell, to inflate, to expand, to engorge –“

“See, now I know Simon ain't checked you out today. Come on. Better get it over with.”

“I feel like a pin cushion,” she complained.

“You know what Mal said.”

“Pin cushion or shuttle. I know.” She sighed. “Hungry.”

Jayne laughed, the deep sound rolling through the trees. “Maybe that’s it. You ain’t eaten this morning.”

River grimaced. “Saw it all coming the other way, so I didn’t take it down for it to come back.” Just the memory made her swallow hard.

He rubbed