A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first Firefly fanfic. I only just watched the season a few weeks ago for the first time and was quite sceptical as it began; sci-fi has been something I have always steered WELL clear of. Soon though I was staying up until 3am watching episode after episode until I sadly ran out just yesterday! This story obviously leaves off where Serenity ended and intends to explore the budding relationship between Mal and Inara and River and Jayne – my two favourite pairings! There will be some Simon/Kaylee but not a lot. Hope you like it! DL.

Disclaimer: All Joss Whedon's genius…I just like to continue the fun and keep my withdrawal symptoms under control!

Chapter One: Bad in the Latin

He watched, his face a mask of indifference, as Inara broke the news of her leaving to the crew of Serenity. Their reactions were as he had expected, no one surprising him with their behaviour. Kaylee immediately began to protest but soon became overcome with tears and ran from the kitchen, most likely heading for the engine room, and Mal watched as Inara forced herself to remain seated, upset by her friends tears.

Simon watched with a worried expression as Kaylee ran from the room and then nodded stoically, taking Rivers hand and heading off after the mechanic. River, of course didn't look at all surprised, and simply smiled sadly as she danced away behind her brother. The girl rarely spoke anymore, sure she was less crazy than before Miranda but it seemed she was shouldering the blame for their losses and locking herself away.

Zoe, naturally, had turned to Mal, waiting on his response with raised eyebrows. Seeing the truth plainly in the pain in Mals eyes she nodded in Inara's direction with a sad smile and then stood, quietly taking her leave. Zoe, like River, was far less vocal than she had been before the loss of Wash. Mal wasn't even sure if his second was sleeping. Simon had offered her sleeping tablets but that conversation had ended quickly. She spent most of the night sitting up on the bridge in the co-pilots seat, staring at the seat Wash used to occupy.

Jayne, who was cleaning his teeth with his bowie knife, simply grunted and walked out of the room muttering something about needing to escape all the 'feelings'. He had warmed considerably, a more 'sensitive' side to Jayne having surfaced, after Miranda but the merc was still entirely uncomfortable with people 'spillin their guts' as he referred to it.

Now only Mal and Inara were left sitting around the large kitchen table, Mal keeping his attention firmly on the wall behind Inara's head and not on her face. Inara felt an ache in her heart as she wondered what Shepherd would have said if he'd have been here. She had never expected form a connection with the Shepherd, their professions being so different but over time they had formed a pleasant rapport with one another

A charged silence fell on the room and Inara waited for Mal to say something. She'd rather he yell at her than keep up this silence; the silence that made her doubt her decision. She loved him, she didn't understand why but knew it to be true, but she couldn't se how it would ever work. Not in this 'verse or any other. She had rented the shuttle for over a year now and had done nothing but hold her tongue when his 'escapades' drew them out to the fringe and the most primitive and uninhabited of moons and worlds. Not only did it cost her money and reputation among clients but it very nearly cost her her life as he had talent for landing the inhabitants of Serenity in the most enchanting of situations. He was about freedom and liberty and abhorred her way of life and on top of that they spent most of their time at each other's throats. After Miranda she honestly thought everything would change but Mal had only grown more distant and his cryptic comments had started to rival the riddles River liked to spin. Inara sighed inwardly, she just wasn't sure if she could give up the life she led. She enjoyed being a Companion; it gave her great satisfaction, she was good at it and was well respected and if her and Mal were going to do nothing but continue this ridiculous dance they had begun the first day she had stepped on board Serenity… Well that was something that she had now nipped in the bud so to speak.

"Never seen Kaylee that upset before." Mal's terse voice broke through the silence and Inara felt her defences rise. Making sure she kept her facial expression composed she turned away from the door through which everyone had fled to focus her attention on her royally gorram pissed off Captain.

"It pains me to see her so distressed."

Mal's face turned three shades off red and her statement and was surprised steam didn't shoot out of his ears, "Ye soo 'Nara, you could at least look like you mean it! Stuff the gorram companion crap 'cause there's none of us here that warrants impressin'."

The gall of that gorram I dunno what… Inara stood, her hands clenched in fists by her side and she worked to keep her voice level. "How I feel is neither any of your business nor does it hold any weight in my decision any longer. But, because you continue to not only insult my profession but question my loyalty and 'feelings' I'll spell out plainly what you seem incapable of figuring out. I'm torn up inside and it feels like my heart has been ripped out of my chest and shredded into a million pieces by a pack of starving reavers. I'm losing the only real place I have ever felt at home and a family as well. I love everyone on this ship and they treat me with the same respect I have for them. For God's sake Mal even Jayne! The only person who causes me any grief on this ship is you and your plan to make my life a misery. So no, I'm not happy about leaving but it's time that I moved on. For my sake and for yours." Though her facial expression had remained composed and her voice level the sarcasm that tainted it was enough to startle even herself. Mal could have been blown over by a stiff wind and sat stunned as Inara made her way out of the room in the direction of her shuttle.

"Mal. Bad in the Latin. Clearly." Rivers unexpected voice from behind him sent Mal shooting out of his chair, heart beating wildly.

"Ain't no one ever teach you not to eavesdrop?" He shoved his chair roughly and went about gathering the dishes and placing them roughly in the sink.

"My turn." River stood beside him as he ran the water, a perturbed look on her face. Mal simply grunted ad continued to go about washing the dishes. He heard a sigh from beside him and soon the pair had the job done; River having taken over the drying. Mal leant back against the bench and crossed his arms, glaring at the chair Inara had occupied only half an hour ago.

"Tears. Guilt. Anger. Not right. "Mal raised an eyebrow and turned his head to meet rivers eerie gaze. "Wrong." She shook her head vehemently. "All wrong!"

"What have I said about getting your gorram nosey reader self outta my head!"

"Some things that broke can't be fixed." She shrugged her thin shoulders and tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Like Inara's tears. Coming going, in and out. Questions, answers, fear and doubt...Just like on Miranda.

Mal stormed out of the roo before her snapped and popped a bullet right through that crazy brain of hers. Something he was sure wouldn't gain him any brownie points with his crew; the crew he suspected had already penned him into their bad books after Inara's announcement. Inara spun a good tale alright: 'bout work, time to move on and parting well but they all knew that he stood, firmly and stubbornly at the root of her decision to leave. Shaking his head he climbed down the ladder into his bunk and kicked the nearest thing to his foot. It was his ship gorramit! They didn't like what went on they could all get their gorram pi gu's out of his way!

In a routine that had become second nature since Miranda Mal retired early, begging the God he wasn't sure he would ever believe in again the keep the nightmares at bay.

A/N: Let me know what you think. Be honest. DL.