Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Summary: This story is based off of CottonWoolFairy's set of vignette's called Sweet Nothings. I decided to put them all into the same story. It's about Mal and Inara. And all the many kisses the share in my little dream world. So here ya go.
"Jayne!" the annoyance in Mal's voice showed as it crackled over the ship's comm. from the cargo hold. "Grab Vera and lets go!"
It was their first job in months. Zoe, Simon, Kaylee and Inara were waiting in the hold. Zoe and Inara stood on opposite sides of the ramp eyeing the fuss Kaylee was making. She was fawning over her newfound boyfriend, as he got ready to take off in the mule with the captain.
"And be careful! Do as cap'n says." she said buttoning up his over coat as if he were a child, incapable of doing it himself. "An' don't forget-"
He cut her off. "Bao bei, don't worry. I'll be just fine." As he said his last words he gently kissed her forehead.
"I know Simon. It's jus' we ain't got no one to fix you up if 'nthing happens to ya." Her head fell from the sadness she felt even thinking that harm might come to her love.
"I'll be just shiny." he said hugging her reassuringly. She lifted her face to grin at him for his use of her favorite word.
The loud clank of boots told them all that Jayne was ready with Vera in tow. Simon gave Kaylee one last deep kiss on the lips before making his way down the ramp and into the mule. Kaylee walked up the ramp, passed Inara, and up the stairs to stand next to River on the catwalk.
"They wont see it coming." River mumbled. "Things just happen that way."
"What d'ya mean, River?" Kaylee asked slightly worried that she meant the job would go south like most of the others.
"Watch." River responded, intrigued by the people below. She sat down on the edge of the metal deck, swinging her legs and leaning over the middle bar.
"River, you have control of the ship! No flyin' her anywheres that ain't comin' to save us or somewheres out of trouble! Dong ma?" Mal yelled from the hold below.
"Kaylee, I'll be sure to get you them parts you been needing. For now just do your best." Mal turned and strode toward the ramp of Serenity, his brown coat swinging in his wake, and gun in its holster. He briskly nods to Jayne who falls in step behind him, followed by the first mate, strapping her gun to her waist as she goes. Quick wave back to the girls. Quick peck on the cheek for Inara. He walks on for a few more paces before he realizes what he's just done. Mal turns around, the confusion evident on his face. Zoe and Jayne continue to march on while Mal stands shocked facing an equally stunned Inara. He takes a few slow steps until he is right in front of her, her hand lightly resting on the place his lips had touched. He bends down and leans in close to her ear. Breathe tickling her soft flesh.
"'Nara. What the hell was that?" he said calmly.
"I-I don't know, Mal." she stuttered, failing her training one hundred percent.
"Sir, we best be gettin' a move on." Yelled Zoe over the hum of the mule's engine.
Inara stumbled to say something or anything for that matter. "Uh, Mal, don't forget to pick up a present for Kaylee's birthday. That's is if you still want to chip in to get her something together." Inara lowered her voice. "We can talk later about... uh... that."
Mal nodded, unsure of what to say at this point. He turned, walked down the ramp and hopped into the mule. As the crew sped away, Inara turned, her hand still on her cheek and mumbled, "Ai-ya."
"See?" River said matter-of-factly. "She didn't see that coming and neither did he." River giggled as she stood and skipped through the door and into the common area.
