A/N: This chapter is a bit short, but is rated NC-17 for some, ah, "comfort."

Thanks to everyone for your great comments. I swear I am almost finished with the third part of this trilogy: Unforeseen Consequences, which is shaping up to be about 20 chapters and an epilogue. As a reminder, this story is 24 chapters and an epilogue, so we've still got a ways to go.

Thanks to Leiasky for the beta.

Simon watched anxiously as the ambulance settled into its normal berth on the hospital’s landing platform. His arm around Kaylee’s shoulders, both of them were unable to do more than stare as the small vehicle opened its doors and a team of medics rushed out three gurneys. From their current vantage point, just inside the emergency room’s sliding doors, all they could do was watch, any discussion or other noise separated from them by the soundproof glass.

With a whoosh of admittance, the doors opened and they were assaulted by a cacophony of sounds. Barked orders and vitals were rattled off, as doctors moved in to take over where the medics had left off. Simon and Kaylee turned as one, staring at the broken bodies of their comrades, as River and Zoe slowly made their way inside, their faces drawn tight.

River moved towards her brother automatically, enveloping him and Kaylee in a hug. Simon held her back, whispering a few words of gratitude for all she’d done and her safe return, while Kaylee continued to stare in silence. Glancing into her friend’s dull green eyes, River brushed some hair back from her cheek and whispered, “We will find them, Kaylee.”

Nodding minutely, Kaylee swallowed and watched as Mal’s unconscious form was wheeled towards the nearest operating room, while Jayne and Rafe were taken to separate rooms. Like some form of demented parade, Simon, River, Kaylee and Zoe followed.

River was at Rafe’s side, her bruised and burned hand clasping one of his. He was unconscious again, his body failing to keep him awake once he’d received treatment. Eli had assured her that his concussion, while bad, was not dire and so River knew that he would be fine. But she still wished he’d open his eyes and smile at her.

Sitting beside him, she ran light fingers through his hair, watching absentmindedly as Doctor Butler entered the room, a nurse trailing behind him, as they checked first Jayne and then made their way over to her and the unconscious mechanic.

Giving her a warm smile as he pressed the stethoscope to Rafe’s chest, Eli muttered a few notes to the nurse, before rounding the bed and resting a reassuring hand on River’s shoulder. “He’s going to be fine,” Eli reminded her, his voice soft. “You should try and get some rest.”

Shaking her head once, River’s eyes remained locked on Rafe’s peaceful face as she said, “No, I need to stay here.”

Knowing that the Tam stubborn streak was as strong as any, Eli dropped the subject. Dismissing the nurse with a nod, he turned to go himself as River asked, “How is the captain?”

Sighing, the doctor turned back to her. He had met her a few times before, but they’d never really had cause to speak. In fact, most of what Eli knew about River had been filtered through Simon’s eyes, his memories and recollections. Eli knew the girl was special, knew that she had unique talents and more than average intelligence. And judging by the way she stared at the man lying before them now, she also had a deep capacity to love – just like her brother.

Pulling up a seat, Eli studied her pale profile and said softly, “He should be all right. He lost a lot of blood, but he came through surgery fine. He won’t be able to walk on that leg for a few weeks, but …” Trailing off, Eli’s breath hitched in his throat as River finally turned to him, big, baleful brown eyes regarding him with such sadness he found it hard to breathe. Reaching out, Eli clasped one of her hands in his own and added, “He’ll be fine.”

Smiling slightly, River winced as Eli squeezed her hand a bit. The cuts and burns were really starting to sting. Noting her distress, Eli glanced to her hands, his eyes widening as he took in the extent of the damage. “My goodness, child. What happened?”

Shrugging, River didn’t have an answer and Eli didn’t wait for one. Rising, he headed into the hall, returning a minute later with a small kit of weaves and salves. Setting to work, River gave him her hands, watching the older man as he tended to her wounds with all the care and compassion she had ever seen from Simon. She knew how much her brother valued this man’s friendship, how much he looked to Eli for approval and advice. She also knew how much Eli loved her brother and the knowledge that Simon was cared for and looked after eased her spirit in ways she could never accurately convey.

But she could try. “Thank you,” she whispered, as Eli moved onto her left hand, the fingers of her right now covered with weaves.

Smiling slightly, Eli did not look up. “This is my job, sweetheart.”

