"If they want another doctor. They seem to have a medical staff of their own." Unlike Serenity when he'd arrived.

There's so much going unspoken between them.

He knows, of course, what happens after you've been through a traumatic experience, and he knows that it takes time for the effects to fully hit.

He's been trying to fend off the full realization of what's happened and what that means for them now, here, but it's hard. Hard with Kaylee looking to him for support. Which he's never been good at with her.

The last thing River had said before she ran off to right the Reavers had been that he'd always looked after her and it was her turn. She'd taken that responsibility on herself then. What would she do without him?

He tries to smile, but it's hard. Even with Kaylee right there, in his arms, just where he's wanted her for so long.

He misses her warmth, her softness, when she pulls away, even though she takes his hand to lead him into her room.

Once they're inside, he reaches for her other hand. He doesn't know what to say, how to thank her for being there with him in the infirmary, how to tell her that if he had to be here, at least it's with her.

So instead, he tries to make a joke of what she's just said.

"She did a good job so far."