Serenity set down in the city of Lorien around midday. It was a thriving city, rather unlike the sorts of places they usually set down for work, but it had a large transport center and an impressive junkyard where Kaylee would probably have little to no trouble finding parts to modify shuttle one. Lorien wasn't as big as Persephone, but it was well populated and had all the comforts of Persephone City without the heavy Alliance presence.

Kaylee went off to find mechanical equipment to retrofit the shuttle, taking Jayne with her for labor, while Mal and Zoe went to barter for security clearance codes to land on Londinium. Wash was left alone with River and Simon on Serenity for several days in the infirmary. He let Simon run what seemed like a stream of endless, meaningless scans.

Jayne and Kaylee returned on the mule with plenty of parts, and Wash wanted to assist them with the construction work on the shuttle, but Simon required him close by to keep working on the trigger. Wash found it difficult to stay.

River kept regressing, having large lapses of sanity, and sometimes her flailing grew so wild that Simon had to physically restrain her. It wasn't easy to watch, and the neural processors Simon had hooked to River's brain usually gave angry red readouts when she went into her fits.

He wasn't sure it was worth it, not for the first few days.

Then, after a week, Simon was able to cross-reference some rudimentary brain scans he'd taken of Wash against ones he had of River. It was a tedious task, but after many hours hunched over a computer monitor, the doctor was able to pick out the inconsistencies. The readout just looked like a mess of blue and green splotches to Wash, but both River and Simon could compare points between the two scans and say, "Here—it's changed."

He just hoped the change meant something good.

After that, the process was slow as they began pumping in signals off the Cortex. A man like Mr. Universe had tracked and noticed things like unusual patterns popping up repeatedly all his life, so it came naturally to him, but it took Simon much longer. For the most part, Wash wasn't required anymore—they didn't want to expose him to any of the signals in case it would repress his memories again. Instead, he helped Jayne and Kaylee with the finishing touches on the shuttle and found that working along side Jayne again wasn't any different than it had been before.

It took them less than a week to finish it. On close inspection, the shuttle would never pass for anything than what it truly was, but from a distance, it looked like a slightly beat-up 2510 Lexington hovercraft. With the proper clearance codes, it would serve its purpose well enough. Wash was impressed, nonetheless. Even if it looked dinged-up and several years out of date, it was still far shinier and sleeker than the actual shuttle beneath the trappings.

Jayne and Kaylee were very proud of their work; Jayne more so, as he'd never done anything hands-on mechanical like that before. Wash gave them both big smiles and lots of words of praise. Mal and Zoe were equally impressed, although Wash could tell both of them were uneasy having a shuttle in their cargo bay that bore such obvious Alliance coding plates.

Once the shuttle was finished, they had a lot of down time, hinging on Simon's ability to break the trigger. It seemed like he was getting close, but there was no way to rush him and little to do while they waited. Mal put out feelers for jobs to run while they waited, but Lorien was a city with a well-established trade center already, and any jobs they could run would have taken them off-world, which Simon said they couldn't do—they needed to stay close to a broadband source so he could keep monitoring the signal.

Mal wanted to keep a low profile, anyway.

So, Simon and River stayed with the ship, and the rest of them went out into the world. They stuck to the slummier side of Lorien where their faces were less likely to be recognized for the fugitives they were. Mal constantly insisted Wash make purchases—little things like cans of cola or bits of food—to see that every time Wash scanned his thumbprint, it came up as only belonging to Tian.

It would have been an unhappy affair if it had just been Wash, Mal, and Zoe wandering the streets looking for something to do. Kaylee and Jayne were what made it tolerable. Although Jayne slipped away at night to get his whoring in, he stayed with them during the day and provided a running commentary on the ridiculous dress of some of the more fashionable folk they passed.

Kaylee tended to counter them, seeing the best aspects of anything negative Jayne saw, and their friendly banter kept away the awkward silence that might have otherwise descended between them all.

After night fell, they found themselves in a marketplace area surrounded by many food stalls. Some looked unkempt, but the majority hosted edible wares that were decadent compared to the protein the crew of Serenity had been eating. Around the perimeter was also an assortment of tables where content consumers could sit and enjoy their purchases.

Kaylee turned to Mal with large eyes. "It's been hours since lunch, Cap'n," she noted with a drawn-out pleading in her voice, "can't we stop for somethin' t'eat?"

