River was good 'bout sendin' them waves regular-like. She'd let them know where they were plannin' to hit dirt an' how long they'd be there, case Serenity wanted to meet up with Sanguine. Both of the boats workin' jobs of their own, it weren't always possible but they tried. For a while whenever Simon had tried to wave her back they got an 'outa range' message which was gorram odd. But River had mentioned that Riddick wasn't from the Alliance originally. Once Simon recalled that bit a information he throttled back on the panic some. O' course his sister's very relaxed posture an' smiling face when she waved them next went a long way towards easin' everyone's mind.

Once in a blue moon they got lucky enough to work together on a job, like the one with the relay of cargo. Serenity had picked it up from Monty and Sanguine would pick it up from Serenity.

They'd gotten to meet the merc clan River was willin' to deal with, a pair of steely eyed blondes joined at the hip an' two others. Chang was a whipcord thin fella with a long braided black tail of hair an' the almond eyes of mixed race Asian, similar to River, though his skin was darker. Jacobs was his polar opposite, buzzcut reddish hair an' chocolate skin with muscles to rival Jaynes.

Turned out they were on planet to collect on a bounty, somethin' the magistrate of Higgin's Moon had put up. They weren't best pleased ta find out it weren't pre-sise-lee legal. But they shrugged that off like they'd been through worse. 'Course if they'd dealt with River an' Riddick they had. Then they'd all gotten to hear just how it was that River and Riddick met.

Dahl, Johns and their men took off after a while and that gave the rest of them a few minutes. Maybe they'd be able ta talk eventually. Once they got their lungs workin' right again an' their hearts at a close ta halfway normal tempo. He'd heard some doozies an' Miranda hadn't been easy, but River an' Riddick took hair-raising tales ta new heights.

"Not for the faint of heart," Simon's hair was almost standing on end he'd run his hand through it so many times trying to calm down. Jayne was fairly sure Mal was close to pullin' his out. "Wǒ de mā. You weren't joking."

River shook her head, "Happy ending though." She maintained.

"Yeah, you two got each other," Jayne smiled slightly. "Though if you do run inta that Luna guy again, send us a wave. Think we'd all like a share in makin' him pay."

Riddick chuckled, "Assuming there's time." One big hand rubbed up and down River's spine. "And if there ain't, we'll wave you with the news at least."

By general con-send-sus (that was another Simon word that meant they all talked 'bout it) they agreed to take themselves back each to their own boats and find an out of the way spot to move the goods. River was perched on a crate marking something off on her cortex while Riddick an' the rest of them used the mules to move the contraband. Jayne'd heard Riddick growling at her to rest or she'd fall asleep at dinner. Jayne kinda had to agree, River was still way too thin for a woman her age.

"Whatcha got there?" Jayne nodded at the databook curiously.

"Arranging for our next job, for after we drop off the cargo with the next ship," River explained. Dog had come down to investigate the comings and goings and Jayne cautiously held out a hand for the big animal to sniff. "Dog, friend." She told the animal and the crazy haired thing became even more bouncy and friendly.

"Ya got an interestin' mark there," Jayne nodded at the scars on her neck. They looked a helluva lot like a bite, 'bout the size of Riddick's jaws. "Didn't have that when we saw ya on Beaumonde."

"No," She looked up at him and smiled. "Rick didn't have her mark on his neck then either."

"So… it's mutual, whatever it is," He figured. That was good. Anybody else saw it he'd be able to point out that they sported matchin' teeth marks. That would shut people up. He hoped.

"Decided to keep each other, always," River told him with a wider smile. "Like wedding rings."

"You gonna get 'round to them?" Now he was just indulgin' his curiosity.

She didn't seem to mind, "Must let my partner know such would be welcome. Still unsure of what the girl wants and what she will allow. Cautious when it comes to pushing her for too much."

"Better that than too pushy and cain't take no for an answer," Jayne kissed the top of her head like he would Mattie's.

"He is very good to her," River nodded, her smile like that cat that got in the cream.

Really that was all need be said. So, he changed the subject, "Dog like ta play fetch at all?"

