A DAY OF PRAYER

"Tell me again," Simon said as he pulled the gauze out of a drawer. "How did you hurt your hand?" "Well, it all started in bed . . ." Wash said, holding his injured hand in front of him like some sort of peace offering. Perhaps, to Zoe, it was. To Simon, however, it was just a simple problem with a simple solution. "You can skip that part," Simon said quickly, then glancing up at his patient nervously he asked, "Can’t you?" "I guess," Wash said, clearly enjoying how unnerved the young doctor was at the prospect of a blow by blow account of his nuptial bliss. "Let’s just say we got into an argument that could only be solved by hand to hand combat." "I . . . see," Simon said slowly, not seeing at all. "So I challenged her to an arm wrestle. Best two out of three." "Do you solve all your martial problems that way?" Simon asked, taking Wash’s hand and prodding the swollen thumb joint very carefully. Wash winced and kept up with his story, though his voice was thin and tense, "So we go get the Captain to be the ref and we set up in the common room right?" "I’m starting to think I don’t want to know how this story ends," Simon said. "It looks like the thumb is just dislocated. I’m going to have to pop it back into place." "Well then, pop away," Wash said. "Who won?" "Oh, hello Shepherd," Simon said, before he turned back to the counter to prepare the anesthetics. "Hey Book, what up?" "I heard you got injured fighting with your wife," Book said in a knowing tone that only a Shepherd could have. "Fighting isn’t quite the word," Wash said, "Epic battle is more along the lines." "Ok, Wash," Simon said, approaching him with a dope gun. "I’m going to numb your hand, you’ll have to . . ." "Wait, wait, wait," Walsh said. "Numb my hand? I need my hand." "I know," Simon said. "That’s why I’m numbing it." "Can’t you do it with out dope?" "Well I could," Simon said. "But you don’t want me to." "I think you best listen to the doctor on this point, son," Book said. "Hey, we’re landing at Harpper’s Point in thirty minutes. That’s some tricky flyin’ there and I’ve got to be all there. That means my hand." "Can’t anyone else fly the ship?" Simon asked. "The Captain and Zoe must . . ." "Just fix my thumb, ok, kid." "It’ll hurt," Simon said. "You don’t understand how much it will hurt. If you understood, you’d want to be doped." "Come on, Doc, ain’t got all day." Simon looked pleadingly towards Shepherd Book, who only shrugged. "All right," the boy said. "Just so we’re all clear that I wanted to dope you." "What? You think the Captain will throw you out an air lock?" Wash asked with a smile. Then Simon grabbed his thumb and pulled, popping the thumb back in place. The pilot gasped, and then screamed and then gasped again, and then started chanting, "Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod," "I told you," Simon said. "Do you want to dope now?" "Yes," Wash said, grabbing Simon’s arm and squeezing it. "God, yes!" "Ok, ok," Simon said, taking the dope gun and injecting its contents into Wash’s hand. Wash screamed again as the needle pushed through his flesh. "It’s not working!" "Just, give it a minute," Simon insisted. "Breathe." "Right," Wash said, taking a few shaky breaths. Slowly they blossomed into steadier breathes and eventually, normal breathing. "Thanks, Doc." "Ah, your welcome," Simon said, "You, ah, think you could let go of my arm." "What?" Wash asked, looking up, clearly confused. "My arm," Simon said, glancing to where he was held in an iron grip. "Oh, yeah, sorry about that," the pilot said, letting go. "You know, I think the cure was worse than the disease." "It often seems that way," Shepherd Book said wisely. "Although, no one debates that being cured is the best thing of all." "Now, I’ve got to bind the hand until the tendons can have a chance to heal. Try not to move it." "Like I could," Wash observed. "Gentlemen," Inara’s clear voice said, quickly drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything." "Naw," Wash said with a smile. "We’re just hangin’ out, you know, bonding." "Get in another fight with Zoe?" "More of a lover’s quarrel." "Was it about dinosaurs?" "Not entirely." Inara smiled and turned her attention to the other men in the room, "And how are you today Shepherd?" "Just fine, and yourself." "Well, thank you. Doctor?" "Inara," Simon said by way of greeting, looking up from his work binding Wash’s hand. "Can I help you?" "Yes," the Companion said, stepping fully into the room. "I was wondering if you men could give me some advice." "Advice?" Simon asked as he picked up some scissors to cut the gauze. Inara set her dark, perceptive eyes on him and smiled mysteriously. "Yes Doctor. We’re setting into Harpper’s Point shortly and I plan to do some shopping. I was just wondering what parts of the female anatomy you gentlemen find most attractive." Simon dropped his scissors. Inara smiled, "I have to decide what I should accentuate." "Legs," Wash said without missing a beat. "I love a good set of legs. Although, what’s above the legs is important to, you know that place where the legs and the body kinda . . ." "I know," Inara said quickly. "And breasts, you can’t go wrong with a nice," he suddenly noticed that everyone was staring at him. "You know, set. Not that I look anymore, cause, you know, Zoe, she’s well . . ." "How about you Shepherd?" Inara said, gracefully relieving Wash. "What do you find attractive in a woman?" "I chose to focus on a woman’s character, not on her outward appearance." "I should have known," Inara sighed. "But still, such a cultured man must have some appreciation for the purely aesthetic womanly qualities?" "Well," Book said, "On a purely aesthetic level, I suppose I’ve always enjoyed a woman’s voice." "Voice, really?" "My mother had the most beautiful voice and I have to say that I was never attracted to a woman, no matter how lovely her face was, nor perfect her body, unless she had the voice of an angel." "That’s very interesting," Inara said, tilting her head. She seemed to consider the Shepherd’s comment for a moment before turning to the Simon. "And what about you, Doctor, what part of the body do you find particularly attractive?" "Ah," Simon stuttered, trying to appear as if tying the gauze around Wash’s hand was an all consuming task. "I, ah, I admire a lady’s neck." "What, like a vampire?" Wash laughed. "I think the neck is very graceful." "So," Inara asked, "Does that mean that you prefer women with short hair?" "Not at all," Simon said quickly. "And what does it matter what I like?" "I’m just trying to understand the male mind," Inara said. "I have to admit that, for the most part," she glanced at Wash, "I found your answers surprising." "Geepers Inara," Captain Reynolds said, coming up behind her. Simon thought the infirmary was starting to feel crowded. "I didn’t think anything a man did could surprise you." "Captain," Inara said, smiling despite his cutting remarks. "I was just taking a poll," "I don’t put much stock in polls." "What do you find most attractive in a woman?" "The ability to look a man in the eyes and say ‘Money don’t matter, the answer’s no.’" There was a very heavy pause. Simon could have cut through the silence with his laser saw; he desperately wished it was