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[flybywash]

Wash has the ship set to autopilot, with the burn dialed down as much as possible and the yoke locked in place. His tears are dried, but visible; he still smells like gunpowder.

Suddenly exhausted, he puts his face in his hands: not in despair, but simply because he can't think of another way to hold himself upright right now.

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[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe leads Sheemie Ruiz to the cargo bay, hanging around for a few moments to make sure everything's in hand.

That taken care of, she does what she's been wanting to do since getting back to the ship.

She slips onto the bridge quietly, and moves to stand behind Wash, her hands resting on his shoulders, without saying a word.

[flybywash]

Wash grows unnaturally still, and doesn't move for a few seconds.

Then he raises his head to look at her.

His eyes are bright, but the smile even brighter; and there's no hesitation before he's on his feet and kissing her, fiercely, laughing when he breaks away even as a few more tears start to run down his face.

"We made it."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Both arms go around his neck, and Zoe just holds on, kissing him back and then grinning widely when they break apart.

"We made it," she echoes.

[flybywash]

"I wasn't...."

Wash cups her chin. None of this feels entirely real; how can it be, how could they have actually done it, and she's here and alive and oh, God, so is he, despite everything they did and everything that was thrown at them --

"Had a couple moments back there," he says, still beaming. The tiny laugh that follows cracks slightly. "I -- oh, God, Zoe, we're okay -- "

And he kisses her again.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

When the kiss breaks, Zoe rests her head against his shoulder, still holding him tight.

"You did it. You got us out."

Nobody flies like her husband.

[flybywash]

Along with the residual exhaustion, the knowledge is starting to catch up with him: exactly how close he'd come to willfully killing everybody on the boat. Same damn thing he'd accused Mal of wanting to do.

He shuts his eyes. "Almost didn't," he admits quietly. "There was this...āiyā, I don't even know what. Opened up all around us at the end and almost got me to fly straight into it."

A beat. When he speaks again, a tiny note of pride's returned to his voice. "Lucky for us," and he swings the two of them back and forth, just a little, "I am not a man who's easily distracted by sparkly things. Well, some sparkly things," he amends. "At least the kind of sparkly things that're out to kill us."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe's brow furrows slightly. "When we met with the gunslingers' folk, the first time, and they told us about what the Beam breakin' would be like...they said somethin' about holes in space."

She draws back enough to look at him, and her expression eases into one of quiet pride and love. "I knew you'd get us through it. Ain't never seen anythin' you couldn't fly us through."

[flybywash]

Nodding, wryly amused, "Holes in space. Talking holes in space. Yes. Suddenly, it all makes...the exact same amount of sense everything else about this has."

He scrubs the heel of his palm at his cheeks, and smiles.

"Anybody ever told you you're a shameless flatterer?" he asks. "'Course, it's not like I mind...."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe leans in and kisses his cheek, smiling fondly.

"You're here to be flattered, I'm here to do the flatterin'...I'm havin' a hard time seein' what's wrong with this picture.

[flybywash]

"Mmm-hmm. Our is a marriage of perfect balance and people could do well to learn by our example."

Wash draws her closer, touching forehead to forehead. Still a little shaky, but not in a way that's noticeable.

They're okay. He thinks it enough, says it enough, maybe it'll stop sounding so strange.

And then --

(everybody's on that's coming)

he suddenly pulls back slightly, smile dipping into concern.

"How's everyone else?"

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe closes her eyes, and it's a moment before she answers. Now, with everythin immediate taken care of and Wash right here, she's finally starting to relax.

"Mal, Crowley, and Cuthbert are hurt, but Simon's seen to 'em all. And...River was gone for a while, but she's back now. It's complicated."

[flybywash]

"My head can't handle complicated right now." Quietly, and surprisingly lacking in humour, as he carefully moves his chin over to her shoulder. "Remind me to ask for details when I'm conscious."

Another kiss, this one to the spot just under her jaw. He closes his eyes again.

"I love you."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe tilts her head at the kiss, one hand running up into his hair.

"Love you, too."

[flybywash]

Both hands at her waist, fingers toying with the hem of her vest, a few slipping beneath to touch the skin. Wash takes in a small breath.

"I also smell like I just crawled out of a wreck and could really use a bath to get all this off me."

And, truly, that's all he needs right now. More can come later.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe's hand goes on moving through his hair.

"We probably all could. Think Serenity can mind herself for a bit?"

[flybywash]

He nods, though not sharply enough to break contact with her hand. It's soothing. He can use soothing.

"Ain't due to hit the fuel point for another five and a half hours," he says. "We've got time."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe doesn't say anything else. Just kisses him again, then draws back enough to take his hand.