Everyone mourns the loss of a loved one in their own way. Some cry, some become angry, and some simply try to numb the pain they feel inside. The crew of Serenity were no different. Zoe and River had both hidden themselves away in an attempt to ease their sorrow with their tears; Simon meticulously cleaned the infirmary, while Kaylee became very quiet. Somehow Jayne had gotten stuck with bridge duty, though he didn't seem to mind; his guns keeping him company through the night.
This left the mess to Mal. He sat alone for a while, drinking shots of rice wine as he thought about everything that had happened. Hearing a noise, he looked up to see Inara hesitantly inching into the mess.
"I don't mean to intrude," she apologized, "I just needed a drink."
Shaking his head, Mal motioned her towards him, "Have a seat Inara," he called as he pulled an extra shot glass from the shelf, "Let's have a toast to our fallen brethren; past and present."
Moving slowly, Inara lowered herself into the chair Mal had indicated, "I don't know about a shot... though if you don't mind I think I'll have some water."
As Inara reached for the water pitcher, Mal reached out, pushing it from her grasp, "Somethin stronger is only fittin' for a situation like this," he insisted as he pushed a filled shot glass toward her.
Pouting some, Inara let her hands drop to the table as she looked at Mal, "How many have you had already?" she questioned in a hushed tone.
"A few," admitted Mal, "Back to back… to back."
"Just one," sighed Inara as she lifted the small glass. "To our fallen brethren – may Buddha save their souls and set them on the right path." she prayed, before glass clinked and they both downed their shots.
The rice wine gave a fierce burn as it slid down her throat and her tongue felt as though it had been scorched. Making a face, she set the glass down and looked at Mal. He looked back at her, and they both remained silent for a while.
Slowly, Mal finally looked down and with ease he poured two more shots. As he looked back up, his blue orbs met brown. Taking his glass in hand, he saw her shift as she did the same. Smirking some, he lifted his glass toward her, "To the safety of friends and loved ones," he toasted.
Throwing the second shot back, Inara nearly choked! Why had she gone along with this? Maybe it had been the way he gazed into her eyes – she couldn't have said no for anything. This time though she didn't set her glass down. As he poured himself another and motioned for hers, she held it back and shook her head.
With a shrug Mal set the bottle down and lifted his glass, "To you," he said simply before drinking. "You warned me… but we had to do it. I couldn't leave you in the hands of anyone who'd be after the little one."
At his admittance Inara found herself frozen, unable to pull in a breath as she stared at the man in front of her. Had he just admitted his appearance at the guild, after she had warned him it was a trap was to come to her rescue, to be her hero? Setting her glass out of his reach she took a shaky breath, "You came for me?" she asked.
Mal looked startled, almost as though he hadn't meant to speak aloud, though when his eyes fell on Inara's hesitant smile, he gave a nod, "Always," he said simply, nobly.
Everything seemed to slip away as Mal stood slowly. Taking one step he was at her side, reaching out and taking her hand, he coaxed her from her chair. They stood, staring at each other for a moment before Mal reached up and took her face in his hands.
As he slowly began to move closer to her, Inara's heart raced in her chest, her breath catching. His warm breath brushed over her lips as she let her eyes close. Mal was going to kiss her. She wouldn't have to do it, because Malcom Reynolds, after years of denying, was actually going to kiss her.
Her mind lost track of all thought as his lips pressed against hers. Kissing him was nothing like kissing any of her client's – her lips tingled, her head went fuzzy and her knees began to go weak; nearly losing the strength to hold her up.
Wrapping his arms around Inara's waist Mal pulled her body against his. His head was fuzzy from the rice wine he'd had and every voice inside it was screaming that this was wrong. He wasn't the type to be in a relationship; he was horrible with long term commitments to one person. But his body wouldn't let him stop, every fiber of his being screamed to feel her soft skin against his, to bury himself inside of her with no inhibitions.
Winning the struggle to control her body, Inara pulled back, her breath quick and ragged. "We can't," she breathed, "This isn't us… it's the wine."
"The wine may have given me the courage," countered Mal as he stole a few more kisses, "But it didn't make me want you… I've wanted you for a very long time."
Closing her eyes, Inara leaned her head back as Mal kissed her neck, "We'll regret it in the morning," she moaned.
"That could be," whispered Mal, "I righten believe it can wait till then."
Before Inara could make more excuses Mal cleared the table with one hand, pressing her back onto the flat surface. He let his body over take him as he slid her dress up to her waist. As his thumbs hooked the waist of her underwear, he pulled them off before throwing them. His body forced him to move quickly, if he was slow he could lose his nerve, she could regain her senses. If this was ever going to happen it had to happen right here, right now.
Her body was on fire as he took her, the heat engulfing her as she tried to hold onto the edges of the table for support. This had always been her job, something others were meant to enjoy; an enjoyment she was meant to be forever denied. But now waves of feeling washed over her; tidal waves of heat and chills, tingles and shivers – feelings no man had ever managed to entice from her body.
