"Kiss her, sir."
"Whaaaaaaaat?"
"Yes, what?"
Mal and Inara had been having a Moment. Or what passed for a Moment with them— when it was obvious to everyone but them that they were in love. And Zoe had decided she couldn't let this go on any further.
"You may not know it, but the rest of us do. You're in love with her, and you're going to kiss her. Right now."
"No I'm not."
"No he's not!"
"Yeah, Captain! Kiss her!"
Kaylee sat on the stairs with her hands on her knee, River beside her.
"Who's flyin' the ship?" asked Mal.
"Momentum," said River, "She doesn't need me right now."
"Yep. There's some resolution coming, and I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Kaylee.
"Does everyone on this ship want me to kiss her?"
"Not me," said Jayne.
"Thank you," said Inara.
"Sir, I'm not standing here and watching you be an idiot anymore," said Zoe.
"I'm not kissing anyone!"
"Yes! He's not kissing anyone!"
"Want to. I've seen." River smiled. "Cute."
"Cute?"
"Yes. You love her, but you won't tie her down... Can't drag her to your level."
"I what?"
"And you can't... too complicated. You're both... scared."
"This is one of the best shows I ever seen," said Jayne.
"Yeah, well, show's over, off to work, all of you. That's an order!" said Mal.
Reluctantly, the crew all scattered to where they belonged.
"That's a relief," said Inara.
"Yep. ...'Nara?"
"Yes?"
Mal slowly and hesitantly put a hand on her arm, then quickly wrapped his arm around her and kissed her. In surprise she pressed back, then pulled away.
"Guess River knows what she's talking 'bout," he said.
"Mal..."
"I can't let you go again, Inara, and—"
He couldn't finish his sentence, because his lips were occupied with Inara's.