Eyes downcast, Kaylee stepped onto the bridge, tool box in hand. She gave Wash a weak smile before setting the box down beneath the co-pilot console, "I hope you don’t mind. I just wanted to see about the sub-converter short. I think if I re-route the enablizer through the vanda board, it leaves the port open and I should be able to connect the breaker pad to...to..." She bit her lower lip, losing her train of thought.

"Um, sure," Wash said pulling his eyes from the front windows. He turned and looked at Kaylee and gave a little frown at the look on her face. "You feelin' alright?"

"Who me?" She smiled, waving her hand. "I'm just fine. Right as rain."

He smiled back, a small smile that said he didn't quite buy it. He waved a hand toward the console. "Okay then there she is. And if you wanna talk while you're working I wouldn't mind the company."

She sat down cross legged on the floor, and opened the tool box, poking around inside for several moments before risking another glance at Wash. "There's just somethin' about this job that's got me all..." she trailed off, not able to find the right word.

" Apprehensive?"

"Yeah," she picked up a screw driver from the impeccably ordered box and twirled it idly in her hands. "No different than any other job, but..."

Wash tapped the console idly , and turned back to the front windows. "Yeah. Well, I guess not."

Her eyes shot to him, "You know something, I don't, Wash?"

Wash's head snapped back to her. "No, I didn't mean... I just --I always worry about Zoë, so every job is a joy ride of vexation and worry."

“Oh," she frowned slightly, feeling guilty for not realizing how it must affect him every time Zoë left the ship without him. "I'm sorry, Wash, I didn't realize."

"Well, being with Zoë is about the best thing that ever happened to me, and this is part of it." He looked off to the side a bit, and a small smile played over his lips. "At the end of the day, when it's just the two of us and I can hold her... it's more then worth it." He looke