She frowns at him a little, just for a moment, and then smiles again. He's my hero." Meds must be wearing off, 'cause he ain't slurring no more. "Simon says you'll be shiny in no time." Stupid moon smile comes on her face, and she says, "He's a real good doctor." He might have made a mistake, no matter how smart he is. Even if he could, he wouldn't, he's fearful for his spine. Jayne wants to shrug, but still can't move. But Jayne knows what it is he's got.Īfter, Kaylee comes by, visits a little, her face all sad.
No more Mal holding it over his head.ĭon't mean he has to like the man, or his rutting sister, don't mean he still ain't scared about his spine.
No rutting worry anymore about what Simon might do if he finds out about Ariel. But he knows when he's being told something, and he knows right now what he's being given. He maybe don't know about the bits of fancy core machines that can shock a body, or about medical tech. He's being told this calmly, like it's natural for Simon to go around threatening people. I think you should do the same, because I don't see this working any other way." I don't know what you're planning on doing, but I'm trusting you. But that ain't gonna happen, Simon's telling him. He figures he's being told that Simon coulda killed him just now, or at least left him useless. He shoulda -īut then he figures out what it is Simon's saying. He wakes up, confused, the doc speaking about his spine, and trust, and little sister making creepy eyes at him. Jayne's next present comes while he's in the infirmary after being shocked to shit by that gorram garbage bin. It were a present, but Jayne figures it ain't such a good idea to go dwelling on it. The thought makes Jayne smirk - Mal thinks he's so mighty, but he got his weaknesses, all right.Īnd that's just about it, if Jayne don't count Mal not killing him after Ariel. Mal mighta got fooled by that girl's wiles, but if she'd been Jayne's he'd never have let her trick him by kissing him on the mouth. He still can't help but feel a mite pissed that he didn't get given a woman, though. Rainstick was a gift too, and Jayne got paid on top of it. Not that Jayne gives a gorram crap if Mal hates him, long as he gets paid. So his own bunk is a present, something that tells him maybe Mal don't hate him too much. But Mal didn't do it, and Jayne figures he ain't never going to, not now. If Jayne were captain, that's what he would do. Way he figures, Mal could have gone and promised him his own bunk, then hired more mercs to fill it up. Jayne'll never tell Mal, but he considers his bunk a present. Even if it was like to have set her back some coin, maybe. He don't know where she might have got the yarn to make it, sheep being rare back home and all, but he's glad he's got it. The hat from his ma is the first he can think of - soft against his fingers, warm on his head. The most recent on one hand, if he really wants to think about it. So he can count most of his presents on one or two hands. Getting presents means he's got to give 'em too. His line of work don't exactly make him the kind of guy people want to gift things to, but that don't usually bug him too much.
Bits and pieces from his ma, pa, and Matty, when there was a little coin left for things, but mostly, presents are something other folk get. Jayne's never gotten much in the way of presents.