Mal woke early the next morning. He had slept well. He went down
kitchen, smiling for no apparent reason. When he saw Inara come in, his
smile broadened. He was too happy to see her that he didn't even notice the
signs of fatigue in her eyes. Inara hadn't slept at all.
"Mornin', Inara." he said, cheerfully.
"Good morning." she said, and then, in her serious-conversation-time
voice, she simply said, "Mal..."
Mal felt his heart sinking, and his smile was gone. She was leaving.
But he had been so sure last night...
Realizing she would have to do all the talking for now, Inara went on.
"Mal, I want to stay on Serenity."
Mal had been awake for ten minutes and this rollercoaster of emotion
was too much. Once able to breathe again, he said with a grin,
"I'll have your shuttle fitted up right away."
"No...no...I, uh, I'm not...I'm not going to be a companion anymore."
Mal felt the need to splash cold water on his face to wake himself up.
"What I'm asking, Mal, is to be part of...your crew. I mean, there must
be something I can-"
" 'Nara, you have always been a part of my crew whether you knew it
or not." he reached out and gently touched her cheek. She leaned into his hand.
"I can stay?"
"Darlin', there is nothing that could make me happier." he said
sincerely.
Inara leaned forward and rested her head on his chest. He was
surprised, though pleasantly, and he held her tight. It felt so good to hold her
that he decided if anyone walked into this room they would get shot. Then
he would resuscitate them, and shoot them again. Inara pulled away a little,
just to look at him.
"We've never made anything easy have we?"
"For a couple of people who hate complications, we sure know how
to make 'em."
She smiled, "Well we'll have to change that. But I don't know
exactly where to start."
"First of all, we need to make this huggin' thing a more common
occurrence."
In classic Inara fashion, she said, "Just hugging?" and walked away.
Naturally, Mal followed.