Disclaimer: I don't own this, Joss does, & I don't know him, so I can't ask him to let me use it. It's his 'verse, I just choose to spend a great deal of my time there.

a/n: this is my 1st Firefly fic! Just a little oneshot I thought up. Hope you like it! Set after Serenity(movie, not Pilot). MalxInara


"I-I don't know."

"Good answer."


Take Her Advice

- o -

"You do really have pretty hair." Kaylee was sitting at the table, watching River draw. "Doesn't she have pretty hair?" Kaylee asked Inara, who just walked in.

"She certainly does. Think of how pretty it would be if we washed and brushed it." Inara said with a smile.

"Cleanliness is a state of mind. Physical appearance is unimportant." River said, not looking up.

"Yeah, but it's always nice to feel pretty. Come on River, let us wash your hair. Then afterward, Inara can put it up for you." Kaylee wheedled.

"Fine." River pouted.

000

Mal was annoyed. He couldn't find his mechanic or his pilot anywhere. The Doc didn't even know where they were. He was passing the passenger dorm on his way to ask Inara whether she'd seen them, when he heard female voices and laughter.

When he opened the door to Simon and River's room, he saw a sight he didn't expect to see. Inara was sitting on River's bed. River was perched on a stool with a towel around her shoulders, her head in the sink. Kaylee was standing next to her, rinsing some foam-y stuff out of River's hair. Both Kaylee and Inara looked up when the captain entered, amused smiles on their faces.

"What the hell is going on here?

"We're washing River's hair, Cap'n." said Kaylee brightly.

He looked at Inara. "Hey, it was Kaylee's idea. I just provided the shampoo." She said, holding up her hands.

Mal turned back to Kaylee and River. "And what about you, li'l Albatross, what's your stand on this?"

"Didn't want to, not at first." River spoke with her eyes closed "Didn't like complications. But thought about it, couldn't help it. Started to want to. Too much to stop. Might work. Be worth it if it did. Finally caved. Give it a try."

Kaylee looked from Mal, who looked like he had been punched in the stomach, to Inara, whose eyes were wide with shock, and hid a grin.

River opened her eyes and smiled mischievously. "Didn't want to get my hair washed." She explained.

Mal grunted. Just as he was walking out of the door, Kaylee spoke up.

"You know, you should really take her advice, Cap'n."

Mal froze. He turned slowly on the spot. If he had been shocked before, it was nothing compared to what he was now.

"About washing your hair. It looks like it could use it."

Mal opened his mouth, apparently decided against whatever he was going to say, and walked away.

He didn't see Kaylee and River exchange glances or Inara shoot a glare at the pair of them.


"Besides, why would I want to leave Serenity?"

"Can't think of a reason."


a/n: well, The End! Hope you like it! Not my best, but I think the idea is cute.

1st quote from Serenity.

2nd quote from "Shindig".

& just to clear thing up, this was not an elaborate scheme to get Mal & Inara together, but River & Kaylee did understand the implications of what they were saying.