(no subject)

[flybywash]

When he hasn't been sleeping or reading through the enormous stack of comics Tonks left for him, Wash has been practicing. Even with the crutches, he can't get too far from the bed before his good leg starts quivering from overexertion, and each attempt's been punctuated with a long, bone-tired nap.

At least he can keep his balance now, though.

Mostly.

Currently he's glancing at the crutches over the top of Martin Miggs the Mad Muggle #12, Petrie snoozing on the pillow next to him, and debating whether or not to give it one more try today.

Comments

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

At the sound of the voice, Zoe freezes, going pale.




...No. Can't be. There's no way.

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

Ace is suddenly glad she didn't think to tell Zoe what this was all about earlier. Keeping a firm grip on the Zoe-arm in her possession, she flings open the door and practically man-handles Zoe inside.

And then takes up position in the doorway to prevent fleeage.

[flybywash]

Wash shifts around to get more comfortable, looks up --

His mouth falls open.




Somewhere along the line, he remembers to start breathing again.






"....Zoe?"

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Every fiber of Zoe's body is tense, rigid. Her hands are clenched into fists at her sides.

For a long moment, she doesn't move. Doesn't even breath.




And then she shakes her head, very slightly.

She opens her mouth, and what she's planning to say is I saw you die--but that's not what comes out.




"...Wash?"

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

Ace stands rather solidly in the doorway, watching first Wash, then Zoe, then Wash again...

While she's intimately acquainted with how this sort of reunion feels...
I'd move heaven, hell, and Milliways to be with you again
She kinda wants to shake them both until their teeth rattle. Thankfully, she's learned a little bit of restraint, where important things are involved, and stays put, hanging about to make sure no one does anything irreparably stupid.

[flybywash]

"Oh my God -- "

He can't scramble out of the bed, not even close, but he does his damndest. One hand's reaching for the crutches, the other trying to push his right leg along, and both hands are starting to wobble as his vision blurs.

And yet he sees.

"You're okay," he whispers, voice choked.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

It's seeing him try to get out of the bed that nails it home, for Zoe. Because he's hurt, she can tell--the fact that he's here at all is shoved aside for the moment--and what is he thinking, trying to stand up right now?, and she's halfway across the room, one hand reaching out to keep him from rising, before she realizes what she's doing--

--And then, it's a fair bet that Wash isn't making it to his feet anytime soon, because Zoe's sinking down on the bed next to him, both arms going around him and just clinging, face buried in the curve of his shoulder.

"Ohgodohmygod, Wash--"

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

Ace has gone back to grinning like a loon. Good. This is good. And it's about time she left.

Boots that were so noisy coming in are practically soundless as she tiptoes out.

The door makes the barest click as it shuts.

That muffled squeaking sound? Ace, as she bounces around outside, fist stuffed in her mouth so she can cheer victory without disturbing them.

[flybywash]

"Shh, oh, God, băobèi -- it's okay, I'm okay -- "

He cradles the back of her head and wraps one arm around her waist, and she's okay, she made it, everything's going to be okay, and it's that thought that makes the tears begin in earnest as he holds his wife: they're all right.

Just like she said.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe finally lifts her head to look at him, drawing in a shaky breath.

"You--you're here. An' that's enough, even if--"

She can't say it.

[flybywash]

"Shhh."

Wash cups her face in both hands and touches his forehead to hers, kissing her, thumbs tracing small lines across her cheeks.

"I'm here. I'm fine. I didn't -- they found me. Raven and Lilly found me and brought me back here." A trembling smile. "I'm okay."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

"You--"

Zoe closes her eyes and draws in another slow breath, tension flowing out of her.

"You're okay? Really?"

One hand moves toward his chest with un-Zoe-like hesitance, as if touching where the harpoon hit might somehow undo whatever was done to save him.

[flybywash]

He takes her hand and guides it the last few inches, settling it against his chest.

There's a thick knot of scar tissue there, tangible through his shirt.

There's also a steady heartbeat.

"Wasn't, for a little while. But death's kinda boring. I like it better here."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe can't help flinching a bit at the mention of death, and the hand on his chest clenches in his shirt.

But when she looks up a moment later, there's the beginnings of a small, wondering smile.

Alive.

"Good."

[flybywash]

"Yeah."

It's only been two days, but God, it's been a long two days. He leans to kiss her again.

Hesitant, almost afraid to ask: "How's everyone else?" And another thought strikes; he pulls back, wide-eyed. "Zāogāo -- how's the ship?"

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe's smile widens a bit.

"Everyone's okay. We all got pretty tore up, inclunding Serenity, but nothin' that couldn't be mended."

Except for him, of course--or so they'd thought. Until now.

[flybywash]

He sags in relief, leaning against her as his eyes slide shut.

"Hell of a landing."

But any one you walk away from....

Wash lifts his head and just looks at Zoe for a moment.

And then he's moving to kiss her again, firmer this time.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe returns the kiss fiercely, her hand sliding up his chest to his shoulder.

There's not that much room betwen them as is, but she moves closer, almost desperately.

She's not so much inclined to be spending a lot of time on talking, right now.

[flybywash]

A tiny part of Wash's brain is tugging on his metaphorical sleeve and reminding him that he can't even walk yet, not to mention the bit with the giant hole in his chest forty-eight hours ago -- maybe this isn't the best time to -- ?

Shut up, the rest of him snaps, and he tugs at Zoe's shirt as he deepens the kiss.

The formerly giant hole in his chest is all the more reason why.

She's here. He's alive.

It's gonna be all right.