They seemed to end up on Persephone more often than not these days. It was a familiar port of call, not so polluted that Mattie couldn't go out an', most importantly, River preferred ta meet there. What Riddick preferred was anyone's guess but he seemed pretty content to go wherever River did. Not that he was under the thumb or anythin'. Anyone hearing the two of them talk to each other couldn't make that mistake. That was an equal partnership in every way or he'd eat the cunning new hat his ma had sent him. And then he'd eat Mattie's for good measure. Just as well he hadn't assumed anything, he doubted wool would set well in his belly.

Riddick had relaxed about River's relationship with the crew of Serenity enough that he didn't feel the need ta be at her side every minute she was on the boat. Jayne guessed that it helped some River pointin' out that she'd put trackers on Serenity if the ship ever lifted off with her inside it an' it wasn't an emergency. She avoided alone time with Zoe but Kaylee was as good a friend as ever an' Mattie was becomin' just as close. Pretty much everyone was thrilled to death that 'tween some repairs an' jobs Serenity and Sanguine would be dirtside for a full week.

River had been giving her big man odd looks the whole mornin', while he contrived ta look as innocent as he could. It was a strange sight on the man's face. Considerin' he's a killer a lotta times over… He didn't do 'who me' very well.

Jayne guessed Rick'd learned the trick of hiding his thoughts from River though because she didn't seem ta have a clue what was goin' on. Riddick had dragged him an' Simon down to see Badger an' asked the man where he could find weddin' rings ta would suit him an' River.

Simon's mouth had dropped open so wide he oughta have caught flies an' Jayne had barely kept from doin' the same. The only one not surprised was Badger. The irritating little crime boss had whistled for his thugs, grabbed his hat and gotten them all trooping downtown to what he called the Diamond district. It wasn't really, but if you wanted expensive goods without expensive surroundings, the District was the place to go.

Riddick had explained what he wanted an' if his request didn't prove he knew River inside an' out, backwards an' forwards nothin' did. How many fellas would know their girl needed a sparkly ring with the sparkles sunk in ta the band? River doing the work she did, mechanic, gunhand, criminal mastermind hand in hand with her partner, she couldn't have anythin' that'd get caught on machinery or clothin'.

They'd come away with River's engagement ring, hers an' Riddick's wedding bands an' Riddick's very firm instruction ta think a anything but the rings or what they were doing that morning. Jayne figured ta think on gun shoppin' an' Simon muttered something 'bout updatin' his medical files.

Thank God an' Shepherd Book it hadn't taken the man long ta propose. The next mornin' the sparkly ring was on River's finger an' she was going out with Kaylee and Mattie to look for a dress.

While she was doing that, Riddick got ta deal with Mal.

"Got something needs to be done," Riddick told the Captain. His tone of voice didn't give the impression of bein' receptive ta anything but an affirmative response. Typically Mal let that blow right over his head. Jayne put down the gun magazine he'd been looking at and poked Simon to make the Doc look up.

"So? Get to doin' it then," Mal barely looked at the man.

Dà xiàng bào zhà shì de lā dù zi, Jayne sighed to himself and barely kept from rolling his eyes. Sometimes Mal was so gorram yú bèn de Jayne wished Zoe would run the ship. Or Simon. Hell even Kaylee or him. Not Mal.

"No. This is something needs doing by you," The goggle wearing man's arms were crossed but that didn't mean they weren't close ta at least three a the knives he kept hidden.

"Don't see where you're in a position to be telling me to do anything," Now the Captain was gettin' his back up. An' that weren't a shock at all.

"Mal, maybe you didn't notice the sparkly ring River's sportin' on her left hand?" Jayne figured he'd better clue Mal in before Riddick actually killed him.

"Noo… can't say I did. Just noticed she was all worked up to get out with Kaylee and Mattie," Mal shook his head.

"Well she's got a pretty fine piece of platinum with actual diamonds on her ring finger," Jayne told him. "Rick saved up most a his money ta buy it. So maybe ya might could pay some attention to what the man's wantin' done?" He didn't say 'before he loses his temper, guts you and Simon gets to practice emergency surgery, again, you kě wù de lǎo bào jūn' but he figured it was implied.

