Title: Absence of thought Author: bookishtype Prompt: Several Ways to get her attention Rating: PG Characters: Entire crew Word Count: 374

“Zoe, you seen anything like this before?” Mal inquired. Zoe turned to him, “Only once, Captain.” “And?” “It was my brother, sir, and I’d rather not discuss it”, Zoe stated in a voice that said end-of-discussion. Simon pestered, “Why not? If you know what we can do to help River, you should say something.”

Zoe turned to Simon, “It’s not relevant. And it’s distressing.” Simon continued, not realising that he was getting into dangerous ground, “But I can tell you whether or not it’s relevant.”

Wash reached out and grabbed Zoe’s hand and gave it a squeeze, Zoe smiled at him and then spoke, “my brother often had bouts of catatonia. Eventually they became too regular and he became comatose. He still is.”

Flustered and embarrassed that he had pushed at the issue and he mumbled an apology and turned back to River.

Inara stepped in and ease the tension, “let’s put her in my shuttle, we can set her up there in my bed with blankets and such so she won’t be cold.”

“But what about food, can she eat or drink?” Kaylee asked she was still sitting with River, holding her hand as though River would suddenly get up and walk away.

“I’ll have to set up an intravenous drip so that she doesn’t become dehydrated, but other than that she’s okay.” Simon answered. He turned to Mal and asked, “Can you carry her to Inara’s shuttle?”

Mal moved across the room to River and lifted her up and motioned to Inara to open her shuttle ahead of him.

They placed on Inara’s bed and arranged pillows and blankets around her to keep her warm. Inara lit a number of candles and a lantern to create a soft glow. Simon hurried in after them with medical equipment and set up the drip.

“Thank you Inara for doing this. I appreciate you offering River this space.” He said as he inserted the needle and tube into River’s wrist.

“I am happy to”, Inara responded.

River sat cushioned and warm in the shuttle. For all the attention she was getting, she felt no needle prick on her skin, nor did she feel the movement of being lifted and moved around. She really wasn’t there.