CHAPTER 11

EARLY MORNING

Jayne leans against the doorframe of the infirmary to find Simon sitting at an exam table with books open all around him. "Think all those books are gonna help?"

Simon looks up startled, "Where's River?"

"Asleep."

"Did she sleep through the night?"

"She woke a few times." Jayne answers. "You get any sleep?"

"I got a few hours." Simon shrugs "Thought I would do some research. I read their notes."

"And?"

"Well they did manage to sedate River a few times for exams. But it never lasted."

"Why didn't they end the pregnancy?" Jayne asks curiously.

"They had planned too but River fought them... according to one doctor she took out three people the first time. As her pregnancy progressed they realized the exceptional specimen they had. Apparently they never thought about any of their subjects reproducing... had no idea what would occur."

"What did they plan after?"

"They had hoped for a stronger version of River. One they could control. They stopped the drugs on River... only doing low sedation from time to time to do exams. They realized if they were invasive someone would get hurt."

"How is what happened there going to affect them?" Jayne demands

"I have no idea. I haven't finished with all of the notes."

"Say how River was otherwise?"

"Pretty much how she was here," Simon replies "switching mostly between anxiety, anger, and shutting down." Simon rubs his forehead. "I have no idea what can happen."

"Well find out!" Jayne growls

"This isn't an easy thing to figure out Jayne. Because she is pregnant, I won't be able to sedate River or give her anything when she does have anxiety attacks. Even if I wanted too I don't think either of them would allow it."

Jayne lifts his brow, "Why do I get the feelin you want to blame me for this?"

"I do but us fighting over River isn't going to make this situation any easier. Besides, I am not going to lose my sister over you not being able to keep your hormones under control. I t