at hand. "I meant," Inara finally said icily. "What physical traits do you find most attractive?" "Oh," the Captain said, totally unashamed. "Then lips, I guess." "Lips?" "I like a woman with a nice set of lips," Reynolds said, somewhat defensively. He looked around the room to see if anyone was going to mock him. No one seemed inclined so he decided to get back to business. "But I didn’t come here to get polled. Doctor, you make that list of supplies for the infirmary like I asked?" "Yes sir," Simon said quickly. "Good, keep it at hand, we’ll try to stock up at Harpper’s Point. Speaking of, Ambassador, I need you on the bridge." "Yes sir," Inara said, pushing her way past Mal. Once she was gone everyone felt they could start breathing again. "Wash good to go?" the Captain asked. "He can’t use his hand," Simon said. "Is that important?" "He’s a pilot," Reynolds spat. "Of course it’s important!" "Well, you could land the ship, couldn’t you sir?" Wash asked. "I hired a pilot so I wouldn’t have to. I could say, ‘Pilot, land the ship’ and not worry about it while I did other things." "The dope should wear off in a couple of hours," Simon said apologetically. "I hope it does," Reynolds said, glaring at the doctor before storming out of the infirmary. "Otherwise you might find your way on the wrong side of an air lock." There was another chilling silence, filled only by the metallic echoes of Reynolds bounding up the stairs towards the bridge. Then, when he was safely out of hearing distance, Wash burst into laugher. "See," the pilot gasped between hysterics. "That’s exactly what I was trying to avoid when I asked you not to dope me." "This isn’t funny!" Simon protested. "He just threatened to kill me." "I’m sure the Captain would never follow through," Book said. He was trying to keep a straight face for Simon’s sake, just not doing a very good job of it. "You were screaming in pain," Simon said defensively, obviously missing the joke. "You begged for anesthetics." Wash pushed himself off the diagnostic bed. "Doc, lighten up." Simon starred at him, mystified. Wash sighed, "I probably should be on the bridge, you know, just in case." The pilot turned and jogged up the stairs leading towards the bridge, leaving the Doctor and the Shepherd alone. "They’re crazy," Simon said, still staring out the door. "Every last one of them is crazy." "And we depend on them for protection and support. What does that make us?" "Very desperate." * * * "Do you know how many brothels they have at Harpper’s Point?" Jayne asked, a disturbingly large smile on his face. "No," Zoe said, wishing the Captain would be back soon. "Five," Jayne said with relish. "And twelve strip clubs. Granted, two a them is male strip clubs, but that’s still levees ten clubs for my viewing enjoyment. Got any idea how many lap dances a fella could get with twenty platinum?" "No," Zoe hoped her voice clearly communicated that she did not ever want to know how many lap dances could be purchased with twenty platinum. "Mor’n I could get in the time we’re gonna be there," Jayne sighed, disappointed. "Still, I figure I’ll go to two or three, you know, between brothels ta keep me in the mood." "Remind me never to ask you what your doing on your leave again," Zoe said, shaking her head. Jayne grunted, "Wha’r you doin’?" Zoe took a deep breath. "Wash and I are going to the spa." "A spa?" Jayne grunted. "Like with the mud on yer face while strangers sit and file your toe nails?" "That’s pretty much the idea." Jayne burst into laughter, "Wash is gonna have mud on his face?" "Most like," Zoe nodded. "But then, he’s not looking much forward to that." Jayne kept laughing. "Naw, what I think he’s eager for is when we’re gonna be naked in the hot tub." Jayne stopped laughing. "Wha?" "Yeah," Zoe said. "It’s real relaxing. I could imagine spending hours in there. You know, just him, me," She smiled slyly, "the steam." "Hun," Jayne grunted. "Well, I guess, I could see . . ." They were interrupted as Inara, followed closely by the Captain, stormed on to the bridge. "Have we hailed Happer’s Point yet?" Inara demanded. "Someone’s in a snit," Jayne grunted. "Just waitin’ for you," Zoe said, shooting an annoyed look at Jayne. She leaned forward, pushed a few buttons to open a comm link and then slid aside so Inara could talk to the ground. "Harpper’s Point," a Docking Tech said. While his voice was projected loud enough so that everyone in the bridge could hear it, Inara was the only one that could see him on the vid screen. "I am the Companion Inara for the ship Serenity," The beautiful woman said gracefully. "We request docking for refueling purposes." "Do you have any business here companion?" "No," she smiled. "Not this time." "All right," the Tech said, entering some data into the screen in front of him. "Make of ship?" "Firefly class." "Refitted with Extenders?" "Yes," the captain said softly. "Yes," Inara repeated. "Type of fuel?" "Standard Hydro-mix," the captain muttered. Inara turned her head and glared at him. She’d done this a thousand times before; she knew the routine by now. She turned back to the tech, "Standard Hydro-mix." "Kay, sure I can’t interest you in the Polly-hydro?" "No," the captain instructed. "It’s a little more expensive," the Tech continued. "But it’s worth it, ‘cause . . ." "I’m sure," Inara snapped pleasantly. "Standard is adequate." "Fine, then," the Tech muttered, "I’s your engine. What’s you ETA?" "Twenty-five minuets," the Captain provided. "Twenty-five minuets," Inara said, struggling to keep her voice pleasant as she visualized turning around and grabbing Mal by his throat and ringing it until he stopped acting like she didn’t know how to dock the gorramn ship. "All right," the Tech said, unaware of Inara’s foul mood. "Looks like we got a spot for you at docking port E, number 16." "Thank you," Inara said. "Serenity out." * * * "Attention everyone," Captain Reynolds voice announced through the ship’s comm system. "We’ve gotten the clear from Harpper’s Point to dock and refuel. We’ll be landing in about twenty minuets. For those a you don’t know, Harpper’s Point’s a straight up trade center. You can get most anything you need there. We’re gonna have to dock for about 7 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to shop. To fuel the ship we gotta turn it off, air, heat, everything, which means you can’t stay on Serenity. Don’t worry, Harpper’s is well outa the Alliance’s way, and they work hard to keep it like that. It’ll expect ta see all you in the cargo bay in twenty minuets time, ready to get off." "You said we had to stay here," River said, her voice trembling just a little. "You said here was safe." "Here is safe," Simon quickly explained, licking his lips. "More safe than most places at least." "Why are they kicking us off?" "They’re not kicking us off. The ship needs more fuel. It’s just for a couple of hours." "Where will we go?" "I don’t know," Simon admitted, "I guess we’ll just walk around. They said it was a trade center, we could window shop." "Aww," Kaylee’s voice said from the door, "Not bein’ able to buy anythin’ takes half the fun." River scampered behind Simon, peaking over his shoulder suspiciously. "Ah, hi, Kaylee," Simon said uncomfortably. "How do you feel?" "Just