[ She might be keeping herself on lockdown, but Jesse's known her a long time. He's well aware that she tends to take everything onto herself and try to just smile gently through it, that she's the kind to pick up the burdens of the whole world without a second thought, to break her back while still asking if anyone needed anything. She had a sharp tongue when she needed it, but he's keen to her essential nature--the gentlest, most generous heart he's ever known.

So there's that, and the fact that--despite appearing otherwise--he's an observant man. He notices shifts in expression, dips in tone, and all the otherwise invisible bits of body language that suggest mood, that betray a person's inner life. Angie's got practice at keeping those things in order. But he's got practice at looking for'em.

When she threads her arm through his, he pulls her close, nearly flush against his side. Just barely allowing her enough freedom for them to keep on walking (he can see the entrance to the mess hall just ahead). ]

Ain't been but a minute. Few hours, more precisely. Hell of an introduction I've had, I got to say.

[ He squeezes her arm gently. ]

Least I know you're around if that fella ever acts up again. Did he say anythin' much after you got him settled?

[ Because 76 is definitely his biggest problem on this ship. ]