LIMELIGHT: Chapter 9
Rating: R
-- --
River had watched Malena sleep for most the day. The girl's pain was hard and cold and it caused River to shiver as she felt her unconscious mind exposed while she slumbered. With tears in her eyes, River had simply sat near the girl, a hand on her bruised shoulder or against her hair. She had to get her out of here; and River had spent the hours trying to form a plan.
When the guards again came around to pull them out for that evening's performance, River was ready. Although her hands were still bound by the thick chains Creighton had affixed to them that first night, she could still fight. The adrenaline had started flowing the minute she'd seen the first burly hun dan round the corner. With calculating eyes she watched as the guard set out her clothes on a bench just outside her cell, and then slid the heavy key into the lock, clicking it open.
"Get out!" he bellowed, stepping aside.
River rose slowly, her eyes never leaving his face, her features betraying none of the pain she felt from her still healing wounds. Stepping over the threshold of her cell, River surveyed the scene, sizing up the other five guards who were watching over their charges. River knew she could take them, she had killed a roomful of Reavers before, and these men were not nearly as blood thirsty as they had been.
Bending over to reach for her costume, River attacked. Kicking back with her leg, she connected with the guard's chest, hearing the satisfying sound of a cracking rib. The man staggered backwards, cursing violently, before he swung his staff around and jammed it towards her midsection. Anticipating the move, River sidestepped him and yanked on the long rod, pulling the man off balance and causing him to fall to the ground. Banging his head hard against the dirt, he fell unconscious, just as the other guards began to attack.
River kicked and punched as two of them grabbed for her while the other two tried to connect their electric rods with her body. Pinning her arms to her sides, River cried out once as one lightning shock echoed through her chest and she fell limp in their arms, causing them to drop her; which was their mistake.
Reaching for the closest guards booted foot, River pulled on it hard, dropping him to the ground, his head clanging against the metal cell behind him. As he slumped down the bars, River rose and turned to the other guard, wrapping the chain that bound her wrists around his neck and pulling back hard, crushing the man's windpipe. As his face turned red, then purple, then blue, the other two guards slammed her face first into the bars of her cell. River tasted blood from where a gash had opened on her forehead and her head swam from the impact.
Obviously, never having fought a dancer before, they didn't realize that River's range of motion in this position was almost more deadly than a frontal assault. Kicking back, her bare foot jammed into one guard's groin, causing him to let go of her hand and giving her enough leverage to form a fist and punch at the other man. Panting heavily as she stood in the midst of the now unconscious bodies, River ripped keys off of one guard's belt, trying to drown out the cries of the women who were begging for help. She would help them, but first she needed to get Malena to safety. Her friend was cowering in the back of her cell as River unlocked the door, her eyes wide.
"Laney," River told her, noting her frightened expression. Moving towards the girl, she reached out a hand and said, "We have to go. Come on."
"They'll kill you," she breathed, her tear-filled eyes lifting to River's face.
Tugging on her hand, River said impatiently, "No, they won't. Come on."
Supporting the girl's trembling form with a strong arm around her waist, River was reaching for one of the discarded prods when the doorway filled with ten more guards, all looking more than angry.
Smiling tightly, River let go of Laney who crawled back towards her cell, as she said, "Wanna play?"
They charged her at once, but it didn't really matter. River fought and kicked with mutated strength, her movements dictated by preprogrammed actions her body would never forget. She had already dropped another seven of them to the floor, when a loud booming voice yelled, "Enough!"
Panting heavily, River whipped around, her stringy and sweaty hair sticking to her face. Looking to the large guard who had spoken, she noted that his uniform was a red color and she guessed it meant he was in charge; all the men currently littering her feet were wearing blue.
Blinking away her battle vision, it took River a moment to bring the man's full image into focus, but when she did, her eyes went wide. He had Laney roughly by the arm, a prod positioned right over her heart. "Drop the weapon and get back in your cell," the guard ordered, pushing the prod even closer to Laney's whimpering form.
Standing to her full height, River placed the silver stick on the ground and backed up slowly, her eyes still full of a feral gleam that would not soon fade; it never did after a fight. "Let her go," she growled, as she stepped just back inside her cell.