shiny, a-ok," The young engineer said. It was abundantly clear that she was not welcomed in the room, River was terrified of her and the doctor was confused by her. She wanted to retreat gracefully and, maybe, find an out-of-the-way hole to crawl into. But they didn’t have the time. She pressed forward bravely. "I was wondering if I could Shanghai River for the afternoon." "Simon I don’t want to go!" River practically screamed into his ear as she dug her hands into his shoulders and arm. Her older brother winced in pain and turned to scowl at her the way older brothers always scowl at younger sisters. Kaylee thought it was cute. When he turned to look at the engineer his scowl was gone, but he still looked suspicious and confused. "What do you mean, ‘Shanghai’?" "Well," Kaylee said, taking a deep breath. "Inara’n me are gonna go shopin’ up at Harrper’s Point an’ we were wonderin’ if River’d like ta come along." When Kaylee leaned to the left to try to get a better look at River, Simon noticed that her hand flew to her stomach when she did that and she sucked the air in through her large smile instead of breathing normally. The gut wound she’d received was still bothering her; Simon made a mental note to have her in for a follow up examination as soon as they were back in the air, or perhaps, back out of the air. "Wha’da’ya say, sweetie? We’re gonna try on dresses." That piqued River’s interest; she may have been severely traumatized by years of torture and testing and she might hear voices that weren’t there, but she was still a girl, and a young girl at that. A young girl who hadn’t gone shopping for three years ago, since before she went to the academy. She had wanted something special to wear on her first day. She pushed herself away from Simon a little. "Dresses?" "Yeah," Kaylee said, thrilled that she was getting a response. "We’ll pick out a real pretty one and you can wear it to dinner." "Dinner?" Simon asked. "To celebrate the job," Kaylee explained straightening up. "If pay’s good enough Cap’in always treats us." "And this last job, it paid well enough?" "If nothin’ else he got a ship’s medic," Kaylee said smiling sweetly at him. "That ain’t worth nothin’." "He also has attracted undue Alliance attention at great risk to his ship and it’s crew," Simon said cautiously. "I don’t think this is a situation he want’s to celebrate." "Your just sayin’ that ‘cause you don’t know ‘im," Kaylee insisted. "You just gotta spend some time with the Cap’in, you’d see he’s the nicest man you could ever wish to meet." Simon was convinced he’d see no such thing, however he didn’t feel like arguing with Kaylee on that point. She was young, beautiful, outgoing, brilliant, kind and innocent, not even Captain Reynolds could find it in his cold black shriveled heart to not love her. However, Simon felt he had none of those things going for him, there was room enough in Captain Reynolds’ heart for a passionate hatred of the overeducated rich boy who’d foolishly brought his insane sister on the ship, making them a top Alliance target. "Um, Kaylee," Simon said quietly. "We don’t have any money." "Silly, I told you the Cap’in treats." "No," Simon said, "That’s not what I meant. River can’t buy a dress because we don’t have any money." "Oh don’t worry about it," Kaylee said. "Inara an’ I’ll buy it." "No," Simon said. "We couldn’t possibly accept . . ." "We’re not givin’ it to you," Kaylee said, looking at Simon as if he were crazy. "We’re givin’ it to River." Kaylee leaned and winced again. "What do you say, sweetie? Want a new dress?" "Yea," River said before looking at her brother. Simon knew that all he’d have to do was frown at her and she’d decline, opting to spend the entire time with him. But as much as he’d prefer that he knew that it would be better for River to do something normal, and to spend time with other girls. And as much as his pride was hurt, having to depend on others to cloth his sister, he had to acknowledge that the only cloths she had now were Inara's hand-me-downs, which were usually too big for the young girl. He was already dependent on the Companion’s charity. He wished he had an excuse, beyond that of gross stupidity, for not being at all prepared to care for River after he saved her. "Just be sure to thank Inara and Kaylee," he said, forcing every word out. The look of sheer joy on his sister’s face convinced him he’d made the right choice. "Thank you Simon!" The girl said excitedly, throwing her arms around her brother so suddenly and forcefully that he staggered. Kaylee let out a little laugh before she caught herself. She was sure that Simon was embarrassed by this adorable display of affection, she didn’t want to make it worse. "Shiny," Kaylee said, pushing some of her hair behind her ears and smiling sheepishly. "I’ll just let you get ready then an’ see ya in the cargo bay." "Ah, yes," Simon said, watching her leave. She still wasn’t walking quite normally, and her hand was defiantly pressing on her stomach, she probably had more pain that she was going to let on. "Someone has a crush," River said in a sing-songy voice. Simon turned and looked at her critically, "What on earth-that-was are you talking about?" River just smiled at him. * * * "If she starts acting . . . unstable find me," Simon said very quietly to Inara, who was listening to him with the patience of someone who has no intention of following instructions, but does not want the person who’s giving the instructions to know her true intent. "I’m going to find a bench or something close to the ship and wait." They were walking out of the air lock and into a long clear tube. To the right or left they could see the other docked ships above them the vastness of the stars, moving slightly to the right as the asteroid turned. Kaylee was walking with River, pointing out different ships and explaining why Serenity was by far the best ship docked. River wasn’t paying any attention, she was walking along slowly staring at the sky. "Wait for her to become unstable?" Inara asked. Simon hesitated, "I didn’t say that." "We will take very good care of River," Inara said earnestly. "You don’t have to worry." "I’m sorry," Simon said. "I didn’t mean to imply . . ." "What is the doctor implying?" Captain Reynolds asked, steeping up to the conversation jovially. "Nothing indecent I hope. Or are you bending your strict polices for our young physician, Ambassador? "Mal, you of all people should know I don’t bend my polices," Inara quipped coolly. "Kaylee and I are taking River shopping. The good Doctor here was just trying to assure himself that his sister will be able to survive five hours without him." "You’re letting a whore baby-sit your crazy sister," Mal said, turning to the doctor as if he were impressed. "Brave man." Simon glanced away, intimidated and embarrassed. Inara got mad. "Now that you’ve alienated two out of three people in this conversation maybe you would tell us why you interjected in the first place," she said, smiling boldly, almost challengingly. "I’m here for the doctor. He and I are gonna go on a little shopping trip of our own." "We are, sir?" Simon said, obviously uncomfortable. "Yeah, you got that list for the Infirmary?" "Yes . . ." "Well, we’re gonna see what we can do to