It takes a long while for Mal to really understand what Gabriel's asking him. Questions of faith.

But is it faith? When you've seen them and shaken their hand and had them help you blow up a government facility?

"I believed in 'em, the traditional way. Then I didn't, the traditional way for that, too. Now?" A shrug. "Think it's possible that we are actually from the same image."

It's harder and harder for Mal to buy that 'ineffible' stuff.