Disclaimer- I don't own any of the characters in this story. They strictly belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and anyone who put's their names on 'Firefly'/'Serenity'.

I don't respond well to plagiarism, so refrain from doing so.

This is my first 'Firefly'/'Serenity' fanfiction so post some feedback, constructive criticism is welcome. Thank you, enjoy. :)

Chapter 1 A blackness settled over the crew of Serenity as they returned from the hard and depressing last good-byes to Shepherd Book, Mr. Universe and above all, Wash. The crew, unconsciously, followed Zoe into the galley and they all took their places; Mal just stopping by the kitchen sink, River bunched in the corner of the kitchen counter, Kaylee in the flashy fabric-covered chair in the dining area, Inara and Simon beside her, Jane at one end of the long table and Zoe, at the other. They were all who were left. It was uncomfortable for everyone, to experience the silence that replaced Wash's uplifting humor. That awkward humor would do over the awkward silence that engulfed the room like a disturbing smell. Nothing but the breathing of Jayne and Mal could be heard. It was hard to tell if Zoe took in breaths, or if she was even trying. Zoe looked at the bowl of fresh fruit that sat stagnate on the table and took one. She held it in her hands and admired the rosiness of it's smooth skin, the feel of it on her fingertips. She gripped it tight, as if holding on for dear life. The group around her watched as she did without really watching. Just then, Zoe takes a bite out of it, quick and deep. The group stared at her in amazement, except for Mal. She had never eaten an apple without her knife. Zoe felt the groups eyes on her as she chewed and looked up to meet their astounded expressions. She studied each and every mourningful face, each one afraid to make eye contact, except River; who kept her eyes locked on Zoe, studying her. Zoe decided to get up from the table and grabbed the train of her white satin and silk dress, her funeral dress, apple in the other hand. Inara got up and met Zoe at the doorway. "Zoe, you look extremely elegant in your dress," she complimented softly, as though her voice would shatter the glasses and window if she were to speak a little louder. Zoe managed to break a small, internally meaningless, smile. She nodded and continued further, standing face to face with Mal. They spoke without speaking. 'You can go, Zoe. You don't have to stay in here with us.' Mal expressed on his face, a deeply sympathetic look written on his rugged facial features. Zoe nodded and headed for her bunk. Mal looked back at what was left of his crew. Grief painted itself on everyone's' faces. It was hard to ignore, it was hard to misread. "I can't believe Wash is gone." Kaylee whispered, her eyes clouding with tears ready to fall at her next blink. "Hey, we're all sad, Zoe's shot with it the most. I reckon we all keep it together, for her. Understood? Good. We just all have to keep our heads." Mal ordered. They all agreed without question.

~*~*~*~*~*~* Zoe opened the door to her bunk and climbed down into it. She made sure no one walked down that hall and closed the door behind her. She looked around the room. A bed that Wash and she shared, a dresser covered in plastic, long extinct dinosaurs, his loud and flashy button-up shirt resting on the floor. She fell to the floor and gathered the shirt into her arms. She brought the shirt to her nose and breathed in Wash's scent into her lungs. This absence of Wash filled her and broke her apart. She let go in the confines of her room and cried desperately into his shirt. The road ahead was going to be a bumpy one. She could feel it wrap tight on her bones. Her strength was gone, forever.