River was stretched atop the ceiling of her bunk abroad the space ship Serenity.

One thought drifted into her mind all of a sudden Why did the academy hurt me ?

As graceful as a swan she slid down off form her position on the ceiling.

She then said out loud to herself, "I must get this information form him."

River walked slowly toward the infirmary where she knew she would find her brother working, or meticulously cleaning his space.

She hated the small bluish room, the over head medical lights were too bright they blinded her eyes and made her head hurt, harsh disinfectants permeated the air ,the floor was cold and hard smooth, and unforgiving under her bare feet.

The infirmary reminded her too much of the Academy's lab where they conducted their ruthless and senseless experiments on her.

Simon was again worried about his sister's mental state it had seemed that she had gotten so much better.

Four months had passed since they had eluded the Operative and had posted the horrific news about Miranda.

In that sort period of time it had seemed she had become the old playful, brilliant minded sister that he had always known.

Still he knew that she had terrible nightmares and still questioned him as to why she was operated on at the Academy.

Simon was fearful to tell her the whole truth for he was worried that in her fragile state that River would have a psychotic break and be wrenched away form him and the world.

He didn't want that to happen ever again.

Even thorough it pained him greatly to lie to her he felt it was at the present time the best for her.

Simon thought sadly I don't know if I am strong enough to loose her a second time.

However these episodes of her constant questioning of him was becoming less and less frequent.

After the death of their pilot Wash, Mal had even let River become his co-pilot something she was extremely happy about.

In light of her amazing recovery Simon was rather baffled when his sister came walking slowly into his sanctuary with a quizzical look on her face.

River walked up to her brother and asked bluntly "Simon why did the Academy hurt me, why did they mess about with my brain?"

Simon took a deep breath in exhaling deeply he went over to River and wrapped her in a tight comforting hug.

He then said quietly "Mèi-mei, I'm sorry but I still don't know why the Academy wanted to hurt you but I promise we will find out, all right?"

River squeezed him softly and replied "Okay, Simon that will have to suffice for the time being."

She knew that he was lying as she had read his mind weeks ago when she first asked him the question but she knew that he wanted to tell her in his own way and was just being overprotective

River slid out of Simon's hug and said teasingly " Simon you are such a báichī."

Simon smiled at her and replied affectionately "Of course compared to you who wouldn't be."

Suddenly Kaylee Frye Serenity's mechanic, River's best friend and Simon's fiancé walked into the infirmary

Kaylee smiled warmly at the siblings and replied cheerfully "Hey genius did ya forget that we have a Jacks rematch today?"

She went over to Simon and gave him a kiss on the lips.

The two had been a official item since they had repaired Serenity on Persephone.

Simon had proposed to her a month ago.

Because they had no jobs lined up, the crew of Serenity had decided to head to Kaylee's home planet so Simon could meet her family and the two could wed.

After their wedding he and Kaylee were to travel to Sihnon their friend Inara's home planet.

Inara had booked a honeymoon suite for the couple in one of the planet's oldest and most luxurious hotels.

Kaylee looked at both of them and asked worriedly "Jièkǒu wǒ yào wǒ huílái yǐhòu ne?"

Simon gave Kaylee a kiss and said lovingly "You can stay River was just insulting my lower level of intellect as usual."

River turned to Kaylee and replied jokingly " I didn't forget but, it doesn't matter really I'm just going to win again."

Kaylee put her hands on her hips and shot back defensively "Hey, I may not be as educated as y'all but I sure darn know how to play a game of Jacks."

Simon said disapprovingly "River that wasn't very nice."

River broke into a grin and replied deviously "I was only foolin', I'll race you to the cargo bay Kaylee."

Kaylee gave Simon one last kiss and said eagerly " You are so on prodigy!"

Simon counted them down "One, two,..."

But before he got to three River was already half way down the hall.

Kaylee yelled irritated "Hēi huílái, zài zhèlǐ nǐ āng zāng de piànzi !"

She gave Simon a wild grin and bolted down the hall after River.

Kaylee and River had their rematch and because she knew she genuinely hurt her feelings River let her win, but she made sure that Kaylee didn't know.

After dinner she went to her bunk early because she wanted to think.

River knew Simon would tell her the truth soon but she wished that he would do it sooner rather than later.

Before she went to sleep she

Tomorrow I will tell him that I know, I can't stand to see him in so much strife.

This would be her task and she would complete it.

With that River fell asleep and for the first time in a long while she didn't have any nightmares.

Mandarin Translations

Jièkǒu wǒ yào wǒ huílái yǐhòu ne- Excuse me should I come back later?

báichī- Idiot

Hey come back here you dirty cheater- Hēi huílái, zài zhèlǐ nǐ āng zāng de piànzi!