Chapter Nine: In loco parentis (in the place of a parent)

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The first two chapters are here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14482 three and four are here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14503, five is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14520, six is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14545, seven is here:http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14554& and eight is here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14561

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As Simon lay in bed, reviewing the events of the day, he noted that while Kaylee still wasn’t talking to him, she’d started to acknowledge his presence, and that cheered him unreasonably, even though it was clear that she wasn’t over her nearly week long snit (so far) just yet. Nonetheless, Simon tried to look on the bright side. It might not be much, but as Mal would say, it was enough – for the moment, at least.

*** Later that night Simon awoke to the sound of River’s frantic whispering, “Simon, wake up! I’m bleeding!”

She’d turned on his lights and was kneeling by his bed, near his face. He was instantly alert. “Where, River? Can you walk to the infirmary?”

River suddenly looked down at her hands, wordlessly. Insight dawned that she was embarrassed, which meant – . He spoke gently. “River, are you bleeding from a place only girls have, or a place that girls and boys share?”

“Girls,” the seventeen year old whispered.

“River, this is good news. It means you’re finally at a healthy weight, Mei-mei. Please don’t be scared.”

“Simon, it’s gross. There’s ichor!”

“It’s not ichor, Mei-mei, it’s just old blood. In a day or two it will be fresher blood, redder. You’ll see.”

“Make it stop!”

“I can’t. And shouldn’t, either. When you have a few normal cycles – say three – then we can have a look at birth control and menses suppression options. Okay?”

“I want it to stop!”

“Come on Mei-mei, let’s get you in the shower. When you’re clean and dry, you’ll feel better. I have some things for you.”

“Like what?”

“Well, first the practical stuff. Then I have a present.” He got out of bed and reached under to pull out a box of things for her. “There’s some – uh – pads in here, and some information on birth control and cramps and stuff like that to read.” He sat back on the bed and patted the space next to him. She sat. He held her gently. “Uh, we never did have that talk about the facts of life, did we?” She shook her head. “And mother never, you know, before you left?” She shook her head again, and began crying.

“Sweetie, it’s ok. We should talk about it, though.” He tried to brace himself. “Uh, first, make sure you dispose of the pads properly – no throwing them in the toilet. I can incinerate them for you, or show you how to do it.” He took a deep breath. “Okay: menstruation is the body’s way of getting a woman ready to have a baby.”

River interrupted, wailing. “Simon, we can’t! It’s gross!”

That was a point he was ready to concede. “Okay, we can do the facts of life tomorrow.”

“No, Simon, I don’t want to!”

Simon tried to quiet her down. “Sshh, River, we have to. It’s past time. You’re nearly eighteen. But it can wait until morning.”

The door to his room opened suddenly, and Zoë stood there, a look of cold fury on her face. “What’s going on in here?” she asked.

River just turned and, wide-eyed and teary, wailed at Zoë, “I’m bleeding!”

Zoë looked between the siblings, suppressing her original fears at River’s shouts. She saw the box on Simon’s lap, and looked him in the eye. “Would this be normal sort of bleeding?”

Simon hesitated before answering. “Ah – it would be, yes.”

“Come on, River honey, it’s not so bad. Come to my room, I have a bath in there.”

River looked up, still crying. “A proper bath?”

“Just a hip bath. Still, nicer than a shower. Simon can bring us some hot water for it and some tea to drink while you enjoy it.” She eyed Simon.

“Of course, Zoë. Uh – thank you.” He handed her the box and made his way to the kitchen.

He passed the various items Zoë requested through a crack in the door, and went to sit in his room until River came back.

When he finally did, he was dozing a little, head rested against the wall. He woke up immediately, and was relieved to see that his sister wasn’t crying anymore. She looked relaxed, but not really happy. “You mentioned a present?” she wheedled. He would never know why – it’s not like he ever denied her anything.

“I did.” He’d stashed it under his pillow when he’d gotten back from Zoë’s room. He pulled it out; River liked that it was a small box. Jewellery, perhaps? She was trying very hard not to ruin the surprise for herself. “I overhead Kaylee and Inara talking about their first time, once. It’s a big deal at the Companion Houses, naturally and Kaylee’s mother made Kaylee her favourite pies for a week afterwards. I just wanted to do something, you know, to make it special.” He handed her the box. She carefully unwrapped it, and pulled the box free. Definitely jewellery – she recognised the name on the box. Slowly, she opened it. Inside, were a pair of very pretty garnet princess-cut studs. “I know you like red.”

“Red for blood.”

“Oh, ah, is that okay?”

River kissed Simon’s cheek in an answer to his question.