CHAPTER 4

COUPLE DAYS LATER

River lifts her head and smiles seeing Jayne sticking his head into her hiding place. She brings her finger to her lips, "Don't tell Simon."

"Hide and seek again?" Jayne asks

"Needles." River pouts

"Ahh. Then I won't tell." Jayne swallows heavily at her pout. 'No don't think about it. One time only.'

"Jayne"

River brings her finger to her lips hearing Kaylee's voice.

Jayne backs out quickly covering her hide out he stands to see Kaylee on the steps, "What?" He asks gruffly.

"Have you seen River? Simon's lookin for her."

"If he'd stop givin her drugs all the time we wouldn't end up lookin for her."

"And if he didn't she'd scream a lot more." Kaylee points out.

Jayne tilts his head debating whether or not to tell after realizing Kaylee's right. He inwardly winces when he feels a sharp pinch to his lower leg, "No I ain't seen Moonbrain."

"OK if you do be shiny and take her up."

Once Kaylee is out of sight and no one is around Jayne crouches and leans into River's hiding spot, "What was that for?"

"You were gonna tell"

"But I didn't." Jayne points out.

River nods then leans in kissing him lightly on the lips before crawling through the hidden crawl space.

Jayne stares after her then backs up and closes the hatch. He sits on the floor stunned by the kiss. 'Damn that girl.' He stands walking out of the cargo bay.

NOON

River runs into the mess hall surprising Inara, Wash, Book, and Jayne. She grabs a piece of bread then says "Shh" before crawling into the cupboard and closing the door.

Inara looks at the men lifting her brow.

"The doctor has been trying to find her all morning." Book states returning to his reading while Jayne continues to sharpen his knife and Wash eats.

"She's been hiding all day. Kaylee and Simon have been looking for her all morning." Wash adds

"She's tired of the shots." Jayne says absently.

Inara looks at the mercenary curiously just as Simon enters.

"Has anyone seen