[ Closing his eyes, even as he closes a hand over Miles shoulder, squeezing firmly, it's fine, it wasn't your fault, though Wash knows he's likely to blame himself regardless. A breath. It's easy for him to picture, too easy, he needs to focus. ]

Carolina and I had been teaching her some self-defense techniques. I was always pretty insistent that the first thing she should do was try to run. [ A soft sound, almost fond, but in a pained way. ] I knew she wouldn't listen.