IV. Take to the Sky: Zoe Washbourne

Once Kaylee is done giggling with Inara, the Companion prods her gently to go find Simon. Kaylee nods, giving Inara one last hug before getting up and heading back towards the infirmary. She traces her hands across the ship's surface as she walks, feeling the heat against her skin. These are nights she lives for, she decides, bein' alone for moments at a time with her family, communin' with Serenity. There ain't much else she could ask for.

Much else, but there're still things she wants. Things she could have if she could just reach out and grab 'em.

When she gets to the infirmary door, she takes a deep breath before preparing to step through. A voice behind her stops her.

"He ain't in there."

Kaylee turns, her eyes wide. Now who? she thinks desperately. Just when she's gettin' up the courage...

It's Zoe, and Kaylee's heart stops for a moment, pure, involuntary grief enveloping her at the sight of the ship's first mate. There are circles around Zoe's eyes and her shoulders are stooped farther than they usually are, but Zoe attempts to smile at Kaylee, and the weak effort makes Kaylee's heart break a little.

"Simon," Zoe elaborates. "The doc? He ain't in there." She furrows her brow. "Kaylee? That who you're looking for?"

Kaylee guesses Zoe wouldn't take it so well if she just up and gave her a big ol' hug, so she don't. But it's a near, near thing.

"Yeah," Kaylee nods slowly. "I, uh, how d'ya know he ain't in there?"

Zoe smiles again, that half-lift of her lips and the drowsy, sad tilt of her head. "Couldn't sleep. Came down here to see if the doc had anything to help, but it's all dark in there. Think the Cap'n's restin' after his fall today."

Kaylee sighs. Now why hadn't she thought about that? She shoulda looked in the window right off, but she'd been so preoccupied with the darn door--Kaylee sighs again. She had been so close.

"Why?" Zoe's smile is a little brighter than it was before. Still plenty dim, but the