Disclaimer: Firefly is tainted: T'ain't mine...

More Disclaimer: I dind't plan to let the Story get this far. Blame it on the Plotbunny!

Huge Thanks to BYTEMITE for having a look at it and once again pointing out "Mindreaders" I put in, untangling some of the mess I made, deleting what wasn't needed and making helpful suggestions or rewriting where I fudged up. If there's still a mess somewhere, I managed to sneak it past her and will get my butt kicked. :D

I also know that a Mercenary ain't exactly a Trooper.

This story is AU, there are Dead Men Walking and there is an OFC, better steer clear if that ain't your cup of Sake. Don't say you haven't been warned.

The Pooper And The Trooper

Kaylee rigged a sort of crib from an old crate, a big, ugly, awkward thing that took up a lot of space in Jayne's bunk. Would do till they got something else figured out. Least it was big and high enough to keep the Short Stuff from falling out and gave her a place to sleep. Kaylee also donated a stuffed toy that now waited for its new owner in the makeshift bed.

Surveying her handiwork with a pleased smile, Kaylee turned to up the ladder, when her gaze fell on the old blanket hiding Jayne's arsenal and the nudiepics taped on the bulkhead above it. Ugh! That would never do with a little one around. But she trusted Jayne knew that himself. Especially after noticing the efforts to clean up his language around the baby.

Kaylee and Zoe returned to the galley, where Jayne still sat with the sleeping toddler, a half-eaten piece of hardtack in his hand and lost in thoughts.

Zoe spoke first. “What will you call her, Jayne? Don’t think you remembered gettin’ her name.”

Jayne looked at her with a blank expression for a moment, then blinked. Wash, going for more coffee, was really fascinated to see the tough mercenary redden. “Zoe, did you see that? Jayne's blushing! If I didn't know better, I'd even say glowing!” then he quickly moved back before Jayne’s hand caught him by the front of his T-Shirt.

“Maybe I'll ta