River Tam, wiped her brow as she glanced up at the ship. She was weary and tired, but she knew she was closer to the end, closer to safety.

"Watcha looking for?"

River turned to the voice, raising a gloved hand slightly to block out the sun from her eyes. "Shumma?" River questioned as she stared at the young lady smiling up at her, wearing a pair of overalls and a colorful tee underneath.

"You look awful lonesome and in need of a smooth flight." She grinned, swirling her bright paper umbrella behind her.

"Shr ah," River replied, smiling. "And you think that this contraption can fly smooth?"

"Ah, she can fool ya," she laughed, ghosting her hand over the ships outer hull. "Serenity has a heart like no other ship in the 'verse."

"Serenity?" River repeated, her eyes fluttering close. "The state or quality of being serene, a lack of emotional agitation, an absence of motion or disturbance- calming, peaceful, tranquil." She opened her eyes and glanced over Serenity, fully appreciating her beauty. "Shr ah."

"Kaywinnet Lee Frye," she offered as she extended her hand to shake River's and then paused mid way through when she glanced at the palm of her hand. "But, most call me Kaylee." She laughed lightly as she rubbed her hand on her overalls instead.

River laughed, feeling more at ease then she had in the last few months. "It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Kaylee."

"Pretty 'n proper," Kaylee sighed. "You kinda remind me of 'Nara, you a companion too?"

River blinked at her question, a flicker of amusement crossing her face, "no."

"But, ain't you flying by yourself? Ain't very proper, is it?"

"Ah," River frowned as she twisted her hands together. "It's a tad complicated."

"Ain't we all a bit?" Kaylee grinned as she twirled the umbrella behind her. "So, can we take ya for a ride?"

"Yes," River paused as her gaze flickered over to the open cargo bay. "I would like to book a passage, but I have a large piece of cargo to transport. Do you have the space available for additional-"

"Tons of space," she nodded as she looked over at Serenity. "This here Firefly is a cargo ship- we can get you and your cargo to any destination-" Kaylee frowned and glanced over at River. "You goin' to Boros?"

River sighed, worrying on her lower lip. "I don't know yet."

"Just goin’ where the wind takes ya," Kaylee smiled her gaze drifting up to the sky.
"Shiny."

"I suppose," River whispered, as she glanced behind her, suddenly feeling exposed. "My cargo is-"

"Wash here can get it," she offered as she waved over someone else. "Wash this is our new pretty passenger."

"Why hello, pretty passenger," Wash beamed, looking her over.

River blushed, "River," she replied quickly. "My name is River."

"Ah, and a pretty name too," Wash winked, causing her to blush more. "I'm Wash, resident pilot and go to man."

"She's got some cargo-" Kaylee began and Wash nodded, saluting her in reply.

"Shi," he grinned. "Let me just get the mule ready."

"See," Kaylee smiled. "Easy as rain."

"Xie xie," River nodded as she followed Wash to secure her most precious cargo.

~

Mal watched the new passengers loading his ship very carefully, his eyes lingering on the young lady who Kaylee claimed was the sweetest thing ever.

"Um, Brooke?" He called out and she flinched in response, turning to him after a slight pause.

"It's River, Captain Reynolds." She corrected as he nodded in reply.

"Mal," he insisted. "This ain't no formal ship."

"Dang ran," she smiled, studying him wearily. "Is there something wrong?"

"How old are you?" He asked as her lips thinned into a forced smile and her body tensed.

"Old enough," she replied curtly. "If you don't mind, I'll retire to my room for the evening."

Mal nodded and smiled. "Kaylee and the Shepard are cookin' up somethin' real fancy for dinner," he stated and he noticed her relaxing slightly. "Don't be late."

"Shi," she smiled, backing away as Zoë approached them.

"Is it just me," Mal began as he turned to Zoë. "Or isn't she a tad too young to be on my ship?"

"It's you, sir," she drawled and glanced over at her. "There's a sadness about her."

"Huh," he sighed. "Why do I get the feeling, she'll be nothin' but trouble?"

"She's a woman, sir." Zoë chuckled and Mal groaned. "They always cause you a bit of trouble."

"Don't you have work to do?" He asked as he stared at her.

"Ai, sir." She smiled, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Well?" He groaned as she chuckled and turned to leave. "Women."

