The Heart of the Dilemma

By jebbypal. 2004 Serenity Secret Santa present for inlovewithnight.

Spoilers for Serenity the pilot episode. Quotes from the transcript of the aired version of the pilot found on Browncoats.com. Santa does not own the Firefly characters nor does he profit off of this fic. Merely seeking to do a little jaylee for his gift giving.

Merry Christmas to all!

Chinese glossary:

lin se de jia huo – meanie

hundan – bastard

chunren - idiot

Kaylee glared at him when he entered the common room. "I don't wanna talk to you, you lin se de jia huo."

"Aww hell, I just wanted to 'pologize Lil' Kaylee. That's all," Jayne said awkwardly. As usual, he'd shot off his mouth without thinking at dinner. It was just so gorram frustrating to see her fawn all over some big city doc that would be off the ship in a few days. Didn't know why she didn't save herself the embarrassment was all. Man like that wouldn't go for a girl like her when Inara asked if he'd like a turn. Sure, doc would probably agree to a roll in the hay, but he could tell Kaylee was crushing for a bit more than that.

"Had no call to be like that Jayne. Don't know how you could even," she said angrily as she turned her back on him.

"Look, I said I was sorry. What else do you want?" he interrupted. Didn't need her to tell him how horrible he was.

She just looked at him, all disappointed looking. "And in front of the preacher too. I know your Ma taught you more respect than that."

"Rutting hell, are you gonna accept the apology or not girl?" he erupted. Man could only take so much of a dressing down. Only what should have been silence after his question wasn't. Loud shouting could be heard from the direction of the cargo bay. "Those gorram passengers start wandering already? I told Mal this was a bad idea."

Kaylee shook her head as she passed him to investigate the situation. "Probably got lost or forgot a piece of luggage is all. Nuthin' at all," she told him over her shoulder with