Afternoon Waltz

Zoe and Mal stood in the airlock watching the scene before them with stoic faces despite the delight that filled them up. The entire crew was gathered in the center of the cargo bay. River sat on a box and sang in a strange language that Mal had never heard while Shepherd clapped a rhythm next to her. Kaylee and Simon as well as Wash and Jayne waltzed around the cargo bay.

“I never knew Wash could waltz so well,” Zoe whispered to Mal.

“Jayne there outshines them all if you ask me,” Mal whispered back and readjusted the bag of supplies they had gone to pick up more comfortably onto his shoulder.

Kaylee stepped on Simon’s foot and he yelped like a gorram puppy when his paw was stepped on.

“No, no no!” Preacher yelled and charged in to take Kaylee’s place, putting Simon’s hand on his waist. “Like this Kaylee,” he said and despite the uncertainty on Simon’s face, he began dancing with Preacher.

“You got to let yourself feel the music,” Jayne said and twirled Wash. “Let it flow through you and make your body an extension of the music.” Jayne dipped wash and River ceased singing to clap.

Mal stepped into the cargo deck and clapped slowly as he walked towards them with Zoe at his side.

Jayne released Wash who fell onto the cargo floor.

“I’m mighty impressed with your footwork, especially you Jayne,” Mal told them.

Wash stood up, brushed himself off and then flipped his head to the side as though flipping long hair behind him. “It’s the woman who makes the man look good. A leader is no good if his partner can’t follow.”