A/N: This chapter is a bit short, but is rated NC-17 for some, ah, "comfort."

Thanks to everyone for your great comments. I swear I am almost finished with the third part of this trilogy: Unforeseen Consequences, which is shaping up to be about 20 chapters and an epilogue. As a reminder, this story is 24 chapters and an epilogue, so we've still got a ways to go.

Thanks to Leiasky for the beta.

Simon watched anxiously as the ambulance settled into its normal berth on the hospital’s landing platform. His arm around Kaylee’s shoulders, both of them were unable to do more than stare as the small vehicle opened its doors and a team of medics rushed out three gurneys. From their current vantage point, just inside the emergency room’s sliding doors, all they could do was watch, any discussion or other noise separated from them by the soundproof glass.

With a whoosh of admittance, the doors opened and they were assaulted by a cacophony of sounds. Barked orders and vitals were rattled off, as doctors moved in to take over where the medics had left off. Simon and Kaylee turned as one, staring at the broken bodies of their comrades, as River and Zoe slowly made their way inside, their faces drawn tight.

River moved towards her brother automatically, enveloping him and Kaylee in a hug. Simon held her back, whispering a few words of gratitude for all she’d done and her safe return, while Kaylee continued to stare in silence. Glancing into her friend’s dull green eyes, River brushed some hair back from her cheek and whispered, “We will find them, Kaylee.”

Nodding minutely, Kaylee swallowed and watched as Mal’s unconscious form was wheeled towards the nearest operating room, while Jayne and Rafe were taken to separate rooms. Like some form of demented parade, Simon, River, Kaylee and Zoe followed.

River was at Rafe’s side, her bruised and burned hand claspin