Kaylee ran through the streets as fast as she could. People were watching her, getting out of her way, but she ignored them. All she could think of was her husband, of Simon, of Zoe’s comlink call, of the way her stomach had tied itself in knots at the words.

“ We’ve found him .”

“Is he okay?”

“ Better get here, Kaylee. ”

Kaylee stared at Freya, who stood up slowly. “Go. I’ll look after everyone here. Go on.”

“But you’re sick and I –“

Freya pushed her gently. “Go.”

“Lock up behind me,” the young woman said, not waiting for a reply, just heading down the stairs at breakneck speed. She barely saw River standing white-faced by the ramp controls, hardly heard her whispered “Bring him home.” Just ran.

Jayne was in the reception area. “Said I’d wait for ya,” he explained. “Show you where he is.”

“Is he –“ She couldn’t finish, her own face paler than he’d ever seen.

“He’s alive, Kaylee.” He patted her arm, somewhat awkwardly. He’d had a soft spot for this young mechanic ever since he’d first come on board, more or less from the same moment the Cap’d warned him off.

“You touch her, you’ll be seeing what it feels like to take a walk outside. Without benefit of air.”

He’d never done more than look, and now not even that. Kaylee was like his little sister, and he found himself worried because she was. Not that he was concerned about the doc, of course. Never that. Even if the guy was his brother-in-law. Yeah, right.

“Where is he?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“This way.” He steered her towards the business side of the clinic.

As they hurried through what seemed like interminable corridors, she was wringing her hands. “What if he ain’t okay?” she was saying, almost to herself. “What if I gotta tell Bethie and Hope their Daddy ain't coming home? What if –“

“He’s a strong feller,” Jayne assured her, ignoring his inner mercenary berating him for showing any kind of feeling. “Had to be, surviving what we’ve thrown his way.”

Kaylee