TITLE: War

AUTHOR: Erin Giles

RATING: G

SUMMARY: Post "The Message". Just a follow up to what happened.

DISCLAIMER: Joss is Boss. Me no owny!

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No one spoke at dinner that evening, no one had any reason to. Wash and Zoë sat in sombre silence, Wash, a comforting hand upon Zoë’s thigh, Zoë a watchful eye on her husband as he deliberately played with his food, his appetite lacking this evening. Simon and Kaylee sat closer than usual, their hands resting close beside their knives between mouthfuls, fingers brushing each other’s hand subtly. Shepard Book sat in silent prayer for a long time before his hands even touched the cutlery on the table. Even River sat beside Jayne silently, watching every member of the crew sat round the table. Her eyes resting on Malcolm Reynolds for a long moment, he did not seem interested in his food, or in his surroundings and it didn’t take long before he rose and left. Eyes followed him out the Mess and soon the rest had departed, only Jayne left to eat what no one else had felt they could eat.

*~*~*~*~*

Zoë lay down between the sheets next to her husband who watched her for a long moment before he reached out for her. She let him wrap his arms round her as she moved towards him, burying her head in his chest as she wept silently, something she had not done in the long time, “Bao bei.” He whispered softly as he ran a hand through her hair, holding her quivering body close to his. He would never understand what was between Zoë and Mal, could never understand what the war had created between them.

Zoë eventually pulled away and looked up into the crystal blue eyes of the man she loved, “I’m sorry.” She whispered as she reached up and gently touched the bandage that concealed the bullet graze. He frowned in pain before he pulled her towards him again, “Nothing to apologise for, Zo’.” He said softly, “War was just in his nature. “

*~*~*~*~*

“I was too young to remember the war, but my daddy told me plenty.” Kaylee said softly to Simon as they sa