AU part 2

[likeswifesoup]

In the end, the first time that Wash ended up piloting Serenity after everything that happened there was only River and Zoe on the bridge. He'd expected everyone to be there, but he'd gone up to the bridge, intending to sit in the pilot's seat once more so Zoe could get used to it, only to find River there

Comments

[bigdamnherosir]

It was unexpected, Wash sitting down in that chair to actually fly, and she froze for just a second before moving closer to him, resting her hand against the back of the seat.

"Look at you, bao bei," she says softly, voice just a little shaky. Not at the fact that he's doing it, but that he's doing it. All of the time she'd spent mourning him seems so distant now, and she brings a hand over her face. She's more emotional than she thought she'd be, but for the right reasons instead of the fear she'd been worried about.

Her husband is here, and he's flying. He's here.

[likeswifesoup]

Wash glanced up at Zoe, before reaching out, and flipping a few of the switches, and then leaned back. It felt good. He swivelled slightly, his hand seeking Zoe's.

River was smiling to herself as she sat in the co-pilot's seat, her eyes closed, her face raised to the ceiling. "She's happy. Serenity. She knows you're back."

[bigdamnherosir]

Zoe finds his hand and brings his arm up so that she can kiss his hand. "I'm so proud of you, Wash."

Now, everything felt like home again. They were all home.

[likeswifesoup]

Wash looked at her, smiling. Her being proud of him? It made everything he'd gone through worthwhile.

He made a couple of quick adjustments to the settings, and just settled back for a little bit.

Mal came into the bridge, looking to talk to River, stopping in the doorway when he saw the site of Wash in his old chair. "Does this mean I have my pilot back?" he asked, smiling at Wash.

"Looks like," Wash replied.