Apparently convinced she was indeed standing down, the guard shoved Laney back in her cell, but not before connecting the electric rod to her chest, causing the woman to cry out in agony as he let the burn linger, the smell of charred flesh filling River's nostrils.
As she watched Laney crumple to the ground in the cell beside her, River turned fiery eyes back to the guard and the other two she had yet to dispose of, and watched as they entered her little cell. With no room to fight, and fear of further retaliation on Malena, River let them beat her until she was unconscious.
-- --
When Simon awoke, Kaylee was already gone and he found her out in the dining room with Inara, the two of them going over a fairly elaborate place setting. Moving towards her and kissing her temple, she smiled to him as Inara continued to explain.
"Why do we hafta use three forks?" Kaylee asked, for the third time that morning. "I mean, can't we just lick 'em clean between courses?"
Trying to hide the smile he felt creeping onto his face at Kaylee's innocent question, Simon looked to Inara, wondering how she would handle it. Rubbing a hand over tired eyes, she told her friend, "Mei mei, it's just how things are done. All right?"
Shrugging once, Kaylee said, "Jus' seems like a waste, but all righ'." Glancing over her shoulder to Simon who was sipping a cup of coffee, she asked, "You use all them forks in your family?"
Watching as Inara's eyes widened with annoyance, Simon moved towards Kaylee and said gently, "Bao bei, I don't think forks are the most important thing to be focusing on." He watched as Kaylee's eyes darted back to Inara and read her friend's exasperation. Slumping a bit in her chair, she murmured, "Sorry." After a moment, she looked back to Inara, pulled herself up to the perfect posture they had practiced all day yesterday and asked in an even tone, "What is the next lesson, ma'am?"
Surprised by the lack of Kaylee's usual syntax in her speech, Simon gave a nod of approval to Inara, who shot him a look that clearly conveyed she deserved a medal for her hard work. Leaving the two to finish, Simon drifted out to the patio where Mal and Zoe were talking and Jayne was cleaning his knives.
"Mornin' there, doc," Mal greeted him, turning from Zoe and leaning against the balcony's railing. "So, you ready to be a commoner?"
Smirking at the man, Simon told him, "I'll do whatever it takes to keep an eye on Kaylee, and if that means dressing like a waiter, than so be it."
Smiling, Mal muttered, "Good man," before turning back to his first mate. "You an' Jayne got covers too?"
Nodding once, Zoe told him, "Yes, sir. I'm gonna be waitin' on folk with Simon an' Jayne'll be part of the security."
Raising an eyebrow at the man, Mal told him, "That fake ID you created musta been damn convincin' for someone to hire you to protect folks."
Grinning wide, Jayne held up one of his knives, its silver blade gleaming in the morning sun. "Damn straight," he grunted.
Looking back through the glass door to where Inara and Kaylee were still practicing, Simon stepped up beside Mal and lowered his voice. "Do you really think she can do this?"
Clapping a hand on the younger man's shoulder, he answered, "Look, doc, I known lil' Kaylee a bit longer than you, so let me share a little secret with ya." Simon nodded once and Mal continued. "The girl is smart as a whip when it comes to machines an' she ain't a half bad judge o' character." Sizing Simon up, Mal jabbed, "Her interest in you notwithstanding." As Simon smiled at the joke, Mal added, "She's done helped us outta plenty o' jams 'fore."
Simon nodded again, allowing his eyes to move across the horizon, noting the city's small skyline in the distance. As he took another sip of his coffee, he looked back to Mal and told him, "I know all that, captain. And you didn't answer my question."
As Mal opened his mouth and then closed it again, Simon let out a small sigh and moved from the patio, no one willing to offer empty reassurances.
-- --
It was getting late, but Inara was not done with her pupil just yet. Pulling Kaylee into the center of the living room, she called for Simon as she moved towards the cortex terminal and flipped through some music.
Simon entered, wearing his dress trousers and shirt as part of his costume for that evening. "Did you need something, Inara?" he asked, flashing Kaylee that swai grin.
Looking to him, Inara took his hand as a waltz began to play and led him towards Kaylee. "Yes, I need you to teach Kaylee how to dance."
His eyes widening slightly, he told her, "We don't have a lot of time."
