Summary: 
Zoe Washburne is haunted by the death of her husband by a Revear harpoon. Her world is a waking nightmare filled with her pain and grief and the never ending images. Captain Malcolm Reynolds determines to fix the problem and gain his second back. Will Mal waken feelings long denied in the process? And what will that mean for the tentative progress Mal and Inara are making towards finding one another?
See story notes for disclaimers.
In case you aren't familiar, folks in the Firefly/Serenity 'verse speak a mix of English and Mandarin with many the common folk tendin' to use a colorful western dialect.
Rated: Mature Content
Categories: Primetime Television,
Movies,
Music Characters: Zoe Washburne
Classification: CannonGenre: Drama,
Friendship,
Romance,
Science Fiction Story Status: None
Pairings: Zoe/Wash (Firefly)Warnings: None
Challenges: Song Fic Challenge
Series: None
Chapters: 7
Completed: Yes
Word count: 15644
Read: 24976
Published: 17/07/08
Updated: 31/08/08
Story Notes:
This is a response to the Songfic Challenge. The story is inspired by two songs. Silence by Lizz Wright, which has always reminded me of Firefly, forms the basis for the fic and fulfills the challenge. But...what true browncoat could take up pen to write 'bout the 'verse without including the Firefly Theme Song (written by Joss Whedon)? It just crept in by its own self and not nary one of us could challenge it's right to be here, dong ma?
NOTE: Story occurs just days after the end of the Movie Serenity, so spoilers for the movie and some references to the TV series Firefly as well, nearly every episode in small ways. Watch them first if you want to get all the in-jokes.
DISCLAIMERS: This is a work of fiction based on the shiny 'verse created by Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy, Universal and 20th Century Fox own the rights to the characters, theme songs and the shiny images used in the banners. I just want to keep 'em flyin' a while longer and entertain us here on the raggedy edge. Please don't sully their memory with any ugly accusations 'bout ownership.
Songs belong to them as wrote 'em: Lizz Wright and Joss Whedon
Banners edited down as was told, but twere 'riginally done by Shealyn88 (chapter 2) 'ceptin' them what I done my own self (story title and chapter 1 so far--shiny!). Thankee. Other pics are from screencaps.
FYI: Big Damn Heroes from left: Jayne Cobb, Kaylee Frye, Shepherd Book, Simon Tam, Inara Serra, Malcolm Reynolds, Zoe Washburne, Hoban "Wash" Washburne, River Tam.
1. Chapter 1: Take My Love by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] 
(1707 words)
Zoe's waking nightmare threatens the warrior's calm and resilience.
2. Chapter 2: Whispers and Ghosts by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] (1445 words)
Mal seeks out Inara for help.
graphic from a wallpaper by Shealyn88
3. Chapter 3: The Earth is Always Singing by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] (1901 words)
Zoe goes back to the bunk to have a meeting with Wash.
Nothing too explicit, but there is a little heat in this chapter, so this one is for mature teens and up.
4. Chapter 4:Tell Them I Ain't Comin' Back by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] (3085 words)
Zoe goes searching for River, but finds Mal.
(STORY NOTE: Paquin was mentioned briefly in one episode of Firefly. In the Firefly RPG, Paquin is a place of entertainment, circuses and other diversions, including those for folks with a darker sense of what's tasty.)
And I just fixed a nasty gaping flaw in the middle of the story proving why I should never travel without a beta. If anyone is so moved, let me know. If that annoyed you as much as me, please give it another read.
5. Chapter 5: The Heavens Are Not Weeping by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] (2579 words)
Chapter Notes: So, Zoe's promised Mal to try to keep from dying. Now she's got to figure a way to want to keep living. You'd think River would be more helpful. Guess it's up to Inara. Meanwhile, Mal and Jayne worry over our favorite Amazon. BTW, Jayne Cobb is a man, for those who don't know. For them as not browncoats, I've added a cast poster for Firefly so you will know who's who to the story notes.
Did I mention that shiny means good...I'm adding shiny bright to mean really really good -- if not in this chapter, then the next one.
6. Chapter 6: You Can't Take the Sky From Me by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] (2509 words)
The crew learns about the gift. Jayne challenges Mal. Zoe visits Inara's intentions and makes a decision.
7. Chapter 7: That Silence is a Song by insight spinner [Reviews - 0] 
(2418 words)
Hope
So, Zoe's pregnant and the crew knows about it. Zoe has an announcement for Mal, but how will that sit with Mal? This is the closing chapter, folks. Thanks so much for reading. I welcome detailed comments and critiques on this story and will post revisions if I get them.
