Disclaimers: Firefly doesn't belong to me, that honor goes to Joss, Mutant Enemy, Fox, and Universal pictures.

A/N: K, this technically isn't an AU – season happened as shown. But it is somewhat of an alternate interpretation of characters and alternate history. Many thanks to my beta readers shdwdrgn, neroli66, and cassiee. Also, much credit for the origin of the bunny that grew into this story goes to Zoid and the ideas he posted in a very old thread about Zoe.

I hope to do better about posting fairly regular updates :) Enjoy

Camouflage

Chapter 1: Orders

Chinese Glossary

Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiou doh sai-jin wuh dhu pee-goo! - Stuff all the planets in the universe into my ass!

Quietly, Zoe made her way to the bridge. She'd heard the Captain's bunk close earlier so she knew he'd finally finished his late night wanderings. Wash slept fitfully; she always wore him out on these days like this. Everyone else should be quietly asleep, but she checked the lock the bridge door just in case.

She paused before turning on the cortex. Something was different now, she felt it. This call might be the one that would change her life. Once she would have welcomed it, the boredom had come close to driving her mad. Instead of giving in, she'd fought back and married Wash. The relationship gave some distraction and gained her some distance from Mal. She wasn't sure he'd forgiven her, but then that had been the point.

Sighing, she turned away from the past and toward the now. Time to be the person she was again, time to learn if the path would change. Her body hummed with anticipation as she turned on the cortex and dialed the number. When the well known face appeared on the screen, she allowed a genuine smile to show.

"You're late," the person said.

"Couldn't be helped, you know that."

The gray-haired woman nodded. "Very well. I'm sending you the details now. Will you be able to convince him to take the job?"

Zoe smirked. "Low as coin is, all I'll have