“He’s recovering well. In fact, much faster than I would have imagined.” Ethan’s doctor was impressed. “If you have decent facilities, you can take him back to your ship tomorrow.”

“We have,” Simon said. “I can look after him.”

“Good.” The surgeon narrowed his eyes a little. “Did you never think of becoming a doctor yourself?” he asked. “You seem to have a natural aptitude for it.”

“I … tried,” Simon lied, thinking quickly. “I was at MedAcad, but there were family problems, and I … things happened, I couldn’t go back.”

“You should consider it. You’d be an asset to any hospital.”

“Thank, but I have a place to be.”

“Your ship.”

“It’s not mine, but … it’s home.”

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know. I’d be happy to put in a good word for you.”

“Thank you.”

The doctor became efficiency itself again. “Just keep giving him the shots, and he should be up and about in a few days. Keep him calm, if you can, although I know what a boy that age can be like. I have twins myself.”

“I’ll try.”

“He’s healing very well.”

“He gets that from his mother.”

“Really?” The doctor turned to look into the small ward. “Then she’s very lucky.”

“That she is.” Simon held out his hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.” They shook. “Remember, the medical profession could use a man like you.” He smiled and walked away.

“He ain’t wrong,” Hank said, coming up behind him. “Though I kinda think we got the best end of the deal.”

“I just wish …” Simon watched Mal and Freya standing by their son’s bedside.

“You knew what to do, doc,” Zoe said, the other side. “You saved Ethan’s life as surely as that man did.”

“And you didn’t make him sick in the first place,” Hank added.

Simon smiled. At last. “You can try to talk me out of it all you like, but I’m going to wallow in the guilt for a while longer.”

Hank sighed. “You’re just waiting for little Kaylee to sex you out of it.”

Zoe swatted him with her hand. “None of that talk. We’re in a hospital.”