Author's note: I couldn't resist making Simon at least a little bit happy for Christmas. Neither could River. Consider it a trilogy.

River stood outside of Simon’s bunk for what was, technically, only about five minutes, and what felt like forever. She was learning to be more respectful of his feelings. It used to be fun to tease him and make him mad, but it wasn’t as fun to make him cry. Even Jayne was learning to be nice. River was proud of him. She knew what went on in his head, and found it exceptionally irritating that he had to act like such an idiot to everyone else. Finally, she closed her hand over the handle of Simon’s door and pulled it open. He was dreaming. So happily, so vividly, that River almost backed out the door. She could just leave him to sleep. The crew would understand. But she would never forgive. “Simon,” she whispered. “Kaylee?” he murmured, snuggling in deeper. “Come back to bed, bao bei. It isn’t time to wake up yet.” “No, Simon.” He opened his eyes. “What’s wrong, River?” “Time to get up.” Simon stretched. “What day is it?” he asked. River hesitated. The words were there, but they didn’t want to come out. “Time to get up,” she repeated, slowly, guiltily. “River, how long have I been asleep?” She shrugged. “Captain Daddy said it was for the best. Haven’t slept through the night in months, Simon. They were worried. I was worried.” She studied his face. “2 days.” “Two days?” he tried to count back from the last memory he had, and then groaned. “Christmas,” he whispered. “No.” “Come on.” River grabbed his hand, tried to tug him up. “Santa came.” Simon looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?” River laughed. “Can’t let Mommy and Daddy know that I was peeking,” she sing-songed. “River…” he said patiently. “I know that you’re excited that it’s Christmas, but I would really prefer to stay in bed today. You understand about bad days, don’t you?” “It won’t be a bad day,” River insisted. “Trust me?” Simon sighed. “All right.” River giggled. “Don’t be late,” she said, running out into the common area. Simon watched her leave, and then picked up the capture on the bedside table. “Hi,” he said gently. “I wish you were here today.” River stuck her head in the door. “No time for wishes, Simon. Come on!” Simon rolled out of bed. “I’m coming, mei-mei. Just give me a minute.” River crossed her eyes. “No. No minute. You’re making this unnecessarily difficult, Simon Tam.” He sighed. “Part of me doesn’t want to know what you’re up to,” he said, allowing himself to be dragged towards the common area. “You’ll like it,” River promised. Out in the common area, Inara smiled. “It’s nice to see you awake, Simon.” Simon nodded. “Merry Christmas,” he said softly. “I’m surprised he can still move, all the…” River covered Jayne’s mouth with her hand. “Shut up.” Simon smiled politely. “I’m sorry I didn’t get anyone anything…I’ve just…” Inara stopped him. “We understand, Simon. You don’t need to explain.” “Someone wanted to give you one, though.” River thrust a wrapped box into his hands. “Open it!” Simon looked up at her. “River?” River shook her head. “Not me. Someone who loves you more.” His hands hesitated on the wrapping paper. “No, River. You don’t…” “Open it,” River insisted. Simon sighed, resigned, and pulled the wrapping paper off. “Oh…” he breathed. “Oh, River.” River rolled her eyes. “Not me, silly.” “I need to…oh.” He touched the contents of the box gently, as if they were fragile. “Excuse me.” He turned and walked briskly out of the common room. River smiled. “He’ll be happy soon.”

“River!” “Shh!” “River, I…what are you doing?” “I need you to tell Simon what you told me to tell him.” “Oh, River, I can’t.” “You told it to me. So tell it to him.” Deep breath. “Hi, Simon. I guess…I guess by the time this message reaches you, I won’t be here anymore. I don’t like to think ‘bout that so much, so I’m gonna pretend that I’m still there. I just have to tell you somethin’, cause I know you won’t come to this conclusion on your own. I love you, Simon. No matter where I am, no matter if you can’t see me or feel me or hear me and I can’t touch you, I’m gonna love you forever. You gotta be strong. You’ve got through a lot more stuff in your life than most people can even imagine; I know you can get through this. I’m gonna wait for ya, Simon. I’ll be real patient. I love you. Don’t forget about me.”

At once, the capture in Simon’s hand went dead. He weaved the tiny piece of blanket that River had also put in the package, and started to cry.