All eyes turned to Mal, expecting a tirade about how they weren't here for pleasure or games and that they needed to be on their toes, or something. He just shrugged, though, and smiled at Kaylee faintly. "Sure. Just don't spend all our money." He gave the girl a few currency bills.

Kaylee's eyes widened and she burst into a huge, full-fledged smile. She looked between Wash and Jayne eagerly and then turned around. "Well, I ain't standin' here starin' at y'all no more!" She hurried off to the nearest fruit stand.

Jayne broke into a toothy grin as well, and after looking at Mal for confirmation, he turned and hurried to catch up with Kaylee.

Wash put his hands behind his head and craned his head back to look at the stars starting to show through overhead. "This is nice. Always good to take the occasional break from crime and thievery."

"Sir?" Zoe questioned, ignoring Wash. "You really think it's wise to let them roam, the kind of mission planning we got?"

Mal looked away from Wash and studied his first officer. "Think 'cause we got that difficult mission comin' up is why they ought t'have a bit of fun." He looked back out to the stalls and smiled a little as Kaylee proceeded to load Jayne down with fresh fruit. "Might not get a next time," he noted seriously and glanced back to her.

Wash grinned at Zoe. "I just love when he gets all doomsdayish, don't you? Makes his eyes stand out. Very dashing."

Zoe's fixed on him coolly, not letting his friendly demeanor sway her.

Her cold expression just made Wash joke more, and he addressed Mal again. "She still thinks I'm going to kill her," he sighed exaggeratedly. Although a smile stayed on his lips, his eyes saddened a little when he looked back to her. "I'm not, you know," he said seriously. "I just want you to know that now so later, when I say 'I told you so,' you only break half the bones in my body."

Zoe met his gaze, and for several moments they stared at each other. "Ain't lookin' t'argue the point," she replied at least.

Wash just kept his smile. "After this job, you'll see." He nodded and then turned back to Mal. "Well, shall we get a table? I imagine once Beauty and the Beast over there finish getting food," he gestured to Kaylee and Jayne, "they're going to want to eat it."

"Yeah," Mal looked back to Jayne and Kaylee. "Hold on."

Mal walked off towards them, purpose in his stride, leaving Wash alone with Zoe. "Well," Wash announced, swaying his hands forward until they clapped, "guess that leaves me all alone with my bu xin ren wife." He looked over at her. "I sure am lucky!"

"It's because I love Wash that I can't trust you," Zoe stated unexpectedly.

He blinked. "What?"

Zoe studied him for a moment. "Safer, more logical course of action says you ain't him. Not gonna be th'one to let my guard down." She fixed him with a hard gaze. "Men coming back from the dead?" She shook her head. "Wishes like that don't come true."

Pain and sadness flickered across Wash's face at her words, and it took everything in him not to reach out and draw her to him. "Sometimes they do," he softly replied. "The Zoe I remember would have been willing to take that risk."

Zoe studied his face for several seconds, her eyes darting back and forth as she stared into his eyes. Then she lifted her chin slightly and seemed to cut him off. "Lot's changed in a year. Found risk-takin' ain't always worth it."

There wasn't really anything Wash could say to that. He just looked at her sadly and shook his head. He sighed and had to clench his hand into a fist to resist touching her arm. "Someday," he quietly stated, "I hope to prove you wrong."

Zoe's voice was low when she replied. "Don't wish on it too long." She stepped past him and stalked over to an unclaimed table. She put her foot on the bench and crossed her arms, looking like a little fortress. Wash shrugged and followed her over.

He sat on the table and put his feet on the bench, resting his elbows on his knees. He was silent for a while, looking over at her from time to time. "I was thinking of growing a mustache again," he announced and smiled when she looked at him. "Then it'd really be like old times."

She fixed him with an unkind glare, but before she could say anything in response, she looked up as Mal, Jayne and Kaylee returned.

Jayne had a small crate in his arms, and Kaylee had a small bowl of fruit she was eating from, smiling quite brightly. Mal had two plates in his hands, one of which he thrust at Wash upon returning. "Here."

Blinking, Wash took the plate and stared at it. "Is this bao?" he questioned, sniffing it. He looked at the neatly formed bun and then back up at Mal, his eyes widening. "You bought me fresh bao?"

Mal grinned brightly, pleased with himself. "Well, I know you're fond of it. Seemed like th'thing t'do."

Kaylee popped a grape into her mouth and waved her hand. "He bought Jayne one, too," she stated, "so it ain't like y'got th'only one." She smiled brightly.

