Bedlam Part 10: A Strange Bedfellows Story

By Kaynara

***

It’s Joss’s verse--I just borrow it.

***

At the kitchen table, Simon sipped his tea, feeling the steaming herbal liquid slide down his throat. It did nothing to warm his chilled body. He didn’t notice River until she was right beside him, jumped when he felt her hand on his shoulder.

“You startled me.” He smiled, pulling out a chair for her to sit beside him. “You used to do that back on Osiris. As a girl, you’d pad around in bare feet, sneaking up on me like a ghost.”

River smiled knowingly.

“She remembers.”

“Of course you do. Brat.” He poked her in the ribs, making her giggle.

“It’s my job as your sister,” she said with a long-suffering sigh. “Where’s Kaylee?”

“Probably with Inara. The two of them have been whispering and giggling to each other ever since dinner.” He raised an eyebrow at River. “I don’t suppose you know what they’re talking about?”

“Girl talk.” She stretched out a long, slender arm along the table, rested her head there. “No boys allowed.”

“I’m your brother. You’re supposed to tell me things.”

River smiled slyly.

“Didn’t tell me ‘bout you and Kaylee.”

“That’s...that’s not the same thing.” Simon blushed, looked uncomfortably into his tea.

“Didn’t tell me what our father did. Caught the prodigal son in a blackout zone and cast him out of Eden. Brother and sister had to face the elements, face the wrath.”

“River--”

“You’re sad now. Thought one day we’d be allowed back. Thought he’d understand what you did, give forgiveness.” River shook her head. “Can’t ever go back to the Garden, Simon.”

Simon slid his hand through hers, lowered his head so their foreheads almost touched.

“I don’t want to go back home, mei mei. It wasn’t Paradise. It was all lies.”

“Can’t you see, Simon? We’re already home.”

***

Malcom Reynolds was not a happy ship captain. Someone had bugged his baby, planted a sneaky little tracking device that submitted signals to Ye su knows where. That someone