"I am a leaf on the wind, watch---" Zoë watched in horror as a wooden harpoon shot through the front window and into her husband's chest. She screamed his name and ran over to him, begging him to get up. And then time suddenly ...stopped. She had heard of people describing near-death experiences as their lives flashing before their eyes. Wash was dying, and her life with him was flashing before her eyes...

***********

"Zo," Wash called from his pilot seat, "could you come here for a minute?"

Zoë appeared moments later, the vest she had been wearing before gone, her hair down and framing her face. "What is it, Wash? I was just about to go to bed."

"Come sit down," Wash stood up and lead Zoë to his chair.

Zoë gave him a suspicious look, "...What's going on?" Wash wasn't one to share his chair unless there was downtime involved.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Okay..."

Wash took a deep breath and then began to talk, obviously fighting nervous feelings. "I know I'm not the most handsome man. Semi-muscular, sure, but not the most handsome. I know I have bizarre habits, like talking to dinosaurs and making random jokes at the worst times. And then there's you, this amazing warrior woman who could break me in half with her pinky. You're gorgeous and you're strong...and I love you."

Zoë smiled and spoke softly, " I love you, too."

Wash shook his head, "That just makes you even more amazing." He paused for a moment, his nervousness getting the best of him.

"You sit me down for a reason, Wash?" Her smile widened.

"Actually, I just wanted to be taller than you for once." Zoë nudged him with her foot. "Okay, okay." Wash got on one knee and took a slender strip of cord from his pocket. "I've never had a bond with anyone that compares to the bond I have with you. I want that bond to continue to grow. Zoë...will you marry me?"

This was the first and last time that Zoë would allow Wash to see tears in her eyes. She nodded, "Yes, I'd love to marry you." Wash began to tie the cord around her neck