shamefully overdue i know... hope you haven't forgotten what's happened! i couldn't get it right and still unsure... what do you think of the ending? was trying to get some wash sarcasm in there too because realised he'd been really mopey... added the wash-zoe memories just 'cos its fun! hope you enjoy...

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Darkness, death, despair. I had been lost but never so truly as now. So alone. Darkness, death, despair…

“Wash, I wish -”

“Can you just leave me alone, please,” I said quietly. There was nothing Eve could say. I needed time.

I heard her leave, my eyes still closed. I was in a hotel room, sprawled across a bed that smelt of damp masked by cheap perfume. I felt empty, hollow. Why her? Why not anyone else? Why not everyone else? Tears ran down my nose, soaking into the colourless pillow into which I buried my head. Sorrow heaved in my chest and I sobbed. “Zoë…”

~

He loved her. He really loved her. I hadn’t been expecting a guilt trip. Maybe I did like him, seems I actually care. I wasn’t used to caring, made a habit of not caring, it was so much simpler. I’d honestly thought that he wouldn’t mind so much… but now I really realised the strength of what I’d done. And how could I make it better? Ha! Wash, you’ll never guess what, I lied to you! Yeah, I was only kidding, fooled you! Your wife wasn’t really killed…

~

“I love you.”

“Hu, wha?” Zoë looked startled.

“I actually love you.”

“Wash, you’re crazy… and drunk,” added as an afterthought.

“Don’t make it less true.” Zoë just stared at me. “And you love me too.”

She snorted. “You’re wrong.”

“No, I’m not!” I insisted, moving my chair closer to hers.

“Prove it.”

“You’ve not punched me yet!”

“Do I have to punch you to prove I don't love you?” she asked, a smile flickering across her face.

“Oh come on, Zo, I’ve seen the way you look at me…” I said, grinning.

“Love? That’s pity [