NOTICE: The traditional obligatory offering to Boss Joss. Love his work, got bored, and decided to to run with it!

Mal/Inara centric fic. When an old face from Inara's past arrives on Serenity, will Mal be able to handle the competition? Will the two finally be able to get over themselves and admit their feelings for one another? (Sequel to "Loyalties"...spoilers to prequel included!)

Humor, smut, jealousy, with just a dash of angst thrown in later chapters to make things interesting. ;D Bask in the Mal/Inara-ness!

CHAPTER 1

It was well into the afternoon, and Inara Serra stood at the stove top of the kitchen, watching absentmindedly as steam slowly drifted up from the tea kettle she had set on the hot iron top. Serenity was silent. Still.

Mal had sent the crew off on shore leave for the day, hoping to let them blow off some steam before they had to start improvising where their next meal was coming from. Inara had chosen to stay on board, citing the lack of legitimate opportunities for clients out here, but in truth, she was content to relax with some peace and quiet alone.

They others were likely to remain scarce until well into the evening, Simon and Kaylee, especially. Inara smiled thinking on the young mechanic trying her damndest to prove to Simon just how much she loved him, even enough so to convince him to let them splurge on a romantic day trip. Zoe had gone into town with River in tow, glad of the chance to let the local color distract themselves a bit from the dearth of low paying crime they'd managed to scrape up lately. Jayne was...actually, Inara wasn't rightly sure she wanted to know what Jayne could get himself up to in 24 hours. Finding his own special brand of 'local color', she assumed.

And as for Mal, wherever the captain was, it was likely to caught up in his own mind.

He had led his crew to the brink of horror and death. Not everyone had survived. And the rest of them were fugitives from the law. They were practically bleeding fuel, money, and food.

It had only been a few weeks since Commander Draedon. The psychopath had left scars on everyone. He'd tried to sell them off to the Alliance, he'd tried to murder Mal, he'd kidnapped and terrorized Kaylee. They weren't the kind to sit idly while one of their own was threatened. Their own. It had taken Inara a long time to admit it, but she considered herself a member of this crew. Of course, that came with a great diversity of pros and cons. Including having to heed the Captain's orders, a privilege of which he loved to remind her.

Mal had barely made it out alive; he was still healing from his gunshots. Inara had been by his side as he nearly bled to death on the dusty earth, ready to meet his Maker. She shuddered at the memory. At least and the captain had come to an understanding after the incident with Dreadon. Things were calmer, more polite. They hadn't spoken much, though. Maybe Mal was just tired. Maybe Inara was just avoiding him. If the captain had remembered her confessions to him in what had seemed like his final death throes, he hadn't said anything.

She hadn't put much effort into dressing this morning: her flowing cotton skirt and embroidered blouse were as close to her style as she could find while still being comfortable and quick. Dressing with elegance and 'frippery', as Mal would call it, was as much for herself as for anyone else. But she had spent a week fearing that the captain would not survive each night. Taking time out of her day to maintain an immaculate mystique had lost it's charm. Lost it's meaning, somehow.

She leaned against the counter running her hand along her personal ceramic cup, cold cast iron with Chinese proverbial symbols etched into the outside. Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. She turned the cup around in her palm, staring at the phrase.

Inara was finding herself already running out of ways to occupy her free time. She'd rummaged through the local client registry for a spell. It had been collecting dust. Perhaps it was time she got back on her feet, earned her own way independently of Mal's brilliant capers.

She pushed the trivial thought away as she placed the cup back on the table, leaning her elbow against the counter rather casually as she returned her gaze to the rising steam in the pot. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, the boredom getting the better of her.

"You drink anymore tea you're gonna start sweatin' the stuff."She opened her eye abruptly, standing straight as Mal's voice broke the silence. "Not that you sweat, of course."

She turned, feeling her breath hitch as she sensed how awkwardly close the captain was to her. He had purposely corned her against the stove, in his recently acquired hobby of pushing the limits of her comfort zone.

