Chapter 9

“Hey there, beautiful.”

Zoë started slightly at the rasping voice as she stood in the doorway of the infirmary, gazing at her battered husband and fighting her emotions.

“Thought you were sleeping, Husband,” she said tenderly, stepping into the room and up to his bed.

“Been awake for awhile,” Wash admitted, turning his head carefully toward his wife. “Have to say, you’re much nicer to look at then these walls.”

Zoë smiled despite herself, glancing away. Her eyes landed on the dinosaur next to Wash’s arm. She picked it up, turning it over in her hands as she raised her eyebrows questioningly at her husband.

“He missed me,” Wash answered, shrugging slightly.

“Of course,” Zoë replied, shaking her head as she replaced the plastic toy. Then she sobered, running her eyes up and down Wash and taking in the horrible injuries.

“How you feeling, bao bei?” she asked softly, gently brushing her fingers through his hair.

Wash didn’t answer right away, struggling with what to say. His desire to protect Zoë from the knowledge of how much he really hurt warred with the fact that they weren’t in the habit of keeping things from each other. His non-answer, however, was answer enough in itself, and Zoë’s heart broke to know that her sweet, gentle, funny husband was in so much pain.

“Want me to get Simon?” she asked.

“Not yet,” Wash said quietly. “Just want you for awhile.”

“Okay,” Zoë agreed.

“Wouldn’t mind a drink of water, though,” he said, his voice still raspy and rough.

Zoë dug in various cupboards and drawers until she found a plastic cup which she then filled with cool water at the sink before bringing it over to Wash. Gently, she raised his head and held the cup to his lips, letting him drink a few slow sips.

“Thanks,” he told her after a few moments, his voice already sounding better.

Just then, Serenity lurched harshly under their feet, causing the remainder of the water to slosh out across Wash’s chest as Zoë grabbed the edge of the bed to