"We have to help!"

"You said so already."

Back inside Torsten's living room the tension ran high. Mal and Shepherd Book weren't exactly fighting, but they stood on opposite sides of the eating table glaring and throwing loaded comments at each other. They had both stayed quiet during the drive back down from the dam, the preacher had only sent the captain a couple of significant glances, but now as Torsten had left them to gather the town's council he wasn't afraid to voice his opinions.

Mal gestured with his arms and added, "What do you want me to do, preacher? I can't stop the force of nature. It's the guy upstairs you should be talkin' to."

"You could help evacuate these people. We could load up Serenity…"

"Serenity already has cargo. Which we are to deliver in two days."

"You can't honestly mean your job is more important…"

"I never said that!" Mal interrupted. "But no one has asked for our help."

"They have to ask?"

Zoë was about to open her mouth to tell them both to simmer down a little, when she heard the sound of someone stepping up to the door and turned to see if Torsten was returning. Instead it was Kaylee and Wash who entered the room, both looking happy and pleased. The girl, Dicte, was not with them.

"Hey, y'all," Kaylee smiled. "Good news, Cap, I found everything I needed and more. We can…" She frowned as she seemed to sense the changed atmosphere in the room. "What is it? What's happenin'?"

Mal looked at her. "You ready to start repairs?"

"Right away, sir." Her eyes flickered from him to the preacher. "What is it?" she repeated.

Mal turned to gaze at the shepherd again, daring him to open his mouth. "We… There's been a change of plans."

"So you will help them?" Book asked.

Mal didn't reply. Kaylee and Wash only looked even more l