Zoë didn't feel well. Not all together uncommon since Wash had died. Didn't feel much like eating. Didn't much feel like laughing. Her reason to laugh was gone. No more buying silly dinosaurs, or little toys and games. Wash wasn't there to give her that kid in a candy store smile. There weren't flowers placed on her pillow when they were on a planet where they grew pretty. The flowers, she'd stare at when on land, only served to remind her of the one she'd put on his grave. Thinking on that made her want to not get out of bed some days.

Two months after she noticed something. She was tired. Couldn't get enough sleep no matter how hard she tried. Once or twice she'd got so dizzy she'd had to sit herself down till the room stopped spinning. And as much as she didn't feel like eating… she was starved. When she did stop by the galley for a bite ( if it agreed to stay down that is), River was usually waiting for her. She'd smile and say hello, attempt to go through the motions of happiness, like she did with everyone else. This new sort of not feeling well had her on edge. There was a thought dancing in her mind that that she refused to let form. Never really worked with River though. So eventually she'd stopped trying.

"You think you are? Did you forget the trying?" River giggled to her one night, when Zoë was sitting with her in the galley, trying to hold down a bowl of protein mush.

"Trying? We weren't really ready for that… Wash just liked the practice." Zoë laughed darkly, "But yes. I think I might just be… in the family way."

"Absolutely." River nodded

"Sure about that then? I mean should I ask your brother?"

"It would be good. Him being a doctor and all. You'll need one of those… healthy as an equine thus far though." River smiled and hopped up onto the counter. Zoë tried once or twice more to eat the mush. But suddenly she had a taste for an apple. One of them green ones that Kaylee might still have in the cupboard. That sounded mighty good right about now. River was already fishing in the cupboards, her back to the room kneeling on the counter.

"I'd like one too. Tiny little toes little fingers funny little ears…But eating for two, you get one first." River mused.

"If there's only one left we're splitting it, Auntie River." Zoë grinned. She was happier now. This baby wasn't Wash she knew… but it was proof that he loved her. Part of him was with her always anyway. This just made that part a little bigger. She might not be laughing yet. But her smile was as big as ever.

Mal strolled in and looked at the two women sharing an apple. He stopped when Zoë smiled at him. That was most positively something he hadn't seen in a long while.

"What exactly have you two got cooking that I need to know about?"

"Wash left her a present. Not very big. Not yet… It's gonna get bigger!" River said in a sing song voice and danced out of the room.

"A growing kind of present?" He mused.

"Yep."

"Now ain't that somethin? Little Wash you'd better not give me any… much trouble." He wagged his finger at her belly. Zoë laughed so hard she almost spit out her bite of apple.

Kaylee waited in the doorway cautiously, happy to hear Zoë laugh, but not wanting to spoil the moment.

"Come on in, ni zi. Got some news."

"Were it a wave?" Kaylee asked brightly.

"Nope. Not that kinda news." Mal said. "Crew's getting a little bigger."

"We picking someone up?"

Mal shook his head. The grin he wore ear to ear told her something was up. A good sort of something. River had been murmuring about little hands and tiny ears. Something went click in Kaylee's brain.

"Zoë are you? Ohhh… Cause ummm… I'm kinda…" Kaylee blushed.

"Not feeling well?" Zoë offered. It was the first thing she'd thought too. She thought that she wasn't well, when it turned out she was.

"Sort… queasy likes."

"Remind me to get a shot gun next time we set down." Mal grumbled.

"Wha'fer?" Jayne grumbled, coming in to lay his head down

'Simon'n'Kaylee done got themselves pregnant. Zoë too. But I expect Wash had a lot more to do with that."

"Oh. I got a shot gun." Jayne offered. "Kaylee you don't mind your fancy Dr all shot up?"

She glared at him, still blushing.

"Then I think we're in need of a Sheppard on this boat."

Zoe had stopped paying attention by that point. She had a kind of soft smile, her hand on her belly.

"Well, Little Wash," she thought, "You've got a mighty strange family. But we'll be all right."

FIN

AN:

Might be more to this. Depends on how I feel later. Kind of in a not so good mood. Reviews help! Helpfuly review…please? I'll give you a pony! Wait… I don't have any ponies… I'll owe you a pony then!