This is the final chapter of Happy Anniversary, Baby
Mal smiled as he danced with River. She was puttin him to shame, but he didn't mind. After all, he knew a few things she didn't. . . His smile grew as the others came out to dance. Kaylee dragging Simon. Inara and one of her clients. Jayne and well, Jayne and the bar. Noone knew the suprise that was waiting right outside the door. After a while he led River over to their seats saying, "I'll be right back, bao bei." She nodded, giving a knowing smile.
Zoe rang her hands together nervously. She couldn't do this. Was she insane? Yeah, that had to be it she was. . . insane. Certifiable. It was that space dementia the captain always spoke about. She was so busy reprimanding herself, she didn't hear Mal's footsteps as he came up behind her. "You gonna just stand there?" He smiled taking her hand. "Or are you gonna give your captain a dance?" He began to lead her out to the ballroom, but she stopped. "I don't know. . .I mean what if I. . . I probably look silly." She said, trying to back out of the hall. "Oh, no you don't." said Mal, catching her wrist, and pulling her back to his side. "You are positively the most beautiful woman out there tonight." She smirked, "I don't think River would appreciate that, sir." He grimaced, "You won't tell her will you?" She laughed, something he hadn't heard in ages it seemed. "She probably knows already, sir." He grasped her shaking hand firmly in his, saying, "Right now, it's only Mal." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Tonight is for you."
Simon was busy whispering sweet nothings in Kaylee's ear, when she gasped, and stared at the entrance to the ballroom. "What is it?" He asked turning around to see. He gaped. "Who is that with the. . . Oh, my gosh, it's. . ." "Zoe." said Inara, staring with the others. Jayne only whistled appreciatively.
Zoe walked in, the black silk dress catching the light just right. As she moved, the dress slinked lazily along, like a snake tantalized by the charmer. She gripped Mal's hand tighter, as she noticed the others staring. I can't believe I'm doing this. . .she thought frantically. Mal only smiled and pulled her onto the floor for a dance. After a few minutes, the others stopped staring, and came up giving compliments, such as, "You look so shiny!" from Kaylee. "And you're absolutely stunning." from Simon, who was promptly pulled away by Kaylee, intent on making a beeline to the fruit bar. Inara had said she looked beautiful. And Jayne had suprised them all, by giving a gentleman-like bow, and asking her for a dance. Zoe graciously accepted, and Jayne took over for Mal. They had been dancing quietly for some time, when Jayne said, "You look gorgeous tonight, Zoe." She looked at him, shocked. He gave a start, and began stammering. "I, uh, it's just. . .you, well. . ." She laughed, a laugh that bubbled up like a spring. "It's allright, Jayne. I was just suprised." She pulled him into a hug, "That's one of the nicest things you've ever said, and it means alot. Especially tonight."
The song had long since ended, and most of the others were gone. River and Mal, were on thier way out, when Mal stopped, asking, "You gonna be allright on your own?" Zoe just smiled, and nodded. River grinned, "Not on her own, silly." She ignored Mal's quizzical look, and pulled him outside. Once outside, Mal asked, "What did you mean by that?" River giggled, the one that left him wondering if she was happy or mental. "We were interrupting their dinner. Wash was getting upset, cause he doesn't have much time to stay." Mal's eyes went wide at that, and he turned back towards the restaraunt. "You mean to say. . ." She nodded, a small gleam in her eyes, "I mean to say." "Well, " he started, letting River pull him along the street towards their hotel room. "He better not keep her out all night."
Zoe sat alone now, the restaraunt near closing. She had sat there for what seemed like forever, remembering all the times she and Wash had shared. And now, she was crying again, remembering that last moment. . .Why did everything have to go so wrong? She thought bitterly. It didn't go wrong, baby. She jumped, turning around to see. . .nothing. I could've swore I heard. . .but no, it couldn't be. Tears welled up in her eyes. I have to be losing it. . . she thought silently crying, as the tears fell down her face. Shhh, darlin. Don't do that, you'll ruin your make-up. She looked up, expecting nothing, but gasped as she saw. . .
Wash.
Hey there. He said, wiping the tears from her face. No tears. Today is a happy day. She reached out a tentative hand, and touched his face. It wasn't a ghost. "Oh, my gosh baby! It's you!" she cried, wrapping her arms around him. He laughed. In the flesh, well, sorta. After a long while, she let go. "This isn't real. It can't be." She said, common sense getting the best of her. He gave her a patented 'Wash' look. And who says it can't? Cause I know it ain't me. She looked confused, "But you. . . I saw." He nodded, giving a weak smile. Yeah, that's not one of my best memories from before. Her face fell, "So I was right. This ain't real. . ." She closed her eyes, fighting against the tears, but she let out a choked sob. Wash sighed, taking her face in his hands. It's real tonight. With that he took her hand, leading her out to the dance floor. You look beautiful. He said, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smiled, resting her head on his chest, and getting lost in his arms. I knew I bought that dress for something.
MORNING
Zoe opened her eyes, and reached out for. . . wait, where was Wash? "Baby?" she called out, pulling the covers closer to her body. She was about to call out again, but then she remembered. . . He wasn't coming. She felt the emotions come tearing at her, and she fought to control them. "No. . ." she sobbed, falling onto the pillow. Last night had felt so real, it couldn't have been a dream. She remembered, everything, his laugh, his voice, his. . . touch. It was real, it had to be. She thought desperatley. She was mere moments away from breaking down completely, when she noticed a small peice of paper folded on the edge of the bed. She reached out a shaking hand, opened it, and read. It was simple, but the words filled her with more joy than the previous night.
Zoe,
I wish to God I could've stayed longer. I would've given anything for just another moment with you, but rules is rules. . . You were beautiful last night. I felt like I was falling in love all over again. You're strong, baby. You may not feel like it now, but you are. . . I love you, bao bei. You're my whole verse, and I wouldn't trade anything for the time I had with you. I have to go now, but promise me, no more tears. Leastways, not sad ones. I'll be waiting for you darling. Oh, and by the way. . .
She closed her eyes, as tears of joy fell down her face. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Happy Anniversary, Baby."
THE END