A/N: Here is the next installment. What happened when Zoe and Simon got Mal back to Serenity? I hope you like it.

“We have to get him back to the ship, mah shong (now)” Simon said. “And we have to do it fast or we will lose him.”

Zoe nodded and the both of them lifted him into the mule. As they pulled away, Zoe took a quick look around.

“What about River?” she asked solemnly.

“She’s gone,” Simon whispered. “They would have taken her off world quickly. There’s nothing I can do for her now. I can only help Mal.”

Zoe floored the mule. She got on the comm.

“Jayne, we’re on our way back. I want to be in the air as soon as we get there.”

“Kaylee has her heated up. We’re ready to go,” Jayne said. There was a long pause before Jayne said anything more. Zoe almost didn’t hear him. His voice was laden with concern. “How are they, Zoe?”

“It’s happening. Just as we knew it would,” Zoe told him. Her voice was flat, devoid of all emotion.

“But how are they?”

Zoe said nothing more. Simon answered for her.

“Mal’s hurt bad. He’s been shot three times. They went through his armor like he wasn’t wearing any. It doesn’t look good,” Simon answered softly. Simon eyed Zoe warily. He took in a deep breath. “We lost River. They took her.”

“Tiān xiǎo de (in the name of all that’s sacred),” Jayne muttered. “We’ll be off as soon as you hit the cargo bay. Zhu yi, Doc (watch your back).”

It seemed like an eternity before they reached the ship. As soon as they pulled in, Zoe jumped off the mule and hit the button to close the cargo bay.

“We’re on!” Simon yelled through his comm.

Almost immediately, he felt the ship lift off. Zoe and Simon carried Mal into the Infirmary. Simon started surgery without delay, frantically trying to repair the damage. Zoe stayed and helped him as best she could. When they finished, he found Jayne and Kaylee hovering in the common area. Kaylee’s face was red and puffy. She had obviously been crying. Jayn