“You aren’t much like my husband at all.”

Jayne ignores the words. Gotten to be a talent, his ability to tune out a woman’s voice. Not only a talent, but a requirement, he figures. Women, they got this hankerin’ to talk after sex, and he learned real early on, that they get ornery if he tries to stop ‘em.

So’s he lets them talk, an’ sometimes, when he’s lucky, they reward him with another round between the sheets free of charge.

Lucked out with this one straight off. She weren’t no whore at all. She’s a right proper woman. Well, proper as a married woman takin’ up with the likes of him can be.

Serenity is docked in Persephone for another four hours, at least. Knowin’, Badger the cargo wouldn’t show up ‘til long after that. Jayne figures he can stretch this out another two hours before the Cap’n gets himself into a killin’ sorta mood.

He reaches for her hand, bringin’ it up to the light streamin’ in through lace curtains and examines her ring, like it’s the first time he noticed it. “Husband, huh? Can’t be much’ve a man, lettin’ a girl like you slip through his fingers.”

She sure ain’t no girl, woman was probably older’n him, but she blushed like one. “You don’t have to flatter me, Jayne. You’ve already gotten me into bed.”

“Ain’t flattery when it’s the truth.”

“Truth is,” her voice dips low and she lets her fingers slide from his grasp to play across his chest. “I haven’t seen him in more than a year.”

“Why’d a fella leave a woman like you for?”

“Work.” She frowns and Jayne decides to gather her closer. “Some project he was assigned that took him off-world. I haven’t seen him since. I expect he‘s dead.”

Now, Jayne ain’t sure how he’s supposed to act hearin’ that. So he just follows instinct, and rolls ‘em both over so she’s nestled in the shadow of his body, “Woman like you shouldn’t be all alone. I‘m sure he did whatever he could t‘ get back to ya.”

The words fall from his lips awkwardly, he’s never been good at this.

“I’m not so sure,” she responds tearfully, and that just won’t do.

“Take a fool not to try,” he smoothed a hand along her side, feeling her shift closer to him. He lowers his mouth to her neck, feeling her shudder beneath his body. And this he can do. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s acted in another man’s stead.

He doesn’t hear her whisper her husband’s name.

“Lawrence.”