Sleep Tight....(3) Please leave feedback*

Zoe went to the kitchen, exhausted from the meeting with the job supplier, and made herself some tea. She got comfortable on one of the more comfortable chairs in the room. Ever since Miranda she hasn't slept in their bunk......her bunk. Too many memory's, and she couldn't confront them yet. She told the captain that she would be fine when they boarded Serenity, after fixing her up. Zoe truly did think she would be fine, and she was. It was harder than she realized and didn’t want to come to terms with that fact that her husband was gone, it would take time.

She realized how tired was as she stretched out her arms. Lately, it seemed like she never had enough energy as she did before. Probably from sleeping in the kitchen, she thought to herself.

"Zoe, you have a bunk for a reason," said Mal, as he entered the kitchen seeing her starting to fall asleep.

"I know, sir, just not that tired," replied Zoe, shaking off her sleepiness.

"You know, Zoe, I was thinkin' maybe we could take a few days off, rest up a bit."

"Can we afford to do that, sir?" replied Zoe. “Well, not really, but you..”

“I’ll be fine,” Zoe said as she looked resolutely at him.

Mal stood there looking at Zoe as she started to drink her tea. Mal sighed knowing she was in pain over the loss of Wash and knew there was nothing he could do to ease her pain. He left the room knowing that she would fall asleep their tonight, again. Once Zoe saw that the Captain was completely gone, she got comfortable again.

"Lamby-toes, you should go to bed."

"No, I want to stay here with you, husband." said Zoe

"You know, Captain knows you've been sleeping here. Zoe, he's worried about you." Wash said with a concerned look on his face, as he held her close to him.

"I don't care."

"WHAT! You have to care or I can't be the jealous husband, and I was getting good at making you feel guilty." Wash said with a smug grin appearing on his face. "So, River has become a pilot. What next? Will Simon actually kiss lil' Kaylee before she goes crazy?" he asked with a laugh.

"He has," replied Zoe, glad to hear his laugh again.

"Really?" said Wash, stupefied, "Okay, now what's next? Did Jayne get so drunk he wore a dress?" he asked, waiting to see if that had happened. Secretly hoping it hadn't, 'cause he wasn't there to make comments, and he could think of a couple of good ones.

"No, and if I'm lucky enough, it will stay like that." said Zoe, with a little smile, looking at her husband, who seemed to be relieved. "I love our little chats." said Zoe, thinking of everything she told him the nights before."

Wash looked at her sadly, "You should go." `

"I ain't leavin'."

"Zo, I wish you could stay, but you can't. You’re slipping and you need to get your ground again." Wash said rather seriously.

"Wash....I'm so sorry. I should have seen them; I shouldn't have let my guard down." Zoe hugged him while she cried on his shoulder.

"Hey, you never cry," said Wash

"I never had much reason to," she replied, trying to regain her composure and leaning her forehead on his.

"There you go, much better without all those tears." he said as he wiped her eyes and cheeks with his hand. Still so soft, he thought as he touched her skin. "You’re my warrior woman, you know that, right?" He looked at her and found her smiling at him.

"Where are you going?" asked Zoe, afraid to let him go as he started to move away from her.

"I have to leave."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow night." said Zoe

Wash looked at her with sadness in his eyes, "No, you won't. You have to move on, your going to get sick."

"No! This is the only time I see you, you’re my husband."

"Was. I was your husband, and as for this, it isn't real. I love you, and I will always have loved you, lamby-toes." he said as he glanced at her one last time, smiling a sad smile.

"I love you, husband." said Zoe, with one single tear falling down her cheek. "Wash?"

Wash stopped walking and turned around.

"Can I have one last kiss? I know this is a dream, but let me be able to at least give you a good-bye kiss."

Wash started walking towards her, and she started to think of what a beautiful life they had, grant it they were crooks, but they had each other. Wash came up to her, grazing her jaw line with his hand. As their lips met, an overflow of emotions passed through their bodies. Zoe could see every memory that they had made together, as they kissed. Tears starting to fall again.... Zoe opened her eyes, to find herself in the kitchen, and to find herself alone, Wash nowhere in sight. She sadly sat up from the table and thought about the dream, making sure not to forget anything. Her body ached from not getting a good night’s rest. Wash was right; I do need to find some ground.

She thought of the dream, and she thought of the kiss. What a kiss! It felt so real, even though it was just a dream, and the memories. Tears started to swell in her eyes as she remembered the memories. The first day they met how he had a mustache and gave her the creeps. Their wedding day, and the way they made each other laugh. Those nights that was so full of passion and tenderness.

Getting up from her seat she sighed wondering how she was going to be able to get some sleep tonight. She went and turned the lights off as she left the kitchen and went to her bunk....