DEFYING GRAVITY - JEN/ZOE

Love the One You’re With

Fallon Ash

Title: Love the One You’re With: How Jen got laid for six years in outer space (and told Zoe all about it) – the first installment

Author: Fallon Ash

Fandom: Defying Gravity

Pairing: Jen/Zoe (brief mentions of Jen/Ted, Jen/Rollie)

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I don’t own them.

Word Count: 382

Summary: “I don’t even know her, but already I don’t like her.”

Author’s Note: This being written before the show has actually premiered, I have no idea how gravity is gonna work on that space ship, but they’re walking in that one clip (and also no idea about anything else). Also, I’m modeling the sleeping quarters on Firefly. X-posted to defygravity_fem.

Love the One You’re With

Fallon Ash

“I don’t like her.” Zoe propped herself up on an elbow where she was sprawled on her bunk to look at Jen, seated on the floor next to her. “I don’t even know her, but already I don’t like her.”

“It’s the being in your face and filming everything while being chipper and excited, but you’re not sure if she’s excited about what’s going on, or about what filming it will do to further her career.”

“Oh. Is that why?”

“Well, that’s why I don’t like her. I have no idea why you don’t like her.”

Zoe laid her head back down on the pillow. “Before we left I was excited about being on TV. Being recognized for doing important work…”

“And now?” Jen prompted when Zoe didn’t follow up.

“And now,” and then her voice grew more emphatic. “And now there are certain things I don’t want her to find out, and I resent her for making me have to keep you a secret.”

“Everyone is keeping secrets from her. We don’t have to keep it a secret from the others. Hell, I think everyone knows about me and Ted. I don’t care about them, just as long as she doesn’t find out and broadcasts it back to Rollie and Eve.”

“I don’t understand how you can be so calm about it. We’ve been out here less than a month, and you’re already sleeping with two people, neither of whom is the one you’re married to.”

“We’re gonna be out here 6 years. When we realized Rollie wouldn’t be able to come, we came to an understanding… We’re both realistic enough to realize that 6 years is a really long time. I’ll still love him, but I have no idea what’s gonna happen when we get back to Earth.”

“I…” Zoe fell silent.

“Zoe.” Jen pushed herself up from the floor, seated herself awkwardly on the narrow mattress. “When it comes to my career, nothing is more important than planning for the future. But emotionally, I don’t. I’m here, you’re here, Rollie isn’t.”

Zoe looked at her intently for a moment, then reached up to push her fingers into Jen’s hair, seemingly having come to a conclusion. “You’re here, I’m here…”

Jen smiled. “I was hoping you’d say something like that.”

for now

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