Only five? On the one hand, that seems a small number, given that there are three of them here right now. On the other, maybe they've just been really lucky. Maybe it's rare that these dimensional hops bring people from the same universes.

Or maybe the real rarity is bringing people from the same times. Maine certainly isn't from the same time as Wash or Carolina. And Wash has been away from home for so long… Can anyone be said to be from the same time as him?

He watches the pictures, then watches Wash's face. Studying it as Wash speaks of missing him. It's still so strange; they were together not twenty-four hours ago. But for Wash, it's been years and years. Longer than they've even know each other.

Maine wets his lips. Parts them to speak, then seals them shut again. Unsure if he should voice his theories as to where he was when Wash went AWOL. Maybe it'd be better not to dig into a future he knows nothing about, especially when it seems so painful.

If nothing else, he can wait for another time. Some day when he's not so exhausted that he suspects he could fall asleep upright, if Wash gave him a few minutes of silence.

Instead, he reaches out to touch Wash's arm again. Aiming to give it a little squeeze this time, reassuring. I'm here now. I'm solid.