ɪ ᴩʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ ɪ'ʟʟ ᴋᴇᴇᴩ yᴏᴜ ꜱᴀꜰᴇ

River hadn't meant to linger by the cemetery. Or Semetary as it seems to be called, these days. But something had drawn her there. Something like hope, but darker. Of course she didn't want to find the graves of those she loved, but... perhaps she could leave flowers for Wash, if she found him.

At least that's what she told herself.

She's not surprised. Not entirely, when she sees the figure of her brother there. She chokes, covers her mouth to try and keep in the tears as he moves towards her. She can see the trees at the far end of the graveyard through him.

It's him but it's not him.

It doesn't matter. He's here.

At first her arms go through him, and Simon laughs tearfully. "Let me try, mèimei." He shimmers for a second, seems to be more solid, and pulls her into his arms.

"How?" River asks, not wanting to know but needing to know.

"Reavers. Right up the spine. Barely felt a thing." Apparently she looks disbelievingly at him, because he touches her nose to hers with a reassuring smile. "Ha ha, made a face."

"Making fun," she accuses, and he doesn't deny it. "Let me take you home."