Simon jumped down the last steps and was inside the infirmary almost before the sound of Freya’s scream had finished reverberating around Serenity. He checked the monitors, quelling the alarm, then was at Ethan’s side, his finger pressed gently against the boy’s neck.

“His heart’s not …” He didn’t finish.

“Ethan?” Freya was in shock.

“Mal, take her outside. Now .” There was no possibility of argument in his voice.

Mal put her arms around his wife. “Frey –“

“No!” She struggled to free herself.

“Please.” He turned her around, made her look at him. “Please,” he pleaded.

The pain on her face, the anguish and distress, torturing her as surely as … “Mal …”

“Please.”

She gave in, letting him lead her out into the common area. She kept looking over his shoulder.

“I need …” Simon ground his teeth as he grabbed different pieces of equipment.

“What?” River asked, appearing at his elbow.

He looked up in gratitude. “Read me,” he said simply.

She nodded, letting the thoughts of what he wanted her to do direct her hands.

Hank tumbled down the stairs, barely stopping himself from falling at the last step. “What was that?” he asked, his eyes automatically going to the infirmary window. And River lifting out the defibrillator paddles.

Don’t let her see. River’s voice in Jayne’s mind had the big man standing, moving between Freya and the door.

“What –“ Mal began, then saw the look on the mercenary’s face. His blood ran cold.

“No!” Freya shouted, fighting to get past them, her mind showing her son’s body jerking with the electricity flowing through it.

Kaylee stepped closer, her cheeks wet with tears of her own. “Frey, let him work,” she said softly.

Freya stared at her, then her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed, only Mal’s arms stopping her from falling to the floor.

He swung her up, carried her to the sofa. Quickly he checked her pulse. Strong, but rapid.

“She’s fainted.” Mal looked at Jayne. “Will you …”

He nod