Simon watched the hover slide out into the sunlight, and held his anger in check. Why won’t he listen? He doesn’t have responsibility for River. I do. She’s my sister. I left everything for her, all that I’d worked for, but he can’t see that. Just that she’s … useful.

He still felt anxious every time Mal took her on a job. From the first time, when they were on Lilac, right to now, he worried about her. She’s my sister, and I'm right to worry. He sighed. Except that it wasn’t just that.

I’ll be eighteen in a few months, that’s what she’d said. A woman.

He’d been firm with her. You’re not a woman, River. You’re a girl.

She’d stuck her tongue out at him and flounced away. It didn’t matter that she was learning to fly Serenity so well that Mal was considering letting her do it alone now. She’s my sister.

A noise up and behind him made him take a slow breath. Kaylee and Inara. He knew they were watching him, could feel their eyes on his back. Why did I let myself fall for her? What was it that finally made me tell her how I’ve felt for so long? Oh, yes, Reavers.

They were talking. Their hushed tones reached him, and he was sure he heard Kaylee sigh. I’d know that sound anywhere. She’s done it so much when I’m being … me. Just how long can a man live with his foot in his mouth? Maybe there’s some research on the Cortex about it …

He turned and looked up. Inara had gone, and only Kaylee remained, gazing down at him. “Are you all right?”

“Shiny,” she said, her beautiful face finding its cheery visage from somewhere. “They won’t be long.”

“No, I know.” As long as Mal doesn’t do anything stupid, like putting my sister at risk.

“Though might be long enough.”

What is she suggesting? No, best not think of … damn. “Kaywinnet Lee Frye, are you –“

“No, not really.” She giggled and his heart flipped. “I kinda got work to do. But if you want to come and give me a hand …”

He glanced into the sunshine. River … He grinned back up at her. “I’m not much good at machinery.” Unless it’s using an extractor. Does that count as machinery? Like when I was operating on her, trying to keep the scar to a minimum in that lovely flesh. He told me she was dead, the psychotic …

“But you got such good hands. I can teach you.” There was a seductive tone in her voice, and he knew she wasn't talking about the compression coil.

“I … suppose you could.” He was remembering his hands on her last night, caressing and pinching, teasing her until she’d begged for release. I've never known anyone like her. How she makes me feel.

“Better change, though,” she said. “Don’t wanna get your fine clothes all greasy.”

Maybe we could do it naked. “I’m sure I can find something suitable.”

“Yeah, that’d be appropriate.”

Her hair was catching a reflection from somewhere, and it was glowing around her like a halo. An angel. Saving me from myself. “Are you ever going to let me forget that?”

“Nope.” She laughed, and her hair swung. “I could always lend ya a pair of my coveralls.”

“I don’t think I could get into them.” Not right now, anyway. Not with … why does the human body betray itself so easily? The heart pumping, sending blood through veins and arteries, filling …

“We could try.” Her eyes twinkled. He could see them from where he was.

I’d rather be taking them off you. Laying you out on the bed like some supplicant, waiting for me to anoint you with my body. Only it tends to be the other way around. He smiled, swallowing a little thickly. “I think I’ve got something. Five minutes?”

She nodded. “Five. I’ll be looking after my girl.” She turned, a light skip in her step that had been missing for a long while.

He sighed. How did I get someone like her? What God did I make the right sacrifice to? How can I tell her what she means to me? Without doing it wrong again? He walked back towards his room, his pants a little tighter than they had been. They’ve all gone. It’s only Inara here, and she’s in her shuttle. We’d hear them come back from the engine room, give us time to … I wonder if … His pace quickened.