Not Their First Rodeo

Rated: G

Category: All-Dialogue Double Drabble; Gen; Mal and Zoë Friendship.

Spoilers: BDM.

Summary: After the events of the BDM, Mal's not in a hurry to inspect Serenity, and Zoë's got her own reasons to avoid the ship - or at least part of her. But they'll get over it. After all, this ain't their first rodeo.

Note: Written for the "word vomit" all-dialogue challenge on LJ's Whedonland. Second Place Winner!

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"Sir?"

"Zoë."

"Know why I'm here?"

"Got a notion."

"And?"

"And I'm thinkin I don't wanna do it."

"You ain't even seen her since before. You're puttin it off."

"I'm in a hospital, Zoë."

"That's never kept you from anything before."

"I got more holes in me than a sponge! Ain't no little scratches here!"

"Huh. Never thought I'd see you takin the coward's way out."

"Who you callin a coward? What about you? I'm bettin you ain't seen her, neither!"

"Actually, I have."

"Oh."

"And I believe I have more reason than you to avoid her."

"Guess that's so. I ain't got a choice here, do I?"

"No."

"Don't know if I can stomach what I did to her… to you… to everyone… you really been back?"

"I have."

"Even…"

"No. Not there. Not yet."

"Understand that. God, how can you stand talkin to me?"

"You don't smell that bad."

"You know what I mean."

"That I do. Wasn't your fault, sir. We made a choice. Ended bad for Wash, but it was our choice."

"Still… not sure I could handle visitin her bridge my own self."

"I'll go with you."

"You sure?"

"We've seen worse."

"Together, then?"

"Always."