"Uh huh," Mal was either deliberately ignorant or he was messing with them. "And you're wanting what now?"

"I want you to marry River and me," Riddick told him clearly. "Wouldn't care who did it, but River seems to value your opinion."

"Uh…no…hell no…" Mal shook his head. "Chú fēi wǒ sǐ le. Ain't no way in the 'Verse you're marryin' River."

"Well considering she said yes, I'd say yeah I am," Riddick growled at him.

"There is no way in hell I'm going to let you marry our little Albatross," Mal blustered.

"Oh you will," Riddick moved, and Jayne knew he'd had knives hidden close to his hands because Mal suddenly had a very sharp carved blade against his throat. "Or you're going to be wearing your tā mā de entrails as a necklace."

Jayne casually pulled his python out of the holster and pointed it at Mal, "An' if that don' convince ya Mal, I'll be happy to give ya a bullet ta carry around whilst you're thinkin' 'bout it."

Mal gaped at him and then Simon sighed, "Captain Reynolds, you will marry my sister to Richard or I will be performing a very simple elective surgery. It will have very little effect on your day to day life, unless you wish to sire children or have relations with a woman. Ever again."

Jayne nearly laughed. That had to be the most elegant way he'd ever heard someone threaten to castrate a man. "Damn Doc," He shook his head. "Only you'd make threat'nin' ta cut someone's balls off sound even half nice."

Simon slanted him an amused glance, "I've observed that I'm taken a bit more seriously when I use big words and medical jargon." His dark eyes went back to Mal, "And I assure you Captain, I am deadly serious. Riddick makes my sister happy. Makes her feel safe. I will not allow you to jeopardize her happiness in anyway."

Jayne couldn't stop the chuckles then, though he was able to keep his gun nice and steady on Mal's middle, "So Mal, what's it gonna be?"

"I'm waiting," Riddick growled. "My woman went to buy a wedding dress. So she's having a wedding, and I don't care if it's over your dead body." Jayne figured Rick had caught what Mal had been saying when he thought the escape convict couldn't hear him. The man didn't speak much Chinese except cursing but he understood it well enough.

"Fine!" Mal had squawked and grumbled and practically pouted but he hadn't done anything within earshot of River, Kaylee and Mattie.

Not that it fooled River really. She took one look at Mal, then at Rick, Jayne an' Simon an' kissed her partner firmly on the mouth. She gave Jayne an' Simon a nice peck on the cheek while orderin' them to take Rick an' find him some nice slacks along with somethin' ta wear with them.

It was really Simon's expertise was needed but Jayne figured a man like Rick could do with some moral support. An' it was probably time he found somethin' ta replace his stripey blue shirt. The thing was getting' pretty worn an' not as nice lookin' as he liked. He might go to whorehouses or, as Simon politely called them, brothels, but that didn't mean he shouldn't dress up. Whores deserved ta have someone shine up for them just as much as any woman. More in his opinion.

So he reminded Simon a the need for larger than usual sizes. Lord knew River's bàng jiār wasn't a wiry guy like Simon. Doc could lift until he was blue but he'd never bulk up ta Jayne or Rick's weight. Just didn't have the bone density for it.

"So what else've ya been up to," Jayne asked as Simon expertly flipped through what he called 'dress slacks' in search a somethin' that would suit Riddick an' hopefully still look good for a weddin'. Doc had lent Riddick his blue specs so the man wouldn't stand out like his normal goggle-wearin' self. Riddick had examined them thoughtfully an' nodded, putting them on an' looking pleasantly surprised at the result.

"Got in touch with those folks we met up with on Hera," Riddick glanced at him to make sure he recalled the instance. As if Jayne could forget the first time they heard the whole story a how River an' Riddick had met. Hair-raising didn't even begin to describe. "Kitten and Dahl get along pretty good. And their new guys are decent. Dahl passed on the news about Luna to us when she saw it posted on the merc bulletin boards. She and Kitten've been passing info back and forth, keep Dahl and Johns from going after anyone with a contract not quite kosher. They give Kitten a percentage of the fee when they collect in exchange."

"Must make their lives a bit easier," Simon commented as he selected several pairs of slacks. "Try these and see how they fit." He pointed towards the dressing room catty corner from them, "We'll keep looking for shirts."

