Episode 1: Welcome Back – Part 1
"I'm gonna get you!"
"Nah uh!"
River and Kaylee ran throughout the crew's quarters, bumping into Jayne along the way. They just laughed and continued on. He grumbled and walked to the kitchen. Inara and Simon sat, drinking coffee and eating breakfast.
"I made a plate for you, Jayne." Inara said as she pointed to his place at the table.
"Thanks." he exclaimed as he sat down and dug in. Simon just shook his head.
River and Kaylee made their way to the bridge, playfully pushing each other. Zoe happened upon them.
"What you makin' such a racket so early for?" she smiled.
"We're bored. Ain't seen no action in a while."
"Yeah!" River said excitedly.
She pushed Kaylee again, a tad too hard this time. She bumped into the edge of the pilot's seat, knocking over Wash's toys. Zoe's eyes bulged.
"Look at the garram mess you made!" she pushed past them to scoop up the little dinos gently, as if she were picking up a baby.
"I did a bad thing.." River said, lowering her head.
"She ain't one to know her own strength, Zoe. Didn't mean anything by-"
"Go play in your bunks or somethin', Ok?" she snapped. Just as fast as they came in, they were off the bridge. She didn't mean to yell at them like that, it just kind of came out. She only had so much of him left, she couldn't take anything else falling apart. She picked them up and put them back in place. All except Ted. Zoe closed her eyes, rolling the plastic critter over in her hands.
"His name is Ted."
"Ted? You name these...things."
"Yes, Ted the Stegosaurus. He's a herbivore, you know?"
"I don't want him in my bunk, Wash."
"But why? he whined.
"Cuz," she frowned. "He's a creepy lookin' sort."
"Who, Ted? NO! Ted's a lovely fellow. Steve's the creepy one."
"Steve?"
Zoe let out a sound, started as a gasp; then turned into a heavy laugh. She hadn't laughed like that since...
She gripped Ted in her hand.
"Baby," Zoe let out a sharp cry, throwing herself down into the pilot's seat. His seat. "I just want you back, not longer than a moment. Just one more moment..."
She hugged Ted tight to her chest. She could still smell him on it, feel him.
"The time ain't never gonna be right, is it?"
"We have a rather colorful profession right now, dear. I don't think Mal will want to play babysitter during one of our famous heists."
She looked away from him.
"Ain't none of his concern."
He walked to her, turning her back around.
"Zoe I know you want babies, and I do too. We will, I promise you. I just want the time to be right for us. I love you, I just prey you to know that. "
"I know it," she smiled. "Truer than any woman has known anything in this 'verse."
They embraced.
"Zoe!"
She snapped out of her thoughts.
"Zoe, you in here?" Mal asked as he came into the room. "Hey, there you are. Will be needing your help on loadin' the mule."
"A minute, sir...be 'round in a minute." she rasped, barely able to get that out.
"You alright?"
"Don't suppose I am, sir."
Mal knew what this was about, a blind man could see the woman was in pain. He scratched his head, not sure what to say. He didn't want to push her but felt he should say something all the same.
"He wouldn't have wanted ya mopin' about. He'd want you firing a gun or punching Jayne. Somethin' of the like."
She looked over her shoulder at him, "No need for pamperin', sir. Just need a minute is all."
"Ok," he said, backing off. "Come down when you're ready. Give Jayne somethin' to do til then, other than being in his bunk all day or eatin' all the rations." with that, Mal turned on his heel and left.
Zoe put Ted back in his place and sighed to herself. This life was going to be very difficult now, she had to get used to it one way or another. As she got up to leave, a call came in.
"This is Mr. Bold attempting contact with Serenity. I have a message for Zoe Washburne. If anyone can hear me, please report back."
Zoe sat back down, pressing a button to speak to the man.
"This is Zoe, don't believe I've laid eyes on you before though."
"Oh no, ma'am. You haven't. But you are friends with Goddess Corane, correct?"
Goddess Corane. She hadn't heard that name in a long time. Not since she and Wash...
"Yes, I be that. Is she in need of my help?"
"The opposite. She wants to offer you her assistance."
"Not clear with your meanin', Mr. Bold."
"She asked me to tell you to meet her on Nuron around 8 tonight if you could. I can patch you her exact location if you would like."
"That would be fine."
"Thank you for helping me complete my assignment, ma'am. Good day." with that Mr. Bold vanished from the screen. She collected the information he sent her and decided to find Mal before resetting the course.