The talk with Simon and Jack in the Sun Room had actually been therapeutic. Lately, all he had been thinking about was this place, finding everyone, and getting out; thinking back on his own world, his own life, and even getting in his share of complaints about the Alliance left him feeling refreshed.

As usual, the first thing Mal did upon entering the room was search out his crew members. River never had any problem talking to people that interested her, so she was already chatting away, and Inara...

Well, she didn't have much trouble making friends, either, did she? A string of jokes and insults ran through the man's head as he watched her conversation with another man he'd never spoken to before.

Two could play that game. Immediately, the captain searched for a female who was on her own, so he could have his own little happy conversation with her. It was juvenile and he knew it, but that didn't matter much to him. The girl with the crutches seemed like a good enough choice - for one thing, he wanted to know how she had managed to get so hurt.

He noticed Cid on his way over to get some food, but he was crowded by three other people. He'd talk to the man later. Once he'd filled his plate to his satisfaction, Mal sat down next to the woman - girl, even, she looked pretty young - and smiled, though it didn't come off as particularly friendly.