"Yeah," Riddick agreed as he disappeared into the changing room. It didn't take him long before all but one pair of pants were tossed back over the door. The pair he emerged with were a dark charcoal grey.

"They fit well? Comfortable enough?" Simon took the slacks.

"Yeah, good as it'll get I think," Riddick shrugged. "I can move in 'em. Long's they'll look good with Kitten's dress an' she'll like them."

"I haven't given you anything to try that won't look good with her dress," Simon assured him. "River says you have trouble with colors?"

"Unless I'm wearing a special set of goggles," Riddick nodded. "I don't really see them."

"I wonder if we could get a set of spectacles made to do the same. Something to look into, when you and River have time," Simon mused. "I'd suggest something more like a tunic than a typical dress shirt. River's gown is…influenced by the culture she grew up with."

Jayne watched as Simon began looking through the shirts for something to match the slacks and River's dress and pointed at one in a paler grey. "That one's nice, got the collar don't need a tie, so he ain't gotta choke himself."

"The grey won't work with the slacks," Simon explained as he took it out to examine the style. "River's gown is more cream than white, to complement Rick's skintone and hers. That's why the grey I pulled has a slightly off white undertone to it. It…" He frowned as if thinking of how to explain. "It looks warm. The grey shirt looks cold."

"Oh, it's got some yella to it ya mean," Jayne studied the pants. "So what about somethin' matches River's dress then?"

"Something in off-white," Simon nodded.

Jayne smirked. He would have bet money that the last thing he and Simon would ever be plotting together on was wedding clothes for his future brother-in-law. "Long's we're lookin', my nice shirt's getting pretty worn out. Been meanin' ta get a new one. River's wedding is a good reason."

"Yes, that awful striped thing is rather…tattered," The Doc took clothing seriously. "And honestly Jayne, it doesn't suit you."

"Lady in the store told me it matched my eyes," Jayne frowned. Not that he doubted the Doc, but it was gorram irksome to hear somethin' he'd been wearin' for years looked bad. Not that he'd know either way.

"Well it's blue. But you need a good warm blue. You have brown hair, more tanned skin, blue eyes… she should have found you a better shirt." Simon pulled three different shirts, one with very thin stripes in blue, one a dark purple and another in a really rich red that reminded him of Inara's shuttle walls. "Any of those, assuming they fit, would look good on you and wouldn't look too out of place with those brown or khaki cargo pants you wear."

"How d'ya know alla this Doc," Jayne blinked. If he'd looked through the whole store he wouldn't have found three shirts he liked. And all of them nice soft fabric, the purple one was in Chinese style with frogs down the side, the other two more western looking.

Riddick chuckled, "He's Core."

"Yeah?" Jayne knew he was missing somethin'.

"Kitten, when we're starting out as partners, we didn't have much money. So we couldn't do much but work and sail and fix up the boat," The big dark man explained easily. "We'd talk, entertain each other. She told me that anybody who's from a 'good' Core family like her and Simon, they have to be able to look perfect. They represent their family in public and they need to look good. So they have to know clothes and how to pick 'em out. What'll suit them. And how to tell what'll suit their kids so they can teach them eventually. She said looking shàng bù dé tái pán was the worst thing you could do."

"You learnt all this stuff when yer a kid?" Jayne blinked, shaking his head. It was all he could do to keep letters straight in his mind. Numbers were fine but other stuff?

"I imagine it would be like your father teaching you to weld," Simon suggested after a moment's thought. "I have no idea what to do with a torch and solder. For you it's second nature." He half smiled, "You have a very analytical mind Jayne, when you chose to put your thoughts on something. Look how quickly you picked up on River not being comfortable on Serenity."

Riddick looked over at him, "You mean you're the one been saying 'meet up at the pub or the docks or whatever', instead of us always coming to visit your boat?"

"Ain't all me," Jayne shook his head uncomfortably. "Simon's been doin' it too, an' Mattie, when she's seein' me an' Simon, she's startin' to make suggestions."

"Mal doesn't like to leave Serenity much," Simon uttered the understatement of the decade. "And if he's on Sanguine that means he's not in charge of the boat. So he's uncomfortable."

