"Hey little Kaylee."
Mal smiled at his mechanic, bounding up the stairs. He slowed when he passed her.
"Morning Captain," Kaylee smiled back.
"How's everything running?" Mal asked her.
"Everything's just Shiny," Kaylee bounced Andrew a little higher up her hip, "you ain't seen Simon, have ya?"
"Not today," Mal sighed, "Have you seen Ben an' River? River's due for her meds."
"They was in the kitchen just before," Kaylee attempted to point, "You giving the medication now?"
"While Simon's busy."
"He should be busy doin' that," Kaylee frowned, "He ain't been doing much lately. I know you said you'd pick up the slack, but he should still be doing it while he can."
"Well," Mal sighed, "when you find him, tell him that."
"Oh I will," Kaylee said, half to herself, "d'ya know he ain't even spoke to his sister yet?"
"I had an inkling," Mal sighed. Kaylee bit her lip.
"I'm worried bout him. He ain't been himself lately."
"A point I've noticed," Mal said gently, "I'm sure he's… just a little thrown by recent events."
"I'm gonna find him," Kaylee said determinedly, "don't you give River her meds; I'll make him do it."
"Kaylee, she's due now. I wanna keep it consistent to let her heal quicker. Can't it wait til next time?"
"A few minutes won't hurt."
"You don't even know where he is," Mal pointed out. Kaylee rolled her eyes.
"Ship's not that big, Captain. I'll send him up soon." Kaylee turned and walked away before Mal managed to get another objection in. He sighed, shaking his head. Inwardly he hoped Kaylee wouldn't find Simon; his gut was telling him that forcing Simon to see his sister could only cause trouble. However, since experiencing a pregnant Kaylee, Mal was disinclined to argue with her. He reluctantly continues on his way to find his charges, hoping against hope that Simon wouldn't appear.
Simon kept up his protestations until the moment he was in earshot of the infirmary. Kaylee continued berating him for a few minutes before realising he'd stopped. She huffily dragged him upward. Defeated, he let himself be guided toward the infirmary, and most likely the thing he'd been dreading for the past two days.
Through the windows of the infirmary he could see three figures, hear the murmur of their voices as he got close. Kaylee squeezed his arm; Simon looked round and she gave him a reassuring smile. He tried to give one back.
They entered the infirmary without notice at first; Simon was all to ready to let this continue, but Kaylee spoiled it for him.
"Hello all," she said pointedly. All eyes turned to the new arrivals as the conversation died down; Simon saw Mal watching him and River's eyes light up.
"You made it, doc," Mal commented. Simon smiled as best he could.
"Yeah…" he had planned to say more, but was interrupted.
"Simon!"
"Hello River," Simon said, trying to sound normal. He moved forward and awkwardly embraced his sister. She didn't seem to notice.
"I'm so glad to see you," she said.
"Me too…" He subtly pushed her back, trying to smile as she beamed at him, "so… I've got to give you some medicine, huh?"
"Yeah," River grinned. Simon kept smiling, aware of Mal's eyes burning into the back of his neck.
"How are you, Ben?" Simon asked, spotting the boy standing behind River. He wished Mal and Kaylee would leave. More, though, he wished he could leave.
"I'm good, thanks," Ben smiled. River's gaze hadn't left her brother; Simon was trying to ignore that face while he gently pushed the antibiotics through her drip.
"That's good…River, can I check your wound?"
"Sure," River complied instantly. Simon examined the infection probably more intently than needed, but he wanted a good excuse not to talk for a while. When he figured he'd taken a sufficient amount not to be suspicious, he rose.
"I think you should switch to tablets for your antibiotics now," Simon told River, smiling despite the guilt that built as he said it; knowing he merely wanted an excuse not to keep seeing her through the days.
"This early? You sure, doc?" Mal questioned.
"I think it should be fine," Simon said, trying to push more confidence into his voice.
"Maybe we could keep her on the IV ones just in case?" Ben's worried voice sounded.
"It couldn't hurt," Mal said casually.
"No," Simon said firmly, "Tablets will be fine." Mal sighed; Simon kept his gaze away from the captain. He rummaged through draws, listening to Ben and River talk quietly with Mal adding the odd comment.
"… Must mean you're healing well."
Simon felt his cheeks go red; maybe he shouldn't prolong her recovery just to avoid talking to her.
"Here," he held a small vial of tablets out to River, "Take two every four hours… try to have something to eat beforehand or they might make you nauseas."
"Thanks Simon," River caught him off-guard as she hugged him. He patted her back awkwardly.
"Well…" he said when she released him, "come find me if… if you have any problems." Simon smiled and turned out of the room.
"Simon?"
Simon fought the urge to grimace as River's voice floated to him. He wasn't out of range of Mal and Kaylee yet.
"Mmm?" he turned back to face her.
"Can I talk to you?" River asked, seeming a little confused.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," River's brow furrowed, "I just haven't seen you in… two years. I just want to talk to you."
"Right…" Simon said unsteadily, all too aware of everyone watching him, "Sure. Why don't we go somewhere?"
"Sound's good," Simon could tell be River's slightly wavering smile that she was struggling to keep it there. His heart sank; feeling that this was going to end exactly how he had feared.
"Let's go," he said, his stomach squirming. River slid off the bed, speaking and grinning at Ben before coming to meet him at the doorway. She reached for Simon's hand; and knowing she still couldn't walk ideally, he had no choice but to take it. He could not bring himself to return the smile she offered him.
Simon sat River on his and Kaylee's bed, making sure she was alright before pulling a chair opposite her. River seemed slightly disheartened. They sat in silence for a long time; the relief of not having others watching his every move was not as much as Simon had hopes. Instead a light nausea had set in as he realised he was really going to have to face her. Simon couldn't bring himself to open the conversation. He kept looking around the room, then back at River, hoping she'd say something. Finally she spoke.
"When did you get married?"
Simon was so taken off guard by the question; he had to take a moment to swallow half-formed defences.
"Huh?"
"When did you get married?" River said again, seemingly nervous. Simon's initial relief sank again. She just doesn't want to ask me straight out.
"Oh, uh… about ten months ago now."
"Good…" River hesitated. Simon waited expectantly for the inevitable.
"Are you mad at me?"
Not the inevitable he was thinking of.
"What?" he spluttered. River's cheeks reddened.
"I just meant… I mean you seem to not want to be here. I felt like you were avoiding me and I wondered… if you were mad at me." Simon gaped.
"Are you mad that I asked you to get me out?" River whispered. Simon didn't answer. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that she'd guessed a large part of his feelings.
"I'm sorry," River continued when he was still silent, "I didn't know you were married or… had a son. I didn't mean to mess up your life…" Simon looked up as sobs broke her words. He hadn't notices she was crying.
"But… I really needed your help. Do you really… should I really feel guilty for asking… when my life did depend on it?"
"I…" Simon wasn't sure where this was going.
"I'm not mad at you," he said timidly, reasoning that it was merely a fabrication of the truth. River looked up, her eyes red.
"You're lying," she said slowly.