Sorry for the delay folks! Bought myself a new computer but it's been heck getting it set up and transferring all my info (including my precious stories!). In fact it still hasn't worked and I'm back on my old dinosaur right now but at least he's reliable. Enjoy!
-Moki
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Wash sat in the cockpit, the ship quiet as a mouse in these early morning hours. He always liked this time of day, even without a sun to watch rise over a horizon. He enjoyed the feeling of absolute peace and knowing that he was the only one awake. It was especially that much sweeter knowing that Jayne wouldn't be in to bother him. Jayne's apparent reluctance to terrorize Wash while he was at the controls of Serenity had turned into the strawberry blonde's godsend.
He had even set out his dinosaurs and the palm trees where they liked to play. His little friends looked at him with blank eyes and he smiled at the sight of them. He didn't bring them out right away on a new ship but he'd been feeling so confident at Serenity's controls that he'd decided today was the day to introduce them to her.
These thoughts however were jostled rudely when he heard the door open behind him. Thinking that maybe Jayne had overcome his reluctance and was now here for more of his version of "fun", Wash winced to himself. It was with great relief then that he looked up to find that it was in fact Zoe who had entered.
"'Morning" she said and without another word headed for the co-pilot's seat and sat down. She didn't seem to want to talk so Wash just let her be and for a while they both sat in silence, each in their own thoughts. Usually Wash would have found a situation like this uncomfortable but for some reason he felt completely at ease with her sitting there not saying a word. He began to feel calmer than he had in days. Though he couldn't have said why.
"Trouble sleeping?" he asked after a while. He had just finished an instrument check and leaned back into his seat. He didn't look at her but continued to study the stars outside.
"Never can before a job, just the way I am" she replied without looking at him either. "Ever since the war I ain't been able to sleep right before something really important. Captain's the same way and I bet any second now he'll probably..."
She was cut off as Mal walked in and took his customary place behind both the pilot and co-pilot's chairs. Wash figured out immediately that she'd been about to warn him of the captain's imminent arrival. That man has amazing timing, Wash thought.
" 'Morning" Mal said to them both as he studied the stars outside the cockpit window. After a few seconds, the encompassing silence took over them all.
At first Wash was disappointed to learn that his early mornings would often be interrupted but after awhile he found that he was perfectly fine with all three of them together in the cockpit. It was actually kind of nice to feel like a part of the crew like this. Also it was a unique experience to feel alone but not actually be alone. Different, but nice. There was no doubt it was also nice to be in the same room with some people that weren't trying to insult or injure him. Gotta stop thinking about that right now, Wash reprimanded himself. We got a job to do and that sure isn't going to help.
After a while Wash's console started beeping and he reached forward to flip a few switches.
"Captain, we're coming up on the rendezvous coordinates" Wash reported as Mal looked at him expectantly upon hearing the noise.
"Alright well let's get this show on the road then. Zoe, go check on Jayne and make sure he's already down with the cargo" Zoe nodded and headed out of the cockpit. As she got up to leave Wash noticed for the first time that she was already armed. It made sense of course but it struck him as odd that he hadn't noticed that before. Glancing behind him he noticed that Mal had his gun as well. Well, looks like everyone is ready, Wash thought.
"Wash once you get us docked I want you to head down to the cargo bay but stay by the ladder. Like I said before we may need to skidaddle outta here nice and quick-like so I need you ready if I give the order, got it?" Mal asked as he took one final look out the window at the oncoming ship.
"Yes sir. I'll see you down there in a few minutes" Wash replied.
"Good. Now I've already told Kaylee to stay in the engine room in case we need a full engine burn or you need her to do anything to get Serenity moving the way you want. If I give the order then it's up to the two of you two get us all outta here, whatever it takes" He turned and started heading towards the exit.
Just then he stopped and Wash realized that Mal had just noticed the dinosaurs for the first time. He had stopped in his tracks at the site of them and Wash waited for the inevitable ribbing. But to his surprise the captain instead just walked over and silently picked each up in turn.
"Nice dinos" was all he said and continued off the bridge leaving a somewhat surprised Wash in his path.