"Out of his territory," Riddick nodded. "And Kitten doesn't feel safe in his anymore. But with you two, and Mattie, pushing for neutral ground, we can meet up without anyone getting too worked up about the where."

"Yeah," Jayne shrugged. "Mal's the type ta cut off his nose ta spite his face. If he thought River plain old wouldn't come to the boat he'd say screw it, don't visit then. And we wouldn't see her for a year or more. Sayin' 'hey there's a bar friendly to Browncoats an' they don't look too close at papers neither'… that works better."

He was vividly conscious of Riddick studying him. Talk about an uncomfortableness, deadliest person he knew besides the little girl who could kill him with her brain, staring at him… Yeah, uncomfortableness didn't cover it. Damaging his calm didn't really fit the bill either. "I knew there was more to you than met the eye when Kitten described you," The silver eyed man said finally. There was no overt hostility in his voice so Jayne let himself relax just a bit. Not much though, not when Riddick started talking again, "She said you were a lot smarter than you let on."

"I'd kinda hafta be," Jayne shrugged hoping the discussion was at an end and Riddick's staring was almost done too.

"'This fellow is wise enough to play the fool', she told me," Riddick smirked. "Your Captain doesn't have a clue does he?"

"Not much a one," Jayne let out the breath he'd been half holding. "But he's always been good 'bout ignorin' what he don' wanna know."

"Witness how long he kept himself in ignorance of River's abilities," Simon rolled his eyes as he held out a shirt to Riddick. "Try this one on for size."

That brought their minds back to the serious business at hand. Wedding clothes.

The wedding were't fussy. Serenity's cargo bay got all swept up. The merc crew arrived a couple hours beforehand an' stayed until a few more after. It were funny to see Mal flirtin' with the pretty blonde who was new to the group. Chang couldn't stop starin' at Zoe, not that it'd do him much good. The only thing that got her ta smile these days was her kid Jason.

Riddick kept one arm wrapped around his new wife's waist, while the other held her hand. After some serious starin' at Kaylee an' Simon dancing he swept River into a set 'longside them. He weren't bad at it either. And River was havin' the time a her life.

Jacobs was barely as tall as Mattie, he mighta topped out half a centimeter taller'n she was. If she was in bare feet an' he was wearin' boots. But that didn't stop him from dancin' with her an' flirtin' like she's the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen. He figured he'd have to pull the man aside an' give him a talking to if he hadn't heard the two of 'em exchange wave addresses.

Hell if it came to that, it weren't like they couldn't use another gunhand. Ain't like he was gettin' any younger. It might be nice ta settle down, do some gun smithin' out on the rim. He'd have to pay attention ta that courtship, if it turned out ta be a courtship. Hell, maybe he'd even find some nice whore wanted ta retire an' have some kids. He sure had enjoyed Helen's company out on Odin. She'd been good with the guns too, for someone totally green about 'em. And she had the softest hair. He'd had a real good time brushin' it out for her whiles he's gettin' his second wind. She hadn't seemed ta think he was a completely méi yòng hún dàn either.

Speaking of settlin' down with kids, he looked over at Simon, "So…when d'ya figure River'll tell Rick she's set ta start havin' babies with him?"

Simon blinked in surprise and then laughed, "I don't know why it always shocks me when you know these things Jayne." He shook his head, "Of course you'd put wedding vows and River visiting me in the infirmary together." The Doc was still smiling, "Wise enough to play the fool indeed."

Author's Note: So there you have it folks. I'm working on a little story in the same 'Verse, about River, Riddick and Mrs. Niska, but it won't be ready for a while. Hope you enjoyed this.

Chinese Translations:

bàng jiār (lover / partner)

Wǒ de mā (My mother! Mama mia! Similar to "Oh my God!" in usage)

yú bèn de (stupid)

kě wù de lǎo bào jūn (horrible old tyrant)

Chú fēi wǒ sǐ le (over my dead body)

tā mā de (fucking)

shàng bù dé tái pán (too uncouth to appear in public (idiom) / unfit for a public role)

méi yòng hún dàn (useless bastard)