~

River glanced around the hallway and snuck back into the cargo bay, having an overwhelming need to check on her cargo. She let out a sigh of relief as she caught sight of the box.

"You're safe," River whispered as she placed her palm down on the smooth, blue metal. "Sleep."

"Whatcha got there?" Jayne questioned as he crossed over to her and she frowned slightly. "You actin' like there's gold in that there box."

"Something like that," she whispered as she noticed his eyes widening slightly.

"Ya don't say," he grinned as he stroked his chin.

"Family heirlooms," she explained quickly, hoping to dissuade his interest in the contents. "They are priceless to me."

"Gold heirlooms?" Jayne questioned and River frowned, shaking her head slightly.

"Huh."

"It's all I have left," she whispered softly and Jayne sighed, understanding her meaning.

"Don't let the Capt'n catch ya down here-" he grumbled. "You ain't suppose to be in here, dong ma?"

"Shi," she nodded quickly as she turned away from the box. "Xie xie," she whispered glancing back at him.

~

Mal fumed, the thought of a gorramed fed on his ship was driving him to the brink. It had to be the girl, so meek and innocent- it was the perfect cover.

"Find a scratch?" Mal hissed as he loomed over River standing by her box.

"Shumma?" She questioned as she stared back at him.

He slammed his hand against the box, barely missing her as she jumped up in fright. "If you weren't a girl, I'd let you have it."

"Don't let that stop you," she challenged standing up to him.

"What'd you tell them?" He hissed and she blinked at him.

"Shumma?" She asked once more, confusion masking her features.

Mal growled and within a second he drew his gun and aimed it at her. "I ain't got time to play games. What did you tell them?"

"You're insane," she snapped, stepping closer to him.

"And you're a gorram fed," he yelled.

"I hate to say it, Captain," Book interrupted their heated conversation and they reluctantly turned to him. "But you've got the wrong target."

"Book," Mal began as he realized that he was looking past them. "Gorramed," he muttered as he quickly turned to see what Book was staring at.

Apparently it was Laurence Dobson that had caught Book's attention and now theirs. He stood before them, a gun trained on him.

"Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng," Mal muttered, hating the fact that he jumped to the wrong conclusion and that it was going to get him killed.

"Drop that weapon, Captain Reynolds." Dobson ordered as he cocked his gun and waved his gun at them.

Mal hesitantly dropped his gun and he waited for Dobson to take him in. Mal was shocked and slightly relieved to see him turn and aim at River instead.

"River Tam, you are bound by law to stand down." He proclaimed and River stared blankly back at him.

Mal blinked and glanced between the two. "The girl?" He questioned, "Knew there was something- hey, is there a reward or something?"

Dobson ignored his question and continued to stare at River. "Get on the ground- get on the ground now!"

"You are making a mistake." River stated, standing firm.

"I think you best get on the ground," Mal intervened as he noticed the shakiness of the lawman's hand. "He seems a mite twitchy."

Book watched from the sidelines and slowly made his way toward Dobson. "I think everyone could stand to calm down a bit."

"This isn't your business, Shepherd." Dobson snapped as he glanced at him and then turned his attention back to River.

"The girl's not going anywhere, lawman. As I understand it, it's pretty cold outside." Book interceded.

"Please," River whispered. "You don't understand- it's not as it seems."

"Don't care," Dobson shrugged. "I got a cruiser en route for intercept, so talk all you want. You got about twenty minutes, where is he?"

"He?" Mal questioned as he took a step back to study the situation further.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Book was inching closer, not wanting to spook the lawman. River looked close to tears, and suddenly she looked more like her age then before.

She was just a baby and he had a gun.

Dobson was babbling and his hand shook even more than before.

"Look, just take the kid," Mal stated as he grabbed River's shoulder and it was in that moment that everything seemed to move a tad to fast.

River let out a howling scream and the rest of the crew came running to the cargo bay.

"River?" Kaylee called out with concern as Dobson spun around toward her voice and the gun went off.

The sound of the bullet ricocheted in the cargo bay as Kaylee stumbled backwards. "Shumma?" She gasped as she clutched her abdomen and began to fall.

"Kaylee!" River cried out, rushing to her as Zoë managed to catch her. "Wu de tyen ah." Inara and Zoë tended to Kaylee as River stood to the side, watching in shock.

Mal, Book, and Jayne managed to commandeer Dobson in the confusion and they looked to the others to see how Kaylee faired.

