The bar was noisy and crowded, just what Wash was looking for. He had money for the first time in ages and was itching to spend it. Not only had his share of the take had been more than he imagined, Mal had thrown in a bonus for saving their skins from the Reavers.
With a quick salute to Mal and a wink for Zoe, which had the desired effect of annoying her, he'd left Serenity and strolled to the nearby town. It was better established than some outer rim planets. There was the odd horse and carriage, but power vehicles as well. The streets were paved and clean, the dwellings plain but sturdy, and the people he'd encountered seemed well fed, healthy, and dressed with at least some care. Glancing down at his own clothes, he realized he was probably more dusty and grimy than these folk. Oh well. Money was a great equalizer and he was here to spend it.
There were no free tables, but he spotted one with two lovely women and a third chair sitting empty. The women, both perhaps younger than him, were brunettes with pleasant faces. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, sharing a joke and laughing. Nice to see a woman smiling for a change, Wash thought.
"Hello, ladies," he said, brandishing what he hoped was a dashing smile. "OK if I join you?"
They gave Wash an appraising look, then glanced at each other. "Depends who's buyin'" one of them said, finally.
"Oh, that would be me," said Wash, taking the extra seat. "Today is pay day."
He got the server's attention and called for three drinks. When they arrived, he tipped the server heavily. She blinked, then gave him a friendly smile and left.
"I'm Wash," he said, extending a hand to the woman on his right.
"Jocelyn," she said, shaking his hand. "This here is Zoe."
Wash's face fell as he shook the other woman's hand.
"What's the matter?" Zoe said. "You don't like me?"
"I like you just fine, darlin'," Wash said. "It's just that I know another Zoe whose favourite pastime is bustin' my balls."
Zoe giggled. "Well, don't you worry none. I ain't plannin' to bust 'em. At least, not yet…" and she smiled coyly.
Wash grinned. This was shaping up to be a good evening. He raised his glass and said, "Gan bei." They all took a healthy draught of the ale.
Wiping his mouth, Wash smiled and said, "Did I tell you about how I killed a bunch of Reavers, single-handed?"
A few rounds later, they were laughing uproariously when Wash noticed Zoe, his Zoe, enter the bar. He ducked his head down and whispered conspiratorially.
"Don't look now," he said, "but ball-bustin' Zoe just came in." Trying to suppress their laughter, Zoe and Jocelyn turned around to see.
Zoe, taking stock of the room, noticed the two women looking in her direction. Then she noticed Wash waving at her cheerfully. Lord, no, she thought. Just what I needed. And Wash has found himself some floozies. Good for him.
Ignoring them, she went to the bar and set herself down on a stool with her back to them.
After a few minutes, a man came and sat beside her. Tall, clean-shaven with some recent stubble, dark curly hair and a friendly smile, Zoe was pleased and offered to buy him a drink.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Miss…?"
"Zoe," she said, shaking his hand.
"Hoban," said the man.
Zoe's shoulders sagged a little. Well, no one's perfect.
Back at the table, Jocelyn glanced at the bar and said, "That guy better watch his balls," and they all laughed out loud again
Another few rounds passed, and Wash was feeling decidedly unsteady, even sitting down. He glanced at the bar and thought to himself, There's something about that guy with Zoe. Serve her right if he was some kind of creep. Obviously she's poor taste in men.
Jocelyn, looking past him, suddenly turned pale. Wash turned to see a large, stocky man standing behind him.
"What the shen sheng de gao wan is going on here?" said the man, his voice rumbling from the depths of his massive chest.
Two other men approached, standing to either side of the first, and almost as large.
Wash's smile faltered slightly. "Evenin' gents," he said.
"Be nice, Sam," Jocelyn said. "We was just talkin' is all. Wash here was just leavin', weren't you Wash?"
Wash blinked. "Was I?" Trying to clear his head, he turned around to assess Sam. Yes, discretion definitely seemed the better part of valour.
"You know, I really was. Must get back. Lot's to do."
Wash stood and offered Sam the chair. Sam grabbed Wash by the shirt and pulled him close.
"I think you was plyin' my girl with drinks. Hopin' to get lucky."
Wash shook his head vigorously.
"Well, luck just changed, pal," Sam said as his eyes narrowed.
Over at the bar, Hoban, who's hand had been pleasantly on Zoe's knee, was distracted by something behind her. She turned to see what had caught his eye.
Hoban smiled. "Looks like a dust-up's in the offing," he said.
"Looks that way," Zoe said sadly, and got up from her stool.
Wash found himself sprawled on the table, unsure what had just happened until the soreness in his jaw sank in. He shook his head. He was strong, but Wash wasn't a brawler and he knew this wouldn't end well unless he could talk his assailant down.
"OK, you got me," Wash said. "Now how about I buy you and your friends a drink and we call it a night?"
A series of rapid fists and Wash crumbled to the floor, his head spinning. Instinctively, he curled into a ball, protecting his head with his arms as he tried to gather the strength to stand. No other blows came, however, and as he gradually caught his breath, Wash became vaguely aware of a commotion around him. When it stopped, he rolled onto his back and looked up.
Zoe, his Zoe, was standing there, glaring back at him. Sam and his friends were down.
"Zoe?"
Reaching down, Zoe lifted Wash unceremoniously to his feet. "We need to leave this place," she said. "Can you walk?"
"Sure," Wash mumbled. He took a step towards where he thought the door was, then his legs crumbled. Zoe caught him and positioned his arm around her shoulder so she could support him.
The street was quiet and it was dark except for the light from Greenleaf, the huge, partially obscured disk just over the horizon. The fresh air helped Wash to rouse himself.
"Thanks," Wash mumbled.
"Don't mention it," Zoe said flatly.
Wash continued anyway. "Why'd you do that? Seems you'd like to pulverize me yourself on occasion."
Zoe stopped and let go of Wash. He was able to stand on his own, albeit somewhat unsteadily.
"Captain seems to think you're valuable."
"Well, I'm touched. Owe you one."
"Ain't that just grand," Zoe said, leaving him behind as she walked at speed towards Serenity.
As Wash struggled to keep up, he found himself thinking, What a woman. A regular Amazon warrior. And then he thought, Maybe I'd best not piss her off.
Entering Serenity's cargo bay entrance, Wash saw that Mal and Zoe were already discussing something. From the clipboard in Mal's hand, it was likely their current inventory. Mal glanced in his direction. Wash nodded then headed straight for the stairs, looking forward to a few hours of rest in his bunk.
Mal called out to him. "You get in the way of someone's fist?"
Wash turned to them and said with a wink, "You should see the other guys."
Zoe started to laugh, then clapped a hand over her mouth. Mal turned to her, confused, while Wash proceeded up the stairs.
"'Night all," Wash said.
"What was that all about?" Mal said to Zoe.
"What was what about?" Zoe queried back.
