Part IV
Simon waved Inara from the privacy of his room and explained to her that she need not ready a shuttle to dock with them, they were coming to stay on Sihnon instead. Inara had looked puzzled until he had added that River had thought it best. Then her features had settled back to the smooth, steady calm he knew so well. She was the most practiced and controlled woman he had ever known. Her manners a welcome port in the storm of his life after rescuing his sister. What a relief speaking with her had been in those early days. And she comforted, instinctively. He knew it must be a talent, honed but not entirely learned in her training.
Even now, after all she had been through, her face betrayed nothing. She arranged their stay in moments and relayed all the coordinates and instructions through to the ship.
"I'll have rooms for each of you if you wish. Everything will be prepared when you arrive. You're all welcome here, even Jayne." She said with a smile.
Simon gave a low laugh and it was a relief to have something to smile at again.
Inara was quiet a moment before asking carefully, "How is he?" her face finally betraying the strain.
She hadn't seen him yet, had spent all her time with officials in a sea of red tape, interviews, paperwork and reports.
She had claimed Mal as her own employee and produced documents showing him absolved of his crimes through his indenturement to her. Much like that long ago time at the train station.
Her lie had been convincing. She had gained immediate access to him when none of them could. It was she in his cell that first moment when he was near-dead and unconscious, his breathing so shallow it couldn't be discerned. She had betrayed nothing. In total composure had stated coldly, "What good is he to me in this state? For every bone you have broken, you shall pay!"
She'd fined them into near bankruptcy leaving Jayne forever in awe. She had got the Captain busted out of jail and got them paid for it. She could do no wrong in his eyes.
Only the best Doctors had seen him, she had assured Simon. But she had to hold her act through mountains of beaurocracy without being able to go to him or to show she cared.
Now her face finally showed her fear and exhaustion.
"Physically he's nearly recovered," Simon assured her, speaking carefully, "But he won't speak, or eat, or move."
He paused, gauging her reaction, "Did you read the files you sent me?" he asked gently.
She nodded once, "Most of them."
"River sat with him. Said his mind broke away to another place to escape the pain. He just hasn't come back from that place. He thinks he's still in prison."
She looked horrified at his last statement. He held her gaze, "That place he broke away to was you."
A look of dawning understanding overtook her face. She nodded slowly, "I understand and I think I can help him, if you'll leave him just with me for a while."
"Of course," Simon replied, then smiled at her, "I know you can help him."
Her mouth turned up gently at the corners, "Thanks."