Slapping at his arm, Kaylee told him, "Hey, I ain't a total klutz ya know."
Smiling to her, Simon took her hands in his and kissed them. "I know, bao bei, but some dances are a bit more involved then others. It can take years to master them." As her face blanched at this admission, Simon hurried to add, "But I doubt there will be much of that type of dancing at this party tonight. So, we'll just learn the basics," he said, looking to Inara for confirmation.
As the older woman nodded, she rested a light hand to Kaylee's shoulder and said, "You've been doing a wonderful job, mei mei. I'm going to get ready while Simon's teaching you and then we'll get you ready, all right?"
Kaylee nodded once and then looked to Simon with a wide grin as Inara exited the room, leaving them alone. Leaning in, she kissed him, murmuring against his mouth, "I've been wantin' to be alone with you all day."
Simon kissed her back, but only for a moment, knowing that they did not have the time. Although, he didn't rightly care if Kaylee went through with her part of the plan, but Simon was also aware that the plan had already been set in motion and disrupting it now would only cause more problems; and possibly jeopardize everyone's safety.
"Me too, but something tells me Inara will be very upset if I don't complete my task," he told her, still smiling and she smiled back.
"All right, what's first?" she asked, looking to him with those big, wide eyes.
Stepping back from her, he said, "First, the man will bow and you will curtsy." Simon bowed at the waist, watching as Kaylee curtsied a bit clumsily. Straightening, Simon said, "Have Inara show you that." Frowning a bit, Kaylee nodded and then asked, "Now what?"
Positioning his arms, Simon told her, "You place your right hand on my shoulder. And I'll place my left hand on your waist." He stepped forward and did as he said, taking her left hand in his and holding it up between them.
As the hand he'd placed at her waist drew her close to him, Kaylee grinned and said, "Oh, I like this kinda dancin'."
Simon smiled back at her, wishing that as he was teaching her he wasn't picturing another man's hands on her body. "Well, if the ambassador is at all proper this is as close as he will bring you," he told her, noting the space between them which could probably have fit another person.
"We don't gotta be proper," Kaylee told him, inching closer.
"No, but I need to teach you the right way," he said, noting how she pouted. Leaning in and kissing her, he said, "When this is over, we can dance all you want, and it doesn't have to be proper at all."
Wiggling her eyebrows at him mischievously, Kaylee told him, "I'm holdin' ya to that."
He smiled back at her, lost for a moment in her wide grin and bright eyes. She was so beautiful and he knew the minute he saw her, once again dressed to the nines in the fanciest frock Inara could find, he'd feel his heart pound in his chest with love and protectiveness. Again trying to shake the image from his mind of another man coveting her, Simon blinked rapidly.
"Sweetie?" she asked, noting the discomfort that flashed across his face. "You okay?"
He nodded once, having no desire to make Kaylee anymore nervous than he knew she already was; that's what the entire fork conversation had been about – it was Kaylee's way to abate her anxiety. "Of course, but we'd better get on with it." Tilting his head, he listened to the music, feeling the easy rhythm of the waltz. "Now, remember that the man will lead, so really all you have to do is follow him," Simon said quietly, even as his feet began to move. Kaylee glanced down for a moment, causing herself to stumble.
Taking his hand from hers and lifting her chin up, Simon smiled and said, "Just follow me, Kaylee." She smiled at him, and locked her eyes on his, feeling as if she were floating on a cloud with Simon's strong arms holding her, their feet moving in time to the soft music. As they continued to move, Simon counted softly, giving Kaylee a better feeling for why and how they were moving and she smiled at him.
Despite his insistence that they could later dance any way she so chose, Kaylee felt Simon's hand on the small of her back pull her in close and she nestled her head against his shoulder. Their hands, which were still clasped together rested against his chest, and Kaylee realized in that moment that she had never felt safer or more loved by anyone. As the music ended, they continued to sway a bit, a jaunty foxtrot interrupting the romantic mood.
Glancing up to Simon, Kaylee saw the love and concern in his eyes and she knew that he was doing his best not to forbid her from going. Placing a hand to his cheek, she told him, "I'm gonna be okay, Simon. An' all o' you are gonna be there. There's nothin' to worry 'bout."
