Supper tray in hand, Simon silently slid aside the door to River’s room, glanced inside, and flushed with anger.

Captain Reynolds was in his sister’s room uninvited, bent over her sleeping form. Checking her restraints, no doubt, he thought. Except that Simon had removed them; nothing but weariness held her to her bed. And Simon was sure that if the captain ordered her tied down again, he’d refuse. And if the man reached for the cuffs himself…

He was holding her hand.

“I’m sorry,” he said, almost in a whisper.

River’s eyes were still closed, but a line appeared between her eyes. “Go way,” she said peevishly.

Mal straightened and laid her hand on the mattress.

“It’s too crowded,” she went on. “Get out of the way, I need to talk.” Then her eyes slitted open, and she smiled sleepily… at Mal, not her brother standing just outside the door. “Hey, Captain,” she said in a sunny tone very unlike her, her voice pitched high and musical.

Mal bent back over her. “How are you doing?”

“I’m shiny, Captain. A-OK.” Mal started. Simon recognized it too: Kaylee’s voice. Not a perfect imitation, but very close. “Can’t feel much… below my belly, though. It’s gettin cold.”

Simon hadn’t anesthetized River. There was no reason…

Mal reached for the sheet at River’s feet and drew it up as far as her ribs. “Well…” He seemed to be searching for words. “Well, you just gotta rest. Something’s gonna break down on this boat real soon. Who else I got to fix it?”

“Oh, don’t you worry none. Doc fixed me up… pretty.” She gave Mal another sleepy smile. “He’s nice.”

The tiny hairs on Simon’s forearms rose as he realized the probable origin of the present conversation.

“Don’t go workin too hard on that crush, mei mei,” the captain said. “Doc won’t be with us long.”

Kaylee pulls through, you and your sister are getting off at Whitefall. If she doesn’t, you’ll be getting off a mite sooner.

“You’re nice too.” She stirred slightly, settling back into sleep.

“No I’m not.” The man’s head bowed. “I’m a mean ol