Inferno – Chapter Eleven

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Jayne awoke to the very pleasant sensation of his wife kissing him softly. He slowly opened his eyes to see the face he hoped to see every morning for the rest of his life.

“You should have woke me up,” River told him softly. “Not slept on the floor.”

He wrapped his arms around her.

“You were sleeping so peacefully, for a change, I didn’t want to wake you,” he told her. “You needed rest, Angel.”

“I needed my husband,” she told him pointedly.

“Well, him you got,” he smiled, kissing her back. “And I was right here, if you needed me. I just wanted you to sleep while you could. I know the last week has been rough on you.”

“Yes,” she murmured, cuddling against him. “But not so bad, now.”

“Good,” he nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.” He lay there for a few more minutes, basking in the warmth of her lithe body atop his. Finally, he sighed.

“Baby, I’ve got to get up,” he told her, and she sighed.

“I know,” she replied, raising up. “But it felt so good,” she moaned.

“We’ll have plenty of time, once we’re off this moon,” he promised her. She grinned wickedly.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she warned.

“Good,” he said again, kissing her lightly. “I’m going to take Goldie and Liam with me. Turns out Goldie can fly the shuttle. Ship’s yours. If something happens, get into the air, and call us. We’ll mate up with you, somewhere.”

“I want to go with you,” River pouted, and Jayne shook his head.

“I want it too,” he surprised her. “But without Zoe up and around, you’re the only one who can fly. You’ve got to be here.”

“I know,” she sighed in defeat. “But you’ll be careful?” She looked up at him, pleadingly. “You promised to run away, remember?”

“Fast as I can,” he nodded. “We’re going to look for the Mann’s, get them, and get back. No shopping, no stopping,” he added with a grin, and she giggled.

“Let’s go.”

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Zoe stirred slightly, and Goldie was awake in an inst