Chapter 2

Xiaofan was sitting in her room thinking. Specifically about Jayne. What he wanted, why he wanted it, what she was going to do about it.

Well, it was obvious what he was interested in, and she wasn’t exactly unfortunate looking so that would be why, but as for what to do… She was at a loss. Simon had been more her ‘type’ back on Osiris. But things had changed since then. She found a broader range of men attractive now, depending on their attitude and temperament. Jayne was still outside that ‘type’, what with his ability to alienate anyone at will and rough language.

Though that had seemed to change. A bit.

Normally, Jayne wouldn’t have followed her from the ship, but now, he seemed interested in her well-being. Just so he could have her? Long way to go for sex, the man usually has the prairie harpies throwing it at him. Why else would he have followed her?

Xiaofan was definitely not in his usual category of women. But there was still something alluring about Jayne. Maybe.

Xiaofan had to admit, she would not have come up with the plan Jayne had. And it’s possible the ‘old’ Jayne may have just escorted the two women back to Serenity and dropped it in Mal’s lap. But he didn’t, he calmed Xiaofan and came up with an idea to solve the problem, with only minimal prodding from River.

She could not deny, further, that she found Jayne physically appealing. Strong, ropy muscles of his forearms, the hard chest and abdomen she’d felt when they kissed, and his legs were… And his lips… His hands… If this went on much longer she’d jump from her bed and head to crew quarters. So, she calmed herself. She thought about something else.

Like what in the name of Heaven she was going to do now? Being officially ‘dead’ was not all it was cracked up to be. She had all the money from her accounts, but what would she do with it?

She had a fear of settling down in one place, being easier to find. But she wondered how long the money would last if she stayed on Serenity. Gra