"It looks bad, sir" Zoë whispered as she placed her hand over the gushing wound.

"Why's everyone so worried?" Kaylee questioned as River reached out and touched her face.

"Oh, Kaylee," River gasped as she quickly assessed her. "I'm so sorry, this wasn't supposed to happen," she whispered. "Swift loss in skin color, pallor. Rapid pulse, increasing, failing. Confusion-"

"It's cold," Kaylee answered in reply, her eyes rolling back.

"She's going into hypovolemic shock," River mumbled as she took a step back. "She needs a doctor," she whispered as she turned slightly toward the cargo bay, her gaze far off. "Simon."

"Uh, Captain," Wash's voice crackled to life over the intercom system. "We've been hailed by a Cruiser. Ordered to stay on course and dock for prisoner transfer."

"Change course." River gasped as her gaze locked with Mal's. "Run."

"Ta hell with you. You brought this down on us; I'm dumpin' you with the law."

"She's dying," River stated matter-of-factly. "If you run and give me safe passage, I can help her."

"I can't trust you," Mal hissed.

"Uh, Captian?" Wash questioned once more over the intercom.

"We are too far out in the black, there is no one to help her out here, but I know who can." River pleaded. "Please."

"Change course," Mal ordered, hoping that he wouldn't regret his choice.

"Xie xie," River sighed with relief. "Hold on Kaylee," She called out as she stepped away from them, smiling briefly before she ran to her box in the cargo bay.

"Jen dao mei," Mal begin as he followed her, shaking his head with disbelief. "We got a box to help us."

River shot him a glance of annoyance as she pressed some buttons and opened the box.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled to the box as a soft blue light flickered brightly and then dimmed. The top lifted up, mist flowing out of the cryo-chamber. "I know it's too soon."

Mal froze as he saw a young man curled up, seemingly asleep. "Shumma?"

"Simon," River called out as she leaned over and touched the man's arm.

"Simon?" Mal repeated.

She nodded in reply, a faint smile on her lips. "He can help," She smiled as he suddenly sat up and looked wildly around the room. "Simon." She called, focusing his attention to her.

He paused and then slowly turned to her voice, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

"Who the ruttin' hell is he?" Mal gasped, annoyance laced in his voice.

"My brother," she replied as Simon seemed to relax, his eyes trained on her. "Simon," she whispered once more and Simon reached out and caught her hand in his.

"He's the 'he' that the lawman wanted," Mal stated, knowing for certain that he was.

Kaylee cried out in pain and Simon's eyes snapped over to her. He immediately launched out of the box and ran over to her, kneeling down beside her.

Everyone watched in baited silence as he leaned over her, his eyes fluttering close as he pressed the palm of his hand down on her abdomen.

"Are you asking me to dance?" Kaylee soothed as the others watched on in confusion.

"Will she be okay?" River asked him as he continued his vigil over her.

"What's going on?" Mal questioned as Simon turned to him and their gazes locked. "Cat got your tongue?"

"He can't talk," River supplied as Simon continued to stare at Mal.

"He can't or he won't?" Mal asked as he turned to River, unnerved by Simon's eyes.

"He's forgotten- they made him forget." She rushed to explain. "Listen carefully."

"What's all this gorramed crazy talk?" Jayne asked as he stepped away from Dobson secured on the floor. "Shouldn't he be fixn' her?"

"Listen." River insisted.

"I can't hear nothin'," Jayne groaned as the rest of the crew stared at her.

River shook her head, Simon's urgent voice echoing in her ears. "Hurry, there isn't time. We need to get her into the med bay."

"Jayne, help me take Kaylee to the med bay." Mal stated as he pulled the doctor away and they carefully picked her up.

Simon stood there dazed, wiping the blood off onto his scrub pants. He turned quickly to River, his gaze locking with hers.

"Your bag," River gasped, nodding. "I'll find it."

He forced a smile to his face before he followed quickly behind Mal and Jayne.

River ran back to the cargo bay and ripped open her other sealed packages, searching for Simon's black bag. She sighed with relief as she found it and ran to the infirmary.

She stopped suddenly at the door to see her brother pulling things out of drawers and throwing them about. "Simon!" She called out, but he shook his head in reply, his body shaking as he threw more supplies to the floor.

