Act IV – Amity Part II

Freya stayed in the cargo bay while Etta and Inara made tea, Kaylee scampered off to find her cookies, and Zoe went for chocolate. She sat in one of the chairs and gazed out into the darkness, wondering, but not peeking, as to what Mal was actually doing. A noise above her had her looking up towards shuttle two.

“You gonna join us?” she asked, seeing River standing on the catwalk, dressed only in a slip of a nightgown.

The young woman shook her head. “Feeling sick.”

Freya immediately stood up. “You need Simon? I can get him if –“

“Nausea caused by rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and fluctuating estrogen,” River explained, then looked very sorry for herself. “Only was supposed to be in the morning.”

Freya couldn’t help laughing, and relaxed a little. “Honey, you know what happened to me. Morning, noon, middle of the night … ask Mal. He remembers.”

“Simon can’t help.” She sighed.

“I'm sure there’s something –“

“No.” River shook her head. “I won’t take it anyway. In case it upsets my control. Or him.” She glanced down at her as yet still-flat belly.

“Him?”

“Or her. Better than it.”

“I know.”

“But I won’t take anything that might harm.”

Freya understood. “Worrisome, isn’t it? Thinking about the baby, keeping him safe, not knowing the best way to … That’s what being a mother is all about.”

“Does it ever stop?”

“Not that I'm aware. Mal thinks he’s likely to lock Jesse up until she’s at least thirty, and Ethan’s not going to be much better.”

River finally smiled. “Jayne thinks the same. Not said, but he worries.”

“You know, I get the feeling he’s going to be a good father. And I don’t say that lightly.”

“He’ll be good,” River agreed, then put her hand over her mouth, going a little pale. “I have to …” she mumbled, then turned on her heel and ran back into the shuttle.

“That River?” Kaylee asked, heading out of the common area. “She okay?”

“Morning sickness.”

The young mechanic sighed. “H