Title: Primary Expedition, part 2

Author: GoddessofBirth

Pairing: Rayne

Rating: I think PG-13, although this may slide into R

Disclaimer: Jayne would have shown River his 'man parts'

Beta'd by: Night_Lotus and Kuryakingirl Thanks ladies!

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He took more time than necessary to close and lock the door, trying to settle his mind that was suddenly racing with all of the unspoken implications of this act. When he couldn't delay any longer, he turned around to face the girl who had flowed to sit on the bed with the poise of a queen. Looking at her now, though, he saw that her earlier bravado had dropped away. Her eyes were fixed on the fingers tangled in her skirt and her teeth were chewing at her lip.

'Ain't nothing says you gotta go through with this, ni zi. We can turn around right now.'

Her eyes shot up to meet his. 'No...no, she is sure.' Then, she quickly rushed on, 'but if he has changed his mind, she would not - '

He cut in. 'You know I don't offer nothin' I don't mean.' He understood her rare slip into third person was more indicative of how far into nerves she had slid than any finger twisting, and that knowledge steadied him in a way nothing else could have. He unbuckled his holster and carefully placed it on the dresser before sitting next to her on the bed. He reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and left his hand resting on her cheek.

'Hey, girl, it's okay. You change your mind at anytime, anytime at all, you say the word an' we'll stop, no matter what.' And he would, too, even if it killed him. He hadn't ever forced a woman in his life, and he wasn't about to start with this girl who was his partner, even if he'd never admit to that particular fact out loud.

She turned her face into his hand and he felt her lips curve upward. 'I know, Jayne. I never would have agreed if I didn't.'

That was new, somebody trusting him as more than just a weapon, and he felt a knot loosen somewhere in the vicinity of