As she flew over the edge, Mal joined her; collapsing against her for only a moment before he straightened himself and looking down to her.
"Mal," breathed Inara, "That was amazing."
With a smile he helped her to stand, "I can do better," he said simply before guiding her to his bunk, where he made love to her more slowly, more thoroughly.
….
Waking the next day, Mal stretched as he became aware of the lack of movement. They had landed. Rolling over he felt the bed next to him only to find it empty and cold. Inara was no longer there. With another stretch he figured she had simply went back to her shuttle to gather the last of her things.
After quickly getting dressed, Mal headed for Inara's shuttle. He wasn't sure what his intentions were; whether he was going to say goodbye or if he would ask her to stay, but as he entered the shuttle he found he could do neither. Inara was gone.
As he exited the shuttle, he nearly ran headlong into Kaylee. "You lookin' for Inara Cap'n?" she questioned, a bit of her normal cheer creeping back into her voice.
"Just makin' sure she cleared out like she said she was gonna," he lied quickly.
"She was gone quick like," explained Kaylee, "Off Serenity 'soon as River opened the doors. Sad really, seein' her go again."
Nodding, Mal gave a shrug, "Tell everyone to get what they need while we're on this rock. Don't see us getting' much time to stop for supplies once we're back out."
Kaylee frowned as Mal walked away. There was something up with him, something she just couldn't put her finger on.
"Hey, Kaylee!" called a gruff voice behind her.
Turning, she looked to Jayne, "Hey. Cap'n said if you need anything, get it here," she echoed, passing on Mal's message, "And I'm thinking there's something up with him."
Giving a shrug, Jayne passed Kaylee, "There's always something with Mal," he dismissed, "So, we goin out for a while or not?"
"Yeah," sighed Kaylee begrudgingly, "Let me just tell the others they'd better get what they need."
By the time they all were back on board Mal was more than ready to take to space again. He already missed Inara and he didn't want to. Standing in the mess, he watched as the crew buzzed around, showing off their purchase to one another.
"Sir," Zoe said, finally speaking to him, "do you have any idea who made the mess in here last night?"
Mal's mind flashed back to clearing the table the night before, hearing everything hit the floor. "I haven't the faintest," he responded solemnly, "So we ready to go?"
Before anyone could respond Jayne gave a loud hoot from the kitchen area, "Lookie what I found!" he exclaimed as he held up a lacey pair of underwear, "Wonder who's they are?"
Not letting anyone guess, Mal snatched the garment from Jayne and headed for the bridge, "Strap down what you don't want broke," he called as he went.
…..
Days at the Guild had turned to weeks and before she knew it, Inara had been away from Serenity for nearly three months. Every day she wondered where they were and what trouble they were getting themselves into. It sat only minimally lighter with her to know that the alliance wasn't chasing them now; it was too busy saving its own butt to think about River. Though she was most definitely not off the Alliance's list.
Laying back on her bed, Inara tried to rest some. She had found herself becoming increasingly tired during the day, her body seemingly unable to keep up with her schedule. As her mind began to ponder her lack of energy, there was a knock at her door. Sitting up, Inara straightened her hair some, "Come in," she finally called.
Entering the room a young girl carried a shiny silver tray, "I was instructed to bring you a light lunch before your client arrives in a couple of hours, Ms. Serra," she explained as she set the tray to a table next to a fire place.
"Thank you," said Inara softly before the girl exited the room. Intrigued by the prospect of food, she slid from the bed and made her way to the tray. There she found an array of fresh fruit, accompanied by what looked to be shredded meat. Smiling to herself she picked up a strawberry and thought of Kaylee as she bit into it. She wished the young mechanic could be there to share the experience with her. Or – She wished the young mechanic could be there to share in it with her.
With a frown she attempted to put aside her sad thoughts as she lifted a spoon full of meat. It was fresh and moist; something you didn't get in space regularly and something she'd often missed. But as the food hit her tongue, she was instantly put back. It tasted horrid, as though someone had left it out to rot for days on end.
Making a mad dash, Inara managed to make it to the bathroom before she threw up. After brushing her teeth she called the girl back to her room. "There is something wrong with the meat you've brought me. I cannot eat this," she explained simply.
Stepping forward, the girl gave the meat a sniff before she took a test bite against Inara's protests, "It seems quiet enjoyable to me ma'am," she said softly, "Though, if you would like something else I would be happy to fetch it for you."
Shaking her head, Inara waved a hand, "No thank you," she declined, "I think I've lost my appetite. My stomach seems to be having some trouble today."
"If you are sick Madam, maybe I should tell the Priestess," pressed the girl as she lifted the tray, "You are forbidden to see clients if you are not well."
Inara was about to decline the offer, before realizing she didn't feel up to the challenge a client presented. "Yes," she agreed, "Could you please do that? I'm just going to lie down for a while."
The girl only nodded before she was gone, leaving Inara to think and stew over the events of the past few weeks. She had been nauseas every day at different times, her head was fuzzy for no reason sometimes, and when she got hungry she was ravenous. There was definitely something happening to her body which she couldn't explain.
