Disclaimer: They ain’t my characters and it ain’t my ‘verse and no money changed hands. Thank You List includes Joss and the gang for inspiration, Jacqui the Goddess of Jaylee for beta and a great deal of support and encouragement, and to my own dear big, bad man for providing certain, …er, technical resources and guidance. Bein’ as this is my very first fanfic, all comments, suggestions and feedback are most appreciated. E-mail me at Lumenea@aol.com. Fuss at me. Throw chocolates. If ya don’t wanna talk, please just click a rating. Can’t make it better if I don’t know what’s broke.

Waited Long Enough Part Five: Breaking Point

“Shumma? You want me to what? Jien tah-duh gway! Damnit, Mal, I got plans.” Jayne’s angry voice took on a plaintive whine, colored by the desperation he felt.

“Look, Mal, I gotta get off this ruttin’ boat for a stretch before I go plumb space crazy!” He fidgeted with his gear an’ looked for a way to dodge around Mal an’ bolt for the ship’s ramp.

“No need to bust a gusset, Jayne. You’ll get your leave once Kaylee finishes up this overhaul she’s doin’ on the ship. I just don’t want to leave the girl all alone on Serenity planetside. She says you’re useful in the engine room an’ she needs some help. So stow your gear an’ head on down there, dong ma?“

Alone with Kaylee - Wuo de ma! That was the very last in the ruttin’ ‘verse Jayne Cobb wanted right then. His luck had just gone from bad to worse.

****

“Hwoon dahn!” The hydraulic coupling he was tightening suddenly stripped, spewed black oily fluid in all directions. Jerking his face clear of the spray, Jayne slammed against the sharp edge of the converter support, cursing at the sharp flare of pain on the side of his head.

He’d had his mind set on headin’ into town with Mal and the others, findin’ a bar and a woman and not necessarily in that order, some sweet distraction to take his troubled mind off the ache that seemed to have taken up residence in his gut of late. Anything to get Kaylee off his mind.

Instead,