Cold.

Why'd it have to be so cold out there? In space. River touches the window, her hand fogging it slightly. So many stars. So much light. Life and light. And laughter. All three. All begin with 'l'.

'Yes, mei mei, very good. You're right.' River hears Simon, his voice seeping into her head.

'I know dummy, I said it. After all, I taught you alliteration when I was four. Don’t condescend.' River rolls her eyes at the brother that is not even in the room.

River turns her attention back to the window. Her hand now becoming cold by touching it.

Simon is such a sweet jerk. What a brother. So dumb, though. 'You’re a doctor, you should be smart. Kaylee wants you to be smart. But you just act like a dummy.' She shakes her head again. Why do her thoughts keep returning to him? She tries to concentrate on the stars again. So far away. To hot. So big. She grins. How much he is unnerved by space. He hates it. Simon again. A tear slides down. I don’t like tears. They show things they shouldn’t. But he is so caring. For her.

Different thoughts. But they will not sort. Her mangled brain will not allow it.

And so she sits.

Cold.