The young doctor stuck his head cautiously through the infirmary door, shocked at the scened laid out before him. The Companion, bloodied and disheveled, sat sleeping at the captain's side, head resting on his chest and fingers absently caressing the newly stiched wound as she dreamed. His captain didn't stir, and Simon noticed with some concern that he was still too pale for his liking. Still he stayed frozen in the doorway, unsure of whether he should interrupt the strange scene. "S'going on?" A warm set of arms encircled him from behind, as Kaylee stood on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder. "Ai ya," she breathed softly, and Simon nodded wordlessly. "It's cute!" she giggled, before he nudged her pointly in the ribs. "We should let them be though." "I need to make sure he's stable." "Can't it wait?" Kaylee kissed his cheek. "Look at that, you don't wanna go spoilin' that now, do ya?" Simon sighed heavily. "Regretfully bao-bei, I have to. I doubt that either of them would be too pleased with me if I let him die." The pretty mechanic untangled herself with another quick peck. "You're the best renegade doctor in the 'verse, Simon Tam." He watched her bounce away with a smile. He thanked the 'verse or whatever higher powers were looking out for him that Kaywinnet Lee Fry was finally a part of his life. She made him feel something that he had never fully felt in his life...happy. Trying to be as quiet as possible, the doctor crept into the infirmary, stealthily checking the IVs and machines that were hooked into the captain. Checking a readout, he cursed shortly before he ever had a chance to catch himself. "Simon?" Inara raised her head and blinked groggily. Realizing what a compromising position she was in, she snapped back to full conciousness, hand flying to her mussed hair. The other, Simon noticed with a faint smile, remained locked in Mal's. "I'm sorry-" she began, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand. "It's fine." he said, hoping his voice didn't betray him. "How is he?" "Doing fine." Simon lied through his teeth, feeling uncomfortable under her dark stare. Taking in her dark- rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders he added, "You actually look worse." The Companion shook her head wearily. "Nothing a hot shower won't fix." "Go then, I'll be here if he wakes up." He tried to smile encouragingly. "Eat something too. You won't do anyone any good if you fall sick." Inara hesitated, and he shook his head firmly. Both she and the captain were too stubborn for their gorram good. "Don't make me order you." She gave him a wan smile and rose, unclasping her hand reluctantly and rubbing out the cramp. "I'll be back in a half hour." "Take your time." The young man made sure she was safely gone before slapping the comm. "Zoe, Kaylee, can you come down as soon as possible?" --------------------------------------------------

She stood under the shower head and let the hot water pummel her, watching the swirls of his blood travel down her body and pool over the drain before disappearing. It scared her, how easily he'd been willing to die for her. His blood flowed from her hands, a tangible symbol of the things he'd never said. She shuddered, and rinsed the last of it away, lathering up her hair and body in a mechanical fashion. What was she thinking? She asked silently, stepping into a soft pair of black pants and pulling on an plain white tunic. So unusual that she didn't feel the need to deck herself out in her usual finery, for the first time in years. But what was she thinking? She sat at her vanity, pulling a comb absently through her wet tangles. Mal was....well, whatever he was. And she was a Companion. It was like that old story from Earth-that-was, Romeo and Juliet. Circumstances meant to keep them apart, and no good could come from it. Twisting her hair into a loose bun she sighed and shook her head. Why was it that she automatically wrote love off? That damn man kept spinning her about, and she never exactly knew which end was up anymore. Inara made her way out of her shuttle towards the infirmary, surprised that she didn't run across any of the crew on her way. As a matter of fact, Serenity seemed quiet...too quiet in fact. She poked her head into the dining area, and saw it was empty. A sick feeling of apprehension settled in her stomach, and she ran the rest of the way to the infirmary. Her fears were justified when she saw Simon, Zoe and Kaylee all leaning over her captain, wearing identical expressions of concern, Jayne and River sat outside the window, heads bent together in contemplation. "What's going on?" Inara burst into the room, making them all jump guiltily. "Hey 'Nara..." Kaylee tried to smile, but it faded when she saw the look on the other woman's face. "Internal bleeding." Simon barely looked up from the operating table. Inara clutched at the doorframe as the world suddenly went wonky. Zoe was suddenly at her side, keeping her upright with her silent strength. "He can't-" she gasped, cut short by the scream of one of the machines. Simon cursed colorfully enough for even Jayne and River to back away from the window, and sent Kaylee scurrying. "He's bleeding out." Zoe dropped Inara and ran back to the table. "He needs a transfusion, now." "Stores are out," Kaylee said shakily, tears begining to streak down her face. "And we ain't got Wash here this time." A hush fell over the room, save for the incessant whine of the machine that kept building in pitch until Inara was sure her eardrums would burst. Simon kept working desperately, up to his elbows now in blood. "You have me. I'm the universal donor." She heard herself saying. Moving next to Simon, who moved Kaylee's shaking hand to cover where his had been, he ripped off his blue gloves and rolled up her sleeve. " 'Nara! The Guild will fire you!" Kaylee cried. "The Guild-" "Fuck them." She winced as he clenched her upper arm and jabbed in the needle. If that machine would stop... Simon shoved her out of the way and moved back to Kaylee. Inara stood against the wall, watching the clear tube that connected her to Mal fill with brilliant crimison. Zoe moved a stool under her and as she sank onto it she rested her head back against the cool bulkhead. It is easy. She stared at the tube transfixed, oblivious to the commotion around her. Her blood, her hope, her love. She started reciting every prayer she had ever known. Eventually, the world went black.