Mal and Zoe, pre-Academy.

[badinlatin]

Mal stands on one of the walkways above the cargo bay floor. He does that more often now - easier than talking to people.

If he hears Zoe coming, he's not actively trying to ignore her. Just...she might not be coming to talk to him, right?

Comments

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Well...she's not talking yet, in any case.

Zoe stops a short ways away from Mal, leaning her elbows on the rail of the walkway, and doesn't say anything, for now.

When you've worked--and lived--with someone as long as she has with Mal, you know when something's up.

[badinlatin]

"Your husband may not be likin' me too much. Don't know if he told you."

Start with the obvious.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

"Didn't tell, me, exactly. But you get a sense for this kinda thing."

She's maybe not just talking about Wash, here.

Beat.

"You wanna tell me?"

[badinlatin]

"Not in particular. But I suppose you deserve to know why I threw Wash against a pillar down there."

Mal waits for Zoe's reaction to that little revelation before attempting anything even more serious.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe glances at him sidelong, with just a hint of sharpness.

"Knowin' why someone's been tossin' my husband about would be appreciated, yes."

[badinlatin]

"Seems like I have maintained a reputation for havin' plans to get us out o' trouble, even though my plans make us look like a bunch o' gorram fools more of'en than not," Mal adds simply.

"Wash did not take too kindly to me informing him of a lack of solid plan for the Academy."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe gives a slight smile. Very slight.

"Well, all those foolish plans and we're still alive, so you must be doin' somethin' right. But for this..." she shrugs. "Maybe there's only so much plannin' we can do, beforehand. Maybe we just have to do our best, when the time comes."

[badinlatin]

"Doin' my best has gotten folk killed, Zoe." Names of soldiers he had long forgotten, following his orders and dying because of them.

"Can't have that happen to my crew."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe just looks at him.

"Your best has also kept this ship and crew in one piece, and Simon and River out of the Alliance's hands this long."

She shrugs. "We lost good people in the war, yeah. It happens. You can't save everyone."

[badinlatin]

"I suppose."

Mal reaches into a back pocket to retrieve a small key hanging off a thin strap of black leather, and places it in Zoe's hand.

"This is for the safe in my bunk."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe's hand closes around the key by reflex alone. For a moment, she just looks surprised. Then, her brow furrows.

"Sir?"

She doesn't like where she thinks this is going.

[badinlatin]

"Want you to hold onto that." Mal is convinced that if he doesn't look directly at Zoe, this will sound as official and appropriate out loud as it tries to in his head.

"In the safe there's some papers for Serenity. Most of 'em are fake to get through checkpoints and such, but the real live original registration is in there too.

I want you to take it and get it signed over to your name legit if ... the situation arises."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

"If the situation arises."

Zoe's voice is calm and level, her face neutral.

It's not a precaution she's exactly happy with, but she sees the need.

[badinlatin]

For a minute, Mal doesn't say a word. Just takes in the quiet of the cargo bay and best friend standing next to him.

"You know, if we get out of this," Mal chuckles nervously to attempt hiding the fact he finds that to be a true question, "I really expect good birthday presents. From everyone. We need a Cap'n Mal day."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe returns the look, and doesn't answer for a moment.

It occurs to her, very suddenly, that Mal is the only person who's seen her at Serenity Valley, and her wedding.

The best and worst moments of her life.

He smile is faint, but it's warm.

"Think we might be able to arrange that, sir."

[badinlatin]

Mal smiles in return.

Zoe's seen him at Serenity Valley. The other thing, not so much yet. But whenever that ultimate happy comes around, Mal knows exactly who needs to be there for it to be right.

"Xie-xie."