“How’d they get Hank’s DNA?” Kaylee asked. “They are talking about those two men who … the ones that …”

“I figure they are, little Kaylee,” Mal said. “Ain't been on Ibis for more’n a year before that, and it ain't like Zoe’s let my pilot that much out of her sight that he could wander that far.”

They were sitting around the table in the dining area, food uneaten in front of them.

“But Simon was the one with the messed up hands.” She looked at her husband.

“DNA can come from anything,” he said, shaking his head. “I'm surprised they don’t have mine too.”

“Maybe they do, doc,” Mal said. “But we’re not gonna put you in the position of finding out.”

“So, what?” Jayne asked. “We break in and get Hank back?”

“Are you suggesting an armed raid on a hospital?” Simon said, staring in disbelief at the big mercenary.

Jayne shrugged. “Just an idea. And it wouldn’t take more’n a couple of us to carry it out. Hell, I could do it by myself.”

“It’s a stupid suggestion.” The young doctor shook his head. “Do you have any idea of the number of security cameras they’re likely to have?”

“Oh, no, sorry, doc, I ain't never committed a crime before,” Jayne said sarcastically. “Ripped off that hospital on Ariel, didn’t we?”

“Yes, and look where that got us.”

Jayne started to get up, to show the man exactly what he thought of that comment, but River put her hand on his arm. “No,” she murmured, and he subsided.

“Is this going to be the way of things now?” Simon asked bitterly. “You’re going to side with him even when you know I’m right?”

River looked at him. “You’re both right,” she said, her voice low. “And wrong.”

“River, honey, that don’t make sense,” Kaylee said, anxious to defuse the situation, even if it was by putting herself in the line of fire.

“We could walk in and take him, but we would be seen.”

“But we can’t let the Alliance have him.”

“No.” River sighed. “Not for something he didn’t do.” She looked at her brother, then at Mal. “I think I may have to confess.”

“What?” Simon stared at her. “Confess what?”

River was about to explain, but Mal got in first. “You ain't gonna tell no-one anything, albatross. You think they’d believe a little thing like you could do that?”

“I could show them.”

“Yeah, good idea. You do that. And after they’ve realised who you are and carted you off back to that Academy, Hank’ll still be in jail and your brother off his head with worry. Again. You really think Hank’d consider that good planning?”

Simon looked from one to the other. “What’s going on?” he asked, his throat constricting.

“Nothing, doctor. Just considering options,” Mal said firmly.

“That’s a lie.” He saw Mal bristle, but went on, “You decide to break the news that Bethany’s a reader in front of everyone, when you should have told me and Kaylee first, but you won’t tell me what this is about?”

“Bethie’s family. It had to be dealt with. And everyone needed to know.” Mal was obstinate.

“Well, I need to know this.”

“Simon –“

Mal interrupted the young psychic. “No.”

“My God,” Simon whispered. “It was her. It was River, wasn’t it?” His normally pale face was white.

“Simon?” Kaylee asked, grabbing his hand. “Are you saying …?”

River got up from the table. “I was wrong. I know I was wrong. And I’m sorry.”

“You murdered them?”

“Doc, it’s been dealt with,” Mal said quickly. “Frey’s gonna work on her self control a bit harder, but there’s nothing to be gained from –“

“She killed those men and you say it’s been dealt with?”

“She ain't gonna do it again,” Jayne put in.

“Wha …” Simon could barely speak. “You knew about this?”

“Course. She told me.”

The young man looked accusingly around the table. “Did you all know?”

“I didn’t,” Zoe said, her first words in the entire conversation. “And I’m sure Hank didn’t either.” She looked at Mal. She knew he didn’t tell her everything, but this …

“Wasn't any point, Zo,” Mal said quietly. “What with everything else going on, I figured it was best left a secret.” He saw the expression on her face. “Guess maybe I was wrong.”

Kaylee turned to her captain. “So when you said they wouldn’t be doin’ that again …”

Mal nodded slowly. “Sorry, mei-mei. But it was true. I just maybe didn’t explain why.”

The young mechanic swallowed. “Well … I'm glad. Not that River did it, but that they’re … they’re dead. They won’t take any more girls like that.”

