Somewhere Over The Rainbow

BEEN A WHILE

“It's been a while,” River said to no one in particular.

Jayne and Mal exchanged a glance between them because it had been awhile since the Reader had said anything so out of the blue. A silent conversation slash staring contest went on between them as to which one of them was going to ask the next question. Mal lost and had opened his mouth to speak when Zoe slammed her cup down on the table and walked out.

Oh, he thought, watching Zoe leave.

“You probably shouldn't have done that, River,” Mal said as he followed his first mate out the door.

“What was that about, Moonbrain?” Jayne asked.

“Trying to help,” said River.

“Got the creepiest way of helping I ever seen.”

“Not trying to help you.”

“Good. And don't start.”

Mal went in search of Zoe. He found her standing on the bridge, staring out into the Black. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I help?”

She let out a little laugh. He came closer to her and laid a hand on her arm.

“Is this about the other day?” he asked.

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“I shouldn't have done it. It was too soon. Can we go back to just being friends? Fellow crew members? Acquaintances on the same ship?”

“Been with you too long for any of that, Mal.” She met his eyes in their reflection in the glass.

“What do you want?” he whispered.

“I want this feeling to go away.”

“You don't have nothing to feel guilty for. If Wash was here, nothing would have happened.”

“I don't feel guilty.”

“What do you feel?”

“Nervous. I don't know how to be around you anymore.”

“It was one kiss.”

“And I want there to be more than that!” she yelled, finally turning toward him.

He was moving before either one of them could say anything to ruin it, pulling her into his arms, pressing his lips against hers.

“It's been a while,” she whispered.

He smiled, lacing her fingers with his own and walking hand in hand with her to his bunk. “I'm sure it'll come back to you.”