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[flybywash]

The whole time they're performing their final descent to Muir, Wash keeps expecting something to go wrong.

It's not just the typical 'this is Serenity, of course something's going to go wrong' paranoia, either. It's been six months since their stay at Southdown; six months of waves back and forth, of grudging explanations why work isn't taking them out toward the Athens system. He's gotten used to disappointment. It's having things go in his favor that's such a weird and unexpected experience.

It's a good thing the docks outside Dunbar don't have any quirks to their docking protocol, because with the way Wash rushes through the landing and shutdown checklist, he'd completely miss it and get them shot out of the sky.

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[flybywash]

Keane, who's been watching the ramp expectantly, notices. His grin fades.

Catching sight of what's causing the problem, Wash hurriedly leans in and beckons to his family.

"That's River," he says in an undertone. "Her brother Simon's on board, too -- he's our doctor. And yes, it's that River and Simon, and do I even have to add the please-don't-talk-about-it clause to the end?"

The Washburnes exchange glances: uncertain, to begin. Anneliese sneaks a look at River over her shoulder. But it quickly clears into resolved nods from all three; Phoebe even adds, "Not a word."

"Shiny. Xiexie."

That settled, Keane straightens and gives her a friendly wave.

[river_meimei]

River says something to him -- in his direction, anyway, so it's probably to him. It's solemn; it's also inaudible from this distance.

Her eyes cut to Anneliese, and back, and fix on Wash.

Then she slips out from the doorway and takes the first step down the ramp. (Wearing boots. Simon insisted.) She's smiling, just a little.

[simon_doctor]

Simon's not far behind her, casting a quick glance around before his gaze settles on the Washburnes.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe looks back towards where he Tams stand, broad smile still in place.

"You two gonna come be sociable?"

And the unspoken message there is they're safe, because Zoe wouldn't be trying to cajole the Tams out of Serenity if they weren't.

[river_meimei]

"I'm trying to avoid stepping on the minnows," River informs Zoe placidly, and continues to drift down the ramp towards the group.

[flybywash]

Cue the blank looks from three-quarters of the Washburnes.

Phoebe, ever the rare voice of tact, musters up a polite and gentle smile as she says, "You don't have to worry. We don't keep any minnows around here."

[gonna_live]

Simon is hanging back a little behind River.

And Kaylee is hanging back a little behind Simon. Only she's not wary, or distracted; her smile is warm.

Because: Wash's folks. And if they produced Wash...it's got to be all right.

[flybywash]

" -- and that," Wash says with an obvious note of pride, nodding in her direction, "is Kaylee."

"The mechanic?" asks Keane.

"The mechanic."

Which, from their faces, says it all, really. Anneliese beams and waves. "Nĭ hăo!"

[gonna_live]

"Hey," says Kaylee, laughing a little. "Gaoxing jiandao ni -- and I don't think I got to tell you how shiny it is workin' with Wash, but I figure I ought to tell you that it's plain as day he comes from good folks. And -- it's an honor."

The good humor barely keeps it from being a speech.

[flybywash]

"See?" Keane elbows Wash in the side. "We're good folks. You gotta treat us right."

"But I can still mock you, right?"

Instantly: "Dāngrán." And to Kaylee, "The honor's all ours, Kaylee. We've heard plenty of good about you."

[gonna_live]

Which makes her blush, a little. "Well. Xiexie ni. And -- thanks for havin' us. It's real good to be here, finally."

[flybywash]

Wash ducks his head in agreement, his grin broadening even further.

And if he's getting misty-eyed again, well. He's got every reason to be.

Phoebe speaks up. "We're putting together a little 'welcome back' dinner at our house, if any of you want to join us."

"By 'little,' she means the exact opposite," Annie interjects cheerfully. "You don't want to know how much planning she's -- "

"Hush, you. Let me have my secrets." Phoebe gives her a light swat on the arm before continuing to the crew, "Any takers?"

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe grins, one arm loosely around Wash's waist.

"Oh, I think we might be able t' find a few."

The slight background hum of nervousness and tension that she's resigned herself to living with until Naomi's born is still there. But it's already hard to believe she was ever nervous about meeting these people.

And there's an evening ahead of family, and food, and probably as many embarrassing childhood anecdotes as Wash will put up with.

But most of all, family.

It is, as a certain old friend might have said, very well.