"The offer's tempting, but at some point my son's going to start worrying about when I'm coming home."

She smiles a bit weakly, but it grows stronger and into a cheeky grin. Wash may not know the best way to make her feel as if she's worth investing her own energy into, but he does lift her mood a little.

"You know, I haven't met this Mal, though. Maybe I should slot up a coffee break in my schedule. I've heard so many great things it's hard to believe the man will live up to the legend."