Simon was now quite sure that he was doomed to attract cruel jokers. River would have been enough for a normal life, had the Fates been just, but Captain Reynolds was added on out of sadistic pleasure in watching the results, Simon was sure. And, of course, the amusement of the rest of the crew.

Slightly out of breath, Simon straightened his clothing and entered the infirmary. The memory of Mal’s joke was pushed back at the sight of Kaylee’s smiling face.

“Hey, doctor,” she said. “Don’t know if I should, but I’m feeling almost ready to get up. Shepherd here says I’d regret it if I did, though.”

“Considering the location of your wound, I wouldn’t want to wish that kind of pain on anyone, and so I echo his advice,” said Simon, in the smooth tone that indicated that Doctor Tam rather than Fugitive Tam or Brother Simon was in the infirmary now.

“You been shot ‘fore?” asked Kaylee.

“No,” answered Simon, preparing another dosage of pain medicine for her. “I had my appendix removed.”

Kaylee’s face twisted in a way that Simon might have smiled at if he was looking at her. “Doncha need that?”

“Actually, there is no definitive research that has found a purpose for that particular organ,” continued Simon, administering the shot.

“Well, then it don’t really make sense why we have it. Though,” she added, “it’s not like I can’t name a dozen parts on Serenity that she don’t need. Real inefficient design in areas.” She paused, then asked curiously: “There any other body parts we don’t need?”

Simon could not help feeling the worry and bitterness slowly slip off his back from where they had been heavy, and he answered more friendlily. “Not precisely. The human body is more efficient than a man-made object like Serenity, so though there are certain organs you can live without, it would not be a proper recommendation to have them removed simply for that reason. The tonsils, however, are commonly removed if they become inflamed.”

“Y’know, doctor,” continued Kaylee, though Simon had turned to check on Riv