After Mal left Wash continued to monitor the visiting ship and once it was in range he hailed her. He and the other pilot worked out the docking sequence easily. Wash was relieved that the other pilot was apparently very experienced. He would have hated the need to talk a newbie through something like what they were doing. Docking two ships out in the depths of space was pretty routine but it also took a little bit of experience to get it right. Luckily there were no problems and they got the two ships together within a few minutes.
Calling over the 'com, Wash let the captain know that they were docked and he could open the outer airlock at any time. Once this last bit of pilot-y duty was completed Wash headed out of the door to wait by the ladder as he'd been instructed.
That's when he heard the first gunshot.
After that things moved so fast that Wash was hardly aware of what was happening. Before he knew it he was down in the hold getting orders from Mal to take off and then suddenly he was shot. Then he was in the Infirmary being tended to by Mal and Zoe and noticing for the first time just how beautiful she was. Funny how Wash had never applied that word to her before. It wasn't that he thought she wasn't pretty (quite the contrary) it's just that she'd seemed so tough that other adjectives fit her better. Stunning, Striking, those had been some of the words he had thought of before.
All these thoughts flew through his mind as quickly as Serenity through space until finally they settled and he was just holding Zoe's hand. He didn't even notice when Mal finished looking him over and walked towards the door, wiping his hands on a towel as he went.
Now that his patient was more comfortable, Mal was better able to take a moment and think on what needed to be done next.
"Zoe" he called quietly, motioning for her to follow him out the door. He noticed that she was a little hesitant to let go of Wash's hand and even at a time like this, that caught his attention. He and Zoe had known each other longer than either cared to admit to anyone else (if only because the admission of the amount of years would testify to just how old they might be). They had been through a lot together and though he never thought as a younger man that he'd say it about a woman, she had become his best friend. And he was hers.
So he knew immediately that something was different about her, something that apparently revolved around their new pilot. It sure as hell didn't take a genius to figure it out but now he was even more worried. It didn't look good right now for poor Walsh and if Zoe's heart was starting to feel something for him, this could be worse than originally thought. Dealing with an injured crew member was one thing, comforting his best friend through the loss of a loved one (no matter how new that love and no matter that neither of them would even call it love yet - Mal wasn't fooled) would be something else entirely.
So it was with a heavy heart that he told her what he'd been thinking as he'd examined the pilot.
"Okay, here's the deal. As you saw it looks like the bullet went straight through him and luckily I don't THINK it hit anything in his belly. But I think it may have broken a rib and nicked his lung. In which case it could be just a matter of time before that lung collapses" he frowned at her look of worry but plowed on, best to just get it over with, he thought.
"I'm going to the cockpit and figure out where the hell Kaylee has taken us since I set her loose at the controls. Then I'm gonna see how fast we can get to the nearest station or somewhere else we can get him seen to. Can you clean him up and wrap that wound? You'll need to do it real tight to hold that rib in place. Last thing we need is for a bone chip to get loose in there. If you need to, have Jayne help you hold him down" Mal knew he sounded cruel but it was for the man's own good and he hoped that Zoe knew that.
"Yes sir, of course. Just get up front, I'll take over from here" Zoe replied and with relief Mal noticed that though she wasn't happy about it, she'd do whatever it took to take care of Wash. Unfortunately even if that meant hurting him a little to help him. Good, Mal thought, that's exactly the kind of attitude he needed from her to handle this. And knowing his pilot was in good hands, he gave Zoe a nod and then strode quickly off to the bridge. There was no need to say anything more and he didn't even look back. His mind now on the next bit of business at hand. Getting them to the nearest doctor.
Zoe turned back to the Infirmary and walked up to Wash's side again. He had his eyes closed tightly and his breathing was a little shallow but it wasn't serious. She knew that every breath was like breathing fire for him with that bullet and a nicked rib. But she could also tell that it was just pain and not a ruined lung causing his difficultly. Gently she put a hand on his shoulder.
"Wash I need you to listen to me" Zoe said Wash looked up at her with glazed eyes, a deep frown of pain still across his face despite the shot Mal had already given him.
"I need to wrap your ribs so that we can make sure that bullet and your ribs don't move around and cause any more damage" Wash didn't think he was going to like this procedure but didn't really have the energy to say anything in reply.
