Kaylee groaned. “Oh, Cap’n,” she whimpered, grabbing his hand and squeezing tight as a wave of pain shot through her.

“Kaylee?” Mal watched her fight it, then looked up. “We need a doctor!” he said, scanning the crowd.

“We ain’t got one,” the man who had spoken before said apologetically. “Ours got took by sickness last winter, and there ain’t been anyone around since then.”

Mal glared at him then gathered Kaylee into his arms, managing to get awkwardly to his feet. “Don’t worry, mei-mei ,” he said to her as she held him tightly. “I’ll get him back.”

He carried her to Serenity, ignoring the looks from all the people they passed. As the Firefly came into view Freya ran ahead.

“What’s going on?” Hank asked, looking out of the cargo bay doors, then saw what Mal was carrying. “ Tzao gao .”

“Go get Zoe and Jayne, now,” Freya said firmly.

Hank nodded and ran off, passing Mal carrying Kaylee, and pausing only a moment to look at her face before running even faster.

“Freya?” Inara looked down from the catwalk.

“I’m going to need your help.”

“What is it?” Inara asked, then her face turned white as Mal stepped up the ramp. “Kaylee!” She ran down the stairs as Mal carried the mechanic through into the infirmary.

“I think she’s in labour,” he said as he laid her tenderly onto the medbed. “We need a doctor.”

“Soon as they get back we’ll be gone,” Freya said, starting to undo Kaylee’s clothes.

Mal stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Let Inara do that,” he said, pulling her gently out of the door. “Frey, you ever birthed a baby?”

She shook her head. “Nope. You?”

“Foals, calves, yeah, back on the ranch,” he admitted. “But generally that was just a case of watching and waiting. I never helped deliver a baby before.”

“Inara helped with Petaline’s baby,” Freya pointed out.

“She told you about that?” Mal asked, distracted for a moment.

“And about Nandi.” She put her hand on his arm. “But that’s a conversation for another time, don’t you think?”