Stars

When she woke up the next day, for the smallest moment she forgot that he was gone. Zoe still felt the warmth from his body against hers and when she got up for her duties she felt his arms pulling her back into bed for just another minute. Life outside her bunker was painful. The crew meant well, but they all wanted to talk. She just wanted to work.

The dinosaurs were gone. Who would be damn fool enough to move Wash’s dinosaurs? Mal made for the kitchen.

“Which one of you bun tyen-shung duh ee-dway-ro took ’em? Huh? He ain’t even lukewarm yet and everybody wants to forget him?”

She had come through the door so silently that he didn’t notice her until Kaylee piped in with a quiet, “Captain...”

Zoe’s look was pointed. “No use livin’ in the past.”

Nothing else was said.

She hesitated. Why had she hesitated? Mal gripped her arm so tight that Zoe almost had trouble freeing herself.

“You so keen to die? What would Wash think of you, throwin’ yourself in front of Reavers? Life’s such a terrible burden that you’re so eager to be rid of it?” His tone had started at a dangerous whisper but now he was almost yelling.

“Hoo-tsuh! Woman, you make me so mad. Kao! Hoe-tze duh..Chiang-bao hoe...bhijoi!”

"Captain!"

"What?!"

"I'm pregnant!"