Wash walked into the light and was unable to see anything but light, but he wasn't squinting or shielding himself. It wasn't that kinda light. Then, the light subsided, and Wash found himself standing in a courtyard. Hanging from a nearby wall Wash saw a sign congratulating the Sunnydale High Swimming Team for winning something.

In the center of the courtyard was a young girl in long flat red hair, writing in a pad of paper on a stone bench, as she glanced now and then at an open book. Seriously engrossed in the book. Other than her, the place was deserted. Wash walked over to her.

She looked up.

"How..? How did you find me here?" she asked.

"I didn't. I mean I was blinded. I'm lost. Can you help me?"

The redhead gave an elvish smirk, "Can you tell me your name?"

"I'm Wash."

"Wash... Wash what? Izzat short for Washington?"

"It's just Wash. Wash Warren. Who are you?"

"My name's Willow. Did you say Wash and Wear?"

"No."

"Just wash?"

"Look, things were strange on my ship when I left and I have to get back. I-"

"You're from a ship? Are you a sailor?"

"Sailor..? No. Well maybe. It's a spaceship."

Suddenly the redheaded girl got all excited in a restrained but giddy way, "Ooh a spaceship! You're an astronaut? I'm talking to an astronaut!"

"Well I'm a pilot. We don't call ourselves astronauts."

"Oh that must be the press name for what you do."

"What?"

"So tell me, if I'm not being too intrusive. I'm not being too intrusive am I? I mean, can I ask you a question?"

"I-I guess."

"Were you on the Challenger?"

"No. Serenity."

"Huh? We must have a commuication problem here. Did you say Serenity?"

"Yes."

"I don't recall a space ship called Serenity."

"Well our reputation doesn't exactly precede us. We like it that way."

"Okay maybe I should be more direct in my questions. How did you die?"

"Die. Die? I didn't die." Wash began to get noticeably upset.

Willow got apprehensive, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."