I just wanted to say, that I have edited this a little, just in layout. Thanks to people who have already commented, and keep the comments comin - I'm new to this so suggestions and critiques are most welcome. One of the comments was that Simon didn't ask Zoë about tranquilising her, but you don't see the interaction between Simon and Zoë. I didn't find it neccessary because the focus was on Mal and Inara. I saw Zoë as being hysterical in her weeping, maybe I didn't put it across in the best way. If you think I should change anything though please reply here.

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She stood there for what seemed an age, long after to fireworks had faded and the incense burnt out. She stared vacantly out to the sky as the hologram of her lively husband danced above his gravestone. Zoë had no answer to how she was going to continue her life. The main reason for her living and fighting was gone. She didn’t know Mal was there until he placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Zoë?”

It was in that one instant that everything came back to her, overwhelming her to a point where she crumpled into Mal and broke down into heavy weeping.

Mal pulled her into his arms, not knowing what else to do. It scared him to see this warrior woman who had pulled him through thick and thin so upset and vulnerable. He slowly guided her back to Serenity, picking up the train of her dress to keep this one symbol of the love she and Wash had clean and intact.

When they got to Serenity’s ramp, Inara came down and touched Zoë on the arm, reassuringly and lovingly. Zoë, still weeping, stumbled. Mal caught her and swept her up in one move into his arms. He carried her to her bunk, resting her down onto the bed she and Wash once shared. Coming back up he saw Inara hovering.

“How is she really Mal?” her face clearly showing concern for her friend.

“Well, I have never seen her like that, not even when she got the news about her parents.”

Inara nodded, realizing the extent of Zoë’s grief. At that moment, Simon wal