Ned also might not be consciously aware of the non-threatening body language, but he does notice how easy it is to talk to Jesse about all this; well, comparatively easy, anyway. Jesse's attempt at humor pays off and is rewarded by a small, grateful laugh from Ned.

It means a great deal to him, what Jesse says about it being okay to be scared. "Yeah, well, you're about the only person I've met who thinks that," Ned says, but the fragility has gone from his smile, and his voice is warm again: comfortable and friendly. He wants to tell him how much it means, to say thank you, but he isn't sure how, at first.

He picks at the flowers around him, starts weaving their stems together into a chain. He's gotten quite good at it, over the last few days. It gives his hands something to do, gives him something to look at while he talks, which helps him say out loud. "Usually when I start to get to know people, it's only a matter of time until I'm their new project. You know. Let's fix Ned."

He shrugs, as if this will diminish the weight of what he's saying. Part of him can't believe he's saying it at all, thinks it is a mistake, he should quit while he's ahead. But the other part of him senses, without really knowing why, that Jesse will get it.

He ties off the end of the flower chain, sets it aside, says out of nowhere, "Thank you." He doesn't explain for what; he figures Jesse will know.