Arms around her, too strong to pull free -- her arm slashes down, edge of the hand connecting in a solid knife-edge strike to the groin. The man's
(to and fro we leap)
(it's me)
(and chase the frothy bubbles)
arms loosen (the faint faraway sound of a whimper in her ear) but it's not quite enough --
(while the world is full of troubles)
She twists in his hold,
(and anxious in its sleep)
(gorram it, girl)

elbow flying up, it's all leverage, it's all mathematics, a hard strike here and a kick there and he's down and there's the solid weight of a gun in her hand and
(with a faery)
(it's me)
(hand in hand)
and River...
(come)
(it's ME)
(come)
River...
(COME)
(it's ME)

falters.

Finds herself staring down at... Jayne.