Jayne sat in the co-pilot’s seat and kept his hands well away from the controls. He didn’t know how to fly the shuttle, and wasn’t much interested in learning. That was okay, though. Mal wasn’t the best pilot in the Verse, but as long as he kept the gorram thing in the air until it was close enough to the ground not to crash ‘fore he landed it, that was good enough for Jayne. Besides, the mercenary had other things to think about.

Like what Linda did when she found her presents. And checked her messages.

And if she had, what the hell was she thinkin’ now?

‘It’s gorram frustratin,’ he thought, ‘Like rollin’ the dice in a game of craps, then getting’ up and walkin’ away for a day or two without bein’ able to see if you won or lost. I rolled the dice. I took my chance, and now I’m halfway dirtside with no way to tell what she’s thinkin’.’

Jayne shook his head. ‘As if I ever knew what she was thinkin’ before.’ He snorted.

“Something funny?” Mal looked over and raised an eyebrow.

“Not so much,” Jayne replied, “Just thinkin’ about how little I know about what goes on in a woman’s head.”

“Any woman in particular?” The captain smiled.

“Well, Linda, mostly,” the other man admitted. “Although Kaylee’s almost easy compared to ‘Nara. Zoe’s just ... well, Zoe. And River?” He shuddered. “She’s just plain scary sometimes. Knows more than she tells, and pro’bly way more than she should.”

Mal nodded. “Good thing she’s on our side.”

Jayne thought about that some. “I reckon so. Still ain’t normal.”

“Ain’t much about Serenity’s crew that is, and that’s a fact.” The captain flicked a few switches and changed the approach angle a bit. “Not complainin’ though. I’m thinking that’s one reason we’re all still alive.”

Jayne thought back to the Reverend, and to Wash.

“Not all of us,” he said. He felt rather than saw Mal stiffen, just a little, and realized he’d crossed a line. Not that he knew what to do about it. Jayne had never been much good at making folks feel bett