Of corse these are not my charecters, but damn did I enjoy playing with them

**This is my first attempt at Fanfic Please don't be too mean, oh, and I don't have spell check, so, sorry about that too. If this is enjoyed I do happen to have a few others that follow this...**

Mal and Zoë stood on the bridge watching River at the controls still surrounded by many of Wash's dinosaurs. After the discoveries made on Miranda, River seemed to calm down. Her regular outbursts were down to one or two a week. River's flying was good. Not nearly as good as Wash but good none the less. Simon was right about her ablity to learn anything. They were soon to be breaking atmo on Persephone. Zoë smiled as she saw the sunset on the oposite side of the faimiliar planet. "That might be the first time I've seen that in a while" Mal noted with out even turning his head to her. "Reminds me of him, thats all sir" Zoë replied without making eye contact with either people on the bridge. Serenity shook slightly as they began the desent on to the planet. A stonger jerk to the ship and Zoë's face went pale. Moments later she was bent over a pile of boxes in the corner vomiting. Mal rushed over to her. "You ok?" Mal's look of concern for his first mate and best friend was streched across his face openly. After Wash's death Mal was sometimes overly concerned for Zoë. He would do anything in his power to console her. "Fine, I'm fine sir, just a little air sick Zoë lifted her head slowly. "You've never been air sick, Go see the Doc." Mal stared at her. "Its probably just a stomach bug. See, fine." Zoë straightedher posture. "Doctor. Now. Dong ma?" Mal said angrily as he pointed off the bridge. With out another word Zoë turned and walked off the bridge, though she didn't head to the infermery. She opened the hach to her bunk she once shared with her husband. As she pulled out the vanity to brush her teeth she teared up. After rinsing out her mouth Zoë laid on her bunk and held a capture of her wedding exactly five years earlier. She never thought she could ever have been as happy and in love as she had been. She also never thought she feel so hurt and alone. Zoë curled up on her bunk, alone, gripping her stomach and openly weeped. ~*~ As Serenity docked on Persephone the entire crew gathered in the cargo bay. Jayne and Mal were suited to go out on a job. Kaylee and Simon walked out of the passenger area looking smitten. River walked slowly down the stairs from the bridge, staring at each step like they were telling her secrets. "Nice landing little one." Mal looked up at River. "We'll be parked on this rock for a few days, So get comfortable." he stated to the crew. Zoë walked down from the crew bunks. Gun strapped to her hip, bullet proof vest on, ready for the job. Her eyes were still puffy from her crying earlier. Her face still slightly flush. She had a cold stare that Mal had seen before, she wanted a fight. "Time to go deal with that weasel" She shook her head. Zoë was sick of working with Badger. Everytime they did, something went wrong. Mal turned and gave her a strange look. Simon stepped forward and touched her arm. "Maybe you should stay with us on the ship." He shot her a stearn look. "Zoë, I need you to get better, stay here, get better. Deal with it." Mal shot her a look that ment he was serious. "But, sir" she began to fight, she needed the inevitable violence to take her mind of Wash, their comming aniversery, and other current events that had been clouding her mind the last few weeks. "Doctors orders." Mal and Jayne walked off the ship. "I'll give ol' Badge a good punch for ya" Jayne called to her. River and Kaylee had been clearing off the dirty blackened mule. They were off to pick up supplies and refuel the ship. Kaylee had been teaching River more and more about the ship's matenence. She loved learning new things and loved being helpful. Today Kaylee was going to show her how to haggle prices. Simon looked at Zoë, "Could I see you in the Infermery for a moment?" He let her lead the way. He gestured for her to sit on the bed. "Remember a few days ago when you came to me? Well I did all the tests you asked for, and one you didn't. Like I told you, you are in perfect physical health." He started to explain. "Something is wrong. I keep getting sick. I never feel it coming on. I was on the bridge earlier and out of nowhere, I vomited. I've been getting sick to my stomace for weeks now, but that was the first time actually being physicaly sick. This isn't normal." Zoë laid her head back on the bed as Simon shot some random medication into her arm. She shot him a questioning look. "SPVs." He turned at checked something on the computer screen behind him. "SPV?" "Standard PreNatel Vitamins" Simon turned back to her, Zoë, you're pregnant" "What? I can't be." Zoë's eyes widened with shock. "Almost three months. It must have been just days before..." He trailed off. "How..." She trailed off as she stood slowly and walked off. "I need air" She walked off in a daze. With out thinking she ended up in the pilots chair on the bridge. Zoë picked up one of the stray dinosaurs off the controls and staired up at the sky. ~*~ Simon walked quitly up to Zoë. "I have to pick up a few things off ship, are you going to be ok alone?" "Im fine." She said stearnly. He didn't want to press her because Simon knew Zoë would punch him he did. He went to his dorm and pulled a stash of money from inside a rip in his matress. He knew Jayne had more than once taken money from him and wasn't