(( Simon says: ))<br/><br/>Once the perceived "threat" had dissipated, Simon became more aware of the tightening of the muscles in his back which actually made movement difficult, and caused a little grimace to appear.  As a physician he would know it was all part of that flight or fight syndrome which he thought he understood in his anthropological and physiological studies.  It wasn't until he became a fugitive from justice with the full weight of the Alliance government thrown behind the effort to track him down did he truly understand the phenomena.<br/><br/>"Yes, of course ... "  He really had no intention of befriending the man. After all, the past few months had taught him to be distrustful of ... well ... practically everyone.  Being pummeled with fists, shot at, set up to be arrested, threatened with being ejected from the ship in deep space or abandoned on a strange hostile planet tended to do that to a person.  And that was just from his shipmates.  No, he wasn't looking to befriend anyone at the moment, especially given the way the man had taken to River.  Or perhaps ... because the way River had warmed up to the man.  It wasn't as if Simon had anyone he could talk to about the challenges of fatherhood. "... I'm just protective of my sister, I'm sure you understand."<br/><br/>Simon started to go on by mentioning River's age, but thought better of it.  To Simon, her age should be a deterrant to any sort if impure thoughts.  For some men, it would be one of her selling points.  Nonetheless, Simon extended his hand to shake.  After all, it would be rude not to.  After all, out here, proper manners are even more important in helping him hang on to his identity.