"He's fong luh!" Mal hissed as he continued to watch the scenario unfold. "You lied, he can't-"

"No, ghuh." River urged as she crossed over to him, halting his movements by her close proximity. She gave the bag to Simon and he calmed considerably. "Let him work, he can save her."

"Yeah," Jayne snorted. "Jen duh sh tyen tsai."

"Don't," River snapped. "You have no idea what we've done to be here. He can save her, just give him the space he needs."

"If anything happens to little Kaylee," Mal warned and she shook her head.

"I can explain," she insisted. "Just give him a chance, he's a brilliant surgeon."

"Don't seem like it," Mal argued as she sighed. "Talk now and we'll give him his time."

~

River sighed and glanced around at the expectant faces. Mal, Jayne, Zoë, Wash, Inara, and Book sat around the table, waiting not so patiently for River to explain.

"Why does that lawman want you?" Book questioned, breaking the silence.

"I freed Simon from the hell he was living in and now they want him back," River explained.

"By 'they', I assume you mean the Alliance," Mal inquired as River nodded in reply.

"Why would they want a mute Doctor?" Inara questioned as River stiffened.

"He's a ghost of himself-" She whispered as she shook her head. "But, I'm getting ahead of myself."

"Lao tyen boo," Book gasped. "He said River Tam- Simon and River Tam."

"What does that have to do with this?" Mal questioned as he glanced between Book and River.

"The Tam siblings," Inara whispered in awe. "I've read waves from the cortex about your family, but that was years ago."

"Shr ah," River sighed. "They often wrote articles about us, more so about my brother than of me. But they were there, following our every move. 'Gifted'," she paused as she glanced down at her hands. "It's the one word that they usually referred to him as and I, as his younger sister, had even more potential. But they got to him first."

"The Alliance," Mal supplied and River nodded.

"We excelled in everything we did. We were gifted, headed to do bigger and brighter things. I can remember being jealous because he was old enough to go to the schools that I wanted to go too.

"He was only 16 when he graduated from the best Medacad in Osiris, top three percent of his class- he could have had the best scores, but he tended to skip classes. He just wasn't challenged enough," She explained, laughing to herself as she remembered the good times. "He even finished his internship in eight months- when it normally takes two years. Our parents were proud- Simon was a doctor, but he was still too young to practice, they wouldn't let him.

"There was school, a government-sponsored academy that was fairly new and very selective. A representative was at our door months before they even opened theirs. They wanted Simon to attend and in a few years, for me to go as well. We had never even heard of it, but it seemed to have the most exciting program and the most challenging classes.

"They even offered us scholarships, even though my parents could easily afford our tuition and more. They could have sent us anywhere- but Simon and I had chosen to go to the academy, they promised so much. It was too good to be true.

"The most promising aspect of the school was that they were going to let him practice medicine, which was the main reason he wanted to go. You should have seen his face, he was thrilled, and he talked nonstop about it."

"So, he can talk." Zoë interrupted and River nodded.

"He was there three years before I was allowed to go. I was thrilled; I couldn't wait to join him, to see him. There were a few letters here and there, but they didn't make any sense and it was only when I got there that I broke the code."

"Code?" Mal questioned.

"It was a warning," She whispered, her voice wavering. "It simply said, 'Don't come. They're hurting us'."

"Oh, my." Inara gasped, and the rest of the table fell silent.

"I had no idea. We were not allowed to visit him while he was attending the school. They claimed it would hurt his studies, an unneeded distraction. So, even though I tried, it wasn't until my first day there that I was able to see him since the day he left for school. He had grown so much; I almost didn't even recognize him. He was sullen, quite- he no longer talked or laughed. He wasn't my brother anymore.

"I remember I ran up to him and threw my arms around him. He flinched- he didn't recognize me. He didn't care. His gaze was so distant, so far away. It was in that moment I knew I had to get him away from the academy. I had to get him out."

"How did you do it?" Zoë asked after a slight pause.

"I was a good little girl and spread my legs." River stated with detached indifference as Book and Mal slammed their fists against the table tops in outrage.

"You were only a little girl!" Mal exclaimed, muttering to himself.

"I was fifteen at the time, that was over two years ago-" River continued. "Even though my family was rich, I had very little money to speak of. My parents would not believe me and denied me access to further funds.

"I played sick when I should have been in class- they were too busy with my brother that they didn't notice me half the time. Which was their biggest mistake, for you see I was even smarter then my brother. I sought out answers and a way to escape. I finally found my chance, in a way he saved me from the same fate- it could have been me."

