Author’s Notes:

This fic was written in response to a prompt from Warrior Zoe, who requested a fic on the theme of “Zoe decides she likes Wash”.

With thanks to beta-testers Sharelle and Sarahetc.

***

Ain’t like there was one moment when I decided I liked him. It don’t work that way. There were lots of little things that happened, and some of ‘em took time.

He kept tryin’ to get me to laugh. I brushed him off ten times and he kept at it. Man was persistent if nothin’ else. Finally he got me to do it even though I tried not to. Wondered why he cared in the first place whether I laughed or not.

He shaved the mustache. That was good. I once went with a guy who had a mustache and he was a real bastard – don’t know why I stayed with him long as I did. When I saw Wash walk into the kitchen all clean-shaven, I opened my mouth in surprise till I remembered myself and closed it. But he saw.

We had a stopover on his home planet. He took a bunch of food and supplies and money to his mom. I didn’t meet her that time – me and him weren’t a couple yet – but I was impressed with how he spoke ‘bout her when he returned. And that he spent all that money on her when most folk would’ve spent some of it on themselves.

Over the weeks and then the months, he proved that he knew his trade. Got us out of a bunch of bad situations. Showed that he was a pro when it came to flyin’ this boat, and I like a man who’s got useful skills like that.

I noticed that I was startin’ to miss him when we were apart. Captain and I would be on a job, some of ‘em kept us from the ship for a day or two. I’d start missin’ that pilot, wonderin’ what he was up to or what he’d say ‘bout something. Captain would mention his name and I wanted to smile but didn’t.

Then I started wonderin’ what he’d be like in bed. He handled Serenity so well that I had to but wonder. So I asked him one day if he’d have sex with me. He said no, but that he would make love to me.

I wasn’t expectin’ much. Hadn’t been with many men before, and none