make it shorter. I mean, it’s a damn shame that the ship’s medic has to go to the ship’s companion for immunization packs," he glanced at Inara, she didn’t react. He didn’t have to glance at Simon to know the boy was looking at the ground. "That just ain’t right." "Well, I hope you two boys have fun," Inara said. "Yeah," the Captain said, slapping Simon on the back, making the boy wince. "We’ll have a blast. You girls too." "Don’t worry over us, Captain." Reynolds smiled the way he smiled only when he was lying, "I never do." * * * Shepherd Book walked into the Chapel of Redeemer’s Haven and felt immediately at home. The large sanctuary was nearly empty but still it seemed filled with the spirit and with life. To his right a Shepherdess was teaching a group of young children the story of Balamm and his donkey from the book of Numbers. It was, as Book recalled, the only part of the book of Numbers that children would be interested in. And from the laughter that echoed off the high rafters of the chapel when the shepherdess described Balaam’s reaction to his beast’s sudden articulations, Book couldn’t help but smile. It was a good story to remember. Sometimes those who seem to be opposing us are really saving us, sometimes the brick walls that fly in our face are for our own protection. Book was somewhat lost in this meditation when a kind hand was placed on his shoulder, "Brother," the soft voice of a younger man said. "Welcome to our chapel." "Thank you," Book said, pulling himself away from the children and their wide-eyed wonder at the Shepherdess’s description of the Angel of the Lord. "I see Shepherdess Maria has captivated you with her story," the fellow Shepherd said. "I’m not the only one," Book observed, looking back to the children. "Shepherdess Marie has quite a gift." "Yes she does," the younger Shepard said with admiration. "We are truly blessed to have her here. God is evident in her work with this city’s children. The children come for the stories, the parents come for the children, and the gospel is preached. I wouldn’t be able to get the attention of even the most desolate scoundrel on this station, not to mention the most prosperous business owners without Maria." "Then are you the head Shepherd?" "The only Shepherd," the young man laughed. "It’s just me and Maria. My name is Core, by the way." "They call me Book." "I’m glad to meet you, Shepard Book. It’s not often we get pilgrims." "Well, I’m not a pilgrim, per se, I’m more of a traveler. Goin’ towards nowhere, mind you, just savoring the trip. I was hopin’ I’d find a nice chapel here on Harpper’s Point where I could pray." "We have a prayer room in the back," Shepard Core, said, motioning towards a door in the front of the chapel, to the right of the altar. "Candles, icons, statues, a true place of peace." Book chuckled, "I have found peace is a rare commodity out here, you’re lucky to have it in such abundance." "Not lucky, blessed," Shepard Core said. "And I would consider myself blessed if you’d let me pray with you." "Brother Core, I can’t think of anything that would please me more." * * * "No, no, you don’t want those, you want the red ones." "These are cheaper," Mal said forcefully. "We ain’t got no big city budget to work with. Just the essentials." "The bandages in the silver packets are cheaper because they use synthesized fibrils to speed collogulation." "Ah," Reynolds said. "Isn’t that a good thing?" "Recent studies have shown that over exposure to those kinds of bandages are the leading cause of strokes among those in the health care profession. They’ve been banned in the central worlds." "Imagine that’s why there so cheap, then," Mal said, putting the package down very carefully, as if he could get a stroke from just touching it. "But those red ones, they don’t make you sick?" "They just have vitamin K," Simon said, examining an assortment of antibiotics. "And that don’t cause stroke?" "It can make your skin orange if you have to much of it." "Is orange skin harmful?" "To your health?" Simon asked. "Not at all." "So, a crate of red bandages," Mal said. "What else?" "Well, I’d like to get about three hundred grams of amoxicillin." "Three hundred grams? That’s a hell’a’va . . ." "There are nine people on you’re ship, Captain, breathing the same recycled air," Simon said. "If one of us gets sick we will all get sick. Amoxicillin is the cheapest and the most dependable antibiotic available." Reynolds nodded. "You use a lot of that stuff back at your big hospital." "No," Simon answered. "There are plenty of designer antibiotics for the diseases that are common back there. But each planet has its own unique germs and bacteria. They’d be worthless. Amoxicillin is our best bet." "Right, three hundred grams of Amoxicillin." "And another three hundred of Aspirin." "Aspirin?" Reynolds asked again. "Nobody on this ships get powerful ‘nuf headachs that . . ." "Aspirin is the best all around medication for simple pain relief and bringing down a fever," Simon said forcefully. "Are you going to question all of my requests or are you going to trust that, as a doctor, I understand what is needed to keep your crew alive." "Like you understood what was needed to keep Kaylee alive?" Simon felt like the floor had just dropped out from under him. "I’m, I’m sorry." Mal didn’t say anything. He just watched as the doctor brewed in his own shame and guilt. It wasn’t fair, Mal knew that. The young doctor really was a man of integrity. He’d given almost everything up to protect his sister, the creature comforts of the city, a well paying job, a life without fear. But he hadn’t given up his oath as a doctor, to do no harm. Well, yes, there was the thing with Kaylee, but he hadn’t really done harm, and the kid obviously felt like hell every time he was reminded of it. Mal had considered not reminding him of it but dismissed the thought rather quickly. The kid took everything so seriously, playing him like this was just too much fun. "We probably won’t need that much aspirin, or amoxicillin for that matter," Simon said apologetically. "You could cut the orders down to two-hundred grams amoxicillin and One-fifty of aspirin. It’s just that, in an emergency, I didn’t want to be lacking." "Don’t worry, Doctor, I’m sure that you won’t be lacking," Mal said, trying to offer the boy a supportive smile. Simon just looked confused. "We’ll get three hundred grams a each." "Thank you sir." "Good God Mal," a rough voice boomed from somewhere behind them. Both Simon and Mal turned to see its source. Simon saw three large, muscular, clean cut men in bright blue uniforms. Mal saw trouble. "Did you just call that boy ‘doctor’," The largest man asked. "And did he just call you ‘sir’?" "Not that it’s any of your business, Kurt, but yes," Mal said, placing his hands on his hips, making it very clear to everyone that he was armed. "Simon, why don’t you go find us a clerk and order up those drugs and whatever else you think you’ll be needin’." "Yes sir," Simon said quickly, turning towards the pharmaceutical counter in the Medical Supply Warehouse. He hadn’t gone two steps before he heard the rough voice say, "No, Simon, wait up." Without thinking the doctor turned at the sound of his name; he heard Mal sigh and wished he’d kept going, "Do you want something?" the young man asked, praying the answer was ‘no.’ "You a doctor?" "Yes I am," Simon said cautiously. "Why do you ask?" "We needs a doctor," Kurt said, smiling at the very large man to his right before turning his beady mud colored eyes back towards Simon. "And we need him quick. Ya look young but I reckon you’ll do." Simon suddenly found himself very, very afraid. Even though these men looked more respectable than Captain Reynolds and his crew, there was something about them that Simon couldn’t place that felt wrong. The boy found himself wishing Jayne was there, the realization of which was almost as disturbing as the situation. He started edging his way back to the captain, "Do what?" he asked. "Do it matter?" the smaller man to Kurt’s left asked. "Doctorin’s Doctorin’." "It matters because this happens to be my doctor," Mal said, stepping forward and placing himself, more or less, between the three men and Simon. "Bound to me by all laws and rights that count out here." "What you sayin’ Reynolds?" Kurt asked. "You gonna charge us fer the use of your doctor?" "Captain, I’m really uncomfortable with . . . " Simon started. "Shut up, boy," Mal snapped, taking a step closer to the burly men. "I don’t see why I shouldn’t charge you for the doctor’s services. If y’all went to a civilized planet, one with a hospital and whatnot then you’d be payin’ top dollar for doctorin’." "You know Old Cash," the smallest of the three men said. "He’d never go to a hospital." "Old Cash’s taken ill, is he?" Mal asked. "He’s taken somethin’," Kurt supplied. "How much you want for the doctor?" "Captain Reynolds," Simon said, eyeing the men fearfully. "Mal, please . . ." "Now when I tell you to shutup, I expect you to stay shutup," Mal snapped, making the doctor wince. Then he turned back to the three well groomed, uniformed brutes in front of them. "You get a little schoolin’ in a boy’s head an’ he thinks he’s better’n ‘is Captain." "How much you want?" the smallest man said, pulling out a purse. "Well," Mal said slowly. "Ten ought’a . . ." "Ten!" Kurt scoffed. "You hong ya bing hun dan. Why would we pay that?" "Your right," Mal said nodding. "I was being foolish, Fifteen." "No," the smallest man said. "Out of the question." "Now’s who’s the greedy bastard? You’re captain’s dying and you know medical care on a civilized planet would cost three times that, at least. You think this kid’s a damn meng gu di fu? Truth be told he’s the best doctor you’ll find in a light-year, no question. Went to the best med-school, graduated top three percent of his class. Worked ER in the best hospital in Capitol City. If I didn’t owe Old Cash for that time on Apollo Three, I’d be chargin’ a hell of a lot more." "Fei hau," Kurt spit. "Why’d a guy give all that up to fly round in your rust bucket?" "He killed a man in cold blood," Mal said quickly and simply. "Shot him through the head, Alliance don’t smile on that sort of behavior." "Why?" The smallest man asked. "Prob’ly ‘cause they’re the law and they gotta prove they’ve got the power," Mal supplied. "Naw, I mean, I’m just wond’rin why such a smart doctr’d throw all that success away to kill a man." "The hun dan was lookin’ at his sister. Wasn’t he, boy?" Mal said, throwing a significant glance to the young doctor. Simon licked his lips and tried very hard to lie, "Yes, yes," he said much too quickly and rigidly. "A man looked at my sister so I killed him. In cold blood. With a gun." Mal blinked, swallowed, and turned back to the men and tried to smile. "Well, there you have it gentlemen. Fifteen for an afternoon with the big city doctor. Take it or leave it." The three paused for a moment and then the smallest of the three huge men pulled out a purse. "Ten for an afternoon with the doctor. If the kid’s as good as you say an’ Cap’in gets better we’ll give you the other five." Mal nodded, "Seems reasonable. Now, if you don’t mind," The Captain said, placing his hand on Simon’s shoulder. "I gotta exchange a few words in privet with the doc here and you can be on your way." "Din’ ya hear us?" the smaller man said. "This is an emergency!" "Well, then, you can go find yerself another doctor, cause I can’t let my boy here go without exchangin’ a few words." "’Friad he’ll run off on you?" Kurt laughed. "With such gents like you showin’ him round the Betty-Lou, mayhaps," Mal said with a smile. "S’if you don’t mind." Mal took a few steps back and turned around, Simon followed suit and soon found himself listening, bewildered, as the captain spoke quickly in a hushed voice. "Now, listen son, you may be a fugitive from the law, but you ain’t a very good one, so I’m gonna help you out. I know these guys. Old Cash ain’t the type to give somin’ or someone up if he thinks you’re worth keepin’ and these thugs’ll do anything he tell’s em so you’ve gotta be on your toes." "I never agreed to this, Captain," Simon said firmly. "If these guys woulda’ found you without me around and asked for help, would’ja’of?" "What?" Simon asked, "Helped them?" Reynolds nodded. Simon hesitated a moment before admitting, "Yes. I would have." "An’ now your gettin’ paid fer that work." Simon wanted to protest, to say that he didn’t want to be paid if it meant being Malcolm Reynolds’ ma fan. But he didn’t quite have the conviction for that. He felt acutely how much he owed Captain Reynolds, he wouldn’t mind getting an opportunity to pay a little of that back. "Now, I don’t trust these boy’s much further than I could spit em, so I want you to take this." Mal handed Simon a small black box. "What is it," the boy asked. "It’s half of a two way transmitter. Anything seem even a little bit fishy to you, press that red button, Jayne an’ me’ll come fetch you." "Captain," Simon said, mystified by this sudden concern. "Ignoring the rather obvious question of ‘Why are you carrying a transmitter in your pocket.’ If you’re so concerned about me, why are you letting me go?" "I don’t own you doctor," Mal said. "You can go or stay as you like." Simon hesitated for a moment, "If a man’s dying," he finally said slowly. "I should go." Mal smiled and placed the transmitter in Simon’s hand. "Like I said, I know these men," he said. "I’ll be waitin’ on you." * * * Our dear Father, who art throughout the heavens, praise and glory be to thy name. Your graciousness overwhelms me, your mercy gives me life, your joy gives me strength. May your name be praised on every earth, may every star hear your children call ‘Glory to God in the Highest.’ And Lord, I ask specially, that your name be praised and your work be done on my ship, on Serenity. * * * Harpper’s Point spun through space elegantly. Sitting on a giant asteroid Harpper, the domed city never saw the same stars two nights in a row. With a circumference of nearly 100 kilometers, there was room enough for sixty ships to dock at a time. Though it claimed to be a simple fueling station when the Alliance asked, the place was known to Captains and cutthroats around the known planets to be a den of debauchery as well as a place of business. Serenity, she was going there to get some fuel. Inara and Kaylee, with River in their wake, were going there to play dress up. Zoe and Wash were going there to relax. Jayne was going there for a good time. But the Captain, he was going there to get them a job, and good Doctor Tam had already found one. * * * Kaylee’s hands flew to her neck. “Really, he said that?” “Yes,” Inara said with a coy smile. “It shows good breeding. You should have heard what Wash said.” “Well, what makes a neck pretty?” the young engineer said, feeling her throat trying to figure out exactly what in it could be admirable. “The curve,” Inara said helpfully, “the length. If you think about it, properly accentuated, the neck really can be alluring.” “Accentuated how?” Kaylee asked. “With necklaces?” “And a dress cut properly,” Inara said. “Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to find something that makes your neck look elegant.” Kaylee laughed and looked away, “I feel so silly . . .” “No,” Inara insisted. “Don’t. There’s nothing wrong in wanting men, or a man in particular, to notice you.” “I know,” Kaylee said, her cheeks were bright red, “I just . . .” Her attention was suddenly pulled away as River’s nervous face peeped around the corner of the dressing room. “Hey, sweetie,” Kaylee said kindly, “Let’s see how ya look.” Very timidly, River stepped out of the dressing room and stood in front of Kaylee and Inara, who had been relaxing and talking in overstuffed arm chairs for nearly twenty minuets while the girl gathered the nerve to model her new outfit. “Aw, River, that looks great!” Kaylee said excitedly. “Inara, Don’that look great?” “It seems to give her life,” Inara observed. “Yellow is definitely your color, sweetheart.” River didn’t say anything, she just blushed and nervously garbbed at the edges of the short black ruffled skirt. “You won’t be to cold, will you River?” Inara said, pushing herself out of the deep chair with some effort. “We could get a shirt to go under this.” River shook her head, “I like it,” she said so softly that Kaylee, who was struggling to get out of her chair, didn’t hear her. “Maybe a shawl, then,” Inara said, examining River and wondering what Simon would think. The ruffled black cotton skirt cut off about an inch or so from the girls knee. Above the skirt was a yellow corset made primarily out of velvet and accented with black lace. It was not anything Inara would have ever worn herself, but she had a feeling that the protective doctor would take one look at the outfit and decide the Companion was a bad influence on his sweet innocent sister. “Tha’s just so bright,” Kaylee said. Finally free from the chair she wondered around the girl to get the full affect of the outfit. “I mean, I know it’s silly ‘cause it’s mostly black, but River, you look cheery. It’s nice. You look nice.” River blushed and started chewing on her lower lip, “Thank you,” she muttered softly. “Well, I think we’ve found River’s dress,” Inara said, placing her hand on the girl’s head and running it down the long brown hair as she tuned to the engineer with an expectant smile. “Now it’s Kaylee’s turn. I don’t suppose, River, that you know what kind of dresses Simon likes?” River looked at Inara like she was crazy, “Simon doesn’t wear dresses.” Inara opened her mouth to clarify but she didn’t get the chance. Kaylee burst into laughter. “Kaylee,” Inara said, “Are you all right?” “Fine,” Kaylee gasped, “Just, she said that an’ I got this picture in my head a Simon in a pretty calico skirt an’ . . .” she was lost in her laughter. “Simon doesn’t have a calico skirt,” River said, a little more insistently. “He doesn’t wear dresses.” Inara drew her hand to her mouth and tried to hold back her own stream of giggles. * * * Kurt and his two companions, Vio (who said very little) and Izard (who had the money), escorted Simon through Old Cash’s ship, the Betty-Lou. It was easily ten times the size of Serenity, and much cleaner. Simon was sure that, somewhere, there were dark oily corners and metal catwalks with sharp edges. But everything on the Betty-Lou looked clean and neat, like the world Simon was used to. This place was not a place of surprises, death didn’t lurk in the shadows and insanity didn’t roam these halls. The ship seemed full of people, men and women in bright blue jumpsuits, all going about their business, ignoring the doctor. The place felt crowded, busy. In short it was everything Serenity was not. And when they reached their destination, the Captain’s quarters, Simon realized why. Old Cash was everything that Malcolm Reynolds was not. “Di’ja er bai wu’s bring the meg gu sai fu?” An strong voice folded in the darkness of the plush room said. “Yes sir, Li’ll Cash” Izard said promptly. “This here doctor was trained in Capitol City. Real good find.” “City doctor?” Li’ll Cash snorted. As Simon’s eyes adjusted to the darkness he realized that there was a bed with a large fat man on it, presumably Old Cash. Next to the bed a younger fat man, presumably Li’ll Cash, was sitting with a large riffle on his knee. “Let’s see him, Vio, let’s have some light.” Vio didn’t answer but soon the room was flooded with bright light, Simon had to blink a few times before he could see properly. The two Cash’s were defiantly related, probably father and son. The older Fat man was jaundice, drenched in sweat and unconscious. Simon broke away from his guard and speed to the large man. The first thing the doctor noticed was a large, blood soaked bandage on the right side of the man’s lower abdomen. Simon carefully started removing the bandages to look at the wound and assess the damage. “How long ago did this happen?” The Doctor’s question was ignored. Instead Li’ll Cash stood and leveled his rifle at Simon’s head. “You’re gonna make my father better,” the younger man said gruffly. Simon glanced up from his very urgent, very delicate work. “I’m going to try.” “That wasn’t a request,” the man said, cocking the gun. “That was an order.” * * * Dear Lord, I pray for our Captain, Malcolm Reynolds. I thank you for his good and generous heart, for his noble spirit and his righteous judgement. But, dear Lord, you know he has a troubled soul. I pray you can grant him some kind of peace. In your love shower him with your never ending mercy, that he might know he is forgiven of the sins he committed, and grant him your eternal grace, that he might learn to know you and see that you never abandoned him, not even in his darkest hour, and that you have great plans for his life. I praise you for the good he has done and the good he has yet to do. Walk with him, guide him, in wisdom and charity, that he might be a soldier for you, even if he dose so unawares. * * * Captain Reynolds had a second drink. The bar tender, a cute little vixen with curly blond hair, and thin pink lips winked at him. He couldn’t quite bring himself to wink back at her. She sent him a poutty expression, made even sadder because she didn’t have the lips to pout with. He ignored her pout and, with a sigh, she went back to her work. Soon she was winking at a group of young men who were laughing loudly on the other side of the bar. Mal didn’t mind at all, he just wanted to sit with his drink. Sit and listen. “All I’m sayin is how,” one of the blue suited lackeys from the Betty-Lou said. Mal didn’t know this particular crewman, which wasn’t surprising. Old Cash had long ago worked out a system where he’d pick up desperates and drifters from all sorts of planets and employ (or maybe a better word would have been enslave) them for years until they ‘worked off their debt.’ The way Mal heard it, a person’s ‘debt’ was usually directly proportional to how useful they were. A kid who turned out to have a mind for the engine could have a ‘debt’ of fifteen years, while a dope who was only clever enough to clean floors usually worked off their ‘debt’ in a few months. A guy like Simon Tam, young, naive, used to civilization; he’d be an easy snag for Old Cash, if Reynolds hadn’t clearly marked the doctor as his own. And Old Cash was no kinda master for a kid with such a valuable sister. She’d be sold back to the Alliance in a heartbeat, and, for his freedom, Simon would have to payoff a ‘debt’ that would last the rest of the young boy’s life. Malcolm Reynolds believed in freedom; he believed in it with more passion than he believed that he was a man who sometimes dreamed he was a butterfly, not the other way around. So, Mal couldn’t let the Tams be trapped liked that, no matter how much trouble it would be to mix it up with the Betty-Lou. “Old Cash’s always protected by least three guards, you know that,” the lackey continued. “I think one’a them must’a done it.” “No way,” a second lackey said. “You know how you get that kinda job? You gotta risk your life to save one’a the Cash’s. Them’s boy’s as loyal as they come.” “Somebody had to stab the man,” the first lackey said. “Old Cash sure didn’t stab himself.” “You’re talkin’ betrayal? Well who? We got Izard, who’s dived infron’ta mor’in one bullet fer the old man. We got Vio, who couldn’t be smart-nuff to get away with any kinda dark plot. An’ we got Kurt, Li’ll Cash’s best bud. Why would any’a them wanna off Old Cash?” “If I were you two,” A third Lackey said, very quietly. “I wouldn’t speculate about any of this stuff.” “Why not?” the first Lackey asked. “It’s our ship, our captain. I wanna know what happened. And, hey, you think if Old Cash dies we’re outa our debts.” “I doubt it,” the Second lackey said. “You know how Li’ll Cash is, wors’in his pa.” “I jus’ don’ think this a good thing ta be discussin’” the third lackey muttered. “You never know who’s listenin’ an’ I wouldn’t wanna be heard sayin’ somethin’ ‘gainst someone ‘portant. Tha’s all I’m sayin’.” * * * “Alright, Mr. Cash,” Simon said, carefully examining the stab wound. It was in his right side, just under his rib cage, deep, very very deep. There was a thick layer of fat, and then mussel, which was bleeding profusely. The diaphragm had been injured, which accounted for the heaving breaths, and Simon couldn’t be sure, but the heavy bleeding lead him to believe that there was at least some liver damage. The diaphragm was the most pressing problem, there was the question of fluid in the lungs at present and, eventually, a lung could collapse. The liver damage was serious too, you couldn’t live without your liver. But Simon couldn’t help but think that there was something else going on. The symptoms didn’t quite fit the injures. “How long ago did this happen?” Simon asked again. “We found him like this this morin’” Izard said. “Some huai dan stabbed ‘im while he was sleepin’.” “This morning,” Simon breathed. His hands were shaking. Captain Reynolds might have told Simon he’d be murdered if he’d let Kaylee die, but at least Mal had been polite enough to keep his gun in it’s holster while Simon had performed surgery. It was very hard to concentrate with a riffle pointed at his head right on the edges of his peripheral vision. The doctor considered, for a moment, slipping his hand in his pocket and calling on Mal and Jayne to come save him, but he quickly dismissed the thought. The only complement Captain Reynolds had ever paid the young doctor was to say he wasn’t weak. Simon didn’t exactly cherish that sliver of praise, but on the other hand, he’d hate to see Mal retract it. He could deal with a gun pointed at his head, he’d just have to keep his wits about him was all. “How long ago, exactly,” Simon asked, glancing up at Li’ll Cash. “Four hours, five?” “’Bout,” Simon sighed, “Do you have an infirmary?” “We don’t got a doctor,” Li’ll Cash said. “Why would we have an infirmary?” Simon took a deep breath. “Alright, I’ll work here. I’m going to need . . .” the doctor absentmindedly ran his bloody fingers through his hair, “everything,” he muttered. “What you sayin’ doc?” Li’ll Cash demanded. Simon took a deep breath. “If you really want me to save your father this room is going to have to turn into an O.R. stat. That means more light, a lot more light. An instruments, I’d like a, ah, a protoscaner, a laser saw, at least two pinchers, Twenty CC’s of dope, Indialmephazine if you can get it, some anti-biotics amoxiacillin should be fine, and the thinnest surgeons poly-themo thread you can get, 6 N.M. if at all possible, and a needle.” “An’ wher we suppos’ to get all this?” Li’ll Cash asked gruffly. “I don’t care,” Simon said. “If you want him to live through the night, you’ll find them.” “You got that Izard, Vio?” “Yes sir Mr. Cash,” Izard said. “We’ll fetch it right quick.” “Make sure he get’s it,” Li’ll Cash said. For reasons that Simon could not vocalize, that order sent chills up his spine. He was longing for Serenity and the devil he knew. * * * Dear God, I pray for Inara. She has such a giving heart, she loves so much, and yet, it seems she doesn’t understand how much she is loved. Dear God, I pray you show her that she is more than her body, her looks, her training. I pray that you can make her see that what she does is wrong, not because of abstract rules and unmovable morality, but because she is too precious to put a price on. Please, Lord, let her see that you covet her, long for her purity of body and spirit so that you can grow closer to her. She is a good person, Lord, good and Kind and generous. I praise you for her and I pray that she could understand how you see her, as far, far too valuable to be sold, no matter what the price. * * * “My lips,” Inara explained to the older woman at the cosmetic’s counter. “I want them to look fuller.” “Well dearie,” the old woman, who wore makeup as if she were a young woman, there by accentuating all the faults in her face, “You’re lips look just lovely to me. That’s a very fine shade, do you use a brush?” “Yes,” Inara said. “But I’m wondering if maybe a lighter color, perhaps more defined lip liner, a shinier gloss . . .” “You know, sweetie, you’re so pretty, if I was as pretty as you I wouldn’t wear makeup.” Inara forced herself to smile. This was her fault, she really did know better than to ask such an obviously ignorant woman for beauty tips. “Well, thank you for your time, I certainly keep it under advisement,” she said pleasantly, turning around in something of a huff. This was the third store she’d visited and none of the clerks had been able to suggest anything to make her lips fuller or more beautiful. Obviously her lips weren’t perfect. There should have been something she was able to do. As she walked out of the little boutique expecting to see Kaylee’s eager face and River’s somewhat dazed expression waiting for her at the door. But they weren’t there. Inara stepped into the walkway a little further and scanned the