River and Jayne got back to the ship by dinner time. Tonight was their last night as they'd be hitting atmo tomorrow morning. They'd all sat and laughed and told stories about Wash and Book, while Wash's music played in the background. They munched on a very tasty protein lasagna that Inara and Mal had prepared. There was a garden salad, garlic bread and a peach flavored protein pie for dessert. They were drinking wine, saki and beer as they laughed and enjoyed the peaceful evening setting.

"This has been so much fun. Thank you Captain for letting us have this time together." Kaylee rose and walked over to Mal and hugged his shoulders and pecked him on the cheek with a quick kiss. "I love my Captain" she declared.

"Sir, I feel the love too. Thanks for letting us unwind. We all needed it." Zoe added.

"Me too. I love my Captain Daddy" River replied and then turned to face Jayne. "Don't worry my Jayne, I love him differently than I love you Big Daddy!"

Jayne puffed up just a bit at this new nick name she'd given him. Damn right he was her big daddy an' he'd proved it to her real good all day long he mused.

Simon, who had just taken a drink of saki, immediately sprayed it out all over his plate of food in shock at River's comment.

"Ew, gross Simon..." Kaylee yelped as everyone else laughed.

"Well Kaylee, it's not too often one hears his baby sister call a man her "Big Daddy" at the dinner table."

"Especially a Big Daddy who wears toenail polish" Inara giddily added as she watched Jayne's face turn a rainbow of colors. Oh this was going to be fun she thought. It was always fun to get Jayne's panties in a bunch and watch the show he'd put on as he tried in vain to defend himself.

Jayne blushed as pink as his toenails then fiercely glared at Inara. That damn woman had to have gone an noticed his problem. How and when she'd noticed puzzled him as he'd been careful to keep his boots on. "Don't know what yer yammerin' about 'Nara" he cooly replied, taking another shot of saki and filling Simon and River's empty shot glasses as well. He'd have ta play this real cool or they was all gonna laugh at him something fierce.

Now this topic had gained the rapt attention of everyone at the table. All eyes immediately darted under the table and fixated on Jayne's boot clad feet, then they snapped back up, focusing on Jayne's face and waiting for an explanation.

"What! ya bunch a moron's think I'd go an wear nail polish? I ain't no namby-pamby nancy boy!" he defended.

River started to giggle and all eyes immediately snapped to her face, catching her a bit off guard.

"River, I can see it plain as day on your face that you know something about this here mystery. Spill it albatross n-o-w!" Mal demanded as he sipped his wine.

Jayne tried to be casual as he turned to face her. His eye's desperately pleading with her as he tried to exude outer calm.

"'Nara must have heard me talking about "my" pedicure Captain Daddy. Jayne painted my toenails on our picnic today" she happily replied hoping to cover for her very embarrassed lover.

Again, at the most inopportune moment, Simon found himself taking a sip of wine and spitting it down the front of his shirt as she uttered that zinger.

"Gorram Simon, what is yer problem!" Kaylee snarled. "Ya sprayed my sleeve this time!"

"Sorry bao bei" he meekly replied. That was definitely too much information for Simon even if it was comical to imagine Jayne and his large form hunched over River, delicately painting her toenails.

"So's your saying my merc ain't wearing no nail polish then?" Mal clarified.

"He painted my toes with polish" River redirected.

"I think you should show us your feet Jayne" Zoe interjected with a wide grin on her face directed to Inara. Zoe was sitting next to Inara and had picked up Inara's exuberant and feisty vibe and joined in the game.

"Yeah, why don't ya take off them boots for us" Mal quickly fired back.

Jayne sighed "Aw Mal, now why I gotta go an do that. When the hell would I ever wear pink polish on my toes!" he whined.

"Who mentioned anything about it being pink polish" Inara added, eye's flashing with glee.

'Damn her to hell' Jayne thought. He'd given up a valuable clue and would now have to pay for it dearly. He poured another shot for himself, River and Simon. He figured if he could get 'em all good and hammered, the teasin' wouldn't be so bad and maybe they'd forget it all when they sobered up. He smiled, and pounded back the shot. River and Simon following his lead.

