Whew. Did you make it? The disclaimer didn't change while you were caught up in reading, by the by. Crank up "Good is Good" - Sheryl Crow or "Come As You Are" - Nirvana. Read on (but please don't forget to review)!

When Simon, Rupert, and Mal finally emerged from the infirmary, questions hit them from all sides.

"How is she?"

"Why's she asleep?"

"Is she gonna die?"

"Is she gonna be fine?"

"How's Crazy?"

Mal held up his hands and said, "Ni men dou bi zui!" Everybody went silent. "I'll let the Doc tell ya how things are."

"She's fine," Simon said. "She can't hear right now because of the side effects of the drug. Dr. Rupert here says that if we just give it time, she'll be able to hear again."

Rupert nodded in agreement. "When she wakes up, she should be fine."

"Fine… as in, crazy gain?" Jayne asked. "Or…"

"She should be returned to the state you remember her in," Rupert said. "I don't know what that was like."

"Crazy," Jayne asserted, nodding.

Simon suddenly realized what he hadn't said. He went over to Rupert and grabbed the older man's hands in his own, shaking them vigorously up and down. "Thank you so much, sir. You saved my sister's life. If… if there's ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Rupert smiled at the younger doctor's enthusiasm. "Just doing my duty, son. You don't have to thank me for that."

Emilia stepped forward until she was very close to Inara. "I'm… very sorry for the… fight earlier. It was not of my usual nature. I apologize."

"And I as well," Inara said. "I was… too quick in my judgment. It won't happen again."

If this was a traditional apology between thugs or mercenaries or just even normal men, there probably would have been some back-slapping and maybe even a hug. Emilia gently traced the bandage on Inara's cheek, and Inara smiled back at her. As it was, this was as much of an apology as either of the regal, stubborn Companions could muster.

Jayne moved to stand next to Mal. "Uh, Mal? Me n Wash made some oatmeal just like ya asked…"

"What about it?"

"I'm thinkin' we made too much."

"That's fine," Mal said. "Just leave it on the stove and we'll eat it this week."

Jayne nodded. "Great. Thanks."

"What now, sir?" Zoë asked.

"Now we take care of the spy. Then we drop the hostages. Then we get the ponies back t' Abeni."

"And then?"

"Well, if we can do all that, I'm sure somethin' will present itself."

Translations: Ni men dou bi zui! - Everybody shut the hell up!