On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming

Mal was exasperated with Simon. The man had been plaguing the life out of him since the last wave from Inara.

“I need you and Wash here on the boat that’s why.” He was answering the tenth complaint from the doctor. “Wash is going to keep watch out here and pilot us away if need be. And you will get the infirmary ready in case we have injuries. Dong ma?”

“That’s all very well Captain, but I question why you need to take River with you.” Simon was worried about his sister and how she may react to all the new sensations on the moon. Although she had been a little improved since her tussle with Early, he thought she was by no means ready to go into a potentially dangerous situation.

If the truth were told Mal wasn’t too sure about taking the girl with them either. But he was willing to try anything that might help in the rescue of his crew.

“We might need a reader down there, and she’s the only one we have. So I’m sorry doctor but River is coming with us.” he turned to Wash “How long to the rendezvous?”

“Another four hours and we should be above Trinity.” And he’d be stuck here with the doctor again “You should be down on the moon by nightfall, and then the fun will really begin.”

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Jayne pushed aside the bushes and staggered into the cave where Kaylee was pacing anxiously.

“Jayne!” she dashed forward and grasping his elbow helped as he slumped to the ground. He was covered in mud, drippin’ water everywhere and bleedin’ from a bad gash in his arm.

Kaylee turned and picked up the med kit she had put aside when Jayne was late getting’ back. She blessed the fact that the stolen packs had included the kit as well as food and weapons.

“Cover the entrance first Kaylee.” He reminded her when she turned to him med kit in hand. He watched as she pulled the bushes back into place. She hadn’t flinched away from him this time. Yesterday when they stopped runnin’ Kaylee had taken one look