“My name’s Simon Mara. I'm medic on board the Firefly transport ship Serenity. We have a medical emergency.” Simon leaned over the Cortex screen, staring at the woman whose image glared back.

“What is the nature of your emergency?” She was the epitome of efficiency, and no-one was going to come into her hospital without her say so.

“We have an eight and a half month old baby boy in severe cardio distress. His SA-node is failing.”

The look on her face softened a little. “Are you sure?”

He nodded. “He’s already had one seizure, and I'm afraid there will be more.”

“Do you know the cause?”

“Minuet’s.”

The woman nodded. “When will you be here?”

“Less than an hour.”

“Do you require an ambulance?”

“Yes.”

“Your docking port?”

“Havers Dock, no. 15.” Hank had already arranged it.

“A vehicle will be waiting. I’ll have our emergency team standing by.” She glanced down at another screen. “Do you have payment? This is, I'm afraid, beyond the normal level of statutory care.”

“As much as it costs.”

She nodded. “In an hour.”

The screen went to static.

“They gonna be able to do this?” Hank asked, retaking his seat.

“Greenleaf has an excellent medical facility, the best in the area. I'm sure Ethan will have the finest of care.” Simon went to leave the bridge.

“Doc, this is me you’re talking to. There ain't a one of us needs to hear that medical-type speech coming from you. Just answer the question.”

Simon sighed inwardly. “You know when I said I didn’t know about whether it was a good idea for Zoe to come out of the shuttle?”

Hank nodded slowly. “Right. I see.” His lips lifted in a humourless smile. “So the finest of care.”

“They’ll look after him.”

“They’d better.” Hank stared back out into the stars. “And the fee?”

“Jayne’s got an idea about that.”

---

“I can’t ask you,” Mal insisted.

“It’s for Ethan,” Jayne said, holding out the wadge of cash. “I ain't spent hardly any of it, and I … Mal, just take the damn money.”

Kayle