Seconds, minutes, hours, all felt longer than what they were.

She assumed the rest of the crew was sleeping. Simon had checked on her, dimmed the lights and left. Monitors beeped, machines whined and purred, and her IV slowly dripped.

And Wash never left her.

He talked about everything, what he had been up to mainly. Apparently he and Book had been appointed a house on Seraphim Lake just out of the city of Zion, five acred lot (which is hard to get, but between the good credit they had racked up they managed to get it). The lake was beautiful, always spring with no allergies. The flowers always in bloom, the water like translucent gold, with a little flock of goslings that swim around their dock. Book apparently tolerated Muffin, and had taken up cooking while her late husband helped out from time to time by flying a gold transport ship over to the pearly gates and busing newcomers to Information.

“You need to rest.” Wash explained softly.

“Can’t.” She wheezed through the oxygen tubes Simon had placed under her nostrils.

“I’m not gonna leave you Baby, I promise I’m not going anywhere.” Leaning in, he kissed her forehead and she swore she could feel the softness of his lips.

“Hello Hoban Washburn.”

Wash gave a befuddled expression to the door.

Zoe looked up to see River walking in with a whisp of a welcoming smile against the right side of her mouth. “You…?”

River leapt up onto the counter, Boston following her as she tucked her knees up to her chest and positioned her chin atop them. “Can’t see him, feel him though, sense.” Tapping the side of her head, she smiled a little more. “Missed you, quirky sense of humor.”

“Aww, I miss the little crazy River too. Although now she’s all semi-normal.” Wash smiled warmly, watching the new pilot. “Tell her I said hi and she’s a great pilot.”

Zoe opened her mouth.

“Heard him. Your ears hear, project words into your brain, I read your brain, I listen to Wash too.” The Tam girl cut her off. “Thank you Celestial Washburn. Cannot fill the