Wash made his way quietly through the galley looking for his wife. He had seen the Captain and Jayne skulk to their bunks several minutes ago. Zoë had yet to make an appearance. He’d heard her voice over the com, but he couldn’t relax until he laid eyes on her and seen for himself that she was alright. He made his way through the hall and down the companionway leading to the passenger lounge, coming to a stop when he saw Kaylee sitting alone with her head in her hands.

“Kaylee, you okay?” he asked taking several steps toward her. Kaylee looked up and tried for a smile, but fell uncharacteristically short.

“Me, Wash? No, I’m fine, just tired’s all.”

“Yeah, I get you there,” he looked into the infirmary window, but the room was empty. “We get paid today?” he asked finally. The coiling in his stomach told him the answer before the look on her face did.

“Don’t know, no one’s bothered t’ tell me,” Kaylee said with acres of heartache filling her voice. “But to judge by the looks on their faces I’d have t’ go with no.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling.” Wash said resting his hands on his hips. He sighed. Damn it, they needed money. He looked up at the mechanic again, “You seen my wife?” he asked with an attempt at a playful tone.

“She’s in the showers I think. All of ‘em smelled somethin’ awful when they came on board.”

“Thanks.”

He turned and made his way back to the small locker room area, and heard the sound of rushing water. He crossed the tiny room reaching the three narrow stalls in four long strides, and stood in front of the one that was closed.

“Zo, you in there?” She didn’t answer, but he could see enough of her outline through the deformed glass to know it was her. He pulled it open a crack and looked inside. Zoë leaned against the wall, her saturated curls stretching with the weight of the water forming a long curtain that shielded most of her upper body. “You alright, Baby?” he asked, brow furrowing in concern. She didn’t respond vocally, but simply turned to look at him.

There wasn’t m