"So that was definitely weird, right?" Jayne says once Mal's footsteps have receded down the hallway.
"It was a little weird," Kaylee agrees.
"He could just be having a bad morning," Zoe points out. "We all have 'em. Be crazy not to, after…after."
A solemn quiet falls over the group. They all know what she's talking about. Who she's talking about. It's been six months, but the trauma still feels fresh, on some days more than others. The occasional emotional outburst from some member of the crew is all but guaranteed, especially during these long stretches of travel. But something tells Simon that there's something else going on. He can't put his finger on what, exactly that something is, but there's a heavy dread settling into the pit of his stomach that he can't shake.
"I'm going to go check on him," he says. He's barely gotten the words out when River's voice crackles over the PA.
"Simon!" She sounds frantic. "I need you!"
He's already moving, the others close behind him as he runs. "River!" he calls as he gets closer. He hurries up the steps and his heart jumps into his throat.
Mal is on the floor. His back is arched, his limbs rigid, fingers curled, and his body is jerking, guttural noises escaping him. River is crouched in the chair, her hands over her ears, tears streaming down her face.
"What's going on?" Zoe asks.
Simon doesn't answer, at first, and then Kaylee says, "Simon?"
The fear in her voice is enough to rouse Simon from the flurry of his thoughts and he kneels down next to the captain. "He's seizing." He looks up at River. "River?"
She raises her head and looks at him and the fear in her eyes makes his heart ache.
"Did anything happen before the seizure started?"
"His head hurt," River answers, her voice small.
Simon nods. "Alright. That isn't unusual, headaches can happen before seizures. Did he say anything to you?"
"He said I'm okay. But he isn't okay."
"He will be," Simon says, trying to sound more confident than he feels. "He will be, mei mei. Kaylee, I need you to-" he begins. He's about to tell her where to find the diazepam when Mal's seizure comes to a stop, his body relaxing and his breaths evening out. It had been a short seizure, which is something at least. "I need you to stay with River, please. Jayne, I'll need your help getting the captain to the infirmary."
"What's goin' on?" Kaylee asks as Jayne moves into the cramped space.
"I…" Simon keenly aware of the fact that the others are looking to him for answers. He swallows. "I don't know yet. But I'm going to figure it out."
"Why ain't he wakin' up?" Jayne asks.
"It can take a few minutes," Simon answers. "Here, take his arm."
The task of getting Mal up is made somewhat more difficult by the cramped space, but he and Jayne manage it, supporting the unconscious captain between them. Zoe follows at their heels as they maneuver Mal into the hallway and head for the infirmary.
"Help me get him onto the bed," Simon says, and Zoe jumps in, the three of them working together to get Mal settled on the exam bed. It's while they're doing this that Simon notices the heat radiating from the captain, and he presses the back of his hand to Mal's forehead, frowning.
"What is it?" Zoe asks.
"He's burning up," Simon says, already moving to get an IV prepped. He's just inserted the needle and taped it down when Mal begins to stir. "Captain?"
Mal lets out a groan, then slowly grimaces, eyes moving beneath the lids. When they open, they have a glassy, far-off look.
"Captain? Mal, are you with me?"
Mal frowns, looking around the infirmary with a puzzled look on his face. "Where'd…Wash?"
Simon's stomach knots. He glances up at Zoe. She's standing completely still, her expression stiff and unreadable. Though she doesn't show it, Simon knows that she's shaken.
"Wash, 'm sorry…" Mal murmurs.
"Mal, do you know where you are?" Simon says. "I'm going to give you some medicine to bring your fever down…Captain, can you hear me?"
Mal has gone still, his eyes glazed and staring at nothing. And then they roll back in his head and his body starts to jerk.
"Damn it, he's seizing again!" Simon says, immediately turning to go through drawers.
"Well, make it stop!" Jayne practically growls it.
"I will, I just need to find…Here we go!" Simon pulls out the autoinjector and turns back to Mal, jamming it against Mal's upper thigh. He holds it there for a three-count before setting it aside. "Alright, come on Captain…"
Jayne moves forward a few steps, staring at Mal with wide eyes, face pale. "It ain't workin'."
"Just give it a little time," Simon says. The seconds feel like an eternity, but finally, after ninety-seven of them (Simon counts), the seizure stops and Mal's body relaxes.
"What now?" Zoe asks. She sounds tired. Haggard.
Simon lets out a long breath, running one hand through his hair. "I'm going to run some tests, and keep an eye on his vitals…You two don't need to stay here. I'll let you know if I need any help."
"You'll tell me if somethin' happens?" Jayne says.
"Of course."
Jayne nods and steps out of the little infirmary. Simon turns to Zoe but she just shakes her head once.
"I'm not goin' anywhere."
Simon doesn't argue with her. He knows better than that, and though neither of them are in the mood for conversation he's grateful for the company. She finds a place to sit while Simon starts the task of drawing blood. He looks at his captain's slack face, shiny with sweat, and tries to ignore the worry that's eating at him.
"I'm going to figure this out."
xxx