“Kaylee …” Simon stared at his wife.

“They’d’a sold me, Simon. To someone who’d’a butchered me. You think they didn’t deserve to die?”

“But –“

“No buts.” Kaylee stood up and crossed the room to stand next to River. “It wasn't right what she did, and for sure not the way she did it, but I ain't gonna say I’m sorry they’re dead.” She took the girl’s hand and they walked out together.

Simon sat with his mouth open.

“Don’t blame your sis,” Jayne said softly. “You wanna blame someone, blame them hwoon dahns who cut into her brain. Turned her into someone who could do that.”

“I don’t blame River,” Simon retorted. “But no-one said –“

“Would it have made any difference if we had?” Freya asked, having listened to the argument, feeling it break on her like waves on a shore. “Like Mal said, it’s been dealt with.”

“But she’s my sister!”

“And Kaylee’s your wife. River did what she thought was best because of Kaylee. Now she knows better. Just leave it at that.”

“How can I?” He shook his head. “Maybe I should try different medications –“

“You do and she’ll prob’ly rip your head off,” Jayne growled. “Ain't nothing wrong with that girl. ‘Part from being crazy, that is. You just let us deal with it.”

“Deal? The only way this crew deals with anything is by violence and ignoring what they don’t want to see!”

Mal had had enough. The headache that had been festering ever since they’d heard about Hank was threatening to explode right out of his temple, and now this bickering … “Bizui!” His voice cut through the argument. “What it is, is what it is. River’s learned a valuable lesson from this, and now you all know. This ain’t exactly helping me form a plan to get Hank back.” Everyone at the table looked at him, and he felt Freya’s hand in his, squeezing his fingers gently. He breathed deeply.

“It’s just –“

“Just nothing, doctor.” Mal smiled just a little. “As much as I’d kinda like to see Jayne go in guns blazing, it ain't gonna happen. So we need something a little more subtle if we’re gonna extricate my pilot from this bit of mess he’s got himself into.” He gazed at Simon. “And if you ain't got anything to add to the discussion – that ain't about what River did – then I suggest you go look to your wife. Somehow, I don’t get the impression she wants to be on her own right now.”

“You know her better than I do, do you?”

“Right now, yeah, I figure maybe I do.”

Simon glared at him, then reason began to re-establish itself in his brain, and he stood up. “Perhaps you’re right, captain.” He walked out, his head high, his posture ram-rod straight.

“Do you have a plan?” Zoe asked into the ensuing quiet.

“So far, the best option seems to be him just walking out.” Mal sighed. “It ain't like they’re gonna shoot us.”

“But they do have security.”

“Then maybe we can …” Mal threw his hands up in the air. “I don’t know, Zo. Maybe we should storm the place.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Why don’t you go take a look see? They let you in before, should do again. See if there’s a way we can sneak him out.”

His first mate nodded and stood up. “Yes sir.” She left the galley.

“Think I’ll go check on River,” Jayne muttered to himself, sauntering the other way.

Freya gazed into her husband’s eyes. “They’re antsy, Mal. Not having Inara here, it’s kinda thrown things.”

“I wasn't the one wanted her to go in the first place.” He put his hands behind his head, looking up into the pipes and beams above.

“It just feels strange.”

“They got used to it before.” He sighed. “What is it about us, Frey?”

“Us?”

“This boat.” He turned his head so he could see her, the short brown hair framing her face. “Sometimes it feels like we’re a magnet for trouble.”

Her lips twitched. “You only just figured that out?”

---

“I don’t understand.” The administrator looked at the two men. “Our own Federal officers will be back tomorrow. Why should you want to take him now?”

“All of our papers are in order.”

“Yes, I can see that. But –“

“This man is a wanted felon. His partners are smugglers and murderers. They’re probably planning a way to get him away from here right now. Do you want to be in the middle of it when they do?”

The administrator swallowed. “You really think –“

“I'm not thinking anything. We have orders to take Hank Mills into custody. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

“Well, if you really think you can’t wait until tomorrow …” He watched unhappily as the two men walked down the corridor towards the wanted man’s room.

to be continued