River felt Simon’s concern before she even opened her eyes. She had no idea how long she’d been out, but she could tell from the strong emotions that emanated off her brother it had been long enough and he was worried.

Stirring, her eyes blinked open and she tried to bring them into focus. “Mei mei?” Simon’s voice was soft, as he gently stroked the hair back off her forehead, his warm hand covering her cold one. “Mei mei, can you hear me?”

She nodded unsure if she could trust her voice. Deciding it was time to feign ignorance, she asked, “What happened?”

“You don’t remember,” Simon asked, his doctor brain working in overdrive as he tried to connect the dots. “You fainted on the bridge, right after we made it off Persephone.”

Of course, River remembered the whole ordeal, but Simon didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know that this was just the start of more to come. Looking around the room, she turned back to him and questioned, “Where’s Kaylee?”

Puzzled by the abrupt change of topic, Simon said, “Sleeping. I sent her to bed. I’m worried about you, mei mei.”

She fixed him with a knowing smile and gently patted his arm. “I’m fine, Simon. Just over tired. I was having a hard time sleeping and that job must have pushed me over the edge. I feel a hundred times better.” Pulling her hand out from underneath his, River swung her legs over the side of the bed, and stood, fighting back the wave of dizziness the motion brought.

Simon stood back at her sudden movement, unsure what to make of it. Coming forward and wrapping an arm around her waist, he said, “Mei mei, I really want you to stay in here for tonight. I need to monitor you. I’ll stay with you,” he added, certain that her hesitation came from not wanting to be alone.

If he only knew … Shaking her head, she gave him her best defiant stare and said, “Nope. I’m going to sleep in my own bunk. Now you can help me there if you want, but I’m not staying here.”

Simon studied her for a moment more, again baffled by his