"I knew it!' Malcolm Reynolds stated triumphantly. "You kissed me!"
"Yes," Inara admitted. "I did."
Malcolm's triumphant smile melted into confusion. "Why?" he asked.
"Why what?" asked Inara.
"Why did you…you know,"
"Kiss you?" Inara supplied as Malcolm nodded. "Well I—she…"
"Inara?"
Inara sighed and looked up into the Captain's eyes. "She said that she was the widow of Captain Reynolds, implying that you were dead and I…I couldn't…I wasn't…"
"You kissed me when you found me alive." Malcolm finished, watching as she nodded.
"I was just so relieved."
Malcolm took a step towards Inara. "Why?" he asked softly.
"Why what?" asked Inara even though she knew exactly what he was asking.
"You heard me," Malcolm stated. "Why were you relieved?"
"Oh Mal," Inara sighed as she reached up and gently touched Malcolm's face. "Haven't you figured it out yet?" she asked, looking sad and somewhat defeated. She looked into Malcolm's eyes and although she could see the answer in his eyes, she knew that he wasn't ready to say it yet. "Well, when you figure it out let me know."
And with that Inara walked away, leaving a very unsure captain behind her.
**DISCLAIMER: the characters portrayed above do not belong to me. They belong to Joss Wheadon. I've just borrowed them temporarily & I'm getting no financial gain from this.