"Now I ain't gonna lie to ya Wash, it's gonna hurt and it's gonna hurt like hell" Yep, definitely not gonna like this, Wash thought
"But the most important thing is that no matter how much it hurts I need you stay still. Now if you can't do that then I'll have to get Jayne down here to help hold you down" Seeing Wash's frown deepen even more Zoe quickly continued before he could interrupt. "But I know you don't want that and neither do I. So how about we work together?"
Wash would have preferred to forego the entire procedure altogether but if he had to do it then he sure as spit didn't want Jayne involved. Wash figured that Jayne might even enjoy the process and he just wouldn't be able to stand that. He knew that it would be really hard but he was willing to give it a try if Zoe had confidence in him. Something about her confidence made him feel better so he decided to let her do what was needed. He did have one question for her before they started.
"Painkiller?" Wash's voice was a squawk even though he had tried to steady it before speaking.
Zoe frowned. She had known he probably would ask about that and she was real sorry she didn't have a better answer for him.
"I can't give you anymore right now but I also can't wait to do this. The longer you sit like this the more likely a chance that bullet is gonna start moving around and causing a ruckus inside you. We already gave you a bunch so you're about as numbed-up as we can make ya without putting you in danger" Zoe replied.
Somehow Wash knew she was going to say something like that so it was with quiet resignation that he sighed and nodded.
"Okay, lets do it"
Zoe quickly got out the bandages she would need. She knew that Wash was watching her nervously so she went as quickly as possible. Once she had everything together she turned back to the bed and tried to smile reassuringly.
"Okay here we go. First I need you to sit up" Zoe said and reached out to help Wash get up from his prone position.
Wash hissed when he first tried to use the muscles in his stomach to move his body. Quickly he figured out that wasn't going to work and gratefully accepted Zoe's help. She seemed to know how hard it was for him to move and actually did most of the work herself. Wash found himself thinking that she was deceptively, and incredibly, strong.
Once he was up it was a little easier to breathe and Wash was able to relax a bit as Zoe cleaned his wound. She then covered it in gauze and tape and Wash was beginning to think this wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"Easy part's over now lets get the hard part over with" Zoe said as she cut the last piece of tape and gently pressed it into Wash's side.
I knew it was too good to be true, Wash thought as Zoe walked away. She went to the counter and picked up a long roll of bandages and returned to Wash, unwinding it as she went.
"Put both hands on my shoulders" Zoe said and Wash gingerly lifted both hands and placed them where he was told. Finding himself face to face with her he was glad that she was occupied so that he could study her more closely. His earlier opinion of her beauty was only strengthened by this close inspection. She was even more perfect up close than she was afar.
His pleasant inner monologue ended abruptly as Zoe began wrapping the bandages around him and pulling tightly to ensure his ribs wouldn't move. Determined not to be a weakling Wash closed his eyes and gritted his teeth to keep from moving an inch or making any noise whatsoever. He had no idea if it impressed her or not but it made him feel more manly and that was something.
For her part Zoe was actually impressed at Wash's stoic demeanor as she finished the job. Inspecting her work and deciding that it would do the job she stood up straight and suddenly the two of them found each other looking directly into each other's eyes once again.
Wash found himself flushing slightly and looked away after a few seconds. He didn't want to seem like he was ogling so turned away rather than stare.
Zoe smiled at the sight of Wash's discomfort. She hadn't seen a man blush often and it amused her a little.
"Okay lets get you back down so you can rest. The captain's set a course for the nearest med facilities but ain't no tellin' when we'll get there so we best get you settled for a while" Zoe said and took Wash's hands from her shoulders where they had remained during the entire procedure. Again she did most of the work of laying Wash back down and kept his pain down to a minimum.
It still hurt like hell but once he was down, Wash felt better. Zoe went to the sink and washed her hands then proceeded to put away the supplies she had used.
The strains of the day and his injuries finally took over Wash and he felt his eyes grow heavy. Now that he was (somewhat) comfortable he was immensely tired. He fought sleep for a few moments but quickly decided that it was probably exactly what his beaten body needed and finally gave in and let his eyes close.