going to give him any more chances, one of the perks of having a reader for a sister. Simon knew River and Kaylee would be back shortly and wanted to get his shopping done before they returned. Walking through small shops and street mercents He found everything he was looking for. A few fresh foods and a small gift for Zoë. Simon had just safly tucked the gift into his bag when he saw the Captain and Jayne heading in his direction. Mal never realized how close his crew had become over the last few months. As he stood silent as Simon expained his idea to have a full fleged real meal, no packaged protein, to honor Wash and Book, their falled crew members. He knew as he heard the plan Zoë could use it. No one talked about Wash. No one wanted to question what happened. Mal didn't even want to question it. When they had returned to Serenity, after they had broadcast the truth about Miranda, the body of Wash was gone. Each of them had a theory as to what had happened, but no one, not even Jayne dare say anything. It had been three months and no one ever spoke of Wash. Mal knew that was ripping Zoë to peices inside and Simon seemed to have a good idea. Jayne even bought fresh fruits for the dinner. The three returned with armfuls. Fresh fruits, six steaks, wine, cider and even chocolate. The first thing they heard when they walked onto Sereneity was Kaylee's voice. "What did you say to her? Zoë is just sitting on the Bridge. I think she might be crying, not sure though, she wouldn't say a darn thing." Kaylee looked upset untill she saw the small box of strawberries Jayne had in his hand. River sat at the bottom of the stairs singing lullabies grinning. Within seconds Simon knew that she knew about the baby. He took her out of hearing range of the others. "What do you know, mei-mei?" "She smiles again. He isn't gone. Forever was promiced and forever he gave her." River looked up. "You have to stay quiet, This is her happines to share, not ours. Do you understand River?" Simon asked. "He'll be sooner than you think." She turned on her heal and was off to help in the mess prepare the food. ~*~ Once the food was prepared Simon went to get Zoë. She still sat on the bridge, humming to herself. "Zoë, I picked you up something off ship. Thought you might like it." from his bag he pulled a small mobile with six different space ships. "The second one is a firefly. Maybe it will help you teach the little one about its father." "This is the sweetest thing you could have done. Thank you." She stood and hugged him. "That isn't exactly all. We have decied that a memorial dinner in honor of our friends was in order and Kaylee and River cooked all kinds of fresh foods. It smells so good below deck... Lets go." He gestured her to the door and with the promise of fresh foods had no problem getting her to leave the bridge. ~*~ The six crew members sat around the table drinking fine wine or apple cider, eating good food and sharing stories about their fallen friends. Jayne relived conversations had with Shepard Book while lifting weights. Kaylee shared a story from right after she took up with Serenity and its crew she had broken a moniter on the ships controls and how Wash took the blame for her. Mal told everyone about the time Zoë beat him up after he ordered her not to marry Wash. River had everyone laughing over the Shepard's hair. While Simon spoke of Wash's concern for his and his sister's lives when they were on Whitefall. Zoë didn't say much through all the talk but smiled along with everyone. Mal reached out and patted her on the hand. The table slowly went quiet waiting for Zoë's stories. She looked around at everyone at the table. "We are a family. I don't know when it happened but it did. I am so glad that I've know you all but before we continue this beautiful meal I have to share something with all of you. I need to leave the ship. I want to go to Muir and meet Wash's family. No. I need to. Did anyone know if he was alive we would have been married for five years today? I know nothing more than he has three brothers and a sister. They need to know about me, about his death and about my baby." "Your what?" Kaylee asked shocked. "The Doc told me today. I'm three months pregnant. I can't live this life while I am tring to make life." Zoë smiled softly. "You can and you will" Mal said matter of factly. "We'll baby proof the ship when it comes to that." "You said we were a family and we have lost too many to loose you too." Kaylee was starting to cry. "It won't be for a while but I need you'll to understand what I need." Zoë didn't wnat to leave them in the dark. Jayne was still stuffing his face full of food. "You know no one here is going to let you just walk out of here with out a fight?" "No ones leaveing. When he comes you'll all see." River stated. The bustle at the table quieted down and they were all silent for a few minuets, except for the chewing noises Jayne made. Zoë broke the quiet with the story of the first time Wash smacked her but while she walked past him and how she knocked him out so fast he could barly remember doing it in the first place. As they finished eating and cleaning the table and dishes Zoë continued to tell them stories of Wash. Everyone slowly left the mess untill only Simon and Zoë sat there. With a big yawn Simon stood to leave,"I'll see you in the morning for your SPV?" "0900 Sharp." Zoë smiled. Looking at his watch, "Lets make that 1000? Are you sure you'll be ok alone?" "Im not." Zoë placed her hand on her stomach.