AN: K I know it's been a while so here's a re-cap… never mind… if you can't remember just go back and read it yourself…
Movie review: Just saw Charlie Bartlet, and it was VERY funny. Definitely see it when you have a chance.
Chapter Seven
Bun In Oven
"If I could just have the thing an-and give it to you now I totally would, but I'm guessing it looks kinda like a sea monkey right now… we should let it get a little cuter." JUNO
The mechanical and somewhat metronomic cycle of the physical exam put Harry into a slight daze even in slightly undressed state. Normally he wouldn't be uncomfortable in boxers in front of a doctor, but after morphing back into his natural state a series of scars appeared. Most of which, all actually, Harry had no idea where they came from. Most were small scars across his chest and down his stomach. Simon had commented that some way have been from operations.
"Your blood pressure is fine…" Simon's quiet and monotone voice wasn't helping Harry stay awake. He was sure he'd fall asleep any second just before Simon applied the stethoscope to his chest.
"Yaw-owe!!!" Simon looked up in surprise at Harry whose face heated up under Simon's gaze. "That thing and your hands are crazy cold! Ever heard of circulation?" Harry said in defense.
"Sorry," Simon mumbled an apology while moving the stethoscope to check Harry's lungs, "Kaylee likes it." Although it was a whispered comment Harry heard it all too clearly.
"OK! I think we're good here." Harry said jumping down from the exam table. Seeing Simon's frown Harry hastened to add. "Not much you can do here… you said so yourself?"
"I need a neural three-d processor…" At Simon's admittance Harry gathered his clothes back up off the counter with Simon just in his wake. "Still there are so many questions I have… what you remember…? How you were captured? Whether you have the same subliminal programming as River?"
Harry shook his head. "Don't know how I could answer that last one and the rest are still kinda fuzzy… I'll probably spin a tale of woe with dragons and elves." He answered with a self-deprecating laugh. Simon's eyes lost their spark as Harry's words sunk in. "I want to help River too. I just don't think the answers are in my head." Simon nodded in agreement
"At least not that you would know of…" Simon sighed and turned to put his equipment away while Harry went about getting dressed.
"Toned muscle, supple smooth skin… scars add to the appeal."
Both Simon and Harry jumped surprised by River or at least her head which was poking around the corner of the door. Harry blushed pulling his shirt and pants on in a rush. River pouted.
"River…" Simon's warning voice and possibly what he was thinking caused River's head to disappear before the heavy thudding of army boots signified her escape.
"NO MEDS!" Her shout echoed down to the infirmary. Harry quirked an eyebrow as Simon just sighed.
"I do want to help Simon." Harry said facing the doctor. "Could you set up one of those scanners in here?" Harry asked gesturing to the fairly small infirmary. Simon nodded looking around as well.
"Though it would cost far too much through the black market and the Alliance isn't about to sell it to 'criminals'." Simon sighed.
"How much would it run?" Harry asked. Simon looked heavenward for a moment in silent misery.
Simon shrugged. "At least 50,000 in credits… Might as well be a million."
Harry looked slightly uncomfortable. "Maybe you could talk to the captain about arranging a buy for this thing… I'll take care of the money." Simon looked at Harry warily.
"We all saw whatever it is you do… changing your appearance. I don't know how you did it but whatever it is you do I don't think using this…ability… to steal would be a wise idea. The Alliance must have one or more agents looking for you, and you don't want their attention." Simon cautioned. He was rather proud that he hadn't started to prod his patient regarding his abilities while on the subject. How did he do it? A chemical compound agent introduced to alter the appearance… or was it a holographic display… knowing the ship and the kind of strange it attracted he feared it was something else.
Harry shifted uncomfortably for a moment before meeting Simon's eyes. "My parents seem to have left me well off." He mumbled. "I can handle the money." Simon's eyes widened fractionally remembering Mal's story of Harry's parents.
