A New Member to the Crew; Human and Otherwise
Summary: Despite all of his charms, Wash can't win Zoe over. Perhaps purchasing a duck would help? Pre-Wash/Zoe.
Author's Note: I love Wash. He's just so funny :) Also, this would be my first Wash/Zoe fic. My friend suggested I write one because she says there are hardly any good ones out there. Now, don't get me wrong, when I say that, I am not announcing this is one of the good ones. And, don't hold me to what she told me either; I didn't do any research and have no idea how many people do write them. Or read them. Or 'ship them. I just wrote the gorram story, dong ma? lol, cheers.
Unbeta'd.
Disclaimer: I don't own Jayne's grunts. Okay, okay, I know, so this isn't a story about Jayne. I don't own Wash's red hair. Happy now?
Zoe glanced at her watch. The boys should have been home an hour ago. As if on cue, the great door of the ship lowered down. The sun was blinding bright, and sand blew around in dry whirls. Mal and Jayne had taken Wash, the new pilot, on field that day, and now each regretted even thinking about bringing him along. His incessant chatter got old—fast. Jayne stepped on even before the door was fully lowered, impatient to get to his bunk.
"Jayne!" barked Mal, warningly. The job had gone all wrong, it was hot as blazes, the damn train didn't arrive on time, and Wash got it in his head that he wanted to buy a duck. He was not going to have the door on his ship collapse just because a certain mercenary had no self control.
Jayne grunted in response.
Mal pointedly waited until the entrance was clear before he came on himself.
"Hello Jayne. Hello Mal," Zoe greeted them, as they passed by, covered in sweat and dust.
Another grunt from Jayne. And a grunt from Mal.
"Hello, Oh Handsome One! Why, hello Zoe. What? I'm doing fine, what about you?" Wash recited as he boarded the ship, gesticulating with his left hand, as his right hand was supporting something rather large. Grinning, he strode over to where Zoe was standing.
Without even turning from what she was doing, Zoe stated apathetically, "Don't tell me that's what I think it is."
"Did you know that birds are directly related to dinosaurs? They actually have the scaly legs and talons like the legendary beasts once did," rolled off Wash with his never-ending mantra of useless facts.
"That's a duck."
"Okay, well yeah," Wash answered, nodding his head and rolling his eyes, "but ducks are like birds. Wait. Ducks are birds!"
"Yes. Ducks are birds," Zoe replied, smiling tightly, and widening her eyes in emphasis. The pilot was really irritating.
Holding the large white bird up high, Wash continued, "Well, I got him for you, sweet bunny-plum."
Pursing her lips, Zoe dismissed the pet name and tried not to fume at the red head's annoying presence. She concentrated deeply at the papers in front of her.
When she hadn't even raised her head to acknowledge the gift, Wash went on in mock hurt, "Well, I'll be in the control room with Pete. All alone. Just me. And Pete. No one else." He started walking away, and when she still had not said anything, he added, "That's the duck, by the way: Pete," and continued on, singing a sad tune (also, quite off tune) and cradling the bird in his arms like a baby. Pete squawked in protest.