Wash studied Jayne. "I'm assuming you already ate it?"

"Damn right," Jayne answered, setting the crate down on the table between Wash and Zoe. "Like 'em real hot."

"Me too," Wash agreed and turned back to Mal. "Thank you for this." Mal nodded contently and slipped onto the table beside Wash to tuck into his own plate of bao. They spoke in low, comfortable tones and completely missed the steady glare Zoe had directed at them both.
--

Back on the ship, they made River and Simon take a break and share in Kaylee's fresh fruit. River seemed to respond exceptionally well to the produce, but Simon spent nearly an hour meticulously deconstructing his orange and ate only that. Despite the conversation around him at the table, he was clearly lost in thought.

The next day, he broke the trigger.

Wash was sitting out in the passenger lounge playing tall card with Jayne and Kaylee when it happened. The door to the infirmary was shut, but they could hear the screaming when it started and see Simon holding River down by her shoulders. All three of them were on their feet before they thought about it, but none of them went so far as to open the door.

It wasn't until they realized that Simon was yelling, too, that they started getting worried. River's screams were muffled but staccato, like she was screaming words. Through the window they watched Simon reel back into the countertop and put a hand to his brow. He didn't look well.

Jayne put a hand up to keep Wash and Kaylee back, and then he stalked to the infirmary door and threw it open. "Doc!" he shouted. "Th'hell's goin' on in here?"

"Shut—" Simon began and then waved his hand at Jayne. "Shut the door!" he shouted before he put both his hands to his head.

"Gorramit," Jayne cursed and slid the door closed behind him. He went to River, who had dropped to her knees and was clutching fiercely at her ears. "What th'hell's th'matter with you?" he shouted.

He looked over as Simon dropped to his knees beside them. His features looked exhausted, and his brow was damp with sweat as if he'd just run a marathon. "Jayne," he panted heavily, and one of his hands reached out and touched Jayne's thigh. Simon's eyes fluttered closed. "I broke the trigger," he whispered and lifted his nose a little, like the memories might drip out if he lowered it. "Go get the captain."

Jayne looked at River with concern and then down at Simon's hand. He then got to his feet. "Y'mean y'remember all o'what Wash was sayin'?" he questioned.

Simon nodded and drew River close to him. He held her tightly as she trembled "Yes, yes, I remember. Go get Mal; he needs to know. Hurry."

Jayne cursed silently about not being paid to be a courier, but he opened the door anyway. He pushed past Kaylee and Wash easily without saying anything and started up the stairs, taking them three at a time.

"Jayne!" Kaylee called. "What's goin' on?" She looked hesitatingly into the infirmary where Simon was rocking River on the infirmary floor.

"Doc broke the trigger!" Jayne shouted down as he turned the bend and disappeared out of sight.

Kaylee and Wash exchanged glances. At first Wash grinned, but then, looking back at the siblings, he frowned. "That's a lot of information to process," he announced, stepping into the infirmary to kneel beside Simon. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked softly.

Simon looked at him blearily and blinked hard to refocus his vision and thoughts. He nodded with what seemed like considerable difficulty. "Just . . . a blanket would be nice." He looked down at River huddled in his arms. "She's cold."

Wash complied, fetching a blanket from one of the storage drawers and draping it around her. Shortly after that, Mal, Jayne, and Zoe came trampling down the stairs. Wash, Kaylee, and Jayne waited outside while Mal and Zoe went into talk to Simon about what had just happened. Mal had a serious look on his face; he meant business.

After a few minutes, Zoe closed the door behind her. The others watched through the window as Simon broke the trigger again and both the captain and Zoe dropped to their knees.
--

It took six hours from Simon's breakthrough to complete crew recovery. No one felt much like moving. Kaylee, Jayne, and Simon had flopped onto one sofa together, and River had curled up in a nearby chair. Zoe sat on another sofa alone, and Mal sat in front of Jayne on the coffee table facing the infirmary, his back to his crew and a bowed head.

They sat there in thoughtful silence for such a long time that Wash eventually went upstairs to make coffee for everyone.

He handed out mugs to everyone and poured coffee where it was wanted. He reached Mal last, and when he poured the dark liquid into his cup, he gave him a wavering smile. Everyone being so serious and quiet was unsettling him.

Mal's gaze locked on Wash, and his expression hardened. He pushed to his feet and turned around, taking in his crew. His eyes alighted on each face of his crew as he nodded. "We do this."