"That's extremely generous. With better equipment I might be able to help River. We were interrupted the one time I was able to examine her." Simon felt at a loss for words as once again he was indebted to a passenger on Serenity. "Thank you." He said sincerely. Harry smiled.
"She'd do it for me."
"AS IN A BABY!?" Mal shouted alarmed. Zoe wore a skeptical smirk as she watched the captain pace the dining hall floor. From the look on his face you'd think it was his kid.
"Growth rate becoming rapid… weight between 18 and 24 grams. Five and a half centimeters in length. Soul grows bigger and brighter. She wants more attention. First semester symptoms include unusual fatigue, nausea, sensitive mammary glands-"
"River!" Mal and Zoe interrupted though Mal's protest was in defense of his delicate sensibilities.
"A girl?" Zoe asked with bright eyes. River nodded absently. "Wash wanted a girl." Mal wore a sad smile as he looked at the sheer joy on Zoe's face.
"Spotting or irregular bleeding is common…"
Mal sighed as River's list of feminine privacies went on. Smirking Mal watched Jayne walk down the corridor entering the dinning area and heading for the kitchen. Jayne had just picked up and apple when.
"Vaginal discharge… mucous, white substance… form of bacteria. Sheltering is important." River nodded to herself deciding shelter was very important. "Protects from free radicals." Jayne promptly put his apple down and headed back to his bunk mumbling about buggy little girls. Mal smirked.
"That made it almost worth it." Zoe smiled.
"I'm havin' a lil' Wash!"
Mal shook his head unprepared for this strange sunny disposition his first mate acquired, but as he thought of a little red headed Zoe runnin' around with some dino toys and maybe a plastic gun he couldn't help but smile.
"Yes you are!" He said with a grin.
"Are what?" Kaylee asked as she walked to the kitchen grabbing Jayne's neglected apple.
"I'm pregnant!" Zoe said as calmly as she could. Kaylee seemed to process for a second before…
"OHMYGOD!!!" And then high pitch girly screaming was all Mal could hear as they hugged tightly. Kaylee just kept babbling making almost as much sense a River.
"Cute little feet and toes, and oh! A baby! Ain't that the best news in the 'verse!?"
Inara had no idea that the hysteria she heard coming from the dining hall could possibly be a good thing, but almost immediately she joined the estrogen driven squealing party. When the excitement died down some, Mal decided to breach a painfully sore subject.
"I hate to bring it up, but thus ain't the safest place for a kid. Fact is it's on the list for most dangerous in the 'verse." Mal wanted to crawl under a rock thanks to the identical glares he received from Kaylee and Inara.
"I don't want to be saying it any more than I don't want it to be true." Mal sighed. "I'm just thinking of the safety for the newest crew member." Zoe smiled faintly as she placed her hand on her still toned stomach.
"I know." Zoe conceded. "River and Simon aren't wanted anymore, but now that we've got…" She trailed off feeling sick just thinking about it. Mal nodded.
"Now that…" Mal too found it hard to spit out.
"Now that I'm here." Harry answered startling the group. "I didn't mean to endanger anyone… I'll just jump ship next port." Harry nodded resolutely. Simon's eyes showed obvious concern. Harry was key to figuring out what the Alliance did to River, and healing it, he was sure of it.
"NO!" River shouted, her face showing more lucidity and emotion then they had seen since she fought to save her brother's life.
"Harry we don't want you to leave!" Zoe was more controlled in her protest, but equally serious. Mal nodded in agreement.
"You're one of us kid. Get used to it. Dong la ma?"
Harry looked contemplative as he obviously considered the risks he would cause the crew.
"Harry," Mal said beseechingly, "You risked your hide for us all the way through Serenity and got your life taken away for it. Let us watch your back now." A lone tear came to Harry's eyes as he listened to Mal's words. Slowly he nodded once. Simon sighed relieved. River, on the other hand, wasn't as reserved; launching herself at Harry she wrapped herself around him tightly in a hug.
"Don't think River's gonna give you much of a choice anyhow." Mal laughed.
An: A little's better than nothin' right????
