Simon Says Chapter III: Osiris

Disclaimer: Firefly and all their characters are owned by Joss Whedon. I need to end things quickly, I'm running out of original source material to dramatize off from.

A/N: Sigh, this last part took forever to write. I think I've written myself into a corner. We'll see if I can keep things interesting, otherwise I'll just have to wrap things up. * * * * *

Regan Tam anxiously paced around her room awaiting the return of her husband. Gabriel said he was meeting with some consultants from the Blue Sun Investigation Unit who may have some leads on their missing children. Regan couldn't believe it's come to this. She could hardly believe that her son has become a wanted fugitive.

She remembered Simon being a brilliant young boy, they had such high aspirations for him. In his youth he was classified bordering on the genius level. But despite his intellectual advancements, he seemed to have trouble adjusting socially. He rarely associated with any other children and often refered to them with derision. He constantly complained about how immature and underdeveloped the other children were. Simon even regarded several adults with the same air of disdain. Regan was saddened to see her son so lonely and sullen all the time. But all that changed when River was born. Simon was absolutely enrapured by his little sister. River was truly a gift, she had so much life and love to offer. Simon often praised and admired River's own intellect which rivaled his own. He said that she was the only one that truly understood him. Ever since River could walk Simon was completely devoted to her. The only time she remembered Simon truly smiling was when he was playing with his sister. But as River started growing up she started outgrowing Simon. She was coming to the age where young girls wanted their space from family. Simon didn't take her new sense of independence very well and started retreating further into his shell. Her husband Gabriel even suggested that perhaps all the boy needed was a few sessions with a Companion. But Regan was opposed to such an arcanely sexist measure. She still resented Gabriel's own dalliances with that guild, even if they occured before she ever met him.

Still Regan didn't expect any problems with Simon until that day. River just turned 14 when she was with that boy. When they found them, Simon was beating the youngster to within an inch of his life while River was attempting to hold her brother back. River was crying and begging Simon to stop. She said that they were just kissing. Simon was in a dreadful rage screaming all sorts of profanities. He claimed that the boy was taking advantage of his innocent River. Regan always knew Simon was over-protective of his sister but that she never thought he was capable of such violence.

The Tams covered up that scandel quietly. Gabriel had a talk with Simon about proper decorum even in the most volitile of situations. But she and her husband decided that perhaps River did need some more discipline in her life. River was sent away to a special Alliance sponsored Academy for gifted children. This was an elite institution that many of the more well respected families sent their youths. They had an excellent advanced academic program that would help keep River busy and out of trouble. And they hoped Simon was just sucumbing to the pressures of finishing his medical degree. Simon had the makings of a brilliant doctor. He graduated the top 3% of his class and finished his residency in 8 months which was almost unheard of. He always did have a sharp mind, very logical and clinical. He really could have done anything he put his mind to. They hoped Simon would eventually just fall into some normal routine as he developed his medical career.

But Simon just became moodier as the days gone by. He kept asking when River was going to visit even though they've told him repeatedly that the Academy had a very strict cirriculum to follow. Regan kept on trying to tell Simon that his sister was fine. But Simon's behaviour started turning more obsessive. He kept on insisting that River was in some sort of trouble and that he needed to see her. He even started ranting and raving that River was sending some secret code for help in her letters. Regan didn't know what to make of such an outlandish claim.

Gabriel often joked that he always thought it was River who was lost without her big brother. But it quickly became apparent that it was the other way around. Regan was afraid Simon was acting completely paranoid. It must have been the tremendous stress he was under. If they heard him talking like this at the hospital, why it could affect his entire future. She and Gabriel often discussed privately among themselves if Simon should be be examined psychologically. But they were loathe to do it, especially at such a critical point in his career. He was a surgeon in one of the best hospitals in Capital City. On his way to a major position, possibly even the Medical Elect. They weren't going to throw all that away because of some possible scandal. And the idea that a Tam could be suffering from some sort of mental illness, well it just wasn't possible.

But Simon just continued to become worse. They received several complaints that Simon was harrassing the staff at the Academy where River was staying. Didn't Simon realize that he wasn't just hurting his own reputation but River's own standing at the school by his actions? A few weeks later they received the wave that changed everything. Simon was arrested for being in an illegal Black out zone. Gabriel had to excuse himself from the Friedlich's banquet they were attending. Regan was never so embarrassed in her life. But what came afterwards was even worse.

Gabriel returned home alone that night looking extremely tired. He said that he and Simon exchanged words. Gabriel confessed that he said several hurtful things in anger. He didn't mean them but Simon was so out of control he just wouldn't listen to reason. Simon ended up practically disowning them, his own parents! He completely cut himself off and refused to return any calls they made to him. They were starting to worry about what he might be up to. If he continued to associate with the wrong crowd there was no telling what trouble he was getting into.

Shortly thereafter they found out that River was missing from the Academy. Apparently Simon pulled her out of her classes citing a death in the family. He even had all the right documentation. Being a highly respected doctor in his field no one doubted the accuracy of his credentials. The initial search proved fruitless, they couldn't find a trace of Simon or River. The authorities wanted a full scale manhunt but Gabriel convinced them not to leak it to the general media just yet. They hoped that this was all just a misunderstanding and that they would find Simon and River on one of the core worlds, just a harmless prank by an over concerned sibling. They were still concerned about Simon's reputation. But as time went on there was still no leads to their missing children. Finally there was a report of someone matching Simon's description on a transport to Persephone, but no report of River. If Simon made it to Persephone then he could board any number of vessels that would take him as far out to any of the border worlds or beyond. She prayed her husband would have some good news.

