(Another tentative chapter, I may tweak this one and 8 but only cosmetically. For now I really want to move the story forward. Comments of any kind are always appreciated.)

Chapter 9

"Our quarry has successful evaded the local authorities," a deep and professional voice sounded from a small handset.

"Excellent, send out the decoy and do everything within your power to ensure their escape," The female owner of the handset spoke into the device. She was an attractive young woman of sino ancestry, standing tall at around 5ft 10in with a companion's graze and a soldier's physique. "With any luck the good Doctor will lead us straight to his little sister."

"With all due respect ma'am, we could capture them now and get her location from them. It would cut their numbers in half and the profile indicates their captain's unlikely to leave while crewmembers are still unaccounted for. Also, we'd have secured the bounty on Simon Tam."

"Negative, this crew has proven quite unpredictable and resourceful in the past. We cannot afford to lose the element of surprise. They're up too something and I need to know what it is before we make our move."

"Yes ma'am, though I fail to see how their transport operations are important."

"Which is why you were not placed in charge of this operation," the woman replied shortly. She closed the handset and placed it in a stylish evening bag. She found herself absently twirled the elaborate ring on her left hand as she contemplated aloud, "Simon Tam, we have a lot of catching up to do."

Jayne was pulled into Serenity's cargo bay and slammed on the brakes to avoid creaming the crazy psychic as River sprinted forward to meet them. River leapt inhumanly high into the air to land just in front of Simon and began shaking him violently, screaming, "Simon where are you? I can't hear you!"

"She's startin' to damage my calm…" Jayne began, as he climbed out of his seat.

Simon stared ahead blank faced and emotionless seemingly oblivious to everything, even his frightened little sister who was gripping him but the shoulders and shaking him.

"Gorramit Crazy, calm the hell down!" Jayne said as he pried her off of Simon, "You're gonna hurt him worse!" River's strength left her as she was separated from her brother. She wrapped her arms around Jayne and began crying into his shirt while Jayne tentatively patted her back in a manner he figured was supposed to be soothing.

"I'd better go fetch the Captain," Inara said as she hurried towards the crew quarters.

Kaylee approached the mule nervously and asked, "Is he… is Simon alright?"

Zoe deflected the question and ordered, "Help me get him into the infirmary."

"Mal?" Inara's voice called from outside Mal's cabin.

"What is it 'Nara?" Mal asked.

"Everyone's back and the rest of the crew are gathered around the infirmary," Inara informed.

"Everyone alright?"

"I'm not sure Mal… we need… I think the crew needs it's Captain right now…" Inara said. After an awkward pause, she added hastily,"I'm going back to the infirmary."

"Inara wait! I…" Mal stammered as he climbed up the hatch to find Inara had already left.

On his way to the infirmary Mal heard River crying and quickened his pace. As he entered the common room he saw the crew gathered outside of the infirmary while Zoe reset Simon's shoulder. Mal became concerned when he saw River's arms wrapped around Jayne as she cried into his chest. That just ain't natural, Mal thought as he asked," Jayne, what's goin' on here?"

"I dunno, Doc's gone all can-tonic and Crazy say's she can't hear him."

"Lost in the woods… can't see… don't know where he is anymore, where he's going…" River sobbed and turned to face the Captain, "She wants to help but he won't listen."

"Don't you worry none lil' albatross, I'm the captain," Mal said with a grin, "also I'm bigger than he is, so he has to listen." Mal was releaved to see his comment eliciting a small smile from the troubled girl.

Mal walked into the infirmary and addressed the crew, "Got important cargo comin' in about 20 minutes that ain't gonna load itself. Zoe and I will handle things here. Ya all got jobs to do, now get to 'em!"

The rest of the crew, with the exception of Kaylee, dispersed to their respective jobs. Kaylee instead followed Mal inside the infirmary.

"Mei mei…" Mal began.

"I'm not leavin'," Kaylee cut him off.

Mal felt his blood begin to boil. "Mei mei, you have a job-"

"I'm not goin' till I know he's okay."

"He's fine, he's right here." Mal soothed as he pointed to Simon, who sat on the exam table with his arm in a sling and appeared oblivious to the world around him.

"He's not okay! He won't talk to no one," Kaylee sobbed, "It's like-"

Mal grabbed her by her shoulder's and said, "Mei mei, do you trust me?"

Kaylee sniffled and nodded yes.

"Zoe an' I've seen this before, during the war," Mal said as leaned his head in Simon's direction. "Do you have this kinda experience?"

Kaylee asked nervously, "What happened to him?"

After an uncomfortable pause, Mal said earnestly, "If you really want to help, look after River."

As Kaylee left, Mal ordered, "Zoe, lower the privacy shades and keep the others out. I don't 'spect this'll be too pretty."

"River?" Kaylee called as she walked through the passenger dorms, "River, where are you?"

Kaylee tried not to think about Simon as she searched for River. 'Sides, Kaylee reminded herself, he's with the Captain and Captain always makes sure we're okay. Just need to see to River, make sure she's shiney and show 'im how good I am at taken care 'o people. Kaylee smiled and thought, and when he sees how good a ma I'd make I'll bet he can't wait to make little ones!

"You need to be more patient," River stated, startling Kaylee from her pleasant musings.

"River… I… I was just looking for you," Kaylee stammered, "to check on you." I'm startin' to sound like Simon now, Kaylee thought with a silent chuckle.

"I won't play nice," River said matter-of-factly.

"Um… Why?..."

"I'm not ready to be an aunt," River said bluntly.

"Well I ain't pregger's yet," Kaylee laughed nervously before continuing, "I mean, I really ain't right? I mean… you didn't uh… read nothin'…"

River rolled her eyes and said, "I knew you and my brother were meant to be together, you're both such boobs," as she began walking away.

"River," Kaylee called, walking after her, "Are you okay?"

"Better now, Captain Daddy has a plan. He's going to find my brother, but you have to be patient," River warned.

"River, do you have any idea how patient I've been with that boy?" Kaylee asked in exasperation.

"Not patient enough to keep it in your own rooms," River accused, "You need to stop rushing him. I'd like to see my brother every now and then if you'd let him out of your-"

"River!" Kaylee scolded, "We're adults and your brother can make his own decisions!"

"He won't fight you, but I will," River said with a mischievous smile, "I fight dirty!"

It suddenly occurred to Kaylee that River might be jealous. After all, Kaylee thought, Simon did used to spend all his time with her 'stead a on me.

"More often under. Do I need to get a hose?" River asked.

"Well genius, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen," Kaylee taunted while conjuring up a particularly naughty mental image involving Simon and a pair of handcuffs.

"Gross!" River complained as she retreated, mentally and physically, and promised, "I'll get you for that!"