Joss Whedon's sand box. Hope some have enjoyed it. Thanks again to Soot Sprite for the Beta.

Interludes VII

Zoe was determined to enjoy herself despite the fact that they were headed off to bury her husband. The one thing he always wanted in life, vacation, he was getting in death- leaving the ship behind and going somewhere quiet. Not how she wanted it to be. She felt the tears welling up inside her, felt River's hand slip into hers and squeeze

River looked into Zoe's beautiful brown eyes. She could see what she wanted to say right there in her head, in English letters and Mandarin characters. [Brat that she was, she also wrote it out in her head in Cyrillic too.] She wanted to comfort Zoe, tell her Wash was happy. She opened her mouth and IT attacked, slashing her words and characters and all that came out was "That Land." All she could think was "What ... An ... Idiot!"

Somehow Zoe just smiled a sad smile, squeezed her hand back and said "Yeah ... I know."

*****

Mal and Monte were finally laughing over SaffBridgeYo. Kaylee was in heaven. Flirting with the mechanic and tinkering with a different engine and getting grease on her hands and coveralls while Simon was comparing notes and supplies with the medic. Yes, they would be taking that pent up sexual tension out on each other later.

Inara was helping cook, which means she was cooking while Jayne and Tessa, Monte's pilot, were making mating moves on each other. This could be an entertaining couple of weeks. And Wasn't Alliance food much better than the parti-colored tofu everybody was used to. She couldn't help but wonder how Book would spice this "oh so humble meal" as she wondered just how much garlic and rosemary would be too much.

When the meal was ready everyone sat around the table and the real nuts and bolts of the trip were laid out for all. Bellerephon to do "Companion business" and a little leg stretching for all. "Oh,