* * * * *

Gabriel Tam was in an office looking over the report the two Blue Sun consultants gave him.

"So they were last seen at a hospital in Ariel? What were they doing there?"

"We're still investigating the possibilities. What is known is that security video shows both your son and daughter in the hospital accompanied by some individuals who ransacked the medical storage supplies. Your daughter seems unharmed. The authorities were tipped off to their presence and a security detail was sent to recover them."

"So what happened? Where are my children?"

The consultants, each dressed in matching dark suits, seemed to pause before continuing. They passed a folder containing some photos. Gabriel gasped when he looked at the pictures. They were of bodies that seemed to be bleeding from their orifices.

"By the time we arrived we found the entire security force dead. There was no trace of your children. We had to quarentine the entire area."

"Quarentine?! Why?"

"We were afraid of some sort of biological outbreak. These men died of some sort of super-virus. But your children were no where to be found. There was also a break-in the medical storage. Several drugs and some delicate surgical equiptment were taken."

"Medical supplies? What good would that serve?"

"Those supplies would be worth a small fortune on the black market on some of the border worlds."

"So Simon has fallen in with common criminals?"

"It gets worse. Some more exotic supplies and samples were taken. The right ingredients to create bio-weapons. The same kind that could cause death similiar to the bodies that were found."

"My god... Even Simon couldn't be capable of doing such a thing."

"Sir, at this point the authorities are on high alert. It's only a matter of time before this becomes public knowledge. I'm afraid we won't be able to keep a gag on this information."

Gabriel sighed before continuing, "Do you have any leads?"

"We're checking the registration of any ships that arrived and left Ariel at the time. There are only a few non-core vessels so it should only be a matter of time before we have any solid leads. But I think it is time to call in other avenues besides the Alliance authorities to help in the recovery of your children."

"What kind of other avenues?"

The consultant leaned in with a serious look. "Bounty Hunters."

Gabriel hoped Simon wasn't involved in anything crazy.

* * * * *

Mal looked on his crew with pride for the crazy rescue mission they undertook to get him back from Nishka's clutches. Even the young doctor, whom Mal suddenly found a growing respect for, joined in the fight.

"I'm told ya'll took up arms in that little piece of action back there. How are you farin' with that, Doctor?"

"I don't know..., I've never shot anyone before." Despite Simons's baptism of fire he was still seemed slightly shaken up. Mal knew that the first time in a fight like that could be quite a harrowing experience.

"I was there son, I'm fair sure you haven't shot anyone yet." Book's comment caused a chuckle to escape from the captain. Book intended his statement to be reassuring but in actuality it was farther from the truth. He was certain that the doctor not only shot but likely killed several people that day. Book was no stranger to battle, he's seen many people react differently to it. Sadly, most were like Kaylee, it didn't escape his attention that she never fired a single shot, always staying in the back. It wasn't unusual for young people like her to freeze up when actually in a firefight.

But not Simon. He was by no means an expert marksman but he gave as good as he got. He never hesitated when firing off rounds when told to provide cover. At first Book was worried at getting him, a doctor whose whole life was dedicated to preserve life, to actually start firing. But it turned out that getting him started wasn't going to be the problem, but rather getting him to stop. The look in his face in the heat of battle was one of ecstasy. He was someone who seemed to have the itch to kill someone for a long time but never had a chance, until now.

When they finally found the captain in Niska's torture room Book noticed that Kaylee didn't follow them. He told Simon to go back and make sure she was okay. At first he heard three gunshots in quick succession. A momentary pause and then another series of three quick gunshots. Fearing the worst he ran back to check on them. He found Simon, Kaylee and River standing together near Serenity's open cargo hold among three dying soldiers. The soldiers looked as if they were just shot. Kaylee seemed a bit flustered but she kept on claiming she was fine and shiny. Simon of course was preoccupied in making sure his sister was alright. Book shuddered to think of what may have happened.

What worried Book the most was the information he recently uncovered about the Academy. But until he was more sure of his suspicions, he decided to keep his suppositions to himself. Until then he would just keep observing things. After all even he had his own secrets and agenda. Things were always more than they appeared on the surface.

* * * * *

"Simon, it looks like your sister is on the mend." Kaylee smiled as she watched River just dancing and spinning around by herself. Ever since Simon's new treatment with the data they collected from the Ariel job, River seemed much calmer. Oh she still had her bad days but they seemed to occur less and less frequently. Unfortunately she would still spout out nonsense from time to time, never making much sense. "C'mon, you promised you'd help me prepare dinner."

"Coming." Simon replied. He tapped the vials in his breast pocket before heading up to the kitchen to follow Kaylee. But before continuing he took a moment to stop and admire his dancing sister. Yes, she was finally becoming the perfect little girl he remembered. She always did look the happiest when she was in this moment, just moving her lithe form in the graceful movements of the dance. Perhaps he would even buy her a new pair of shoes, he was sure he didn't have to worry about her running off again. But he did oh so love seeing her little toes on her lovely feet. Perhaps he would paint her toenails tonight, he knew of a delightful color that would compliment her skin tone. Yes, Dance. Dance for me, my little poppet, Dance!

* * * * *

To Be Concluded.