“I’ve set a course for Greenleaf,” Wash said to Mal, who was sitting at the Kitchen table with a cup of tea in his hand that he had yet to drink.

“Right,”

“Should be there in about four days,”

“Right,”

“Somethin’ the matter, Cap’n?”

“Nothin’, Wash,”

“Alright…” Wash returned to the cockpit, his forehead wrinkled with worry. Ana entered, making two cups of tea. Mal suddenly slammed his cup on the table and went to his room, leaving Ana to raise an eyebrow after him.

“Thanks,” Kaylee said as she was handed one of the cups of tea, her face streaked with dirt, the top buttons of her jumpsuit undone.

“Sure,” Ana said, sipping her tea as well. They sat in silence for a moment, and Ana sat the unfinished cup down on the shelf of tools.

“What’s the matter?” Kaylee asked, looking at Ana. Her face was sullen but not, creased and thoughtful, frozen.

“I’ll be around,” she replied, and got up and headed towards the Captain’s room.

*

A knock at the door sent Mal’s patience through the roof. “What?” he snapped at it.

“Just me Cap’n,” Ana’s voice said.

“What do you need?”

“A word, that’s all,”

“Cheeng jeen,” Ana climbed down the steps, looking sort of humble.

“What?” Mal asked, but not as snappy as he’d been before. She really was pretty, even when she was a little dirty from helping Kaylee in the engine room.

“There’s something wrong, isn’t there?” she asked, and her eyes were like stinging probes, and he could not hold her gaze. “Nothing’s wrong,” he replied with his teeth clenched, his muscles tight.

“Your body language would indicate otherwise,” Ana said, looking at his clenched fists.

“It’s none of your business,” This was greeted with a mirthless laugh.

“Oh, how many times I’ve heard the one before. Well it is my business- you’re my captain, sir,” Mal was silent, and he released his tension, letting out a huff.

“You’re thinking of Inara, aren’t you?” His eyes suddenly leapt to her face.

“How did you know?”

“It’