He wasn’t entirely certain he should be watching, but something in him wanted to. He was too far away to hear the words, but there was no missing the quiet affection between these two unlikely friends. He glanced down, and looked back up to see an Independent pilot being fiercely hugged through the gate by an Alliance prison guard. Wasn’t hard to see that at least the prison guard half of that was in tears.

It was a wonder how such a sensitive young man had managed to stay that way, given his position. Then in a flash, he saw the friendship between those two laid out before him. They’d protected that in each other. Two guys had put their backs together and spent years fighting to maintain innocence and kindness where it barely existed. Interesting thing to fight for. Painful thing.

He studied the gravel closely on Wash’s approach. “I’m – gonna stay with Khiloh and his family for a couple weeks while I get in touch with some people. About – you know – jobs. And stuff.”

“Couldn’t say goodbye?” asked Mal.

Wash shook his head sheepishly, his eyes moist. “Well – we did, actually. Didn’t end in a dignified and manly fashion.”

“People tend to love their homes, countries, bogs, whatever,” said Mal. “Even if they really stink. Being you’ve called this home all your adult life, I wouldn’t expect the leaving to be easy.”

Wash nodded a little too rapidly, gulping. Finally he managed to speak again. “You going to be okay?”

Mal shook his head. “No. But that’s how it goes. Been not okay for a while now, fellow grows accustomed to it.”

“Um - isn’t that another way of saying you’re gonna be okay?” asked Wash with a quizzical frown. “Just – you know, while reserving cynical and bitter rights.”

Mal returned the look with a mock glare. “Sure, the guy that gets to waltz outta here sees fit to lecture me on cynical.”

“Don’t make assumptions,” said Wash, glaring back. “I don’t know how to waltz.”

~~~~~

Gray stood in front of Mal. “I just want you to know that – I won’t forge