Shaking her head once, River’s long hair swung back and forth, tickling the top of Eli’s hand. Glancing to her face, he paused as he recognized true gratitude shining in those huge eyes. “No, thank you for caring for Simon. For treating him like a son. He really respects you and it … well, it means a lot to him. And to me.”

Eli felt his heart swell with paternal protectiveness. This young woman, while undeniably strong, was also fragile and the father in Eli wanted to hold her and protect her from the world. Keep her safe as he knew Simon had endeavored to do his entire life.

Acting on instinct, Eli leaned forward and embraced the young woman, surprised by how fiercely she held him back. Running a hand lightly through her hair, he told her, “River, my wife and I love your brother very much. We consider him family and that means you’re family too.” Pulling back from her, Eli offered her a small smile and added, “If you ever need anything, I hope you won’t hesitate to ask. I mean it.”

Returning his smile, River blinked once to clear a few wayward tears. “I know. Thank you.”

In silence, Eli finished his work, and River again turned to study Rafe’s sleeping form. He was just starting to come around as the doctor finished and River anxiously rose, hitching herself up on the edge of the bed, so she could whisper in Rafe’s ear. Eli could not hear her words and so he left quietly, knowing that the woman wanted time alone with the healing man.

“Rafe?”

He heard her hoarse whisper and knew it meant she was fighting back tears. Wanting to reassure her, Rafe worked his tongue in his mouth, wishing he could force his eyes open. But his lids were so heavy and his head was starting to throb again. “M’okay,” he managed thickly, his hand flailing about, seeking River’s warmth.

Grabbing the hand in her own, River smiled through her tears of relief. Trapping her lower lip between her teeth, she waited until Rafe had opened his eyes to her before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Hey you,” she whispered.

“River,” he breathed, the corners of his mouth quirking up into a faint smile. “Jian mei.” His eyes searched her face, even as his head pounded again. He watched as one small tear dripped off River’s nose and onto his cheek. Frowning slightly, he tried to assure her. “I’m fine, bao bei. I got a thick skull.”

Giggling despite herself, River wiped at her face and told him, “Well, let’s not test that theory again, all right?”

Returning her smile, Rafe murmured, “You okay?”

Running her now bandaged fingers through his hair, River whispered, “Everything’s fine, just sleep. I need you to get better.”

Rafe’s eyes refused to stay open no matter how much he struggled. Finally giving in to the sleep that called him, he managed to tell her, “I ain’t leavin’ you,” before again drifting into a drug-induced sleep.

Releasing a heavy sigh of relief, River molded herself to Rafe’s side, taking up a small sliver of his hospital bed. With one arm wrapped protectively around his chest, she pillowed her head on his shoulder and watched him sleep.

Zoe was at Mal’s side as the man finally came around. He’d been under for almost ten hours and she was more than relieved to hear that familiar groan as pain and consciousness assaulted him.

“’Nara?” Only one name made it past his cracked lips and Zoe winced inwardly as she stood and took his hand.

“Sorry to disappoint, sir, but you’ll have to settle for my company at the moment.”

Forcing his eyes open, Mal met Zoe’s stoic expression, his brow furrowing. “Where’s ‘Nara? She all right?”

“She’s comin’,” Zoe lied. In truth, she had no idea where the companion was and apparently, neither did anyone else. Zoe wanted to be mad at the woman for not being at Mal’s side when he needed her comfort, but she also knew that for Inara to be absent, she had to have a good reason.

“Tell her I love her,” Mal whispered hoarsely, barely finishing the statement before again falling to sleep.

Releasing a sigh, Zoe nodded once and squeezed his hand. “Will do.”

Kaylee could not sleep and Simon was not surprised. He felt her tossing and turning, releasing one sigh after the other. He had attempted to calm her, offering to hold her or give her a smoother, but with a stubbornness he was all too familiar with, she had rebuked him. So now, they both lay awake, unable to sleep despite the deep exhaustion that had permeated their bones.

Giving up, Kaylee rose, reaching for her robe and cinching it on quickly. Simon wondered if he should question her, but the glare she’d given him only an hour ago when he’d suggested that she take some sleep medication was enough to silence his tongue now. Sighing heavily, he rolled onto his side and valiantly tried to sleep.

