Times a’ been lean lately on Serenity, but Jayne’s been through worse. They still got a place to sleep and food (if ya could call it that) in their bellys. He can take the lean times with the good, no problem. It’s the dejected looks in the girls’ eyes that he can’t seem to get outta his head.

He was glad when Mal told him they’ll be planet side for Christmas and got himself as far ‘way from River and Kaylee’s matchin’ set of doe eyes as fast as he could. He barely heard the Cap’n yellin’ after him to pick up the post while he’s gone.

Once he’s outta sight of Serenity, he slowed down a bit. Not like he got any place to go. Barely got hisself enough to get good and drunk on, an’ he can’t even do that ‘cause Mal’s ‘xpectin’ him to come back with post all sober like. Ya’d think if the man gone want it done right, he’d do it hisself.

But no, Mal’s gotta trust him ta do it right.

He kicked at a rock. Some Christmas. Not ‘nough money for a whore and can’t spend what he do got on hooch.

Least last year, they’d all had some money in their pockets, an’ that put ‘em all in good spirits. Even had theirselves a party in the middle of the black. He’d even gotten presents. Him.

The Girl gave ‘im a red string, so that prob’ly didn’t count, even if it were kinda pretty all braided together with the ends hanging down all soft-like. He tied it ‘round Vera, for good luck.

Kaylee gave ‘im a real present. Weren’t no cheap somethin’ she made from spare parts neither. Was store bought, his little gift was. Told him the ‘M’ stood for Mercenary, ‘an he should wear it pinned to his bandoleer so he could remember what he used t’ be, cause he weren’t one no more. Told ‘im he was family now.

But then he’d had to glower at her and give it back, ‘cause the rest ‘o the crew was makin’ fun of him blushin’. So that prob’ly didn’t count neither.

Somehow, it’d ended up in his bunk anyway, and he pinned it on backwards so the ‘M’ was flat ‘gainst his chest and no one could see it. Sometimes, he’d catch the Girl starin