On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two turtle doves

Kaylee was frightened.” Please Jayne, wake up” she shook his shoulder gently.

Back on the planet they’d just been walkin’ along when Jayne had suddenly collapsed on the ground. That had been scary enough seein’ Jayne layin’ so still, worse had been finding the dart in his neck and blood on his head. She’d pulled out the dart first thing and had just been lookin’ round when a sack had been thrown over her head and she was pulled away from Jayne. Determined not to be weak this time she’d fought hard kickin’ and screamin’ but had been easily overpowered and wound up being bound and gagged.

They were together again now even though they were chained up in a cell on a ship, she was thankful for that. Even with Jayne unconscious she felt better with him there. She’d cleaned up his head wound best she could trying to keep her calm while waiting for him to wake up. She leaned up against the bulkhead with his head cradled in her lap as the ship took off goin’ someplace away from Serenity.

Jayne opened his eyes slowly, tryin’ to get his bearings. Last he remembered Kaylee had been bendin’ his ear ‘bout the pretties in the shop windows. His head hurt and he felt like go se, but his head was pillowed on somethin’ soft “Kaylee?’ he questioned.

“I’m here Jayne” she said trying to keep the shake out of her voice.

He realised that he was chained up, that didn’t bother him much, he’d been chained up a time or two afore.

“You chained up too?” his voice was cold. He sat up to take a look around but his head was swimmin’ somethin’ awful.

“Hey, careful Jayne” Kaylee’s voice was alarmed “you’ve had a knock on the head”

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

Wash straightened up slowly from his inspection of the engine. Kaylee had everything in order and working well. He was happy ‘bout that, if they had to take off to search for the missing crew at least Serenity was in working order. He was a fair mechanic but little Kaylee was a miracle worker, how she kept the boat in the air the way she did always amazed him. She was a good friend and he didn’t like to think of her taken somewhere being frightened. Although he didn’t always like Jayne and certainly didn’t trust him, Wash knew that the big man would do his best to look after the girl.

Zoë, the captain and Book had gone back planet side to try and find some information on what might have happened to Kaylee and Jayne. They’d been gone a couple of hours now and he hoped they’d be back soon because Simon was drivin’ him mad.

The doc had been followin’ him round the ship while he checked its readiness. Every time Wash stopped Simon would home in with more questions. Out of the corner of his eye Wash saw the doctor approaching again.

“Why did….?” The doctor started

“Look doc,” Wash butted in “I don’t know why Jayne and Kaylee got snatched. I don’t know what the captain’s doing about it. I don’t know anything! Mal will be back soon to answer your questions. I hope. Now please go ‘n’ check the medical supplies or something, please.” And turning on his heels he escaped to the flight deck, thanking Buddha that his dinosaurs couldn’t ask questions.

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

“Red, Red, come here!” Nate yelled gesturing at the surveillance screen.

“What’s up?” he asked coming over staring at the picture in front of him.

“The big guys’ awake already” Nate explained unnecessarily. “That ain’t possible is it?”

Red turned toward the door “Maybe there weren’t enough stuff in the tranqs. Let’s go rattle the wang bad an’s cage.

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

Someone was goin’ to die; Jayne made the vow as Kaylee finished tellin’ him ‘bout the dart in his neck. Someone was also goin’ to suffer and then die for layin’ hands on the mechanic, chainin’ her up.

His ears caught the sound of heavy boots approachin’ and he unobtrusively moved in front of Kaylee.

“You awake already big man?” said Red “Tranqs usually knock ‘em out for much longer.”

Jayne glared at him without speaking, nudgin’ Kaylee so she’d do the same. If he didn’t talk to them they’d likely tell him where the ship was headin’. He hoped, ‘cause the more time he had to make a plan, the better.

“We’re goin’ to Trinity and you two are goin’ to be part of the show. Goin to make us lots of money” the hun dan grinned and he and his hood moved off.

“Ching-wah tsao duh liou” Jayne swore

“What are tranqs?” asked Kaylee. “Some kind of weapon?”

“Lawmen use ‘em mostly on criminals. Knock ‘em out without killin’ 'em.” Jayne growled. At least now he knew why he felt so bad, and why it’d been so easy to take him down. He allowed to be better than that.

Kaylee looked at him thoughtfully she hadn’t liked the look in the boss guy’s eyes “Are ya goin’ to tell me where Trinity is and what show we’re goin’ to be part of?”

Jayne looked at her his face unreadable. Someone was goin’ to die and it weren’t goin’ to be her.