Disclaimer: Not mine, no pay.

Thanks: To Jacqui, Josh and to Rion, my own personal BDH. You guys are the greatest.

Rating: PG-15, heavy angst - it's all Jacqui's fault.

Remarks: Jayne and Kaylee struggle to define their relationship. It’s the night before the big job.

Set following my most recent story “The Birthday Gift”, after “Objects in Space”. Inara has departed from Serenity and things on board ship are getting more difficult. Click on my name to read the backstory. They’re all backstory.

Feedback: It only takes a minute and is genuinely appreciated. What did you like? What doesn’t work? You can post below or email to Lumenea@aol.com

Leaps of Faith

Chapter Seven

Kaylee knows Jayne won’t be sleepin’ much the night before a run. Usually she’d leave him alone, knowing he’s always edgy before they pull a job. Especially since the scene in the shuttle earlier in the day, she’s hesitant.

But tonight, somethin’ won’t settle and she finds herself up her ladder before she knows it. She scans the corridor and finds it empty, then steps across to his door, quietly swings it open and descends the rungs.

“I knowed it was you.”

His voice is low, flat. He’s cross-legged on his bunk, loadin’ ammo into a magazine. His eyes are focused on the shells he feeds into the clip. He hasn’t even looked up.

“How come?” Kaylee shifts from foot to foot.

“Only one don’t knock first.”

He’s been agitated ever since Mal announced the job, harsh even with her.

“Why’re ya over here?” He asks. “Ya know I need to get ready for the job.” He pops the last shell in and sets the clip aside, picks up another empty magazine and continues filling it from the box beside him.

“Well…” She stammers, “I, uh, I was worrin’ about ya and couldn’t sleep and…”

“And?” His voice is sharper. “It don’t help me none for you t’be frettin’, Kaylee. Ain’t like this is the first job I been out on since hirin’ on here.”

She bites at her lower lip, ha