Simon found Mal and the others in the mess.
"So what's the verdict Doc?" Mal asked.
"From what I can gather from my exam, Mist has suffered a SCI". Simon began. "A what?" Kaylee asked.
"A spinal cord injury, in Mists case it means she has no voluntary movements from the chest downwards, she has some sensation, the movements of her hands are also affected. In simple terms she cannot walk, stand or even sit up unaided, she cannot take care of her every day needs. She will need physical therapy to prevent her muscles wasting, in addition to this she will need to be fed, washed, changed and turned". Simon looked around the room at the shocked, confused faces, people in the outer rim didn't survive that type of injury the medical care just wasn't available.
Malcolm turned to his crew. "Since we're all getting a cut of the money, I expect every one of you to help Simon take care of the girl, do you understand me?" He demanded, without waiting for a response he swung round and strode from the mess.
Mists father had been right then, he thought to himself, she wasn't going to cause any trouble because she couldn't, she seemed like a sweet girl, there was something about her that had got to Mal, touched him deep down inside and Mal didn't like that feeling, he didn't like it one single bit.
Later that day….
Kaylee stomped into the mess and fairly threw the bowl down on the table in frustration. "I give up, that girl, she ain't never gonna eat". She sighed as she slumped down in the seat opposite Jayne.
She didn't even look up as Jayne pulled the bowl across the table towards him, he stood and as quietly as he could slipped out of the room.
Mist stirred caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness as Jayne sat down heavily on the edge on the bed. He put his hand up to her face his index finger slowly tracing the outline of her lips. Mists eyes opened and she drifted out of her dreams, the faint tickling sensation awakening her from her peaceful slumber.
Jayne brought the spoon to her mouth, running the edge over her lips as he had done with his finger until her lips parted and her mouth opened, as swiftly as if he were pulling his pistol from his belt he angled the spoon so that he could get her to take some of the porridge from it, she chewed, swallowed and opened her mouth for another spoonful. A smile split Jayne's face as big as if he had single-handedly brought the Alliance to their knees.
Soon the bowl was finished, reluctantly Jayne stood up to leave, as he did so Kaylee appeared in the doorway, Jayne pushed roughly past her trusting the empty bowl into her hands and leaving without uttering a single word, Kaylee was dumbfounded.