Mal was fidgeting. No other word for it. He was sitting in his normal seat, post-dinner mug of coffee in his hand, and he was fidgeting. Almost like he was trying to rub his back against the chair, only trying not to.

Simon watched him out of the corner of his eye. Something was definitely up.

“So I figure, soon as we’re up and running again, we drop by Phoros, Kaylee can see her folks, get refueled and still be at Verbena in time for the pick-up.” Hank wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

“Dear,” Zoe said, handing him a napkin.

He grinned at her. “Sorry.”

“Sounds good,” Mal said. “Be fine to see the Fryes again.”

“And they can meet Ethan,” Freya added, smiling at him.

“I'm sorry we can’t tell them we’re expecting again,” Simon said softly to Kaylee.

“I don’t mind. And they’ll be glad to see Bethany again. Now she’s grown so much.”

“Of course.” He smiled at her, then went back to watching the captain.

“And it will do us all good, too,” Freya added.

“So I reckon this depends on when we can get back into the air. What about it, mei-mei ?” Mal asked, looking pointedly at his mechanic. “We’ve been here near a week already.”

“And enjoying every moment, far as I can tell,” Kaylee said.

“That wasn’t what we came here for.”

“And I'm working fast as I can. But there’s stuff needs leaving to settle, before I can do the next bit. Like the flow inducers. If they don’t sit for a day before I start fixing the core compressors –“

Mal held up his hand. “How long, Kaylee? Ball park figure.”

“Maybe four days?”

“Four.” He exhaled noisily. “Well, I guess that ain't too bad.”

“Hank’s doing what he can, but –“

“I said it’s okay, Kaylee.” Mal smiled at her. “And it is good to get some sun.”

Maybe it was sunburn , Simon thought. Except his face and arms seem okay.

She grinned. “And the rest.”

“You’d best be keeping that kinda comment to yourself, young lady,” Mal warned, his blue eyes warm as he looked at her. “’Less you plan to walk t