He was met with silent but firm nods from them. Even Zoe met his eyes and nodded that she was in. "We get to Londinium, get Wash into the complex, and hit those sons of bitches 'fore they know it's even coming," Mal stated

"It's awful," Kaylee cried and lifted her eyes to Mal. "I can't believe all those people—" She trailed off and seemed like she was about to cry.

"But now we remember," Wash stated encouragingly. "And that's the important part. It's awful, but it's not something that should be forgotten."

"No, it ain't." Mal's face was stern and unyielding. "Made me remember why we done this thing to begin with." His eyes settled on River. "Y'still got secrets to tell, don't you, little albatross?"

River was still wrapped in the blanket and holding her mug of coffee between her hands. It made her look young and unsettled, but her eyes were clear and firm. "We see it through," she replied. "To the end."

Mal nodded. "To the end."

"Just hope it works," Kaylee said softly as she set her mug down on the table. "It's awful risky, what Wash's doin'."

All eyes turned to him, and he shrugged sheepishly. Mal sighed and looked back to Kaylee. "Fear not, little Kaylee. I plan t'go with him, far as he'll let me."

"Oh." She smiled nervously. "Well, shiny." She clapped her hands together softly. "Guess we don't really need a captain."

"You're not coming with me, Mal," Wash stated, his tone low and even. "We already discussed this, and I already said no."

Mal smiled at Wash, but it wasn't a friendly or comforting smile. "You forget I'm the one giving rules on this boat. I say I'm going with you, then I'm going with you."

Wash stepped toward him. "Kaylee's right—it is awful risky—that's why I need you to stay. If I don't make it through, you guys can make another attempt." Offhandedly he added, "or come and rescue me." He returned serious, "but at this point, I'm the only one of us who can get through there. It has to be me, and it has to be me alone. You know that," he said to Mal.

Mal's lips tightened into a thin line, and he seemed to be holding back words he wanted to say. He stared at Wash for a while longer and shook his head, dismissing it. He wasn't going to fight, not in front of his crew. "We ain't got long 'til we're in the Core," he noted, turning away from Wash, "so y'all better be prepared. I ain't plannin' on running into trouble, but trouble sure do seem to like us. Best be on our toes."

"I'll make sure Serenity ain't lackin' for anythin'," Kaylee said, getting to her feet. Mal nodded at her as she headed off.

"Guess I'd better start cleanin' Vera," Jayne noted. "Still don't know how I ended up on the same boat as all you damn superheroes," he muttered.

Mal had to smile at that. "Every good superhero needs his dumb sidekick."

Jayne grunted at that as he started up the stairs after Kaylee.

Wash cheerfully called up after him, "Just be glad we don't have to wear neon-colored spandex and capes!"

"Doc?" Mal questioned, turning back to the remaining crew.

Simon sighed heavily and put his hands on his knees. "It's incredible how much information was suppressed and rewritten. I have fake memories combating real ones now, and some are getting tangled in the process." He lifted his eyes to Mal. "If we're all feeling like this, then I don't . . ." He trailed off and then amended. "I'm not sure we should rush into this so quickly. We need time to make sense of all of it."

"We ain't all like this," Mal noted. "Wash's fit, and he's the one gonna be doin' most of th'work. 'Sides, we're still near a week out of the Core and couple more days on to Londinium. We recover as we go; s'how it's always been."

"Now you know how it was," River stated softly. She looked at Mal and then to Wash. "Thoughts and memories come so fast, and you can't stop them or understand if they're real or what they mean." She hugged her knees to her chest and bowed her head into them. "I was happier when I'd forgotten."

"Mei mei," Simon crooned and moved off the sofa to her chair. "Don't say that."

She looked up at him sadly. "I don't mean it when I say it," she said and squeezed his arm lightly. "There're just so many voices. They can't ever be silent."

Simon drew her to her feet and wrapped the blanket about her more securely. "It'll get better," he noted softly.

River looked up at Wash and nodded. "It will. I know it will." She pulled away from Simon, heading towards her quarters. "But not yet."

Simon sighed and followed her. "If you need anything," he stated to the others and gestured a little over his shoulder. "Well, you'll know where I am." He turned and followed River.

That left Wash alone with Zoe and Mal. When Zoe realized the situation, she met Wash's eyes. He had an eager expression, as though perhaps she'd take back every bad thing she'd said about him since his return. She just shook her head and pushed off her sofa to pass him. "This don't change a thing," she noted in a flat tone.

