Mal hasn't been taking enough barshifts lately, and when he sees Kate at a stool he manages to have the first decent conversation with someone that felt completely natural - he didn't have to fake being happy or companionable or amused to just shoot the breeze.

"You know, I never did tell you how nice you looked as a cheerleader," Mal smirks.

"Don't think I won't rat on you to your wife, sir," Kate scolds - even though it still felt nice to hear the compliment.