"Ya wanna shot Cap? It's damn fine brew" he added, hoping to distract Mal from his mission of total humiliation.

"Don't go tryin' ta change the sit'yation" Mal slightly slurred back.

Good!, his plan was working Jayne inwardly noted. Now all he had to do was figure out how ta get 'Nara and Zoe even more soused.

Inara giddily watched the drama unfold before her. As dinner was being prepared earlier in the evening, Inara noticed Jayne and River had come back from their picnic. River had gone off to take a shower and Jayne had ran into the bathroom while River was in her room gathering her toiletries. What was Jayne doing in there Inara wondered? She could hear him irritatedly rummaging through all of the cabinets in the bathroom grumbling to himself. He'd left the door slightly ajar so Inara had noticed the commotion as she passed by. Just as she'd passed the door, her acute hearing picked up Jayne grumbling to himself.

"Damn pink nail polish. Where the hell is the polish remover to get this go se off!"

Inara's eyes widened as she pieced together what must have happened. Had River actually painted Jayne's toenails pink? That was something she (and the rest of the crew) just had to see. More interesting was the question; had Jayne allowed her to do so? Deciding to let River's reaction confirm her suspicions, she headed to the pilots room. "Hi Sweetie, did you have fun?" she casually inquired. River beamed and told her about the day she shared with Jayne. Inara was so happy for River and waited a moment before placing the bait. "Did he ever find any polish remover for his toes?" she added non chalantly.

River giggled and replied that he would not be able to find any as she knew that Kaylee had used the last bit of remover and they were due to buy some on their next shopping trip.

'Bingo!' Inara thought, now she could spring this information at the appropriate time and sit back and watch the drama unfold. "Well, you enjoy a nice shower sweetie, I bet you're a bit sore and the hot water will make you feel better." She walked out of River's quarters just as Jayne was coming in. "Jayne" Inara greeted with a nod of her head and a smile as she passed the flustered merc.

"Oh hey 'Nara" Jayne distractedly replied. Maybe he should ask her if she had any...'oh crap,' that would be a mistake he realized, squashing the urge to ask for her help. He'd just have to get River to help him find the damn remover so nobody else'd be the wiser. This situation definitely called for discretion.

Jayne sighed and took another shot of saki as he poured another shot for River on his left and Simon on his right. All three tossed their drinks back at exactly the same time.

"Captain, I had really hoped that you were going to attempt to water ski" Zoe stated, thankfully for Jayne, changing the topic of conversation.

"Well Zoe, my leg's been shot up too many times don't ya think?"

"No Sir, you're strong, you'll get it up...I mean get up" Zoe's face blanched as she realized what she'd just unintentionally said, hoping the rest of the crew hadn't picked up on it.

River, Jayne and Simon all laughed at the same time as Jayne filled their shots yet again. He set the bottle down and again, all three tossed back their shots in unison.

"Gorram it, now y'all stop that. It's mighty creepifyin' when the three a ya do that!"

Simultaneously they all said "Sorry Captain" and this time the whole table erupted into laughter.

"It's just a coincidence Captain" Simon snorted out.

"Well coinkydink or not, quit acting like an evil trio" he slurred as he took another bottle of beer from the bucket and downed it quickly.

Kaylee, Zoe and Inara had been drinking Kaylee's engine wine and could barely speak as they giggled.

"Sir, you really must get up on ski's at least once before we leave. I propose that we go out on the mule and give you a shot at it."

Mal was assaulted with a cacophony of cheers and affirmations at Zoe's grand idea. "Well, what the hell, guess I'll give it a shot. But Simon, you best be coming along in case I rupture something."

"Aye Yay Captain" Simon happily slurred.

Mal briefly wondered if it was wise to take the inebriated Doc along, but considering they were all three sheet's to the wind, it wouldn't really matter now would it. He'd seen Simon do emergency work and knew if something did happen, the doc would sober up real quick and get down ta business.

"Whose the least wasted in this group?" Zoe asked.