She was up the stairs before Wash could reply. He sighed, looking at the stairwell, and then closed his eyes and sat down.

"Ain't got time for sitting and thinking. Least, not yet." Mal was staring down at him, his arms folded across his chest. "Need you t'lay in a course for Londinium. Worry 'bout Zoe later."

Wash sighed and opened his eyes. He focused them on Mal and almost spoke. Pushing himself to his feet, he started toward the stairwell to the cockpit.

"Wash," Mal called. When he turned back, he continued, "We're behind you now; all of us, even her. Don't squander that."

Wash studied Mal for a few moments and then nodded. "As long as it took me to get here, believe me, I wouldn't screw it up for the world."

Mal wanted to say something as he slipped out of sight, but he held his tongue. He waited until he was certain he was alone before putting a hand to his head. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly, he scowled, kicked the table as hard as he could, and cursed.

Mal was halfway to the shuttle with an overwhelming need to see the stars before he remembered they were on land. His only view would be pinpricks drowned by the city's light pollution. His knees nearly buckled beneath him on the catwalk at the thought, and only his strong grip on the railing kept him on his feet. In a way, he felt like a fish out of water, gasping for breath. There were too many memories and emotions surfacing, and he felt himself slipping away. It didn't matter that he was in the cargo bay; he was melting down right there.

He started to loosen his grip, willing himself this moment to break down. He wanted to fall to his knees and scream and cry for everything that had happened to him throughout his entire life; he even thought he deserved it, if just this once.

Then Serenity powered up around him, humming to life as Wash prepared her to take flight. The return of her vibrations settled him, and his grip strengthened again. He took a deep breath, thanking the pilot silently, and launched off the railing toward the shuttle again. He'd never grown tired of watching the drudgery of city life melt away as he entered the black.

The cool darkness would settle him.
--

Mal knocked but was half way into the bunk before Wash could even reply. He landed with a thud on the floor and pushed past the ladder, looking at Wash. "I'm coming with you, and I've got it all figured out how."

Wash had been sitting at his desk writing, and his pen was still poised mid-stroke as he stared at Mal. "You know, generally, when you knock, you're supposed to wait for someone to say it's okay for you to enter before doing so."

Mal glanced behind him at the ladder and shrugged. "Force of habit." He stepped forward. "I got a workin' plan now. Hear me out."

Wash seemed completely incredulous, but he set his pen down and swiveled his chair to face Mal. There was an eager, earnest look on the captain's face that Wash hadn't seen in a very long time. He was willing to entertain Mal just so he could take in the sight of him. "I'm listening," he said with a light tone, still slightly skeptical.

"I'll wear gloves," Mal stated. "Finger scan'll come up blank. Tthey try a retinal scan, I'll tell 'em I'm sensitive to light. We get Kaylee and the Doc t'mock up some sort of notice that looks official and says I'm to be cleared. I'll dress up real nice, buy myself a new suit in the Core. They'll let me pass. We could do it. Together."

Wash had to wait a few seconds to keep from laughing. He couldn't even look at Mal's convinced face. He put his hand to his mouth and stared at the floor. "That is truly," he began, "a remarkably stupid plan." He looked back to Mal. "Did Jayne help you with it?"

Mal straightened up and managed to look affronted. "No." His visage softened a little. "I'm going to go with you, Wash. I can't let you do this alone."

Sighing, Wash turned away from him. He picked his pen back up. "Mal, we've had this discussion." He finished what he was writing. "It's too dangerous for you to go."

"That's why I gotta go! You say it's too dangerous'n'all I hear is 'that means folk'll need protectin',' and here I am! That's what I do." Mal threw his hands out, arms open.

Setting his pen back down, Wash turned off the writing tablet and sighed. "Look, I'm going to say this one last time." He got to his feet and stared at Mal. "I have to do this alone. You've trusted me so much so far. You've gone from the edge of trust to wanting to follow through with this. All I'm asking is for you to trust me a little longer. Trust me to do this, Mal."

Mal's features hardened, but not in an angry way; he just drew more solemn. "I do trust you, Wash. I just don't want to throw y'out t'them Alliance sharks. They get a hold of y'again, figure out what it is you aim t'do, there ain't gonna be more'n'a few scraps of Hawaiian shirt left t'pick up after they's done with you." He shrugged softly. "Least if I go with you, I might have a chance o'fightin' them off 'fore it gets that far. You ain't no good in a gun fight; y'need protectin'."

