They stood facing each other in the dimmly lit engine room.

“I . . .uh ... .got you this.” Jayne shoved the package at Kaylee, not meeting her eyes.

Kaylee took the small box with a quizzical look. “I don’t understand . . .why?”

Because I want you to look at me the way you look at that prissy ass doctor! thought Jayne. However, the only thing that came out of his mouth was, “ ’Cause.”

Kayle opened the box and pulled out a small bottle that held about a cup of thick purple liquid. “What’s this?”

“It’s . . .uh . . .some stuff that you put in a bath to make it smell good . . .or something like that” Jayne was obviously getting nervous.

“Oh!” Kaylee beamed and unscrewed the cap. She inhaled at the bottle and grinned. “Lavender! How sweet!!! When did you get this?!”

“Last landing.” Jayne twisted his belt loop.

“It’s a shiny gift, Jayne!” Kaylee leapt to wrap her arms around his neck. She then backed away and looked at the vile again, “but . . .”

“But what?”

“Last time I checked Serenity ain’t got a bathtub.”

“Oh, . .um .. .well,” Jayne had begun to get that jittery look in his eye again. “Kinda thought maybe for the second part of the gift I could get you a room at the next stop with a tub.” He looked at Kaylee with a look that resembled a young boy asking his dad for money.

“Jayne!” said Kaylee, “Why are you givin’ me all these things?”

“You don’t understand what I’m sayin’ do you, lil’ Kaylee?” Jayne looked down trodden.

Kaylee raised an eyebrow.

Jayne scratched the back of his head. “ I want to .. .uh . .share the room with ya.”

“Oh.” Kaylee’s eyes widened. It was now her turn to look uncomfortable.

“oh.”

-------------------------------------------------

River sat at the mess hall table thumbing through stacks of paper. One leg dangled listlessly while the other was bent with her foot resting on her chair. Her free arm wrapped around her bent leg and her chin rested on her knee. She hummed quietly in a minor key.

Simon had his back to her doing the night’