Jayne, Zoe, Simon, River and Kaylee were all gathered together in the seating area outside the Infirmary. Anxious expressions were everywhere and Kaylee’s quiet sobs filled the air. She was sat curled up next to Simon, leaning on him as he held her close. He wasn’t attempting to say anything to make her feel better, he didn’t need to. River was sat in the corner hugging her knees, her dark eyes on Simon and Kaylee but they were blank and empty.

“ So they was ruttin’ when they got nabbed?” Jayne asked to nobody in particular.

“No.” River said quietly.

“So what was the doin’?” He asked.

“They were just sleeping.” She answered. Jayne frowned and looked even more confused. So she decided to tell them all.

“ Inara has been sleeping in his arms since the night we all played Truth and Dare.” River said, making everyone feel slightly embarrassed at hearing something that innocent and personal.

“ She’s been suffering from nightmares.” Simon said quietly, they all had and he didn’t wish to provoke this again. Some, like Kaylee and Simon had someone to comfort them, others were used to the nightmares.

“ I saw her taking sleeping pills from the Infirmary a few weeks ago.” He said in answer to everybody’s questioning glances.

“ When I questioned her about it she said she’d been having trouble sleeping - since Miranda. After that I decided to keep an eye on her. I did notice that she was looking better recently. I suppose that’s why.”

He gave a bittersweet smile. This couple who had just made the first tiny, tentative steps towards admitting a love that could do so much for both of them could soon have that snatched away from them. They could soon be dead. All the things that would be left unsaid, all the things that would be left undone.

“ It happened for me.” He thought, looking down at Kaylee. “ And I’m so lucky to have her. After everything those two have done, after everything they have been through they deserve love. They deserve to have each other.”

“Two men.“ River’s small voice piped up, sounding d