Everyone pointed to Inara. She was feeling relaxed, but was sober enough to drive the mule safely so Mal could ski in the moonlight.

Thank god, Jayne sighed to himself, he'd been saved the humiliation of having to show the crew his pink toes. He watched as everyone clamored towards the mule.

Inara got into the drivers seat of the mule with Kaylee in the passenger seat next to her. Mal, Simon and Zoe crammed into the back with the ski's. River and Jayne opting to sit this one out as the mule spun away.

"Baby, did ya notice ain't a one a them got a swimsuit on?"

"Yes, they've apparently forgotten due to their inebriated state. This should prove interesting Jayne" she replied as she swayed into his side.

"Yup" he replied as they watched the mule haul off with it's cackling crew of misfits aboard. He kept River steady at his side, noting she was listing just a bit.

Jayne glanced over at the raft sitting in the sand and tugged River's hand as he walked towards it. He leaned into her and rumbled seductively, "Baby doll, lemme take ya on a little cruise."

River got shivers again listening to his voice. Jayne quickly grabbed a blanket, helped River into the raft and then kicked off his boots, tugged the raft into the water and hopped in. River settled back against Jayne's chest as they snuggled together under the brilliant, starry sky and enjoyed the sights and sounds of their family making enough noise to wake the dead. The moon provided enough light to see the mule clearly. Simon was now skiing and it appeared that Kaylee was actually sitting on his shoulders as he skied. "Gorram, I ain't never seen anything like that before. How's he doing that babe?"

"He's always done that since I can remember. My father taught him how. He even let me sit on his shoulders a few times when I was little. Kaylee is perfectly safe. He'll let go of the rope if he senses her losing her balance. I must admit though, I have never seen him ski in just his trousers before" River happily replied.

"Hmm, he's just full a surprises ain't he" Jayne uttered as his hands wandered across River's flat belly.

"I'm so glad you are seeing the different sides of Simon. In many ways you and he are alike. You are both skilled in your profession, you are stubborn and tenacious and rise to most any challenge. Simon can learn a lot from you Jayne. Have you noticed how he's relaxed in the past year?"

Jayne thought of the doc drinkin' beer with him on the beach, cussing now and then and cracking some pretty funny jokes. "Yeah, he's dropping a lot a that core go se and coming into his own."

"Yes, he's never been afraid of anything. While he has never learned to shoot or fight as you and I have, he is in excellent shape and is a quick study. I wish you would teach him to shoot and maybe we can both teach him to fight so he can protect himself and gain more confidence on jobs."

"That could work. It'd be good for the doc ta get more comfortable with a gun. We can always use another skilled gun hand and little Kaylee could also benefit from some shootin' lessons I figure."

"We'll have to ask Captain Daddy what he thinks."

She twisted and kissed Jayne's warm chest just as the mule whizzed by, now towing Zoe who rooster tailed near the raft causing water to spray over them. River pulled the blanket over their heads and turned into Jayne's warm body and squealed as they felt the mist and fine droplets of water hit the blanket. Jayne silenced her squeals with a long and delightfully sensuous kiss. River groaned into his mouth as she felt the familiar stirrings of arousal. Jayne intensified his kiss and loved how River reacted. She sighed impatiently as her hands burrowed under his shirt rubbing over his strong pectorals and grazing his nipples. Without any words, she moved to his belt buckle and began unbuckling it and removing his pants.

"What ya doing baby?" he murmured into her hair.

"Getting what I want Jayne" she sighed as she momentarily moved her attentions back to his mouth, deeply kissing him.

Jayne noted the mule was on the other side of the lake now and had stopped and was temporarily hovering, apparently getting ready to tow Mal. Knowing it would take Mal a few tries to get up, Jayne could now focus his attentions on getting himself up. He reached for River's shirt and effortlessly lifted it off of her aroused body and tugged her shorts off.

River squirmed as Jayne touched and teased her. Even with the new flood of sensations he was causing, she still discerned the power he had over her body. Where the alliance had tried in vain to totally dominate and control her, Jayne easily succeeded and she willingly allowed him to take control of her body and emotions. She loved how he made her feel. She watched him with unabashed delight as he removed her bra and panties and made love to her in the raft, under the stars. His blue eyes shining with emotion as he loved her with such urgency and skill, that he again brought her to tears. This time, he knew why she was crying and didn't say anything as he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks and held her close.

