Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon. Mainly because I haven't the courage to stick in a Mary Sue. Also because he is awesome. Will continue to live vicariously through Mal.

This is Chapter 4 of the story that began here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5474

and continued here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5523

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5547

and is a continuation of Our Co-Pilot Tam, which can be found here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5386

It would be very shiny if anyone could tell me how to stick in actual links.

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A silence descended over Serenity's cargo bay, as if the engines had suddenly turned off and the steady hum the crew had become used to had faded. Zoe and Jayne turned as one, to stare first at Simon, then at his father, then, confusedly, at each other. Simon looked over at Inara, then back to Gabriel, a look of deep shock on his face.

“Welcome home, Simon,” Gabriel said, holding out his hands.

“Home?” Simon looked around, confused.

“This is your home, you know,” Gabriel replied.

“But...River--” Simon stammered.

“It seems I should apologize,” said Gabriel, stepping forward. “You were right; I was wrong. Bringing the Miranda Tapes to light was the most important thing you could have done with your life, Simon. More important than becoming Head of Surgery. Who knows how many lives you helped save?”

“Dad,” Simon said, approaching him. “I—It's good to be home.” The two Tams fell into a hearty embrace.

After a long time, Gabriel pulled away. “And River?” he asked. “Where is River?”

“Ahh...she...” Pain clouded over Simon's face.

“Is she alive?” Gabriel asked intently. “You did rescue her, didn't you? After all?”

Simon nodded. “They did things to her, Dad,” he said, “Worse than I imagined. She can read people's minds—no, she can't stop reading them. They induced paranoid schizophrenia in her, drove her insane—half the time,