Chapter 8

Mal was surprised to see Simon coming directly towards him as soon as he entered the kitchen in the morning. He had even left River’s side for a moment, and Mal had previously noted that that was increasingly rare. A good thing, too, considering that the girl might go a whole day without reacting, or might have several episodes in sequence of various intensities.

“Doctor,” Mal acknowledged.

“I need to speak with you,” said Simon quietly.

“That’s what you’re doing, unless you have some fancy definition for speaking,” said Mal.

“I’d prefer to bring this up in a more private setting,” said Simon, glancing around the kitchen. Only Kaylee and Book were near enough to hear besides River, and they were conversing together.

“I think here is as good a place as any,” Mal answered, a hint of stubbornness in his tone. “Don’t go all mysterious, doctor, what’s on your mind?”

Simon looked less than encouraged, but Mal didn’t loosen his jaw even a fraction. “There is a cryo box with active life signs disguised and among your cargo,” said Simon finally.

At first shocked to get a straight answer, Mal then lowered his eyelids and said in a low voice, “You were nosing around the cargo?”

“River was looking around,” Simon defended, “and she touched the box before I could stop her.”

“Why was she anywhere near the cargo?” demanded Mal.

“I was not aware that that area was explicitly forbidden,” said Simon coolly.

“Do I have to lay it out in extreme detail?” asked Mal dangerously. “As a map?”

“As I said, I was in the process of persuading her to leave it alone,” answered Simon. “Once the discovery was made, however—”

“Yeah, I understand,” cut off Mal. He frowned. “Zoe,” he called.

“Yes, sir?”

“We have a problem,” said Mal, crossing his arms across his chest.

“Always do,” Zoe answered under her breath.

“An after breakfast problem, please?” asked Wash.

Mal frowned, but nodded.

Simon had returned to River, and Mal watched his movements, wondering. What was it about that