Inara swallowed quickly, forcing out a sarcastic smirk. "Funny," she quipped, meeting his gaze characteristically head on. The tea kettle behind her began to whistle, but for moments, she merely stood there, eyes locked wordlessly. She hated the fact that it took her a noticeably long time to muster the will to slip to the side and out of his path. "So, you decide to stay on board, too?" She asked hurriedly, grabbing the kettle and pouring the boiling water out into her iron cup.

Mal's expression was simple and almost tired looking. Glancing downward as she turned to face him, he let his eyes rack back up to her face. Holding her gaze steadily he licked his lips. She moved away and he simply turned to face where she was now. Pouring tea. "I wanted to catch up on some sleep. What with being shot recently, I've been sort of lacking." He said stepping closer to her.

She backed off slightly. "What are you..." Inara never finished her statement as she realized that he'd grabbed her teabag off the counter. Without asking. Moving in front of her, Mal dropped the bag into the water gently. He swooshed it around some, his eyes narrowing on the task.

Looking up he offered her a smile. "Why are you still on board? No clients?"

She stiffened at the question. She couldn't just go right out and tell him about her lack of activity lately. "No," she said tersely. She gently pushed him aside with her hip, taking the string attached to the bag from him.

"I've got it, thank you," she insisted sharply. She clenched her teeth silently. Why did this man get under her skin so easily? How could she be so off-balance and tense around him? You know exactly why, you bai chyr... Inara grabbed her tea cup, walking over to the table.

Mal gave her a smile at her nervousness. He tilted his head and moved as she asked with her hip. He let the string go and backed up some. Locking his arms over his bare chest, he watched her try to get away without looking him in the eyes. "You're welcome." He let his arms fall to his sides as he waltzed over to her, keeping a smile on his face the whole time.

He came up behind her yet again, peeking over her shoulder at the tea. "What, you ain't gonna share with the very man who took two bullets for you?" He asked lifting his gaze up to her eyes. His face dangerously close to her own. Inara could feel his breath on her, feel his body warmth from being so near. She turned as Mal leaned over her shoulder, and she involuntarily sucked in air, truly uncomfortable.

Backing up he went around her planting himself in front of her, and she exhaled with a slight shudder. Cocking his head back some, Mal never let his eyes fall away from her own. She felt the awkward tension return.

"When did you start guilting me into getting what you want?" she asked with a halfhearted scoff. "I thought we were even, remember? With me playing nursemaid to your every whim for nearly a week and a half..." She met his eyes, unsure at what he was playing at here. He was acting odd, even more so than usual around her.

Mal lifted up his hand putting it to his chest. He put on his mock hurt face and cocked his head to the side. "Aw come on 'Nara, we're still even." He raised his eyebrow at her. Letting his injured expression drop away, he shrugged. Backing up he turned and went to the table. Hopping up he sat on it and watched her from where he sat. "I just thought you'd share."

"There's enough for two," she offered with resignation, pulling out the teabag and blowing lightly on the steaming liquid inside her cup. "You just have to get your own."

"No, no...I just won't ask next time. I'll ask Kaylee. She loves her cap'n. All nice to me and the like."

She watched cautiously as Mal moved away from her, and she felt the temperature in the room suddenly drop down several degrees, from her perspective. "Her inexorable cheer notwithstanding, I'm sure Kaylee only tolerates you because you pay her to," Inara shot back in a surprisingly immature fashion, taking a sip of her tea to hide her flippant smirk. She felt considerably more confident now that he was several feet away.

Mal just smiled right back. "Thats what she says to you. Even if I didn't pay her she'd still love me. Kaylee loves my ship and Kaylee loves the captain of the ship. Ain't nobody can tell me different." He said turning his back to her, fiddling around with the cups to find his own.

Inara smirked to herself now. She knew that was true about Kaylee. The girl had a heart of gold, and was the most loving person that the Companion had ever met.

Taking one gulp of cool water, Mal placed his cup on the counter and moved backwards away from it. He turned going back up to her, standing in front now. He moved in closer. Why was he dancing around her like this? Inara pondered to herself silently.

"You kinda hurt my feelings there Inara. Wounded me, really." He lifted his hand up and put it to where one of his gunshots would have been. You could see the scar visibly right now. "See?"

