Author: Gilove2dance

Title: Apple Pie

Prompt #16-Food of Rayne_shippers’ mini challenge table created by bugchicklv

Rating: G

Pairings: Pre-Rayne

Disclaimer: Joss is boss.

Word count: 872

Author's notes: Very light. No spoilers. My apologies if people find Jayne too soft. I like a soft Jayne sometimes.

“Jayne.”

He grunted, refusing to look up from his work.

“Jayne.”

“Wha’?” He still didn’t look up, choosing, instead, to focus on his task of carefully stitching together the torn seam of his holster.

“Jayne!”

His head snapped up to glare at the young woman standing very close to him. She was holding out a pad of paper and a short stubby pencil.

“I do not know how,” River said simply.

Jayne growled low in his throat. “Girl, some of us ain’t mind readers.” He stood up, getting ready to leave to bunk for some quiet.

“Please,” she whispered and placed a pale hand on his chest. “Kaylee bought lard, flour, eggs and sugar and you bought apples. Jayne loves apple pie.”

He frowned. “You wanna make an apple pie?”

“Yes,” She gave a small smile.

“I can’t exactly write somethin’ like that down.” Jayne looked around to make sure no one was there to hear them. “You gotta be taught.” River looked at him expectantly. “Aww, hell no, girl. Go ask Kaylee.”

Her chin dropped to her chest, her lips curved downwards and she looked up at him through her lashes.

“Them doe eyes ain’t gonna work on me, Crazy,” Jayne growled.

River sniffed and a single tear coursed down her cheek and fell with a faint splat to the ground.

Jayne sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine. Go run and get the ‘grediants out.”

River squealed and flew out the cargo bay.

“Now stick yer hands in the bowl an’ squish the lard and the flour toget’er.”

River made a face.

Jayne sighed. He took her hands and stuck them in the bowl.

“Urgh, it’s mushy!”

“Suppose to be,” Jayne chuckled. “Yer such a gorram girl!”

River stuck out her to