Some short drabbles on this couple I constantly seem to get inspiration for. Thought I'd give it a go and see how I do, considering I normally write long chapters/stories.

Please review. Thanks!

Inspiration: "You don't see me that way"

Title: Leaving

Notes: Songfic, somewhat.

Word count: 581

Disclaimer: The song is not mine, and of course neither are the characters.

...

It was a lovely ball, mostly with people chatting and dancing their night away in regal style. They had dinner together beforehand only because her boyfriend could not pick her up as he was rushing from the airport to make it for the event honouring the work of people in the law enforcement; she and him were among the honourees.

Her boyfriend eventually arrived, and he stepped aside, ever the gentleman he was.

"Thank you, Mal," she patted his arm. "I'll see you later, okay?"

He just nodded stiffly, and walked away.

She looked at his retreating figure, disappearing amidst the crowd of tuxes and ballgowns.

Later, he stood at the edge of the party, just holding a glass of champagne and hoping to get out as soon as he could. The event would be ending soon – he would be shouted at if he didn't stay until the closing ceremony.

The last portion of the event was dancing.

She danced with her date; he remained where he was, never wanting to step out onto the floor unless it was with her.

It was then that the acoustic band begun playing the song of his life, and he watched as she glided beautifully across the floor, in the arms of another man.

Then she came up to him suddenly, in the middle of his deep thought processes about her.

"Hey Mal…" she waved up at his face. "Mal! Are you okay?"

He snapped back to reality and looked down at her, his face attempting to hide the pain. He forced a weak smile, not wanting to spoil her night with his moodiness any further.

"I'm fine, Natara. Don't worry about me."

"It's clear this is not where you want to be, Mal. I know how you feel. I'd like to get out of here too, honestly…"

I'd like to tell you and I'd like to say how I feel right now
I'd like to follow you down the hall and see where it goes from there

No, that's not what I'd like to do. You have no idea.

"…but stop being moping, you know it won't help anything. I just don't want to see you go down that path again, not with all the people you've lost in your life…"

Oh but you, you don't care

I know you care, but not in that way.

"…Anyway I've got to go, Mal. Oscar's waiting for me over there…"

You don't see me that way
You don't see the way I look at you when you are not looking at me

He recalled all the countless moments he spent with her, gazing at her while she slept, while she smiled and mused in her own thoughts; even in that moment, as he stood there, she glanced away at her boyfriend waiting at the opposite end of the room, and he looked at her face, so beautiful, so amazing, she was – and he felt as though he could stand no longer.

She turned back to face him and gave him the most genuine smile he had seen from her.

"Take care, okay?"

The emcee was calling for everyone's attention. He was about to call for the closing ceremony to begin. She squeezed his hand and walked away, her curled brown locks and crimson dress flowing along with her every move.

I wish that I could tell you every single thought I ever had about you
And maybe you don't see me that way.

He left.