The Watcher

EvilEdna

PG

River/Jayne

Author’s notes: I know that the whole “River watching Jayne weight-train” has been done before, but the idea intrigues me. So this is my take on it!

“She do that a lot?” Malcolm Reynolds asked, voice low as he glared at his crewmate.

Jayne Cobb glanced at the Captain, and then at the young girl who sat, legs swinging, on the decking above them.

“Yup. She seems to like watching the weights,” he shrugged, placing no more significance on it than he did any other of River’s unfathomable actions. Bracing his arms above him, he hefted down the weight bar and held it steady, veins popping out on his forehead with the strain.

“Seems odd to me, that she’d do that,” Mal continued, resting one booted foot on the edge of the bench and glaring at Jayne with renewed intensity. Sighing, Jayne pushed the bar back on to its rest and sat up. He obviously wasn’t going to get out of the conversation that easily.

“She just likes watching the weights. Does the same with the Shepherd, but for some reason you ain’t questionin’ him.”

“Because the Shepherd wouldn’t take advantage of a young girl’s obvious interest, that’s why. Jayne, if I ever find out you’ve touched her in a way that’s not appropriate…..”

“Hey!” Jayne growled, not liking the way this conversation was going, “I ain’t plannin’ on touching that moon-brain!”

“And what if she plans on touching you?” Mal asked, quietly.

Jayne’s eyebrows shot into his hairline.

“She ain’t ever shown any interest in anybody, in that way…..”

“Well, maybe she plans on startin’. That’s all I’m saying, Jayne. Just don’t mess with her.”

“Fine.” Even Jayne could see when there was no point in continuing to argue. The Captain nodded, apparently satisfied, and walked away. Jayne settled back down on to the weight bench and glanced upwards. River was still there, though her legs were now still. She had a half-smile on her face and an odd look in her eyes.

“What you smilin’ at?” He shouted up, not really exp