Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss. The devil made me do this.

Characters: One large mercenary and one bitty mechanic.

Warning: Mature, on account of oblique references to adult activities and creative use of laundry.

Words: 300

A/N: What can I say? I got silly. X-posted from my LiveJournal.

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Knot So Good

“Damnit, Kaylee. My hands’re goin’ t’sleep. Hurry up!” The big man raises his head, straining to glance back over his shoulder.

“I’m doin’ the best I can, ai ren . Might help if you’d lie still.” She continues to worry at the taut cloth with little success. “Didn’t figure on these knots gettin’ so… tight, with you squirmin’ around and all. I can’t get my fingers in there to work ‘em loose.”

There’s a barely audible growl of frustration. “Seems them fingers are plenty clever when they need to be. Quit messin’ around, girl.”

“Hey!” she says sharply. “Who was the one wanted to try this stuff?”

“Well…”

“An’ who enjoyed himself so much he come all over the bunk?”

“Now Kaylee… ” His face is nearly as red as the palm prints scattered across his muscular buttocks. “There’s a switchblade in my pants pocket. Just cut the damn stuff.”

Kaylee studies the bindings. They really have gotten very tight. “You sure?”

“Hell yes, I’m sure!”

“Okay then… ” She picks up the merc’s discarded cargoes and retrieves the knife. “You best stay real still. I don’t wanna nick ya.”

For once, Jayne does as he’s told. He knows the razor edge that’s on that knife.

Kaylee carefully works the spine of the blade under the binding. She steadies his wrists with her free hand and starts to saw back and forth. In a few short strokes the fabric is severed and Jayne’s hands are free.

The merc immediately pulls his arms around to rub the constricted area and notices the severed binding that falls to the floor. A horrified look appears on his face. “Damnit, Kaylee – them’s my best gorram socks!” he whines in dismay.