Sands of Time

Meg opened her eyes lazily, light flooding them. A searing pain shot through her body, and she whined, touching her wound. She lay back down, groaning. It was al patched up, but it didn't stop the gorram pain. She bit her lip, nearly drawing blood. Closing her eyes, she let them rest, the light seemed so bright. Am I dying? She quickly sat up, a pang of torture shot through her, she squealed in resposne. Quickly Simon walked over, making her lay back down.

"You need to rest. You may reopen the wound," he said softly. Meg laid back down, her head slipping on the leather chair. God why did she get herself into these situations? She licked her parched lips, narrowing her eyes so the light didn't hurt as much.

"H-how long has it been?" she asked through a strained voice. Simon returned, tipping a glass of water into her mouth. She welcomed the liquid relived, swallowing it quickly.

"A day. You gave us a scare. Thought we might have lost you last night. Captain Reynolds seemed the most distraught however. Does he know you. Personally?" Simon replied, crossing his arms. Meg shook her head.

"Not to my knowledge," she said rubbing her head. Simon went around putting a needle into her I.V.

"Your doing much better. Can you feel your legs?" Meg nodded, a faint smile pursed her lips. She was imagining how distraught Aunt Sage was. She probably didn't sleep a single wink. She finally managed to part both eyes, getting a better look at the room. She noticed the many supplies and needles. She shifted uncomfortably, gripping one arm tightly with her hand. She despised needles. Simon noticed. "Don't worry. You want need anymore," he said wit ha slight smile. A small noise made him look up. River stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She watched through her soggy hair, looking directly at Meg. "River," Simon said looking at her with gentle eyes. River titled her head stepping into the room.

"Little bird wants to be free," she said quietly, stepping up to the counter. She leaned on it, studying Meg closely. Simon sighed moving across to her. River shook her head. "No needles," she said firmly, backing away. Simon shook his head.

"No mei mei. No needles," he said, taking her hand in his. He glanced back at Meg who was watching intently. "Mei mei, this is Margaret, she-"

"She got hurt. Bad men, came and took her brother away. Hurt her mom. Hurt everything. Shot the dog. Shot the horse. Tried to take her. But she wanted to be free. Little bird wants to be free," she said, looking over Meg with vibrant blue eyes. Meg shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze. She coughed, quickly covering her mouth with her hand. As she drew it back, she noticed blood. Simon glided to her bedside, taking out a flashlight. He inspected her eyes.

"Just a sort of aftershock," he breathed, handing her a tissue. Meg took it, dabbing at her mouth. She groaned at the pain it caused her to move. River sighed, propping herself onto the counter. Simon watched quietly and finally said. "Margaret, this is my sister River." Meg nodded, giving a weak smile.

"She's gorgeous," she said weakly. River looked up, making eye contact. She managed to smile flatly. Simon glanced between the two, and sighed.

"Well, I, I uh, have to go help out with the supplies. I think," he said, scratching his head. He turned, walking through the frame. So the two girls were left alone. Meg looked away, closing her eyes with a sigh. River floated off the counter and to her side. Meg started, looking at her quizzically. River got close to her, looking at her eyes carefully.

"You make the Captain jittery. Uneasy, nervous," she sighed. She backed off, "He admires you," she said flippantly walking back to the counter. Meg considered the girls statement. She didn't understand. Well, no one really understood River. He admired her? In what way? Meg waved the notion, wanting to sleep. She was exhausted.

Mal stood in the helm, sitting in Wash's old seat. He slumped back in it, looking out on the fireflies glimmering in the night sky. He sighed, propping his hand on his face, his index finger on his temple. The helm was quiet, the only sound was a cricket that found its way inside. The silence was quickly broken by the sound of footfalls. Mal didn't budge, just looked out into the stars. He winced, a familiar voice breaking his precious quiet.

"She's, uh doing better," Simon said, standing in the doorway. He leaned on the frame, arms crossed. Mal nodded, giving a sigh and standing up. He strode to the door, placing his hands on his hips.

"Good. How soon until she can go home?" he asked, raising his brows. Simon shrugged.

"A week at most. She lost a lot of blood. I wouldn't be surprised if she came down with something while her system-" Simon was cut off. Mal waved a hand.

"I got it," he said, brushing past the doctor. Simon turned, looking at him, his arms still crossed.

"Do you know her?"

"What," Mal replied, stopping to turn around.

"Or is she just another dollar to be made?"

"I don't like your tone doctor."

"No. No, I understand. Its just business."

"Hey, she got shot down by someone else. It wasn't our fight," Mal said fuming. Simon nodded, brushing past the Captain. Mal grabbed his arm. "It aint none of your business doctor. You just do what your supposed to, and stay out of my affairs, we understood," he said, quirking an expectant brow.

"Dhang ran." Simon shook his head, going in the opposite direction. Mal furrowed his brows, giving a momentary glare before continuing. He met up with Zoe in the kitchen, where she sat at a table drinking tea, Inara behind the counter talking to her. He paused in the hallway, listening in. Eavesdropping if you will.

"He seems to be quite wrapped up in all of this."

"Ever seen him not wrapped up in something?"

"Well. No."

"Captain likes to be aware, likes to be on guard."

"Is this going to turn into another war story?"

"All I'm saying, is he likes where he is."

Inara nodded, giving a sigh. She glanced to the doorway seeing. Her fingers fumbled, gripping her cup. Zoe looked up, giving a nod in his direction. "Eavesdropping?" Inara said, bringing her cup to her lips. Mal walked in the doorway giving a smirk.

"I don't eavesdrop on my ship. People gossip," he said, walking past them both. Zoe thinned her lips, looking down in her tea. Inara sighed, flashing him a roll of her eyes. "Don't get comfortable, I plan on leavin this rock soon," he said, walking down a pair of stairs.

Once down to the Infirmary, Mal glanced in, seeing Meg asleep, and River sitting on the counter watching her. Mal pursed his lips, looking her. He opened his mouth to speak, but she quickly put a hand up.

"Shh-don't interrupt-" she breathed. Mal nodded, leaning on the doorframe. He eyed Meg, glancing to River again. She mouthed, counting numbers in her head. Meg stirred, rolling to one side. Deep inside, Mal hoped she'd wake up. Something about her made his mind numb. Just something about her made his stomach swirl up. He knew her. Though he denied. But from where?