Wash sat in the pilot’s chair, one hand casually on the wheel, the other holding a fruity bar as he carefully examined it. “Don’t much look like anything good, but is good for you. You ever wonder why that should be?” he asked no one, as he was alone in the cockpit.

“Elementary…”

“Who you talkin’ to?” Zoe asked, entering from the passageway. She looked around, bewildered.

“I’ll have you know that the three of us talk all the time. We have marvelous conversations, about really interesting stuff,” Wash answered flippantly. She always intimidated him. He covered for it by being flippant. Hell, he covered all his shortcomings by being flippant.

Puzzled, “The three of you?” she asked, not sure she really wanted an answer.

“Me. Myself. And I.”

“Right. Cap’n wants in ETA on our arrival,” Zoe said, inching away from the odd man Captain Reynolds insisted on placing in the pilot’s chair.

He checked the chrono, “We’ll arrive Eavesdown Docks in 12 hours, 52 minutes, and 37 seconds… 1 hours and 23 minutes ahead of schedule I am happy to report,” Wash replied, beaming.

“Thanks,” she said as she quickly leapt down the steps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The job they had just finished, for once going according to plan, paid off better than expected. Even Jayne agreed to pulling some of the extra money together for a proper shindig. Food from various vendors around the docks sat covering the table. Several kegs were rolled in, and music was playing loudly as everyone celebrated.

“To Badger,” Mal said, raising his glass. “I never have liked the go tsao de son of a whore, but he did come thru this time. To Badger!” His toast was met with hisses from everyone around, but they all drank anyway.

Wash was sitting at the table, drinking and watching the goings on when he felt a tap on his shoulder, “Are the three of you enjoying yourselves?” Zoe asked, a wry smile on her face.

“We are indeed. And you,” he said, appraising her. “Are you having a good time?”

“I am at that. Been too long worryi