Mal's hand trailed up his own chest, and she found herself following it, only then actually realizing that Mal didn't have a shirt on. It was a few long moments of staring, but she suddenly lost her distracted look at Mal's attempt to bother her, his words hitting an unexpectedly sore spot within her. In all reality, she had caused those bullet holes.

"That's not funny, Mal," she reminded him with an injured, sober expression. It was no laughing matter.

Mal's face softened and he nodded looking downward. He then peeked upward holding up his hand pinching his pointer and thumb together. "Not even a lil bit?" He asked.

The corner of Inara's mouth quirked without her control, but she tried her best to keep her upset look dominant. She had no intention of letting Malcolm Reynolds know that he could affect her mood so easily in either direction.

Nodding, Mal dropped his hands. He reached out though taking her free one. He held it within his own and lifted it up to his chest. He placed it over his heart covering her hand with his own.

She hadn't expected him to grab her hand, but she didn't fight it, allowing him to place her palm down on his bare chest. Inara froze there, unsure how to react.

"I apologize from the depths of my heart." A goofy expression appeared on his face, and he kept his hand there waiting for her answer. Either she'd take it or be mad at him some more.

Her hand stiffened against his skin, almost too afraid to move, but when he placed his own palm on top of hers, she couldn't help but visibly loosen it.

"Apology accepted," she assured him with a soft, whisper of a voice, her expression blank and unsure. She tried to force a smile on her face, but it was growing exceedingly difficult to think at all with this kind of behavior coming from Malcolm Reynolds, of all people. What was the matter with him?

A bright smile graced his face and he nodded. "Good. I hate havin' companions mad at me." He said letting her hand rest back in her own control. He stood his ground though staying close to her. Truth be told, he kind of enjoyed it here.

"And you've certainly had your share," she agreed with thick sarcasm. Mal had been around a total of two Companions in his entire life, the lying hwoon dahn... She smirked to herself, but was interrupt in her thoughts as Mal again asked for tea.

"Does that by any chance mean your gonna give me a sip?" He asked curiously tilting his head to the side. "I mean I think I'm gettin' a cold of some sort. Hot fluids always seem to help. Least that's what the good doctor's been tellin' me."

It was then she noticed that Mal had removed his hand from hers, which she was still keeping pressed against his chest. Inara stared at her hand for some time, before slowly letting it fall from his body.

"I suppose if it means that much to you..." she conceded with a sigh. She stepped to the side, only making it a few centimeters before she realized that Mal was blocking her path, being so close to her like this.

Mal's eyes brightened up as a smile escaped him. His eyes moved down her form and then right back up to her face.

"You're in my way," she reminded him with an unusually soft voice. Inara herself didn't even realize how loaded a statement that truly was.

Mal gave a shrug and stayed rooted where he stood. He stepped a bit closer now, letting his head bend forward. Lowering his mouth to her ear. Swallowing roughly, he let out a slow sigh.

"Lets be honest, now... do you really want me to be movin' out of your way?" His shoulder barely touched hers where he stood, his lips dangerous closer to her earlobe.

Mal's body was almost touching hers now, but she was frozen in place. Inara felt her eyes close instinctively as his warm breath brushed past her ear. She leaned her head instinctively in that direction, her mouth trailing open.

"I, uh..." She'd lost all grip on reality. This wasn't happening. Malcolm Reynolds was not actually coming onto her, was he? They were fatally close to having their bodies completely pressing again one another, and Inara automatically shivered. After a moment of convincing herself that it was only to test her theory, her hands trailed up slowly, coming to rest on either side of Mal's chest.

"Mal...stop..." she muttered, not very persuasively, struggling to remain standing as the captain's words threatened to overtake her thoughts.

Mal gave a light smile and chuckled, hot breath fanning out on her skin. He lowered his head further, and his lips finally made contact with the smooth silken flesh he found on her neck. Inara bit back a gasp as Mal's kiss pressed against the highly sensitive spot.

"Only..." Another gentle kiss was planted on her neck. The Companion's hands squeezed the toned muscles of his chest, neatly trimmed nails grazing against his skin.

