Disclaimer: Just drabbley fluff, meant as a scene filler from the episode "Serenity" from 'Firefly'. I own nothing, just my thoughts; the rest belongs to Joss Whedon and Mutant enemy…
Pairing: Inara/Kaylee of a sorts…I guess potentially implied might be the best way of putting it…could equally be seen as a simple friendship piece, no worries whichever way floats your boat.
Rating: PG
Mal rounded on Inara once they'd seen Kaylee through her surgery, gripping the protesting Companion tightly by the elbow and propelling her into a nearby secluded corner of the ship.
"Don't you ever challenge me in front of crew like that…"
Inara's eyebrows furrowed "Get your hands off me" she replied tersely taking his hand in hers and forcibly removing it from her elbow "You'd rather have let Kaylee die than have your authority challenged?" she asked in icy tones "Because that was the other option"
"What would you have me do?" barked Mal
"Choose to run if it would save her…save any crew member, it's not always the cowards way out, sometimes it is far braver and smarter to admit defeat, she's more dear to everyone than maybe you are willing to accept. I know I'd rather die than see such harm befall her, and I don't think I'd be alone" she added with a knowing glance at him
Mal visibly sagged "That you wouldn't…just don't challenge me again Inara" he said wearily "I'm Captain on this boat and it stays that way no matter what"
Inara looked at him "Very well Captain, I'll bear that in mind" she said quietly emphasising the title
Mal nodded satisfied that he had made his point "You just do that" he replied then stalked off towards the bridge, leaving Inara huddled alone in the corner
"Not if it will bring harm to her Mal" she muttered after his retreating form before raising a hand to brush errant tears from her cheeks. She stayed there for a moment then straightened herself out and went to see Kaylee in the medical bay.