“Easy!” Simon carped as Zoë hefted him roughly across her shoulders and adjusted her grip on his wrist. The idea of carrying Simon between their shoulders had been hindered seriously by fact that Mal was a good bit taller than Simon or Zoë, but they were making do. Simon had been going in and out of consciousness for the entire walk from the shuttle and Mal wished like hell he’d just stay passed out. Then he could have his way and just toss Simon over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“You’re awfully whiny for a hero,” Mal said.

“Stop calling me that.”

Simon killed a man to save Cole. Mal wasn’t soon to forget that or let it go unthanked.

“Aunt Kaylee calls him –”

“Hey!” Simon warned and Zoë bit back a snicker.

“Zo, there are some things men don’t want to know about other men,” Mal said.

He could see the hospital now, and he resisted the urge to speed up. Simon swooned and Mal reached across to catch his weight. They paused long enough to let him wake and catch his breath. Zoë wiped the sweat from her lip and leaned her hands on her knees, looking from Simon to the hospital door. The area was well-lit, considering the time of night, and the neighboring buildings shielded it somewhat from the wind.

“Why did we park so far?” she panted.

“Don’t you get whiny too,” Mal said.

“I’m sixteen, I can’t help it.”

Mal nudged Simon and Zoë took the cue. Once inside, they all gasped gratefully, inhaling lungs full of warm, clean air… and probably more than a few pathogens. Mal checked the directory and nodded to the left.

“Elevators are that way. Burn ward is on sixteen.”

“Don’t we need to check in first?” Zoë asked.

“I don’t like waiting.”

They entered the elevator and Simon swooned again. They were close enough to the destination that Mal didn’t mind throwing Simon over his shoulders. As soon as the elevator opened, Zoë dashed into the hall and found a bed. Mal followed her behind the curtain and laid Simon down carefully. Simon stirred almost immediately and started mumbling a l