Mal and Zoe had moved Jayne from the operating table in the infirmary to the couch just outside. He had regained consciousness for a few moments. “S’going on?”

“Nothing Jayne, go back to sleep.” Mal said. “’kay.” His eyes closed.

River was bleeding everywhere and Simon was trying very hard not to lose it. Kaylee sat down on the floor next to Jayne, ignoring everything.

Simon layed River face-down on the table.

“Please, Simon…please take it out of me.” River whispered.

Simon said nothing back. Inwardly he was berating himself for not seeing River’s desperation. He sedated her heavily and began to continue the incision along her spine.

*****

About an hour later, Simon emerged from the infirmary. He was pale and shaking.

“They’ve melded some kind of device to her spine. I can’t remove it.”

Mal looked at Simon. “Now explain to me how that was done without you knowing?”

“I have no idea. There are no scars on her back, no markings from a tubular pump, which would have killed her in any case…” Simon was near tears in frustration. “I don’t even know who did this to her anymore! The Alliance only wanted to keep her quiet about Miranda and now something is pulling her apart on the inside and there’s nothing I can do!” He hung his head. Zoe stood up and went over to him, placing a hand on his back. He looked up into her face and smiled weakly.

“S’not your fault.”

Kaylee sat on the floor next to the couch and Jayne. She had his hand in hers. She smiled up at Simon, though it clearly pained her to do so. “You just gotta do the best that you can and hope it’s enough to keep it all together and flyin.” Kaylee thought of the compression coil, Zoe thought of how she’d latched onto Simon after Wash’d died.

*****

Simon recut the sutures and skin above River’s spine. She’d been hesitant to be sedated again but Simon had convinced her that it was all for the best. The metal gleamed at him, mockingly. But he breathed deeply, thought of River, dancing as a young girl and Zoe’s hand