DIRE STRAIGHTS – PART TWO

Simon raced into the infirmary, glanced briefly at the readouts before grabbing a syringe and some stimulants from one of the cupboards. He carefully measured the amount, conscious of the fact that too much could kill his patient. Finally satisfied he had it right, he injected the Captain. His body began to convulse and shake on the bed. After a few moments it subsided and the Captain seemed to relax. The stimulant was dangerous, but given the situation it was all that Simon could do. He needed to operate soon if he was going to save the Captain’s life, otherwise he would bleed to death internally. Simon also knew from experience that his patient would not be able to take another stimulant shot. It would simply collapse his tired heart.

“He’s running out of time, isn’t he?” said a little voice. Simon nodded without looking around. He knew River was watching him from the corner, knees up against her chest, arms wrapped about herself.

“I hope we can trust Inara with this...person,” said Simon, not sure what to call the client of a Companion. Was he a client? A customer? A pupil? The mind boggled. Simon had known Inara for only a few months and since the start he had had difficulties bringing the two sides of her life together. On the one hand there was this elegant, beautiful woman who was obviously intelligent, so surely other professions could have been available to her, and then on the other hand she was a Companion, perhaps the oldest job in history. Simon shook his head ruefully. Kaylee was right, he thought too much sometimes.

“Is he all right?” said a deep voice. Simon turned to face Shepherd Book.

“No, not really. I’ve stabilised his condition for now, but it won’t last. He will die unless I can operate.” said Simon, feeling it necessary to tell Book the blunt truth and knowing that he could handle it better than Kaylee. Book simply nodded as if that was what he had expected to hear. He had his bible gripped tightly in one hand, a worn thumb set as a bookmark.

“Is he c