Simon entered the communal area. Freya was sitting at the table reading, and she glanced up and smiled quickly before going back to her book. He passed her and headed to the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee before joining her at the table. “What are you reading?” he asked.

She held it up so he could see the cover. “War and Peace. It’s a book I've tried to read a dozen times, but it looks like I'm failing again.”

“I recall reading it in school. It seemed to be … unreal.”

“It was a long time ago. But war is war.”

“And peace?”

“Is insubstantial.” She sighed and closed the book. “Or possibly ephemeral.”

Simon shifted diffidently in his seat. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Is everything okay between you and Inara now?”

Freya stared at him. “Does everybody on this gorram boat know our business?”

“Pretty much,” the young doctor admitted. “And Kaylee’s been worrying about it a lot.”

“I'm sorry about that,” Freya replied. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt over something that … well, wasn't their business.”

“Is that your way of telling me to go and mind mine?”

She smiled. “Not really. But yes, it is okay, and you can tell Kaylee she can relax. She won’t be having to clean up blood and entrails from the galley.”

Simon grimaced. “Thanks for that lovely mental image.”

“You’re a doctor – a little blood shouldn’t bother you.”

“It doesn’t, it just depends on whose it is.” He looked at her. “Can I ask another question?”

“You know what curiosity did to the cat, don’t you?”

“We’re back to blood and entrails again?”

She grinned. “Pretty much. So what’s your question?”

“River has been saying you keep out of her way a lot. I've noticed that too. But she says it’s because you’re the same as her. Does that make sense?”

The smile faded from Freya’s face and she sat very still. “In as much as we’re both females, I guess.”

Simon didn’t take the hint. “She said you were hurt by the Alliance.”

For a long time Freya didn’t answer