She had considered wandering out to make some tea, but the extra steps to the kitchen seemed an insurmountable obstacle at the moment. So instead, Kaylee made her way into the bathroom, drawing a hot bath. Dropping her robe into a pool at her feet, she ran her fingers through the warm water, swirling some bubble bath so it foamed high. Sinking into the water, Kaylee let out a deep sigh, her head resting against the back of the tub. Attempting to soak most of the tension out of her body, Kaylee closed her eyes, feeling the added warmth of a hot tear fall down her cheek. Saddened beyond words, she continued to cry silently, more than startled when she felt gentle and cool fingers rest against her forehead.

Forcing her eyes open, she met Simon’s concerned gaze and offered him a watery smile. Returning the small grin, he whispered, “You okay?”

Nodding once, Kaylee watched in silence as he pulled out a short vanity stool and sat beside her, his hand in hers. She couldn’t put into words how much his care and concern meant to her. She also couldn’t seem to convey how much she loved him, how grateful she was for his presence and strength.

“Simon,” she said quietly, smiling softly as his bright blue eyes alit to her face.

Edging closer, he rested a hand to her cheek and answered, “Yes?”

Her smile deepening, Kaylee sat up, the water lapping a bit against the sides of the tub. Encircling the hand he held to her face in one of her own, she tugged him towards her and met his lips in a kiss. With a sigh, she poured all of what she was feeling, good and bad, into the motion, her lips working over Simon’s with need, longing and desire. Running her wet hands up and over his biceps and along his shoulders, she twisted her fingers in the small hairs at the base of his scalp and pulled herself forward. Rising on her knees, she brought her bare chest to meet his, pressing her wet breasts against him. Simon moaned against her mouth, the feel of her warm skin on his own causing a multitude of sensations to course through him.

Mouths clinging to one another, Simon rose slowly, pulling Kaylee to her feet as well. Rivulets of water ran down his back and across his bare chest and Simon smoothed the beads along Kaylee’s beautiful skin. Pressing their bodies together, he broke the kiss as Kaylee ground her hips against his, the motion causing his groin to throb more painfully with arousal. Dropping his forehead to her shoulder, Simon nipped at the skin there as Kaylee worked her hands back to the front of his pajama pants and pushed at the material there.

Stilling her hands, Simon met her lusty gaze. “Kaylee, we don’t have to-“

Pressing her fingers to his mouth, Kaylee shook her head slightly, her eyes and body conveying just how desperately she did want to do this. “Love you,” she murmured, as she replaced her fingers with her lips and tongue.

Wrapping strong arms around her waist, Simon hoisted her into his arms, splashing water on them both as he pulled her out of the tub. With a small squeal, Kaylee wrapped her legs around his waist, continuing to kiss him breathless as he whirled her around and pushed her back against the door to the bathroom. A low growl erupted in her throat at the pure need Simon was exhibiting, his hardened length rubbing against her clit and making her body burn.

“Simon, pants,” she managed breathlessly, even as she attempted to pull at the offending material while keeping her balance against the door. Gently lowering her feet to the ground, Simon stepped back and Kaylee whimpered at the loss of contact. In seconds he had pushed the now wet material down to his ankles and stepped out of it, revealing his gloriously naked form to Kaylee’s desire-filled gaze. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she crushed her lips back to his, their bodies again ending up flush with one another.

Moving his hands around to her back, Simon cupped her backside and lifted Kaylee again. She instinctively wrapped her legs around him and using her heels to spur him forward threw her head back against the door as Simon’s hard length slid into her.

Grunting against her neck at the feel of her wet heat surrounding him, Simon took a moment to taste her, his tongue running a slow trail from the valley between her breasts, up her neck and finally to her lips. As he kissed her with abandon, his tongue mimicked the movement of his buried length, thrusting and caressing her mouth as assuredly as he moved in and out of her.

Kaylee broke the kiss as her climax neared. Her body was already wet and pliant from her bath and with each snap of Simon’s hips, his pelvic bone rubbed deliciously against her causing her back to arch away from the door and bury Simon so deep she thought for sure they could never be parted.

Her breathing ragged and her body flooding with more warmth and wetness, Kaylee shouted Simon’s name, her fingernails gripping at his shoulders as he held her trembling body. He waited until she had relaxed again before bringing about his own end, his lips covering one of her nipples and sucking slowly as his hot seed rushed through her, drawing another whimper from her swollen lips.

Panting, Simon managed to balance her against the door for another minute, before his legs felt too weak to sustain them both. Readjusting his arms around her, he pulled back from the door. Kaylee, sensing his intent, even amid her euphoria, reached for the knob.