River glanced away from the group as tears pooled in her eyes. "I just don't know if- I just hope that I wasn't too late."

"Will he be all right?" Inara asked, tears in her eyes as well.

"I hope so," River whispered as she glanced toward the infirmary.

~

Simon sat in the corner of the infirmary; keeping a watchful eye on the one they called Kaylee. He knew everyone else was talking about him, he felt uneasy.

He stitched her up, good as new. Now he waited.

He rocked back and forth, as he listened intently to her heart beat, it was strong- she would live.

"Kaylee?" A voice called and Simon stood up quickly, watching as the man from earlier walked in. Mal. The Captain.

Simon opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it quickly, not knowing what to say if he could. He gave Simon a hard look before crossing over to Kaylee.

"Will she be okay?" He questioned as he touched Kaylee's hand.

"Yes," his sister whispered in reply as she hesitantly entered the room. "She just needs to sleep, to heal."

"How do you know?" Mal questioned as he studied the Tam sibling's.

"I know," River replied as she glanced at her brother. "I can feel his thoughts."

"Dang-ran," he shrugged, running his hand through his hair as he stared between the siblings. "So, what was the gorramed problem earlier?" He began as he continued to study Simon. "You gonna be a problem?"

"He was frustrated, confused," she explained quickly. "I woke him up before it was time, he didn't have the right supplies, he didn't know if he could treat her-"

"You gonna be a problem?" Mal repeated turning away from River's rushed explanation and glared at her brother.

Simon lurched forward, causing Mal to stumble back in alarm. He stopped merely inches away from him and studied him. He shot a glance back at his sister before he ran off.

"Simon!" River called out as Mal grabbed onto her arm, preventing her from following after her brother.

"Not so fast," Mal reprimanded as he glanced over at Kaylee and then to the door. "You mind him or you'll be off my ship. Dong ma?"

"Shi," she nodded quickly, pulling away from him, her gaze focused away from him. "Dang ra."

Mal sighed and let her run off after her brother.

~

"Ruttin' hell," Jayne hissed as he pulled away from the doctors hands. "It ain't nothin'."

Simon sighed heavily as he tried to hold pressure on the large cut across the palm of Jayne's left hand.

"It ain't nothin'," He insisted once more and pushed Simon away. "Where's your gorramed sister?"

"I'm here." She responded as she stepped through the archway and crossed over to them.

"Your fong luh brother is hasslin' me." He groaned as he swatted away Simon's hands.

"It needs stitches," she replied as she looked over at her brother and back to him.

"You a doc now too?" Jayne grumbled as he glanced down at his bleeding hand. "He came runnin' in here like he knew I cut my hand-"

"He did," she shrugged, offering a small smile as she took his hand and looked at it. Jayne just starred at her as she grabbed a small rag and applied some pressure to the cut. She glanced at her brother, who nodded in reply and ran off once more. "You cut down to the muscle- Simon can mend it."

"I figure I ain't got a choice," Jayne shrugged as she watched River intently. "I reckon he's gonna bother me until it's all fixed."

"I reckon so," River laughed, offering a small smile. "Doctoring is the only thing keeping him sane."

"Ain't much sane about that neither," Jayne shrugged and frowned as River's smile faded. "He's all you got, your family heirloom?"

"Shr ah," River nodded as her thoughts drifted after her brother. She glanced up at Jayne, wondering. "Do you have a family?"

"I got my ma, my pa, and my little brother Matty." Jayne smiled, flinching slightly as River increased the pressure.

"Not so little, I imagine." River laughed, looking Jayne over.

"Wasn't much bigger then you, last I saw of him," he shrugged. "I reckon he's a bit bigger now."

"I would think so," River laughed, relaxing a little.

"Hope your fong luh brother didn't get lost," Jayne grumbled.

"He's tending to Kaylee, he'll be here shortly." She whispered in reply. "She'll be good as new."

He wanted to ask how she knew, but decided against it. They waited silently together and he found that he liked her presence.

~

Simon walked back into the room, freezing in his spot as feelings assaulted him. He stared at Jayne momentarily, before he dropped his bag and pushed his sister away from him.

"Simon," River gasped as he turned to Jayne and punched him.

"Huh choo-shang tza-jiao duh tzang-huo," Jayne shouted standing up, unfazed by the unexpected attack and hit Simon back.

