Author's Notes: Thanks to those who read and commented. Glad you're liking the story so far.

I don't write Zoe very often, so this was a good exercise for me. It's hard to get my head around her mannerisms and how she sounds. So let me know if something is off about her.

Thanks to http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?un=mal4prez>Mal4Prez for the beta.

Part I can be found:http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=16528 >Here

Part II: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=16547>; Here.

Part III: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=16579>; Here

Part IV

As abruptly as it had begun, the battle ended. But Kaylee didn’t register that bombs no longer fell, she didn’t notice that the ground no longer shook. When her eyes were open, they were fixed on Simon’s face, at his dark lashes which rested against paler than normal cheeks. The tube remained down his throat and the monitor to which it was attached chimed at regular intervals. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she remembered that it was called a ventilator and that it would breathe for Simon until he was able to do so on his own.

Her eyes were dry, her fingers laced through his – cold without constant motion to warm them. She spoke to him as if he had the capability to answer her, hoped that his eyes would just pop open and all would be well again. She tried to joke and smile, but the smile never reached her eyes.

“Starting to smell as ripe as Jayne in here,” Wash quipped playfully as he walked up beside Kaylee. His eyes swept around the room, at the injured and dying that took up all available space.

She couldn’t even muster the effort to smile at his attempt to cheer her up.

“Docs say he’s gonna be fine.”

“I know.”

“Don’t believe ‘em, huh?”

“Hard to, with him lookin’ the way he does.” Kaylee’s fingers absently brushed against Simon’s wrist, carefully avoiding the