“I ain’t gonna be popular.” Jayne broke the silence that had descended as they walked.

Kaylee shook her head “River fell in her ownself, ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong.”

The girl always did want to see the best side of things Jayne thought, didn’t know how she could with all they’d seen.

“Maybe not,” he shrugged. “But I’ll go take me a warm shower first before all the yellin’ starts.”

Kaylee unconsciously tightened her grip on River’s shoulders. She didn’t like the acceptance in Jayne’s voice, how he obviously expected to be treated. She was all set to call him on it but they had already reached Serenity, and she saw he was right.

Simon was hoverin’ in the cargo bay and caught sight of River straight off. “Mei mei what happened?” He glared at the mercenary “what did you do Jayne?” He started fussin’ round River, tryin’ to steer her into the infirmary.

Jayne glared at the doctor and turned away headin’ toward the crew’s bunks unfortunately meetin’ the Captain and Zoe comin’ down the passageway.

“Jayne, what the hell?” the Captain’s eyes went to River dressed in the mercenary’s coat. “Want to tell me what happened?”

“Nope, gonna go have a shower, then clean some fish for dinner.”

The Captain went to say something else, to stop Jayne and get some answers, when Kaylee put her hand on his arm. He glanced down to see his mechanic looking angrily at him.

“Ni men dou shi shagua, did anyone notice that Jayne’s wet and River’s dry?” Kaylee’s voice was as cross as anyone had ever heard it. “Did ya notice that he was blue from the cold and River ain’t cause she’s wearin’ his coat?” She looked at their faces “I guess not.”

“I wanted to commune with the fish, floating, peaceful.” River’s voice was dreamy as she interrupted.

“Oh River,” Simon sighed.

**********************************

Kaylee watched Jayne’s big hands as he skinned the fish for her. He was good at the little day to day things she thought. Might be a bit slow sometimes, real dense ‘bout noticin’ her advances, but he was sort