Archangel – Chapter Twenty-One

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.

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“Don’t you even think o’ gettin’ drunk, Jayne Cobb,” Kaylee said sternly as he drew himself a mug of beer. Jayne nodded.

“I won’t. Just one or two. Promise,” he added. Kaylee smiled, and kissed his cheek, before moving to help set dishes. River snickered at him.

“‘As much as I wanna’”, she mimicked, and Jayne glowered.

“This here’s all I want,” he said told her, with as much dignity as he could muster.

“Right,” she rolled her eyes, and then looked around.

“Think I’ll find someone to dance with,” she mused. Jayne nodded.

“Have a good time, little bit,” he smiled. River beamed back at him, and went into the crowd.

“Nice spread, Jayne,” Mal admitted, looking around. “Folks is some grateful.”

“Don’t blame’em,” Jayne nodded. “Thirty tuskers is a buncha trouble, Mal,” he added.

“Well, I’m gonna find Inara, and see about eatin’,” Mal told him. “Behave yourself.”

“Oh, he will,” Kaylee chirped, moving up alongside Jayne and slipping an arm around his waist. “I’ll see to that.” Mal smirked at Jayne.

“Much as you want,” he shook his head, and walked away.

“What’s he talkin’ ‘bout?” Kaylee asked.

“No idea,” Jayne shook his head. “Think he’s tetched,” he pointed to his temple.

“Well, who cares, anyway,” Kaylee smiled, and Jayne felt his heart seize. “Let’s dance!”

Kaylee lead the mildly protesting mercenary out onto the open ground, and soon the two were dancing to the music, oblivious to the people around them.

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Simon watched as Kaylee and Jayne danced, and sighed at how stupid he had been. He shook his head, and took another drink from his mug. He looked up as a weight settled onto the bench beside him.

“Drowning your sorrows, Doctor?” Jasmine Carter asked, smiling.

“Something along those lines,” he nodded. She frowned.

“Hey, I was only kidding, Simon,” she told him. “I’m sorry if I. . . .”

“No, no. Nothing l