"It was really the very least I could do," Regan insisted as she walked with Kaylee through the tall grass. It had been four days since the scene in the infirmary. Kaylee frowned and shook her head.

"You coulda let him kill us," the mechanic argued. "That woulda been less."

"I still have so much to make up for," Regan sighed. "And I don't know how to begin."

"You made a good step in the right direction," Kaylee prompted. "And one step can always lead to another one. And b'sides, I think you're forgettin' how many good steps you made already."

"Oh, let's see," Regan ticked them off her fingers as she listed them. "I allowed my husband to sign my daughter up for experimentation, I surrounded myself with air-headed ninnies who only thought of fashion and gossip for years, I watched my son grow to despise us and finally cut us out of his life entirely--"

"Not entirely," Kaylee interrupted. "Just for a spell."

"Then I effectively handed over the means to hunt and nearly kill my only two children and kidnap my only grandchild, sitting idly by in a drugged stupor as my husband shows no remorse for the lives taken until I am physically dragged into the events, where I overhear a name, sell the only thing I have that keeps me from breaking down in exchange for a ship's name, a gun and ammunition and nearly get everyone killed when I can't keep my part of the bargain by shooting my own husband."

"You did just fine," Kaylee offered comfortingly. "I know I couldn't have killed my husband."

Regan rolled her eyes heavenward and shook her head.

"As much as a comfort as that is, dear one," she laughed. "It still does nothing to ease my conscience."

They stopped at the edge of the canyon and looked down at the sight below them: Serenity 's bay door open as Jayne spun Hobie in circles - the child's happy squeals bubbling across the open space, warming the hearts of the women. Nearby, Mal sat with one arm around Inara's shoulder, the other back in the sling as he called out a warning