Kaylee-Mal after Lilly returns.

[ooc: Lilly returns from the Dreaming.]

The last couple of times Mal talked to his mechanic, they were not exactly happy times.

Mal will at least attempt to change this, as he heads to the engine room from his bunk, fresh from Milliways.

Mal-Ma Reynolds.

Mal's comm beeps. Wash is forwarding a wave down to his bunk, and Mal already knows who it was before Wash announced it.

"Wei, Ma."

"How'd you do it so fast?"

"What, Ma?"

"Find a buyer for the ranch; don't talk to me like you don't know what I'm sayin'."

"Ah. Ma, I just did, that's all."

"You ain't tryin' to pull a fast one on me?"

"Would I do that, Ma?" A pause, with a stern look from the woman. "Don't answer."

"I've already received the first half o' the payment...ain't too many folk'd do that without meetin' the seller first. You sure this guy is level?"

"Yes, Ma - stop frettin' about. You'll wear a hole in the floor in the kitchen."

"You'll tell Mr. Matnomis I'll be expectin' his wave then?"

"That I will."

There's a longer pause, filled with more hesitancy toward the subject.

"Heard 'bout Denton. I...I didn't even recognize 'im. In my own house."

Mal's eyes turn downward for a second, saying, "Sorry, Ma. If I could've..."

"Now you did what you had to, Malcolm. Don't ever be apologizin' for that. Just...I'll miss you."

Ma Reynolds waves quickly and shuts off her vidfeed, leaving the screen blank.

Mal heads off to find Simon.