"...if..." Yet another kiss graced her neck. She exhaled sharply, her breathing heavily labored from the contact.

"...you really..." Inara leaned away slightly to give him access, her eyes shut tight as she tried to control herself.

"...want me to." The final words were breathed hotly over her cooled skin, and she shivered uncontrollably.

Finally he lifted his head from his task, and Inara's eyes drifted open, heavy and dark with arousal. His eyes stared deeply into hers. No longer was there innocent fun shining in them, only undeniable lust. "Do you?" He asked point blank.

Hesitantly, she took a fraction of a step closer, effectively closing the gap between them. A jolt shot through her as their bodies finally touched. His question received no answer as she leaned forward without much by way of control anymore. Her arms lifted further, draping around Mal's broad shoulders as she clung to him. Her face glided towards his slowly, their lips only lightly brushing past each other a moment later.

Mal had ended up getting what he wanted. A reaction. She moved in closer and he could tell by the look in her eyes she was enjoying herself. She wanted more. With that Mal let his hands travel to her sides and slowly work downwards till they rested on her hips. Rocking against her lightly, he leaned forward, connecting the kiss.

She didn't have an objecting bone in her body at this point, kissing Mal back with equal if not more longing. Lips parted beneath his, every though crushed beneath the incredible force of his kiss.

Arching his head back some he took in the way her lips tasted. He was barely pulling away. Teasing maybe? He let his head come back forward and with a dark fierceness, Mal had lifted her up off her feet holding her against him. The captain backed her up more till he placed her firmly on the kitchen counter.

Inara's hands clamped around his neck, her legs immediately hooking around Mal's waist as she was lifted onto the countertop. She ran the back of her ankle against the captain's lower back, running up and down in small circles. Inara had lost all control or will, caught up in the moment as Mal took her eagerly.

"Lao-tyen..." she let out in a hoarse whisper, pulling his head closer into her neck as he drove her to madness. She met his return kiss eagerly, her hands delving into the cool depths of his hair.

"Oh God, Mal," she whispered against his lips, silencing them both afterwards as she kissed him with hard and insatiable need. In the distance, just out of reach of her will to care, the soft whistle of the tea kettle grew louder and louder in the background. Randomly in the back of her mind, Inara thought she had already taken it off the burner...

Moving to stand between her legs and press his body against the cabinet his lips moved away from her own. Moving downward to her neck. Taking it in and tasting it. Running his teeth along the sensitive skin, Mal finally lifted his head up to let his lips fall onto hers again. The kiss becoming deeper.

Heat rose from deep within her as Mal's hands grazed over her body, and Inara let out a gentle sigh. A storm was raging inside her. "Inara," he moaned back, gripping her waist tighter as they movement became frenzied. No. He hadn't moaned. It was more of a statement... surprisingly calm for their current state. As she desperate clung to her lover's body, something subconscious told her that it wasn't the Mal holding her that had said that...

Stalking into the kitchen, Mal had slowed as he'd noticed Inara, who was standing at the stove. Kettle screeching to be lifted off the burner, and yet she was doing nothing to remedy it. Mal stalked over, seeing her not make a move. "Inara," He repeated with a slightly louder yell, a confused look on his face.

Abruptly, Inara's hand slacked, and her face slipped off it, jolting her awake. Her eyes shot open as she caught herself with a start, and looked out in front of her at the furious cloud of steam climbing in the air before her.

A moment later, her eyes fell on Malcolm Reynolds, fully clothed, and staring at her in bewilderment. "Mal!" she let out, startled, her face still flushed.

He stepped back as she said his name that loud. Something was a amiss with her. She was looking...less than graceful. Companions were supposed to always be on the best of their game, weren't they? Mal's eyebrow raised upward, and he tilted his head to one side.

Her cheeks flushed from the dream she'd just been jostled from, she glanced around in a near panicked state. Her gaze revolved around the room as she tried to get a grip on reality. Her head was still swimming from the encounter.

