“Simon, are ya in here?” came Kaylee’s voice from the corridor outside River’s bunk.

Simon sat at the edge of River’s bed seemingly lost in a day dream. She crossed the room and gently shook his shoulder. “Are ya all right? You wasn’t at dinner and I was starting to . . . ”

“Oh, Kaylee I um . . . I was just . . . Is something wrong? He asked a bit startled.

“No everything is just shiny. I mean no one’s bleedin’ to death or nothin’. She laughed nervously. “I just wanted to bring the two of ya a bit of our feast before it got all gone.” She said handing him warm plates of whatever protein concoction Book had whipped up.

A small smile crept to the edges of Simon’s mouth. “Thank you, that was very thoughtful. It’s just River’s not... It’s been a very challenging day.” He said not wanting to put his burden on her shoulders as well. She’s not a burden, she’s your sister he thought guiltily.

“She’ ain’t no burden Simon.” Kaylee stated as if reading the thoughts from his pained expression. “ And you ain’t no burden either. You’re doing the best ya can for her. I can’t begin to imagine all the worries ya got belted up inside that head a yours, but you are forgettin’ one real

important detail.”

“That’s the problem Kaylee. I seem to be missing every important detail. I can’t cure her. I can’t even make her nightmares go away.” He said miserably. “This is the first time in nearly a week that she has slept soundly for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time.” He sighed, leaning over to tuck the blankets more firmly around River as she curled up into her dreams.

“Simon, that’s my point.” she said sitting down beside him. “You’re always gonna have worries about River. What you’re forgettin’ is you don’t have ta worry alone. You know your both part of the crew now and more than that your part of our family. River has lot’s a people lookin’ out for her. And I don’t have to remind you she’s done a pretty good job a lookin’ out for all of us too.”

“Family, huh? I hardly think everyone see’s River as just a