By the time Serenity approached Newhall both Ethan and Hope were beginning to sniffle, and their temperatures were increasing.

“It’s okay,” Simon reassured an anxious Freya and Kaylee outside the infirmary. “There’s still time to give them the antiviral, and they’re both strong children.”

“You sure there won’t be problems?” Kaylee was pale, her normal sunny disposition buried under a mountain of worry.

“I'm sure, bao-bei . Just get her bits and pieces, and take her into the shuttle.” He smiled, just a tilt of the lips. “At least Bethie will have someone to play with.”

“She’s asleep most of the time.”

If she bit her lip much harder, he considered, she’d draw blood. “No, that’s good.” He rubbed her arm. “The more rest she gets, the quicker her body’s going to throw this off.”

“I guess. You’re the doctor.” She didn’t look convinced.

“More than that. I'm their father.” It didn’t occur to him anymore that Hope wasn't his flesh. As far as he was concerned, his words were the honest truth. “Now, you go get some of her stuff. That grey … thing Jayne got her is a favourite.”

“It’s a hippo!” Kaylee said firmly.

“It’s got five legs.”

“She doesn’t care!” The young mechanic flounced away towards the nursery, radiating scorn.

Simon could help a grin, but it faded when he looked back at Freya. “Something on your mind?”

“What’s the point in all this?” she asked in turn.

“The point?” His eyebrows raised – he’d expected her to understand, at least. “Well, the antiviral –“

“Not that. I mean all this pretence. Putting the children in the shuttle, as if that’s going to stop it spreading.”

Simon sighed and took her arm, leading her to the common area chairs. “Did you peek?” he asked, making her sit down.

Her body was stiff, unyielding, hands clasped tightly in her lap. “No, but I'm more than capable of researching the Cortex.”

“Second guessing me now?”

“Afraid for my children.”

“Frey, don’t be. I'm a damn good doctor. You know that.”

“But even yo