Mal’s return to consciousness was hard and fast. One moment he was blissfully unaware of anything at all and the next, a bright light was staring him directly in the face, making his eyes burn. A sharp, heavy pain in his chest followed shortly after. His breathing quickly became labored as he struggled not to scream out his agony.

It seemed to take his eyes forever to adjust. Mal moved them back and forth rapidly and blinked, trying to get something, anything to come into focus…but all he could see was the light, and all he could feel was the pain searing straight through him. For a moment, while he was raging against the invasion of his senses, Mal thought he heard someone speaking. It sounded close, like they were talking directly into his ear, but the sound was fuzzy. He thought it said “stay here,” but he didn’t have time to listen again before the light finally, mercifully went out.

~*~

The second time he woke up was a far calmer experience. Mal felt something cool trickle from his forehead down the side of his face, wetting his hair. He kept his eyes closed as his consciousness returned, focusing on the sensation against his burning skin. Wherever he was, it was far too hot to be comfortable. Reluctantly, he stirred and opened his eyes.

He was in the infirmary, but everything seemed a little fuzzy around the edges. Mal couldn’t seem to get anything he looked at to come into sharp focus. Something seemed off. Colors didn’t look how he remembered; everything seemed brighter, like the objects in the room were radiating light from within. His eyes roamed over the counter with the medical supplies, the empty doorway, the chair in the corner. Something moved in his field of vision and he struggled to focus.

Kaylee was leaning over him, pressing a wet cloth to his forehead. Her other hand was in his hair, stroking his head comfortingly. When his eyes met hers, she immediately looked ready to cry. Mal’s instincts cried out for him to reach his arms up and comfort her, but the instructions from his