Kaylee rolled out from under the co-pilot’s console on her wheeled tray, and grinned up at Hank before finishing her sentence. “… and Inara’s asked Mr Boden to get in a whole load of supplies.”

Hank chuckled. “Good. I'm feeling hungry again.”

She smacked him lightly on the foot with her socket wrench. “Ain't just for you. ‘Sides, ‘Nara also said that she’d be more’n annoyed if Mal decided not to come. She’s looking forward to a party.”

“And finding out exactly how Mal is, and telling him off, no doubt.”

“Got that right.”

“Although I can’t see the captain getting up and dancing quite yet.”

“Well, no. But she said it’s warm, so maybe we can have a picnic or two. All of us. Could swim as well …” Her face took on a wistful expression.

Hank shook his head. “Too cold for me.”

She grinned. “Coward.”

“Absolutely. That’s me. One hundred percent, paid up member of the Coward’s Fraternity. And proud of it. In line to be chairman before long.”

She laughed and rolled back under the console. There was a few moments of silence while she changed one of the damaged boards for a newer one, then she said, slowly and somewhat diffidently, “So … you gonna have a chat with Sam?”

Hank was surprised. So far no-one had talked to him about Zoe’s involvement with the Dust Devils. But trust it to be Kaylee to break the ice. “Not sure,” he admitted. “Zoe and me … we’re okay, so maybe I shouldn’t make something out of nothing.”

The old board was tossed out. “Hank, you ain’t hardly said more’n a dozen words to her. And I know for a fact you won’t be alone in the same room with her. I've been watching.”

“We sleep together,” Hank protested.

“Sleep, yeah.” She poked him in the shin with something sharp. “But I don’t think you’ve been getting squishy.”

He leaned down to rub the sore spot. “Well, maybe not. But I’ve been tired.”

“Hmmn.”

The silence lengthened, and he felt the need to fill it. “It’s just … hard.”

Kaylee rolled out again, sitting up this time and leani