Simon lost his balance and flailed back to the ground, a strangled whimper passing his lips as he hit the ground. Jayne quickly seized the moment and pinned him to the ground with ease.

"No," River cried out as she pulled at Jayne's arm. "Please, he doesn't know what he's-"

"What the hell is goin' on?" Mal growled as he walked into the mess hall. "Jayne, why you tryin' to kill the doc?"

"I don't know Mal," Jayne shrugged as he stood up and River rushed to help Simon up.

"Someone care to explain?" Mal questioned as he continued to study the scene at hand. Both Jayne and Simon were bleeding, and he wanted to know who to blame in the incident.

"Just mindin' my own business," Jayne muttered as he wiped his bloody palm on his shirt.

"He cut you?" Mal accused as he turned to glare at Simon and River.

"No," he sighed as he glanced at his hand.

"Simon was going to mend his cut," River jumped in to explain. "He just went to go get his bag-"

"Ain't what it looked like to me," Mal shrugged as Simon pulled away from River and lunged once more for Jayne. Mal stopped him as he felt him tense and struggle in his grasp. "Whoa, simmer down boy."

"Simon," River cried out as she reached out to him. "Simon." She snapped and his gaze flew to hers. "It's okay."

He stilled in Mal's arms and glanced down at the floor. Mal relaxed his hold and Simon took that moment to flee. "Simon!" Mal and River called out after him, but he quickly disappeared into the shadows of Serenity.

"Fong luh," Jayne muttered, shaking his head. "Hun dan."

Mal ignored his comment and turned to River. "Explain, what the ruttin' hell is going in his head?"

River sighed as she picked up Simon's discarded bag. "I'm not sure," she whispered. "I have never felt the wave of emotions before, he clouded his thoughts. He blocked me out." River sighed as she glanced at Jayne. "Shumma-"

"I didn't do nuttin'," he insisted as he flashed them a weary smile.

"Somethin' triggered the boy," Mal figured as he pulled down on his suspenders slightly as he continued to study River and Jayne.

"Yes," River agreed as she pulled out a small dermal mender from the black bag and reached for Jayne's hand.

Mal frowned as he noticed Jayne's change in demeanor as River tended to him. "Ai ya women wanle," Mal hissed, suddenly understanding Simon's outburst. "Jayne, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself next time."

"Mal!" Jayne protested as River's eyes widened in surprise.

"You didn't mention nothin' about the doc being a reader," Mal continued as River sighed.

"He's never expressed that he could," River sighed heavily as she looked at Jayne's hand and then placed the dermal binder back into Simon's bag. "I suppose I should have known that he could- they way he can sense things before it happens, he feels so much- too much at times."

"Huh." Mal quipped as he glanced at Jayne's mended hand. "Try not to upset her brother again, dong ma?"

"Sure, Mal." Jayne shrugged as he reached over and grabbed his things. "No more thinkin' for me."

"Good," Mal chuckled as he turned his attention to River. "I need to know your brother won't try this again. If he's a hindrance to my crew-"

"We are off the ship," River finished for him. "I understand. We just need some time to adjust."

"Fine," Mal replied with a curt nod. "Now go find your brother. I don't want this to happen again."

"Dang-ran," River agreed as she forced a smile to her face. "It won't happen again."

"Oh, and find him some decent clothing," He quickly added. "Don't want him runnin' around in just them pants- reckon he'd catch a cold or somethin'."

~

Kaylee's eyes fluttered open, she squirmed slightly and than tensed when pain seared through her body. "Not so shiny," she mumbled to herself as she grimaced once more in pain.

Her smile brightened as she recognized the man that suddenly appeared beside her. "Simon," she whispered, flinching slightly as she felt the needle pierce her skin. "Oh, shiny-" she smiled as the pain lessened.

She watched him examine her and she couldn't help but smile as he placed his hand on her forehead. Her eyes closed and for a second she thought she heard him say her name.

"Simon?" She began as she opened her eyes, her gaze locking with Simon's. "Thank you." He smiled in response and she felt her heart skip a beat.

Smiling, she reached out and grabbed his hand, enjoying having him by her side.

"Kaylee!" River exclaimed as she walked into the infirmary. "You're awake!"

"Thanks to Simon," she grinned, squeezing his hand.

