Previous chapters include:

Honest Run: Detachment

Honest Run: Diagnosis

Honest Run: Dance

Honest Run: Dignity

Honest Run

“What’s cooking, Preacher?” Jayne came around the corner sniffing as he walked down the stairs and into the crew’s mess. River was sitting on the counter watching the older man as he cooked on the range, “How’s the ‘Verse, crazy girl?”

There was a sigh from Book.

River smiled at him, a curious little movement in her neck that contorted it somewhat, “How did the lesson go?”

Jayne screwed up his face, “How’d you know about that?”

“Girl talk.” River replied. No lengthy diatribes or fun facts. Simple. To the point.

Something that the mercenary noticed almost immediately, “What’s wrong with you?” Jayne asked, “You’re actin’ all normal.”

“It’s all just an act,” she extended her arm towards the ceiling artfully rotating her wrist, “Would you care for a performance?” River asked.

“A performance?” Jayne echoed, “Huh? Is she acting now?”

Book interrupted, “Not now, River,” he moved a pot from one burner to another, “Too much rosemary?”

“Crazy still, I guess,” Jayne sniffed, “Smells fine to me,” he came over to the shepherd, looking inside the pot, “’Cause you know I ain’t picky. Smells like stew to me.”

“As long as you don’t look at it,” The shepherd replied, “You might be convinced. I hope the captain supply stops a little sooner than later.”

The mercenary opened a few more cabinets around them, “Nah,” he said after inspecting them, “We still have a least a months worth I reckon,” he caught River staring at him out of the corner of his eye, “We’ve been between jobs befor