“Captain, we can’t move Kaylee.” Simon was jogging to keep up with the taller man as he hurried down the hall to the examine room.

“Sorry, doc, but we don’t have a choice,” Mal shot back over his shoulder as he pushed the room’s doors open. “Jayne, get her back on that stretcher and to the ship.” The mercenary obeyed without comment. “Doc, grab all the medicine you can and get your sister back to Serenity.”

Simon planted himself between Mal and the door. “No.”

His declaration stopped everyone in their tracks. All eyes turned to Simon and Mal as the captain tried to determine the best way to berate the doctor. “Boy, I don’t think you’re fully comprehending the whole idea of captain.” When Simon didn’t have a comment, Mal continued, “I’m the captain and you’re on my crew. I give an order and you follow. It’s really not that complicated, even for the top three percent.”

“There has to be better way,” Simon told him quietly, still refusing to move.

“Well, genius, why don’t you tell me what it is,” Mal demanded. “Because the only other way I see at the moment is turning you over to the feds and getting the hell off this rock!”

“The young man is right, captain,” Bernard intoned from near the door. He had watched the power struggle in silence and now weighed in with his own idea. “Running doesn’t have to be your only option.”

“All right, pop, I’m listenin’,” Mal told him, giving Jayne a nod. The merc lowered Kaylee back to the bed and waited, with his arms crossed over his chest for Mal to grow a pair, and get them out of here.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve cared for patients with a colorful history,” the older man said, looking to Inara.

In an instant, the companion put the pieces together. “Of course, the tunnels.”

Still confused and not pleased, Mal looked between the two of them and said, “The what?”

“Tunnels, Mal,” Inara said, grabbing River’s hand and gesturing to Simon. “You two come with me. Doctor.” With a nod, Inara acknowledged her friend and began