DISCLAIMER: Don't own it, never did, never will--just having fun playing.

A/N: You should really read the first part of this story, if you haven't already. All chapters are interlinked. Chapter 1 Adult Only!, or an alternate beginning at Chapter 2 PG13

Part 2, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

As always, thanks to kispexi2 for betaing this for me! Thanks to rhian_morwenna for making sure I got the medical stuff right! And thanks to woodsong_1978 for the final polishing! *g*

Feedback is my drug of choice. Feed my habit?

Chapter 4 Why can't things ever go smooth?

Mal, Zoë, and Jayne weren't due back on Serenity for at least another hour, so Simon and River decided to find Kaylee to share the news of River's pregnancy. They were half way to the engine room when Wash's voice came over the comm, "Simon, get your medkit. You're needed in the cargo bay."

Simon rushed to the nearest comm unit and asked, "Who's hurt? How badly?"

"Don't know. Jayne just said they're on their way and should be here in less than five minutes."

"I'm on my way." Simon turned to River, intending to tell her to go to Kaylee, but she was already on her way back to the infirmary. By the time he caught up to her, she had his bag in her hand and was about to head to the cargo bay. They ran the rest of the way in silence, while he thought to himself Focus… Focus… It could be nothing. Then why the rush? Focus… Please, don't let it be Mal. Focus… Not Mal. Focus… They arrived in the cargo bay just as the mule drove up the ramp. Oh, God, it's Mal! Focus… Don't fall apart! Focus… Oh, God! Mal! Focus… Focus…

By the time the mule stopped, Simon was right next to it, totally focused. "What happened?"

"Gorram buyers thought they didn't need to pay," Jayne explained.

"Cap'n took exception to the idea. Unfortunately, they got in a couple of lucky shots," Zoë continued.

"Won't be gittin' anymore," Jayne stated matter-of-factly.

"I take it, then, that we need to be gone?" Simon asked. Throughout the conversation, he had been examining Mal. He'd been shot in the right shoulder and the left thigh. Nothing looked life threatening, but until Simon had Mal in the infirmary he couldn't be sure. "Why's he unconscious?" Simon asked as he thought to himself He should be awake, trying to convince me he's fine, if all that's wrong are two gunshot wounds. Huh, all that's wrong…

"Didn't hit his head, Doc," Zoë said from her position by the comm, where she had just let Wash know they were on board and should leave. "He was awake when we got him to the mule. We were a long way out, though, might've passed out from the bumpy ride."

"All right. Help me get him to the infirmary." Simon had long ago procured a gurney to be left in the cargo bay at all times. There were just too many injuries with this crew to not have one on hand. Jayne lifted Mal onto it before going to the foot, and with Zoë at the head and Simon leading the way, they got Mal to the infirmary in short order, River following slowly behind.

Simon spent the next several hours in surgery, cleaning and closing Mal's wounds. Mal had started to come around during the cleaning stage, but Simon had already given him a local anesthetic and quickly sedated him since he hadn't needed Mal awake and trying to tell him he was fine. Fortunately, the wounds had proved non-life threatening, but removing the bullets had taken some time. Simon didn't think there'd been any serious nerve damage, but wouldn't know for sure until Mal woke up. River had assisted him calmly throughout the surgery, and was now curled up with Kaylee on the couch in the common room.

Simon had just returned to the infirmary after telling everyone that Mal was going to be fine, and could have visitors later. He'd managed to stay focused and hold himself together during the surgery, but now that the need for clarity was gone, he was fast approaching a state of collapse. He pulled the stool over to the bedside, and sat down. Taking Mal's hand in his, he reached up to brush the hair off Mal's forehead before kissing the hand he held. "Oh, Mal, what am I going to do? I was so scared today when Zoë and Jayne brought you back. I managed to pull myself together. But what about next time, or the time after that? What happens when I can't focus because I'm too scared I'll lose you? I know you don't want to hear this, which is why I'll never say it to you when you're awake, but oh, I wish we could live a different life. One where you didn't get injured every time we turn around. One where we didn't have to worry about coin, food and fuel all the time. I love you so much, and I'll never leave, but I wish some things could be different. Especially now." By the time Simon finished, his head was lying on Mal's stomach and he drifted off to sleep.

Mal woke slowly to the sound of Simon's voice. He felt fuzzy, like he'd been drugged. Gonna have to have words with Simon. Knows how I feel 'bout bein' doped up. Why'd he do that, anyway? Oh yeah, got shot. Not like that's not happened before. Oh, well, maybe I'll let the dopin' slide this time. What's that he's sayin'? So tired, think I'll just go back to sleep. Especially now? Sleep overtook Mal before he could wake Simon up and ask him what that meant.

Chapter 5