Title: Bonding
Chapter Title: Dreams of Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles
Characters: Kaylee and Zoe
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. It all belongs to Joss & Co. The title comes from The Nutcracker.
Spoilers: Inspired by a conversation between Zoe and Wash in Heart of Gold. This is a bit of a prequel to that, with all the minor spoilers that implies.
"D'you ever think about having kids?"
"What?" Zoe turned around to look Kaylee in the eye.
"You know, you an Wash. I'm sure you two'd make real nice children. Think you'll ever have any?"
"I don't rightly know. Someday, I'd like to. Just one or two though. I don't think I could take much more than that." Zoe paused, taking a moment to think about her and Wash with a couple kids and finding herself enjoying the idea much more than she would have expected. "How about you, Kaylee? See any kids in your future?"
"Oh, definitely. And I'd want a lot. See, my mom used to tell me a story about this little girl who goes off and has all sort of adventures. I liked the whole story, but my favorite part was always when she met this lady named Mother Ginger, who had all these little children stashed under her dress who'd come running out when she lifted her skirts."
"You gonna keep your kids under your dress? I spose that dress the Cap'n got you on Persephone would work, but the kids might protest a wee bit."
Kaylee laughed. "I just mean, I think it'd be fun havin' kids all around me. There'd be me, littluns all underfoot..."
"...a handsome doctor by your side." Zoe finished for her.
"Well, I don't know about that. I've got ta woo him with my good looks and irrisistable charm first."
"I don't percieve that as being much of a challenge for you, little Kaylee."
"Maybe. But I should get right on it anyhow." Kaylee said, getting up. "I'll see ya at dinner Zoe." She shot Zoe a small wink and left, undoubtedly to go track down Simon.
"Bye Kaylee." Zoe's smile lingered long after Kaylee had disappeared from sight, pictures of the kids she and Wash could have taking over her thoughts.