Title: Knotted

Author: nauticalgal

Pairings: Zoe/Wash

Rating: PG

Timeline/Spoilers: Shortly after War Stories

Disclaimer: Not my toys, but fun to play with

Note: Written for the Zoe/Wash ficathon on livejournal. stormkpr requested either a fic shortly after War Stories or Our Mrs. Reynolds, or a fic in which either Wash or Zoe feels insecure, and is comforted by the other. So naturally, I thought I'd go for the trifecta. Shortly after War Stories, and there's plenty of insecurity to go around:

Zoe walked up the steps from the foredeck corridor onto Serenity's bridge, a still-warm plate in one hand and a mug of fresh coffee in the other. Wash hated it when he had to work right through meals, but it was part of his job description sometimes, and she tried to smooth that over for him by bringing him something to eat, and keeping him company. Especially now, when the demons were still fresh.

He was looking at something on the Cortex when she came into the cramped space, but cleared the screen quickly when he heard her footsteps.

Not quite quickly enough.

"Hey, bao bei," he said, turning to greet her, and she forced a smile and handed him the plate and cup. He smiled back and said, "Thanks."

Zoe settled herself against the pilot's console. Wash set his mug up above his instruments, and picked up the fork from his plate. He pushed the food around, frowning at it. "I see it's our very best five-star fare, tonight," he observed unhappily.

"It was my night to cook," she reminded him, and he winced. He hadn't mean't to insult her. Still.

"Um, like I said," he amended, changing his tone, "five star fare!" He scooped up a mouthful, "Wow! This has to be the best meal I've had all week!" Zoe's expression didn't change, and he gave it up. He laid the fork down and put a hand on her leg, smiling hopefully. Contrite. Convincingly sincere.

Zoe tossed her head at the blank screen. "More job listings?" she asked, and saw her husband wince again. Did he think she di