Title: Faded Angel

Author: AlsoKnownAs

Rating: PG 13 ish

Description: Jayne and Kaylee’s joy causes Jayne to question himself when fate intervenes.

A/N: Be advised that this is very angsty and there is character death within.

xxxxx

Wasn’t a soul on Serenity who rightly understood why Kaylee and Jayne had gotten together. The way Mal told it, there wouldn’t be a soul in the ‘verse who’d be able to make sense of it. Jayne had been a little reluctant at first; confused was an even better word for it. It hadn’t worried Kaylee none though; that was the way she felt and everyone had just best get used to it. Simon had taken it the hardest even though he and Kaylee hadn’t been in the romantical way for near a year. It hadn’t seemed real until they’d decided to share a bunk. There was much protesting from Mal, but one threat to leave from Kaylee and the captain made with the lip biting.

Jayne had moved into Kaylee’s bunk rather than the other way round. Kaylee had told him it was because her bunk was closer to the beating heart of her baby. He still suspected it was because she hadn’t wanted to try and get the smell out of the bed. Their relationship was all sweaty and heavy for the first month or so, but eventually it came to a point when they were an actual couple. Jayne had never really experienced that before. It shocked him some, truth be told, but what shocked him even more was Mal announcing he was alright with the whole arrangement as long as they both tended to their duties aboard the boat. They even shared some special, romantical type moments together. Jayne knew full well it wasn’t like him but Kaylee bought out the best in his heart.

One night they were docked on a moon Jayne didn’t even know the name of. They’d finished the job and Mal had granted the crew a little down time. Jayne and Kaylee were sitting together watching the stars. Stars weren’t something Jayne ever really looked at until he found love with Kaylee.

“Promise me something?” Kaylee asked him.

“Anythin’ you want.”