It had been a week since Simon had found out River had chosen Jayne as her lover. He was still found it very disturbing that when he asked members of the crew where River was, they all automatically told him to ask Jayne.

Today he just went toward the crew dorms, noting with a mild disdain that Jayne was already coming out of his bunk.

"Is she..?" Simon kept his fisted hands at his sides, using all his will not to punch Jayne.

"She's sleepin' doc." Jayne's head nodded toward his now closed door, making Simon grit his teeth to keep from shuddering. Unfortunately, the implication as to why she was sleeping was horrifyingly obvious.

Simon just nodded and turned away to leave. Jayne called for him to come back. He faced the man-ape again, his jaw set so tight he thought it might lock.

"Look, doc, I know this ain't exactly somethin' you can be happy about." Jayne stuffed his hands in his back pockets, not knowing what else to do with them. "But I do care for River and I ain't gonna hurt her none."

Simon nodded again, his lips pressed tightly together. It didn't matter if Jayne meant what he said, or that River was a reader and had said the same. Simon still didn't like the idea of Jayne being with her, and would always be afraid River would be hurt in the end.

"I know ya don't believe me." Jayne spoke as though he could read thoughts himself. "And ya don't believe River neither. But I hope in the long run, I can prove myself. I ain't lettin' her go on account of you, doc. Ain't lettin' go of her at all."

Simon just sighed in resignation. "I know there's nothing I can do to change her mind. I just want her happy. And I swear if you make her anything but--"

"If I hurt her even the slightest, I'll let ya borrow Vera so's you can shoot me in the balls." He looked Simon squarely in the eye. "You raised River right, doc. She's a fine girl."

"Thank you." Simon's voice was meek. He turned away and walked in search of Kaylee, leaving Jayne to shake his h