Making it to the bed, Simon slid out of her, smiling softly as Kaylee moaned at his absence. Unable to keep her eyes open, she snuggled under the blankets as Simon arranged them, finding his hand and holding fast. “I need my husband pillow,” she murmured.

Smiling slightly, Simon had no intention of going anywhere. Lying down next to her, he arranged the covers over them both as Kaylee nestled into his side, her arm wrapped around his waist, her forehead pressed into his neck.

“I love you, Kaylee Tam,” he whispered into her hair, shivering slightly as she turned to brush a kiss into his neck.

“Love you, Simon,” she murmured, and then she was asleep.

Mal was dreaming – about Inara. She was always in his dreams now, no matter the context. Sometimes they were those really great dreams with her all soft and sensuous and sometimes they were scary dreams when some hun dan had taken her to exact revenge on Mal. But regardless of the dream, when Mal awoke, she was always right there beside him, warm and whole. Nothing else mattered.

But she wasn’t next to him now and he mourned the absence. Forcing his eyes open, he was confronted with darkness and it took his drug-addled mind a few moments to register where he was and why. Attempting to move, the pain that shot up through his leg signified the reason he was in a hospital while also jogging his memory. Of course, Badger … the slaver ship … Kaylee’s folks.

Groaning softly, he squeezed his eyes shut. He hadn’t found them; Kaylee’s parents were still missing and Mal had no idea how to get them back. And if the pain in his leg was any indication he wouldn’t be up for getting them back for quite a while. Shiny.

Shivering slightly, Mal opened his eyes again, blinking a few times as he took in the silhouette of a woman standing over him. Squinting in an attempt to make her out, he inhaled deeply and then he knew. “’Nara,” he breathed.

Clasping his hand tightly in her own, Inara was thankful for his confused state and the darkness. He didn’t need to see her red and puffy eyes, didn’t need to know how ridiculously painful the past few days had been. Mal also didn’t need to see how concerned she was for him or how guilty she felt for not being here when he needed her. He just needed to get better.

Brushing her lips against his forehead, she whispered, “I’m here, ai ren. You’re going to be all right.”

“Where were ya?” he asked hoarsely. He wasn’t mad she hadn’t been around when he’d first regained consciousness, more concerned. It wasn’t like Inara not to be where her family needed her most.

Brushing gentle fingers through his hair, Inara swallowed hard and told him, “I’m sorry, Mal. I had … something came up and I couldn’t be reached. I came as soon as I heard.”

“S’okay,” he murmured, knowing he would soon pass out again. Squeezing the hand she held, he whispered, “You’re stayin’ now though, right?”

“Of course,” she answered quickly, her lips again brushing against his forehead before they found their way to his mouth. “I’ll be here, Mal. I promise.”

“Shiny,” he murmured again and then he was asleep. Inara stared at him for a moment more before slowly sinking into the chair at his side. Resting her forehead against his hand, she let out a sigh and waited out the night.

“Mama!”

Kaylee awoke with a start, her breathing shallow as the dream faded away. Burying her face into Simon’s shoulder, she took a deep, shuddering breath, relieved to find his warm, gentle hands already running along her skin, his voice low and soothing as he tried to calm her.

Waiting until her breathing had again returned to normal, Kaylee pulled herself tighter to Simon, and listened to his steady heartbeat under her ear. Based on the sunlight streaming through the window, she guessed it was time to be up, but she was more than content to stay wrapped in Simon’s arms. It was warm there and safe and when it was just the two of them she didn’t have to remember.

“I wanna have a service,” she finally said, her voice low.

Frowning at the top of her head, Simon glanced to her and asked, “Shen me?”

Tilting her face up to meet his gaze, she repeated, “A service. I wanna have one for my family. You know, to say goodbye.”

Understanding dawning, Simon cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips to meet hers. Pressing a kiss against them, he whispered, “We’re going to find them.”

Shaking her head once, Kaylee fought to keep her grief at bay. “No, Simon, we ain’t. You heard River. By the time they got to the ship they’d already been sold.” Her voice cracked on that last word and Simon pulled her tight to him. Wrapping her arms around him, she sighed and then said, “I don’t want nobody else gettin’ hurt. Or worse.”

“I don’t either,” Simon agreed. Taking a deep breath, he continued to rub her back comfortingly, more than relieved when he felt her drift back to sleep. Waiting until he knew she was out, he slid out of bed and made his way to their cortex link. Keying in a code, he found Zoe exactly where he expected her to be. “I have an idea.”