Wash sets down his mug and, carefully, eases Naomi into Kaylee's waiting arms. Naomi "ah"s almost inaudibly, but doesn't wake up.

"Naah," he says. "I've been a dad for all of two weeks, I can't let the dooming happen this soon."

Retrieving his coffee again, he pulls himself to his feet, quickly rubs one eye with the heel of his palm, and heads for the stove.