“Happy?”

“Mmmm.” Zoë smiled as she stretched her long frame. It had been a long time since she and Wash had been in a bed actually large enough for them both to stretch out. Most of the pillows and bed coverings had long since been scattered on the floor, giving the two plenty of room. “You?”

Wash nudged Zoë’s shoulder, urging her to roll over for a back scratch. “Anytime I can spend time alone with you away from the neighbors, I’m happy.” Forgoing the back scratching, he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. “And, we got a bath to boot!”

Chuckling deep in her throat, Zoë turned around in Wash’s arms and snuggled deeper into his embrace. “Yes, it is nice not having to worry about being quiet, isn’t it.”

Zoë cherished these rare moments alone with Wash, so few and infrequent. It often seemed their disagreements, usually over Mal, would tear them apart. Yet, they were still together, still needed each other. She had known for a long time that it was Wash that had kept her sane. She’d been on her way to becoming another cold, bitter, angry former Independent, tired with life, working with Mal because he had dreams, which kept him going, and then a ship he loved, which kept them both fed. Then Wash had stepped on board Serenity with that ridiculous moustache, and the dinosaurs, his tenderness and humor healing her deep wounds, washing her clean, making her whole and able to enjoy life again.

As if thinking along similar lines, Wash squeezed Zoë and said, “Remember when we first met?”

Laughing aloud, Zoë pulled back and looked Wash in the eyes. She reached up and traced his upper lip with her fingers. “That moustache was ridiculous!”

“You were so hot! Standing there, looking all mean and intimidating.”

“What do you mean ‘looking’ mean and intimidating? I was mean and intimidating.”

“Well, yeah. Okay. You were. But I didn’t let it show, that I thought you were, did I.” Wash pulled her close again, knowing the look she would be trying to give hi