(Untitled)

[righthandwoman]

It's a quiet night on Serenity, with the crew either settled in their bunks or staying at the Washburne family residence

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[righthandwoman]

Right. This should be easy. They're still on the breathing part. It's not 'til the bit with the pushing that things get hard.

...Right?

[simon_doctor]

"All right. Good." Simon's voice is calm, calm. "You're almost six centimeters dilated." To Wash: "You're timing the contractions?"

[flybywash]

"Uh-huh."

Actually, right up until Simon said that, Wash had all of his attention on Zoe. He quickly shifts it back to the clock Phoebe gave him and tries to ignore the way his own stomach keeps seizing up.

"Last one was three minutes ago."

He readjusts his grip on Zoe's hand.

[righthandwoman]

Zoe squeezes Wash's hand, looking to Simon

"That about where they should be?"

Her voice is low and level, if a bit tight.

[simon_doctor]

"Yes. We're well within schedule so far."

[flybywash]

Wash palms the clock, remembers that breathing is sometimes a good thing, and brushes back some of Zoe's hair.

"You doing okay, sweetheart?"

He'll save the comments about breaking out the fearsome brow mop for later.

[righthandwoman]

"'M shiny," Zoe tells him with a smile that only shakes a little.

There's a pause for another deep breath, then, "You?"

[flybywash]

"Me? I'm great. Better than great." Cheerfully, "Especially if you humor me and pretend you can't tell that's a blatant lie."

[righthandwoman]

Sweetly, "'Course I can't, dear."

She readjusts her grip on his hand, fingers a bit sweaty by this point.

"Just remember you're not allowed t' faint, is all. You faint, there's no one in here t' distract me with witty--"

She breaks off briefly as another contraction hits, closer to the last one than the one before it was.

"--banter."

[simon_doctor]

The contractions continue, and move closer together. Zoe pulls herself up to pace the floor for a while, leaning on Wash; Simon stands aside, as there's not much he can do at this stage.

Two and a half minutes apart. Two minutes.

[river_meimei]

There's a head poking around the infirmary doorway. She's probably been there for a few minutes.

River's crouched down, the better to stare at Zoe's belly.

[righthandwoman]

She certainly could have been there for a while without Zoe's noticing.

But as Zoe and Wash reach one end of their pacing circuit and turn, she spots River and nudges Wash's shoulder gently.

"Don't look now, but we've got ourselves an audience."

[river_meimei]

"It's moving," River says, with fascination.

[simon_doctor]

Simon throws a quick look of affection at his sister, a there-and-gone smile, before turning back to Zoe.

"All right, let's check your progress."

[righthandwoman]

Zoe gives a brief nod, moving back towards the infirmary bed. Wash helps her back onto it, retaining his grip on one hand.

[flybywash]

So far, none of Wash's fingers have broken. (Or Zoe's, come to it.) He considers this a decisive victory.

Then again, it's early yet.

He flashes a brief smile at River, which dissolves into a quickly-stifled grimace as he touches his own stomach with his free hand.