She straightened up immediately, spinning around at attending to the kettle. Maybe if she kept herself busy, the captain wouldn't notice. God knew she couldn't look at him right now. Not after...after that. "Sorry, I was just..." she trailed off, forcibly slowing her heart rate. She was still riled up, but refused to let Mal see it. "Thinking."

"You musta been thinkin' about some heavy stuff. That kettle been screeching for a while now. I could hear it the whole time I was coming here. You sure you're ok?" He asked moving back towards the table. Taking a seat Mal grabbed the empty tin cup from the side and the pitcher the crew probably had used earlier. Mal had no issues with sharing things.

"Yes, I'm fine," she assured him in a slightly calmer tone. Inara had managed to relax herself considerably, but she could feel her cheeks still blushing, no doubt aggravated by the fact that she was completely mortified by all this. Mal arriving and waking her up from a particularly shameful daydream. Funny how he was involved in some way with most of her embarrassments these days.

"You sure got a funny definition of fine." He stated shaking his head giving her a weird look. She was really acting funny. It wasn't like her at all. Usually she did that throaty talking and the making Mal feel a might bit dumber than he should have been.

He will NEVER know, she swore to herself silently as she took a long sip of her tea, staring awkwardly over the rim at Mal. He sat across the room, looking infuriatingly innocent in all this. That damnedable man would never let you live that down if he did.

Mal poured himself a drink and took a long sip. The captain reached out picking up some paperwork Zoe must have left here. It was mainly stuff for their jobs. He was planning a big one and he needed to have some sort of plan. Him and Zoe seemed to always have something cooking. He picked them up till they covered his face, but he peeked over the top at Inara.

"Why you all red?" He asked.

Inara choked slightly on the hot tea in her mouth, and she fought back a gag. "It's, uh...just the steam," she covered, turning around the stare at the tea kettle in humiliation.

Mal chuckled with a shrug. "I been around a lot of steam and I ain't ever seen steam do that to a person." Shaking his head once more he bent over reading over his paperwork. She was acting like Mal had caught her naked or something. He did a double take...just checking. Nope she wasn't naked. The Captain, always making sure he didn't miss a beat.

Mal let his hand rub quietly on his stomach wound. It became a habit these past couple days. Just something he didn't know he was doing at times. They were turning into scars now. Those would be fun now to explain. Leaning back in the chair his legs sprawled out and hand continued to run over them as he read.

"And you just happen to know everything, don't you?" Inara snapped back at him. Her tone was slightly annoyed, if now a little embarrassed. She finished off her tea in one larger gulp, and she lowered it slightly, fingering the cup with an anxious eye.

Mal looked up. Here came his look again. "You been sniffing your incense a bit too much there Inara." He said shaking his head and looking down at his papers again.

"Well, I have a number of things to get done today, so I'm going to...go...now." She barely managed to mutter out the words, as she placed the empty tea cup back onto the counter. She seemed utterly disoriented, but she knew that she needed to get out of this room...without Mal following her.

Mal wasn't paying much attention to her staring and such. He heard the tea cup be put down, but he didn't make any attempt to give her a formal goodbye. She was announcing she was leaving now? That just wasn't very Inara-like. Mal pushed his feet up on the chair opposite the table and pushed his own chair backwards. He was leaning back on the two legs now watching her walk away.

"You seem a might bit shook up there Inara? You gonna go into your room and have yourself some fantasies about me, huh?" He glanced back down with a lighthearted smirk. He was trying to rattle the her cage.

She shut her eyes, her back to him. Damn you, damn you, damn you... At this moment, Inara wanted to crawl into a big hole in the ground and just die. She'd never felt more mortified. But, since the hole wasn't exactly a feasible option, she'd have to settle for her shuttle.

"Bih-zway..." she muttered under her breath at him. As she stepped through the porthole and back to her shuttle, Inara contemplated all the ways she wanted to seriously maim Malcolm Reynolds right now...

Congratulations if you read on long enough to appreciate the fake smut :P

Please Read and Review. More to Come!

Chinese Translations:

bai chyr fool/idiot

hwoon dahn jerk

Lao-tyen Oh, God

Bih-zway Shut up