Khiloh sighed. “Wash had a rough time when he got here, and it took him a real long spell to adjust. Back then I was the new guy with a lot of training in how to hurt people, and no bloody clue how to help them.”

“Appears you learned,” said Mal.

“I think - Wash taught me,” said Khiloh simply. “As hurt and scared and pissed off as he was really open, and he - he - showed me what it was he was going through, an’ let me help.”

Mal smiled wryly. Hurt and scared and open and pissed off. Yep, that’d be Wash. “I’m worried,” Mal admitted, shifting his weight to one leg and leaning on the gate. Why he could say that to Khiloh and not to his fellow prisoners, he wasn’t exactly sure. Less personal, he supposed.

“Back off,” Khiloh ordered, his voice gentle.

Mal obeyed, startled. “Wha-“

“Don’t wanna look too friendly, if anyone’s watchin,” explained the guard. Mal nodded and stepped back, standing at attention.

“Look, Mal, I’m hurting for him too,” said Khiloh. “That guy’s a better friend to me than - it’s – well, unless you’re into kicking people around, this ain’t a fun job. Wash’ll come out in the middle of the pouring rain in mid-winter when anyone with sense is inside, and stand out here just to talk and keep me company.”

“Been a friend to me, too,” Mal said. “I was a mess, an’ for some odd reason the fella adopted me, drug me outa’ that. Wasn’t kind to him in the process, but he stuck by.”

Khiloh nodded, a genuine smile tinged with sadness on his face. “We can have our very own little worryin’ about Wash support group.”

“It’s a plan,” said Mal. “Not, well, a good one exactly, but-“

“It’ll do,” finished Khiloh. He sighed. “Is it really horrible of me to be glad this happened in the cafeteria, so my Sergeant couldn’t blame it on me?”

“You’re scared of them, aren’t you?” asked Mal. “They really treat their own people so bad?”

Khiloh nodded. “It’s – just like with you guys. It’s not policy, and – but – well, things happen.”

“To you?” Mal asked, remembering how