“Wei!” Mina awoke with a jump, startled by River who was standing next to her staring and sniffing curiously. Simon, who was at the other table with her friend, was at her side in seconds, calming her. “You’re okay. You were in a Reaver attack, then your shuttle crashed. Now you’re here with us.” Mina’s face was tired and confused. “H... how is she?” “She hit her head pretty hard, but she’ll be fine. She should wake up soon enough. How are you feeling?” He began flashing a little light in and away from her eyes. “Ugh..” She sat up weakly. “Just shiny..” Staring forward she could see into the common area through the open doors. Mal was sitting on the yellow couch with Kaylee, who was hugging a silky, green cushion. They were both looking into the infirmary at her. “How are they, doctor?” Mal asked, walking towards Mina. “Some nasty cuts but they’ll survive.” He smiled at her. “Good.” He turned his attention to her now. “What’s your name?” “Mina Émile..” “Mina, my name’s Malcolm Reynolds. I’m the captain of this here ship.. you’re welcome to stay here ‘till you’re healed up-” “-Malcolm Reynolds?” She repeated with a little smile. He paused, puzzled. “Have we met?” “No.. but you knew my brother. He used to mention your heroics in his letters home..” “…You’re brother fought for the Independents?.. Knew I recognised the surname.. What was his-” “-Jeffrey.. He was in the 22nds. Fought with you in Du-Khang, died there too.” His face was solemn, “I remember. He was a great soldier.. I can tell you’re proud with you wearin’ that coat.” He glanced at the coat which was now resting on a stool. He touched her shoulder, giving a little comfort to them both, “You rest up..” then he left. “What’s your friend’s name?” “Eleonora Addison..” She waited a moment, “And what’s yours, doc?” He hesitated, but Mal seemed to trust her. And River appeared to be interested in them, not frightened. “Simon.” “And, eh..?” She pointed towards River who was sitting on a counter top, still studying the two of them. “That’s River.. My sister..” She smiled. “You folks are all so nice here. Can’t thank you enough for all this.” “It‘s my job.. Heal the wounded.” She rested her head back down and turned towards Simon. “That’s gotta be exciting.. Doctoring throughout the ‘verse.. I never got past my final exams.. Quit before then..” He pulled a stool over and sat next to her. “You went to MedAcad?” “Mmhmm..” “Where’d you study?” “Ariel.. How ‘bout you?” “Osiris.” “Ah.. I grew up there.. Still lived there ‘till a few years back..” “Really?“ He laughed lightly, “Me too.” “It’s a small ‘verse after all..” There was a short silence as they both eyed each other. “..So… Why did you quit?” “I gave it up and went back home when my brother died.. They needed the help..” “That’s very noble” “Yeah.. I wasted all that pretty money just to be jing-tzahng mei yong-duh… But that‘s in the past now..” “How did you end up on Lilac, if you don’t mind my asking?” “Well I’d been living back at home a few years, stuck in the same ol’ thing.. Then I met this guy..” She grinned remembering, her eyes becoming glassy. “Yen.. We, ah, decided to go off and see the ‘verse together. So, there was this ship going to Whitefall.. We paid passage but the cap’n was a real hwun dan.. Stole what other money we got and dumped us on that pissant moon.” “That’s.. terrible..” “Yeah.. And I wish that were where it stopped.. A few months there and Revers attacked.. I somehow got safe with no more than that scar on my stomach you probably seen.. But Hiro weren’t so lucky..” Simon handed her a tissue and stroked her hair a moment before pulling his hand back, embarrassed. He coughed then changed the subject to save further awkwardness on both their parts. “So, ahem, you’re friend.. What about her?” “Oh, eh, she came to Lilac ‘bout a year after I did.. She was this great Companion back on Persephone and Ariel.. But the truth hit her hard when she learned ’bout the outer rim folk and their troubles. So she stole a shuttle from a client and crash landed into our lil’ town.. Been like sisters ever since..” She sat up straight again. “Am I fit to walk? I can’t lay here no more..” “Your leg is taken care of, you’ll be walking with a limp, but you should be okay. Um.. I could escort you if you feel you nee-” “-Think I’ll be fine on my own.. You stay here and get her better.” She said, sitting on the edge of the chair. “Well.. I think you’ll need someone with you. I don’t think the Captain would like you wandering on your own.” “Oh, you’re right.. Could I just take a walk ‘round over there? She pointed out to the common area. “By all means.” “Thanks.” She hopped down onto her left foot and limped out of the infirmary. “So what’s life like out here?” Simon followed her out as River bounced up the stairs to the upper deck, “Adventurous.. That’s one of the many words I could use..” “Not the life for you?” “No.. not exactly what I had planned..” She sat back into the yellow couch, “Sometimes the unplanned things can be good.. Like, did you think this morning’ you’d be savin’ two lives?” “On this ship?.. I think that every morning..” “You know what I mean..” She giggled. “Life on this boat really so bad?” “No, I mean.. it wasn’t what I had in mind for me or my sister.. But the Captain took us on board, looked after us.. There was danger, as there always seems to be, but it’s a life.. Which is more than we’d have had he not helped us. Plus there are some perks, I guess..” His expression lightened. “Oh?.. You got a sweetie?” She asked cheerily. “I don’t kn.. I, eh…” “Awh.. Doctor, you’re blushing… You don’t gotta tell me nothing’ you keep secret about. But whoever she is she’s quite lucky.” He voice began to trail as she nuzzled into the cushions.