area. River and Kaylee were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps if one of them alone had disappeared Inara would have been worried, but since they disappeared together, she was just annoyed. She took another step out and looked again, finally she saw them (technically she saw the large bright red hooded jacket they’d bought for River too keep her warm) on the other side of the walkway in a shadowy ally between two stores. As the Companion got closer she saw that Kaylee was holding both the girls hands as River trembled violently. “Shhh, shhh,” Kaylee said softly, reaching up to stroke River’s hair comfortingly. “Don’t worry, he’s with the Cap’in. He’s fine.” “What’s the matter?” Inara asked softly as she approached. “She’s worried about Simon,” Kaylee said, tossing a concerned glance towards Inara. “Fer no reason I cen see.” “He’s scared,” River whispered. “And he’s alone.” “Hush,” Kaylee soothed, pulling the girl into a warm hug. “I told you, Simon an’ the Cap’in are together. Even if Simon is scared, he’s not alone. You’ll see ‘im soon enough, don’ worry.” “Kay,” River muttered. Inara could see it in the girl’s eyes that she didn’t believe a word. * * * Simon was surprised most by the sound. He fully expected the pain and the dizziness and even, to a point, the nausea. Those were medical symptoms congruent with the injury he’d sustained. But he never thought that he’d hear the low wet thud of a riffle but against his skull. He was so surprised by the sound that he didn’t notice the floor rushing towards him until he was flat on his back. Simon blinked a few times and took several gasping breaths, trying to get the world to focus. When he finally felt able he rolled over, pushed himself onto his knees and pressed his right hand over the bloody mess on his forehead. “Ar’you tot’ly ‘nsane!” He said. Even he thought his voice sounded slurred. “I don’t take kindly to insults,” Li’ll Cash said. “Want I should hit him again?” “The sur’st way ta kill y’r fa’r ‘s t’hurt me,” Simon said, trying to be coherent and feeling that he was failing. He closed his eyes and forced every word out enunciating impeccably. “If you think I can help him with a concussion, you’re wrong.” “I jus’ wanted you to know I was serious, hav’ som’in ta think on while you’re workin’.” “Maybe severe beatings inspire grunt laborers,” Simon said. His breath was coming in heaves, he could feel blood pulsing out of the gash on his forehead, but he was able to force a sort of clarity of thought. Or, at least, what seemed like clarity of thought. Adrenaline flooded his brain, mixing with the pain and fear and making him foolishly bold. “But trauma surgery takes a great deal of concentration and a gapping head wound tends to be distracting.” “I don’t like bein’ scolded by people’s whos . . .” “And I don’t like,” Simon said loudly cutting Li’ll Cash off. “Being browbeaten when I have a job to do! I want to save his life!” “Well, Doctor, if you say so.” “That’s what I’m saying,” Simon voice was icy. “Jes, you were askin’ so many questions,” Li’ll Cash said, sounding reasonable and detached. “I thou’t your mind might’a been strayin’ a might.” Simon blinked: questions? He tried to remember what questions he’d asked that had been retaliated so violently. He’d asked when Old Cash had been discovered, what state he’d been in, who’d set the bandages and if they had the knife. That’s when he’d been hit. “So,” Simon said very carefully, pushing himself up to a standing position. “You don’t know who did this.” “I don’ see how tha’s any a your concern,” Li’ll Cash said. “You keep talkin’ and you are likely to find yourself on the floor again with another gapin’ head wound.” “Yes sir,” Simon said softly and bitterly as he continued his examination. It was taking a good deal of his concentration just to keep his eyes focused, his hands steady and his feet under him. Soon Izard would be back with his instruments and he’d have to perform minor surgery, mostly examining the damage and stitching together whatever had been ripped apart. As far as wounds went, this one wasn’t terribly bad. The thick layer of fat seemed to have kept the knife from reaching and severely damaging the internal organs. There was just so much blood. But the man was running a high fever, which was odd, and he was jaundiced, which was odd, and he’d passed out, which was odd. The whole thing seemed to Simon as odd. He thought, for a moment, about pressing the button on the transmitter in his pocket. He’d been assaulted, Mal probably would understand wanting to get out of there, and theses unusual symptoms certainly made the doctor’s mind wonder if there was more foul play that was immediately apparent. Simon decided to set his jaw and press on, if only he’d been able to keep his hands from trembling. * * * River was curled up in a little ball, her red jacket wrapped around her legs, her hood pulled over her head so that the whites of her eyes were the only things visible in the darkness. As Kaylee modeled her dress she couldn’t help but find the girl’s stance unnerving. If Inara was bothered by it, the Companion was hiding her malaise beautifully. “Well?” Kaylee asked, letting her hands slide down her waist and hips as she felt the way the silk wrapped its way around her curves. The dress was very simple, with a low v-neck, a sash around the wais, a back made entirely of pink silk straps. The pink and green paisley pattern was plain and cheerful, the silk and lace accents were elegant, and it fit Kaylee like a glove. Inara let out a low whistle, “You look amazing.” Kaylee blushed and started chewing on her lower lip, “Really?” “Yes,” Inara said, pushing herself quite easily off of the stiff couch this boutique offered its clientele. Inara had been sitting, watching a string of outfits as the engineer tried to decide what style, what color, what cut to get. She’d tried on everything from long flowing dresses with ruffles and adornments to short tight skirts with revealing corsets. But this was the only outfit that drew all the attention to Kaylee’s ever smiling self, and not the clothes she was wearing. “What do you think?” “I think I’m gonna fall outa it.” “You won’t,” Inara said, smiling. “Unless, of course, you decide to crawl through Serenity’s engine room in it.” Kaylee nodded, “But then I’d be wearing my jumpsuit, so it wouldn’t matter.” Inara laughed. “Wa’da you think River?” Kaylee asked, walking up to the reddish bundle. River didn’t move. Kaylee glanced nervously to Inara, who looked nervously back. With a sharp intake of breath as Kaylee ignored the pain in her abdomen, she knelt down so that she could see through the dark overlap of the hood into the girl’s eyes. “Sweetie, Simon is fine.” “You look real pretty,” River said softly. “They want to kill him.” Kaylee suddenly felt cold all over. “River, who would want to kill Simon?” “He’s too smart,” the girl said, trying to curl herself into a smaller ball. “He’s scared and he’s alone.” Kaylee had nothing to say to this, instead she turned to Inara, mouth opened, still reaching for a response. “We need to find Mal,” the Companion said clearly. “You look ravishing, Kaylee, really,” She said, smiling graciously. “We’ll buy that and then we’ll find Mal.” To be continued . . .