Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly in any way, shape, or form.

A/N: Takes place during Jaynestown.

Simon's day just kept getting worse and worse. First, Simon had accidentally outed himself as sly to his crush, as well as to the girl who had a crush on him... Then somehow, he had upset a man in the bar, who had proceeded to beat him up...

He really needed to learn better self-defense, Simon sighed as he was dragged outside by the man - who was very smelly, incredibly hairy, and generally ugly and uncouth in all respects.

Then he was being thrown on the ground, and he was groaning with the pain. He hadn't felt this much pain since... well, ever.

But arms were wrapping around him, lifting him, and Simon fell into a pair of strong, warm arms.

"Hey," a soft, concerned voice said. Simon blinked and realized it was Mal, and that he had his arms around him.

That fact alone made Simon grin.

"Hey," Simon smiled dizzily.

"He couldn't get rid of your smile," Mal snorted. The captain lifted a hand to cup Simon's cheek, and he turned his face around. "You'll be all right," he told Simon. Then Mal was gently pushing him into Kaylee's arms, and stepping forward, to stop that man...

Simon gasped as the awful man turned his gun away from Jayne and planted it in Mal's face.

"Now why don't you let me speak my piece."

Mal stepped back, all too aware that he had no gun to fight the man with.

"What - what do we do?" Simon gasped.

"Shh," Kaylee hissed, looking him over. "Oh, poor baby."

Simon knew she meant it too.

"Look, Kaylee, I'm sorry I didn't - "

"Doesn't matter now," Kaylee said, examining the cut Simon had on his arm from the man's knife.

Their eyes met, and Kaylee smiled, even if it was a bit sadly, and Simon knew they would be all right... friendship wise. He didn't know if they would be physically all right. That man with the gun was kind of scary.

Simon listened in horror as the man revealed that he was Jayne's former partner, whom Jayne had abandoned on Higgins Moon when a job they pulled went south.

Then the man shot Jayne. Simon flinched, and when he could look again, he realized that Jayne was unharmed - and running at his former partner. One of the mudders, a young man, had jumped in front of the bullet. Simon stared at the body, shocked and horrified. The man had saved Jayne's life - did Jayne deserve to be saved?

Then Jayne was killing his former partner, and Simon flinched. Having your head bashed against stone seemed an unpleasant way to go. And Simon knew some of the worst ways to go - he was a doctor, after all. It was over then, after Jayne knocked down the statue and turned to yell to his captive audience. Simon was not shocked at the truth in Jayne's words, but rather, that Jayne admitted to it.

"There's only people like me," Jayne finished, his voice gruff and hurting.

Simon felt a hand on his arm, and looked up.

"We need to leave, now," Mal said urgently. He wrapped an arm around Simon's waist, and led him through the crowd. It was easier to walk when he was leaning on his captain, Simon thought, smiling despite the pain he still felt.

He was trying to show he could be strong, but then he was stumbling, and an arm grabbed his legs, and he was being hoisted up.

"What - Mal?" Simon asked, quite confused, even as his hands shifted to hold onto Mal. He was being carried in the Captain's arms.

"You can't walk fast enough," Mal said, glancing down at Simon before speeding up. Jayne and Kaylee walked on either side of them, Kaylee shooting the mercenary a worried glance every few seconds.

Simon's embarrassment faded as he realized how much he enjoyed being held by Mal. It wasn't everything he dreamed of having with the man, but it was still wonderful.

He inhaled through his nose as quietly as he could. Mal smelled like Serenity - a little oil, some dust, and something Simon couldn't place.

All too soon, they reached the ship.

"Sir?" Zoe spoke as they hurried up the ramp. "Is Simon -"

"He'll be all right," Mal promised. "Tell Wash we need to leave now."

Simon could see Zoe raise her eyebrow as Mal carried him to the infirmary.

"What do you think?" Mal asked Simon as he lay him down. "Give me the doctor's report on this patient."

"Sprained ankle," Simon sighed. "Exterior bruising, no internal damage. Several lacerations to the arms... And a nasty black eye."

"You should really stop picking fights," Mal commented and grinned at Simon. "Tell me how to fix up the ankle, then."

Simon couldn't help but feel warmed as Mal brushed his fingers against his extended hand. Maybe the day wasn't going as badly as he'd originally thought.