Wash wet his lips and crossed his arms confrontationally. "You don't want me to go alone because you're in love with me."

The comment brought Mal's shocked eyes up to bear on Wash quickly. "What?" He blinked a few times. "Wash—" He gestured ineffectively. "Is that what you think this is about? 'Cause it's not. It ain't—"

He was cut off as Wash kissed him. His eyes widened in surprise and his back went completely rigid. As one of Wash's arms wound around him, he felt his walls beginning to crumble again.

He struggled with his identity momentarily, trying to make up his mind to kiss him back. When he did, it was fierce and strong. It felt like he'd infused all his strength into Wash to make him whole again, and in the process, drained himself dry. Now he needed to find some sort of balance.

Mal kissed him like this was goodbye and he'd never get the chance to again; like he'd harbored this love for more years than he had known; like he'd forgotten what it was like to kiss and he needed to experience it as intensely as possible to remember.

It was rough but sweet, and Wash held him strong and kept him from falling. Mal needed this, probably had for as long as Wash had known him, and he wasn't going pass up the chance to fulfill the need.

Mal clutched at him for several seconds, his hands gripping fistfuls of shirt as he spent his energy tasting Wash, and then he pulled back roughly. He let go of Wash's shirt, and Wash didn't hold him; he let him back up and stare at him. There was a vague look of horror on Mal's face, but the flushed red of his lips diminished it.

"Hao wu mu shen de gan lao," Mal breathed. "Did that just happen?"

Wash managed a smile. It was quite charming to see the captain so flustered. "Yes, it did." He tried to show he wasn't upset about it with a smile. "Do you kiss all your pilots who come back from the dead like that, or just me?"

Mal blinked a few times, staring off in thought, and then looked back to Wash. Ignoring the comment, he went directly to the source. "Wash, I'm not . . . I'm not in love with you—" he quickly stated.

Patiently, Wash waited for him to figure out his words. "It's okay if you are." He shrugged. "I'm flattered."

Mal gave him a withering glare but then shook his head. "I'm just . . ." He trailed off and then looked around him. Spying the bed, he sat down heavily. He put his hand on his forehead and leaned into it. Things were starting to fall into place for him. "Wash, I can't be—" He looked up at him. "I mean, it was nice just now, but we can't—" He blinked again and then raised an eyebrow. "We can't, can we?"

Wash leaned back against his desk and studied Mal across from him. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy that. Who knew you were so passionate?" He grinned brightly at him. "I just . . ." He paused a moment for words and then continued a little softer. "You need someone, Mal. You desperately need someone you can pour yourself into who can relax you and love you. And, in a way, I'm okay with being that someone." He sighed. "It's just, I already was that someone for Zoe." His hands flattened out on his thighs. "And I'll always be that someone for her." His tone was warm and plain, like this was a fact of life. "Even if she's unable to take me back, I'll always love her." He gave Mal a sad smile. "So, that wouldn't be fair to you."

Mal stared up at Wash for several long seconds. As he pushed to his feet, whatever fears or insecurities he'd had moments ago fell away. He looked Wash over carefully, studying him completely from top to bottom and focusing in on his eyes. "Way I see it," he said in a voice that was unnaturally soft and open, "we're both in love with women who won't take us." He studied Wash's face intently and raised a hand to touch Wash's cheek. "Does that mean we're suppose t'be alone and unhappy for the rest of our lives?"

Wash was a little scared by Mal's intensity; it weakened him in the knees. He knew his next words could either pull Mal out of his shell, if only just this once, or could lock him there further, maybe forever. "You don't deserve to be alone or unhappy," he finally replied.

Wash raised his hand and touched Mal's shirt. He felt the suspenders and the soft twill of the fabric beneath his palms. Below that, he felt Mal's skin, supple and warm, and his beating heart beneath that. "You need to find joy and light again," he said softly, lightly pushing on his chest.

Mal responded easily, walking backwards to sit back down on the bed. Wash moved over him and brushed his lips against Mal's brow and cheeks before moving to his ear. "Never dreamed I'd be the one to show you the way back."

Mal's hands rose to Wash's collar, and his fingers traced to the zipper of his flight suit. He tugged it down slowly, his eyes focused on Wash's skin, his breath shallow but quick. "Think I did."