The woman, no longer a mother, slept for several hours. During that time Simon and Abigail continued to work in silence. When the woman finally wakened, she remained vocally non-responsive, and mostly stared into space, although a few times Simon noticed her watching his movements, her eyes accusing. As night approached, Simon gave her another sedative, somewhat guiltily, as he wasn't sure if it was more to help her sleep through the night, or to prevent possible problems for Abigail, who was to spend another night in the clinic, should the woman became hysterical or violent.

Twice now Simon had delivered a child. Twice now he had watched a baby stolen from its mother. There was a difference though, this time he knew there would be no rescue for this child.

After supper in the dining hall, Simon expected to be taken to Carsey's quarters and was relieved when he was returned to the room he shared with the others. His relief quickly disappeared when Bucky left, shutting the door behind him, because as soon as the door closed, Kaylee reached under the bedding and pulled out a set of small tools, and taking one began to prod at the hobbles around her ankles.

"Kaylee! What are you doing?"

Kaylee looked up at him, "I think I've almost got it figured. How to get these off, I mean." She turned back to what she was doing.

Simon looked at Wash, who was leaning against the wall next to the sink. Wash just looked at him and shrugged. River sat next to Kaylee, watching her intently. Simon came over and knelt down next to them.

"Kaylee," Simon put his hands on hers, stopping her "Promise me that you won't do anything unless we are sure we have a way out."

"Sure, Simon." Simon recognized the tone of voice she was using. It was the same one he used with River when he was trying to calm her down.

"Kaylee, if we try to leave, and we don't have a way out, and something goes wrong..."

"He's right Kaylee." Wash pushed away from the wall and came over to stand next to them.

Kaylee jerked her hands away from Simon's and flung the tool across the room, half-sobbing. "I know."

River stood up and walked across the room, picked up the tool, and carried it back to Kaylee. She held it out to her saying, "The path is right, just not the time."

Kaylee looked up at her, then after a moment took it from her hand.

"Kaylee," Wash asked, "Are you sure those won't be missed?"

"Yep. They got stuff in there they don't even know about, much less what to do with it. Serenity sure could use some of it too." Kaylee's face took on the faraway look she sometimes got when she was thinking about repairs to Serenity.

"Kaylee." Simon said her name, trying to regain her attention. When she looked at him, he continued. "Can you keep them hidden?"

"She won't have to." River smiled. "They don't check anything while you are all here, and when you're not...they don't come past the door." Then more quietly she said, "They're afraid."