Jayne staid in bed for as long as he could. Hadn’t yet figured out how ta act aroun’ Kaylee. Figured it was best ta… stay out a sight.

He weren’t hidin’.

He jumped when someone kicked the hatch leadin’ down ta his bunk.

“Put some pants on an’ be in the kitchen in five minutes.”

Mal. Prob’ly gonna talk about what they was gonna do about the doc’s date that night.

Jayne groped over the side of the bed fer the pants he was wearin’ the night before. He held ‘em ta his nose an’ sniffed. Thought about it fer a second an’ sniffed again.

Good enough.

He pulled ‘em on an’ stood up. Stumbled over ta the sink an’ splashed some water on his face.

Considered shavin’. Thought better of it.

His Fightin’ Fairies t-shirt was mostly clean. Didn’t stink, anyway, as he pulled it over his head. He looked at ‘imself in the mirror again an’ ran his hand over his hair, mussin’ it up a bit.

He closed the hatch behind ‘im after he’d put his shoes on an’ clumb up ta the deck. Made sure it was shut tight an’ turned toward the kitchen.

Kaylee was just comin’ up outa her hatch.

She looked at ‘im. Her eyes were a little red. Didn’t look like she’d slept real good.

Jayne’s stomach did a little dance.

“Hi.”

Her voice was a little gravelly and real ruttin’ sexy.

“Mornin’.”

“You… uh… you headed ta the kitchen?”

Jayne nodded slowly, lookin’ around at the walls. Couldn’t quite bring himself ta look at her face, pretty as it was.

“Yup.”

“Me, too.”

The silence was real loud.

“We could… walk… together. If you want. I ain’t forcin’ ya to er nothin’. Just… if ya want.” Jayne rubbed the back of his neck and looked real intent-like at Kaylee’s feet.

“That’s okay.”

Jayne glanced up at Kaylee’s face an’ then back down. “Fine by me. Just askin’.”

“No! I mean… okay. I meant yes. That’s okay. I want you.”

Jayne’s eyes shot up to her face.

She was red as a warnin’ light. “To! I want you to. Walk with me.” She was twistin’ her hands in front of her. “I