Hanging in the Balance

Author’s Notes:

This story takes place about two years after the movie but in this alternative timeline version, all of Serenity’s core crew survived the events of the BDM.

Please note that this fic alternates between two timelines: one in the past (and thus told in past tense) and one in the present (told in present tense).

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I. One Year Ago -- On Serenity

It wasn’t the way that Zoe and Wash wanted to end their association with Malcolm Reynolds.

“I can’t stop you,” the captain said. “Guess I gotta accept that I’m losing the best first mate and best damn pilot ever.”

His words were complimentary but his face was brittle and angry. Wash tried to brighten the mood.

“That’s not true, Captain! River’s a better pilot than I can ever be. What with her ability to read the minds of the pilots of every other ship,” he enthused as he gestured. “She’ll be flying Serenity using just her brain before you know it –she won’t even need to touch the control panel.”

Zoe smiled, though her insides felt torn up and painful, and it wasn’t due just to the occasional nausea that still plagued her. “She’s a better fighter than me too, sir. I can’t single-handedly take down three dozen Reavers.”

Mal brushed their remarks aside and spoke with a stiff formality. “Well, you two are entitled to make your own decisions, questionable as they may be. If you ever change your minds, you and the little one are welcome back on Serenity anytime.”

Zoe and Wash looked at each other. Their leaving was a compromise, born out of numerous arguments, some of which were so intense that they questioned their entire plan. One time they did the unthinkable and questioned whether they should even stay together at all. Zoe didn’t want to leave Serenity. Wash still wasn’t completely sold on having a baby, but if he could compromise on that point then he definitely was not going to compromise on his belief that a starship was no place to raise a child.

“Thank you, sir,” Zoe managed.

The couple’s