Indigo was the last at breakfast, having stopped off in the infirmary to check on Sara first. He spent a few minutes chatting to Hank as well, marvelling at the laid back attitude the man had, especially considering his recent very close brush with death, but he realised there was no point in being surprised all the time at this crew. Jayne, a married family man, the number of kids on board, a captain willing to take him and Sara someplace safe ... if he let himself be amazed all the time he’d go around with his chin to his knees.

By the time he arrived in the warm kitchen the rest of the adults were already seated around the large table, bowls of what looked like oatmeal in front of each of them.

“There’s enough in the pan,” Kaylee said. “And sweetener if you want. Or salt, if that’s how you like it.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Kaylee laughed. “Don’t you go calling me that. Makes me feel like I'm about a hundred.”

“Can’t think you’re old enough to be married, let alone have a couple or three kids.” He smiled.

The mechanic pinked up. “I think you’re a bad man, Indigo MacCready.”

“Wouldn’t be at all surprised.” Indigo picked up the bowl that sat ready and spooned oatmeal into it.

Jayne growled slightly, only stopping when River put her hand on his.

“Should I be worried?” Simon asked in a low whisper.

Kaylee blushed ever deeper. “Nope. Course not. But his voice ...”

“His voice?”

She glanced at the other women around the table, seeing understanding in their eyes. “It’s ... like he’s had too many cigarettes, or cigars, or something, you know? Only it’s been oiled, like when I do the compression bearings. A bit like ... I don’t know, it rolls through a person, you know?”

“Not ... really.” Simon looked up at Mal, who shrugged, never having noticed it himself.

“Oiled,” Zoe said quietly. “Sounds about it.”

She’s right , Freya murmured in Mal’s mind. It’s quite ... hypnotic.

You planning on leaving me for an old gunhand? he asked, his mental tone amuse