CHAPTER 18

6 MONTHS LATER

After midnight Mal walks onto the bridge where he finds Jayne leaning back in the chair a magazine in one hand and Charlie against his chest with a bottle in his other hand. "Take it River's out to the world."

Jayne looks up, "Doc sedated her. She's been up for two days."

"She did flip out earlier." Mal says thoughtfully. "You spent all day chasing her down."

Jayne shrugs "She'll be fine once she gets some sleep." He looks at Mal, "Why are you up?"

"Can't sleep." Mal drops on the co-pilot's chair. "Switching schedules has messed with my system."

"Since when do you have a system?" Jayne retorts setting his magazine on the console.

Mal glares at him.

"Besides I might as well be on duty since this is when Charlie's up anyway."

"I know. Just feels weird to be tryin to sleep this early."

"Hey you want this shift... you can also take Charlie." Jayne offers. "I can sleep longer."

"She is your kid; your responsibility." Mal retorts. "Still find that amusin." Mal chuckles looking at Charlie who is kicking her feet as she looks out the window.

"Why is that? I did help take care of my brothers and sisters ya know." Jayne points out.

"Yeah well I didn't know you then." Mal returns. "How old is Timmy?"

Jayne frowns thoughtfully "23, 24."

"Can't remember how old your own brother is?"

Jayne shrugs "Ain't like we were raised together." He shifts Charlie in his arms.

"Still weird." Mal remarks and the two men sit in silence the only sound heard is Charlie drinking her bottle.

HOUR LATER

Jayne sets Charlie in the crib then strips down to his boxers and crawls into bed beside River. He pulls her close, 'Tomorrow will be a good day.' He kisses her head draping his limbs over River's body.

MORNING

River stirs rubbing at her eyes she tries to move when she hears Charlie talking to herself in the crib only to find herself pinned by Jayne's body; unable to even squirm under his weight River nuzzles his neck hoping to wake