Chapter 15

Kaylee awoke groggily with a throbbing headache. She opened her eyes slowly, expecting to gaze upon her beloved from the bed in the infirmary, but her eyes instead focused on the roof of the engine room and Kaylee began to worry. She closed them in an attempt to recall what series of events led her to the engine room floor and with a headache that made her feel like her skull was in a vice. She cautiously probed her forehead with her fingers and found the soft fabric of a gentleman's shirt tied snuggly around it. Feels like one of Simon's shirts, she mused.

"Simon!," Kaylee gasped, as her eyes snapped open. She rolled onto her stomach and gingerly lifted herself on her hands and knees while she searched the room for Simon. She called out to him, "Simon, are you here? Are you ok?"

"Too much. Too sharp," Simon's voice mumbled from somewhere nearby. Kaylee scanned the area and found him backed into the darkest corner of the engine room rocking back and forth hugging his knees to his chest in a manner disturbingly similar to River.

"Honey," Kaylee called out to him as she attempted to stand. A wave of dizziness crashed over her and she decided crawling to him was a better plan. She reached Simon and wrapped her arms around his quivering form, cradling his head against her breast. "It's okay baby, just tell me what's wrong," Kaylee soothed as she rocked him gently back and forth.

"They aren't mine and I shouldn't have them," he sobbed, "it isn't right."

"Sweetie what's-" Kaylee began before interrupting herself with a gasp. He was wearing the armband drug dispenser she created. He must have used the drug… how long will he… "It's okay sweetie I'm here," Kaylee soothed, trying her best to emulate what she had seen of Simon comforting River in the past, "I'm here and you're safe. We're all gonna be just fine."

"I can- c-c-c-c-c… it's difficult…"

"Shhhh," Kaylee whispered while placing a finger on his lips, "it's okay. You don't gotta to say nothin'. I'll take care o' you. 'Sides," Kayle