"Oh, the Captain will be happy to hear that." River smiled as she crossed over to them.

"How are you feeling?" River inquired as she trailed her fingers against Kaylee's brow.

"Just shiny," Kaylee replied as she continued to hold Simon's hand.

"Is there anything you need?" She asked, glancing at her brother and then back at Kaylee.

"Nah, I'm good." Kaylee nodded, frowning slightly as she realized Simon hadn't spoken. "Simon?"

"You drew out his smile," River commented as she started to pull away. "Maybe you can find his voice too."

"His voice?" She questioned as she studied him briefly. "But, he spoke to me earlier, I 'member."

"You were in a place between life and death, you were able to hear him then," River explained softly, sadness in her voice. "Now, his voice is lost once more."

"I don't understand," Kaylee sighed. Simon squeezed her hand reassuring her as he offered her a small smile.

River smiled. "You will soon enough. Now you need to heal your wounds, the rest will come in time." River frowned as she felt her brother pushing her away. "I will let you sleep."

"Thanks for visitin'," Kaylee smiled as she turned her attention to her brother.

"I have a feeling everyone will be by to see you." River commented as she looked toward her brother. "Be good."

~

Kaylee eyes flew open, a cry of pain awakening her. For a second she thought the cry was her own until she realized it was Simon.

"No!" Simon gasped and Kaylee struggled to sit up and get up from the infirmary bed.

"Simon," she called out as pain radiated with her every movement across the med bay to the makeshift bed that he had made for himself. "Simon, wake up."

"No, please." He begged as he twisted himself in his bedding. "No more."

"Simon," she insisted as she reached out and touched him. He twisted away from her touch, screaming as he swung at her. "No, bao bei, it's only me. It's Kaylee." She soothed and he immediately calmed; his body slowly relaxing with every caress.

"Kaylee," Simon whispered as his eyes fluttered open and his gaze locked momentarily with hers.

She opened her mouth to reply to him when his eyes rolled back and his body began to tremble violently under her touch. "Simon!" She gasped as she tried to still his movements. "Lao tyen boo!" She glanced quickly around the empty med bay, not knowing what to do. "River!" She shouted, her throat feeling dry and raw as she repeated the cry.

"Kaylee?" River finally replied back as she blinkingly made her way into the room. "Oh, no. Simon!"

"He won't stop," Kaylee whimpered, tears running down her face. "He's hurtin'."

"Simon!" River called out as she grabbed a syringe of hyrdozpam and injected him quickly. "It's okay, ghuh."

Kaylee and River sighed with relief as the medicine took hold and Simon's body relaxed and his eyes opened briefly before exhaustion took over and he slept.

"Sleep," River whispered, leaning over to kiss his forehead. She took a deep breath and then turned to Kaylee. "You should not be up on your feet. You should be resting."

"I was," Kaylee began as she tentatively reached out and touched his hand. "But, he woke me up, talkin' nonsense-"

"Talking?" River gasped as she stared at Kaylee.

"He cried out- nightmares or somethin'," Kaylee explained, trembling slightly with pain.

"Oh, ghuh," River sighed as she rubbed his arm. "I wish I knew how to help you."

"You did good," Kaylee smiled. "You stopped his fit. He's lucky to have a mei-mei like you."

"That's sweet," River laughed lightly. "But, that might not be enough. He needs more medical help than I know."

"But, ain't you smart like him?" She questioned, frowning. "If you read all them fancy medical books, than you can fix him good as new."

"I hope so," River sighed. "That is all I want."

"You will," Kaylee smiled as she squeezed reached over and squeezed her hand. "We will help him."

River smiled in response, "Serenity has brought us some peace and perhaps a new home."

Kaylee grinned, "told ya she'd fool ya."

The end.

Chinese translations:
Ai ya women wanle: We’re in big trouble.
Bao bei: Darling
Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng- Frog-riding bastard.
Dang-ran- Of course
Dong ma- understand
Fong luh: Crazy.
Ghuh- big brother
Huh choo-shang tza-jiao duh tzang-huo- Animal-fucking bastard.
Hun dan – bastard
Jen dao mei- Just our luck
jen duh sh tyen tsai: "an absolute genius"- Really is a genius.
Lao tyen boo – Oh, lord
Shi - Affirmative
Shr ah- yes
Shumma- what
Wu de tyen ah- Dear God in heaven
Xie xie - thank you


The end.