"I love you Jayne and I'm so happy" she sighed in bliss.

"I love you too River. You're my precious baby doll" he declared.

Afterwards, they put their clothes back on and lazily snuggled back into each other to enjoy the rest of the evening watching Mal flail around on skis, hooting with laughter.

"Well, it looks like he got up after all. Wasn't sure if that was gonna happen but he's a tenacious son of a bitch so I figured he'd do it."

Mal could be heard whooping and hollering and the others laughing and screaming along with him. After a half hour, the mule finally came back to shore with it's exhausted crew soaked to the bone in their clothing.

"Well Mal it looked like ya got the hang of it real quick" Jayne yelled as the mule parked.

"Yep Jayne, I took a few tumbles the first few times trying to get up, but once I figured it out, it was a hoot!"

"You looked kind a funny though skiing in yer trousers" Jayne added with a smirk.

"And you looked kind a funny with yer ass in the air on that there raft" Mal joked. "Ya think we didn't notice you two rockin' that boat? You was both sitting there one moment, then the next thing we don't see nothing but Jayne's lily white ass shining in the moonlight and that raft rocking all over the water. It was mighty disturbing it was. We figured we'd stay on the other side of the lake til ya finished whatever the hell it was you were doing."

River was thankful they were outside in the dark as she blushed at the Captains comments. Jayne slowly paddled the raft back to shore and hopped out to pull it out of the water and help River out. As River stepped out of the raft into his embrace, Mal pounced.

"Ha!, I knew it, you do have painted toenails ya nancy boy!" Mal cried in glee.

'Fuck!,' he'd forgotten that his boots were off. "Aw shit Mal, I ain't paintin' my nails, my gal here got naughty while I was nappin' an' went an' done this to me!"

"So yer trying to blame lil albatross for yer fey tendencies is that what it's come to Jayne?"

River laughingly confessed to the crew. "I was bad, Jayne had worked so hard on my pedicure, I just felt like returning the favor for him."

"Yeah, but ya did it while I was sleepin' ya little sneak" he playfully groused as he swatted her rear. "Now which one a you gals has some polish remover I can use to take this shit off with?"

"Sorry Jayne, but I used the last of it a week ago. Look's like your gonna have to wait til we buy some more" Kaylee giggled.

"I don't wear nail polish Jayne, sorry, I can't help you" Inara grinned.

"Aw hell" he groused "We ain't due ta be dirt side again for three weeks!"

"Don't worry my Jayne, it will wear off" River added as she took his hand in hers. "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you like this. I didn't mean to."

Warming at her honesty, he decided that he could live with his pink toes for a few more weeks and shrugged it off "Aw babe, it's okay, I know you was just playin'. Where my body's concerned, you can do what ya want with it. If ya want ta paint my toes, I'm game, if ya want ta bang me so's I can't see straight, that's good too! I'm yours baby doll, do what ya want."

"I'm yours as well Jayne."

"Well we sure had ourselves some fun in the sun didn't we babe" he added as they walked back to the ship hand in hand.

Jayne was dragging the sleeping bags outside as he and River wanted to spend their last night sleeping under the stars. As he zipped them together, Simon walked out to him and handed him a beer.

"Thanks Doc" Jayne said as he gratefully took the beer.

"You'll want this too Jayne" Simon replied handing the merc a small bottle. "I keep a small amount of turpentine on hand to dissolve surgical glue. You'll find that it also removes nail polish" he grinned as he turned back towards the ship."

"Yer alright Doc, you Tam's is alright!"

-End-

A/N: Well that's it for now. I'm already working on a sequel in which my intention is for Jayne and Simon to grow closer and eventually become true brothers to each other. I'm also planning on introducing Gabriel and Regan Tam into the mix. I hope you enjoyed this and I'll start posting the sequel in late August/early September. Tentative title will be "More Fun In The Sun"