“Are you hungover?” Hank asked as Simon stepped down into the galley, Kaylee behind him. The young doctor looked pale, with just a hint of green around his cheeks, and his wife didn’t look that much better.

“ Mal’s cocktail . That’s what they should call it. Then put a skull and crossbones on it to warn everyone not to drink it.” Simon shook his head then wished he hadn’t. “You?”

“Not feeling too hot,” Hank admitted, then winced as Jayne stomped into the room. “Do you have to?” he asked, wondering if his eyeballs looked any better from the other side.

Jayne ignored him. “Where’s River?”

“In her room,” Simon said. “I checked on her before we came up. Why?”

“Just wondered if she wanted breakfast.” No way he was going to admit he’d woken up alone and was worried about her.

“She said no.” Simon sat down carefully. “And please don’t talk about food.”

“Why, you feeling the effects of that stuff Mal put together?” Jayne asked, grinning.

“I just feel a little … fragile this morning.” He tried to glare at the big man. “Probably those damn cigars didn’t help.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm his stomach.

Jayne let out a bark of laughter. “You ain’t the only one. Heard sounds coming from Zoe’s bunk just now made me think maybe she had too much as well.”

“Zoe?” Hank was up and out of his chair, hurrying down the corridor.

“I didn’t think she was drinking,” Kaylee said. “Didn’t see her.”

“You were puttin’ it away somewhat your own self,” Jayne pointed out. “Prob’ly just too drunk to notice.”

“I was not drunk!”

“Kinda surprised you ain’t stuck with your head down the john too, all that crap Mal put in. Not just the wine, but rum, fruit, and something sticky he found at the back o‘ the cupboard -”

“Please,” Simon implored. “Don’t.”

“Doc, that weren’t nothing.” Jayne reached over and clapped the young man on the back. “There’s a brew on Whitefall, well, I always figured that’s why Patience is the way she is. They add raw eggs and pig’s blood to