Bedlam: Part 4

By Kaynara

***

Zoe pressed her face into the curve of his neck, feeling the familiar Hawaiian shirt beneath her cheek.

“Thought you were gone,” she whispered. “Thought they killed you.”

“Oh, they did. Used a big ruttin’ stake.” He laughed.

“But how are you here? How are you inside me?” she asked, because suddenly he was. Now she wore the Hawaiian shirt, just the shirt, and Wash was on top of her.

She exhaled, gasped in another breath as his hands stroked down her hips, lifted her up to him.

“ ‘Cuz you want me here. ‘Cuz you need me.”

They were on the bridge now. He sat in the pilot seat and she stood behind, the sky falling fast as he flew Serenity in for a landing.

“Didn’t think my Zoe needed anyone,” he said as they slammed into ground. “Thought she was invincible.”

“I’m not a robot, husband,” she said. They were back in their bunk, beneath their blankets. Safety. Sanctuary. She nudged her back against his chest, pulled his hand around to cup her breast.

“But you are, sweetie.” His mustache tickled her neck before he pushed her on her back, slid on top. “Didn’t shed a tear when the reavers gored me.”

Zoe woke shaking, sobbing.

***

Simon stood in the doorway, blocking Mal’s entrance to his passenger dorm.

“Captain Reynolds.”

“Doctor Tam,” Mal responded, half-amused.

“If you make her cry again, I’m gonna have to…hit you…Captain,” Simon announced, as though deciding just then.

“I make Kaylee cry, I figure I’ll let you hit me.”

Simon nodded and moved aside so Mal could enter.

“Hey, Lil’ Kaylee. Okay if I sit?”

“Cap’n, I’m sorry about….” Suddenly she stopped, her voice gathering strength, losing the teary quality. “No, wait.” She punched him in the shoulder. “You’re the one should be doin’ the apologizing.’”

“That was essentially my intention,” Mal said, rubbing his arm. “No call for me speakin’ to you that way, Kaylee. God knows I don’t deserve a good thing like you. Got no right talkin’ to you way I did last night.”