ALONG CAME A ZHI ZHU -Chapter THREE

By BlueHandTwoByTwo (LarryL)

“Jayne, take that dress off right now,” Mal pleaded with Cobb. He turned to Book and Simon and shook his head, “Now there’s something I never imagined saying in my lifetime.”

“NO!” Jayne protested and took a step back out of the hatch, the pink and white dress rolling back and forth on its wire under-frame. “She’s had it long enough,” he pointed at Kaylee, who was still sedated and resting on the gurney. “It’s my turn. Besides, she’s all doped up. She ain’t gonna miss it.”

“It doesn’t belong to you,” Book reminded him. “A proper gentleman doesn’t take a lady’s dress without first asking permission.”

“Well, guess I ain’t a proper gentleman then,” Jayne sneered and turned his back on them as if to leave. Simon took advantage of the window and stealthily whisked across the room.

“Jayne!” the captain called out. Jayne stopped and turned, an ugly scowl parked on his mug. “Looks like Kaylee’s waking up here. Hows about you doing the right thing and asking her if you can wear her dress.”

Jayne eyed the captain suspiciously. It wasn’t beyond him to try and pull off some kind of dirty trick. The man simply couldn’t be trusted. Probably wanted to wear the dress himself. After all, he’s donned women’s clothing before. Jayne recalled a certain cotton dress and pretty floral bonnet the captain wore once when they were laying a trap for a band of outlaws who were birddoggin’ that moon a while back. Perhaps he got a liking for it? Jayne looked to Kaylee but Mal took a small, casual step forward, blocking his view of her. No, he wasn’t going to fall for it. “She don’t look awake to me.”

Book suddenly interjected, “Oh! There she goes again. I just saw her eyes flutter open.” He turned his back and leaned over Kaylee, blocking Jayne’s view as well. “Good morning, Kaylee. How do you feel?” Kaylee was, of course, still heavily sedated and sleeping soundly.

Jayne frowned and took a reluctant step forward back into