A/N: See Ch1 for Disclaimers. Thanks to Neroli for the beta help. One note, in my mind the name Sug is pronounced Shoog.

Chapter 7: Questions

"What are you going to tell them?" Zoe asked.

Mal turned to face her. Standing just outside of the infirmary, they were watching as Simon attempted to save the life of Tom Pollard. "Don't see that anything has to be said. Accidents happen."

"That's what you think this was? An accident?" she asked as she waved her hand at the image in the window. Simon had just stopped trying to revive the man who had apparently been paid by Blue Sun to follow Sal Tzernaky.

"Do you really think talking about it is going to change it? It's done with, we focus on the job and move on."

Zoe moved closer to her Captain when Book entered the lounge area. They both nodded to him as he entered the sick bay to administer last rites. Zoe resisted the urge to slap the man next to her. "Are you being purposely dense? We just saw River do what we'd all been afraid of. Thought you'd learned in boot camp that ignoring the unpleasant only gets you killed."

Mal looked her in the eye as he considered her statement. "She hasn't hurt a one of us Zoe. Moreover, I'm not about to ask Simon to prove his sister didn't kill that man. It was an accident and that is what the crew will be told. Now, have you got 'nother bone to pick with me or are we through?"

"You shoulda told me about Jayne."

Mal looked away from her as Simon exited the sickbay. He nodded to the doctor. "Your sis is in 'Nara's shuttle," he stated.

Simon nodded, but stopped in front of him. "Aren't you going to ask?"

Mal turned to Simon with a dumbfounded look. "Ask what?"

"How he died? Are you dense? And how did you know to give that serum to him anyway?" Simon demanded.

Mal clenched his teeth. Everyone wanted him to save River's little friends, but they all wanted to question how he