Zoë tried to open her eyes and found the normally simple task too difficult to accomplish. She could hear a voice. Faint, but audible.

"Zoë."

That voice.

Her eyes stung.

Her heart leapt.

She found her strength, and swung.

"Zoë."

This is no kinda joke...

"Zoë."

This was torture...

"Zoë."

This was war...

"Zoë. Zoë, listen. I fly, baby. I know math and maps and plans. That's what I do. I know this isn't safe and I know it isn't a plan. But I don't need safe. I don't need sane. And I would follow you into that hole on Hera and back if it meant I got to keep you with me."

Her fists froze up as the rest of her warmed. No one else knows that. I never told anyone how he proposed. It has to be him.

Wash?

"There ya are. Hey you." Wash took the opportunity to take her hands in his. It was as much for safety as it was sentimentality.

Wash, really? How is it...

He shushed her as she opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on the center of his chest. Instinctively, she loosened her hand from his and touched him. He was solid, the muscles tensing under her hand as he laughed. "Yup, it's me, baby. All here."

You can still laugh.

Zoë looked up to meet his eyes, but her gaze froze just beneath his nose.

You grew that mo min chi meow moustache back?

"Huh?" Wash asked, confused. His eyes crossed trying to see what she was talking about. "Oh, I forgot," he said peeling it off. "No, I just knew you were coming. Wanted to make sure I had your attention."

Laughter. It feels nice. It feels nice here.

Wash stood and offered his hand to help her up. "Come on. I'll show you around."

Zoë looked at his hand and made a face. Wash smiled as she gracefully eased herself up off the floor of the white room they were in. Wash just shook his head. "My Zoë."

She took his still outstretched hand and he led her out a doorway without a door.

Wash...this is. This is what you always wanted.

The wate