Simon nodded once, unable to trust his voice for a moment. Cradling her face in his hands, he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her, deeply, passionately, longingly and Kaylee returned the kiss, their lips and tongues expressing the concern that they could not voice at the moment.
As they were forced to part for air, Simon rested his forehead against hers and murmured, "I love you, Kaylee."
"I love you too," she whispered back. Kissing him lightly again, her eyes shone with excitement as she listened to the music and asked, "So, what kinda dance gets done to this?"
-- --
Simon circulated through the increasingly crowded ballroom, offering appetizers to the denizens with a detached interest. He and Zoe had already been at the ambassador's house for close to two hours, having needed to prepare with the rest of the wait staff, and he was getting impatient. He knew that Creighton would arrive late, it was typical at these kinds of events for the host to make a grand entrance, and he knew that Mal and Inara had arranged, through Hellen, for Kaylee to arrive late as well, so it was a bit of a comfort to Simon to know that Kaylee wasn't currently with the man.
As more of the partygoers were announced, Simon caught sight of Jayne, over against a wall, looking for all the world like a respectable bodyguard. He'd been loaned a suit for the evening, a gray suit that did wonders for the man's normally gruff exterior.
Simon moved to head back into the kitchen to refill his tray when he heard the steward announce, "Malcolm Reynolds and Miss Inara Serra." Glancing towards the grand staircase from which everyone was entering, Simon watched as Mal and Inara entered the room. Of course, Inara, the former Companion, looked every bit the role of socialite, her dress, hair and makeup absolutely exquisite, her manner calm and dignified. Mal, on the other hand, was fidgeting in his suit, no doubt complaining about the pants being too tight. With an eye roll, Simon moved in and out of the kitchen quickly, eager to be on the floor when Kaylee and Creighton arrived.
As he made his way around the room towards Mal and Inara, he offered them the tray and noted the way Mal's eyes lit. "Gotta say, doc," he said quietly, dropping his voice to a barely audible level. "I could get used to you waitin' on me."
Keeping his fake smile in place, Simon bit out, "Yeah, well don't. Any sign of Kaylee?"
As Inara reached for one of the treats he was offering, she told him quietly, "I expect them at any minute." She again smiled and then Simon moved off, his gut churning with more anxiety as he continued to wait. He just needed to see Kaylee with his own eyes, to know that she was all right – so far.
Zoe came by a few minutes later, muttering something about rich folk and manners and as Simon drifted close to where Jayne was guarding an entryway, he reminded Simon to keep his cool. Deciding to let the irony of the statement go, he was just about to go back in for another tray when all eyes in the room focused on the stairs and the din of conversation died down to barely a murmur. Looking to the stairs himself, Simon held his breath as the steward announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, your host for this evening, Ambassador Isaiah Creighton and Miss Catherine Lee Frye."
Simon knew he was staring and he knew it was inappropriate, but he could not help himself. As Kaylee, or Catherine for tonight, descended the stairs on Creighton's arm, Simon felt a surge of jealousy, and unbridled love. While it still irked him that this man, whom he did not have a very high opinion of, had bought Kaylee like a piece of property, Simon could not deny how absolutely stunning she looked.
Of course, he thought she looked gorgeous in coveralls and engine grease, but Inara had done an amazing job of highlighting all of her natural beauty and putting it on display for the world to see. Her hair was glowing, the honey color soft and warm in the lights overhead. Half of it was pulled back in an elaborate bun, while the other half fell in soft curls to her shoulders. Her makeup simply served to accentuate her natural glow, her wide, expressive eyes, her perfect lips, but her dress was unbelievable, setting off every curve Kaylee owned in just the right way, making her look like the gorgeous creature that she was.
Fighting the urge to charge across the room and take her in his arms, Simon hurried to quickly refill his tray and then circulate again towards the ambassador and Kaylee. He heard a few snippets of conversation as he approached, heard Kaylee's lilting voice, speaking perfectly as Inara had coached her, averting her eyes at the compliments she was receiving, greeting the people the ambassador introduced her to.
Simon stepped towards their group, making certain he leaned in by her shoulder. As she glanced to him and continued to smile that wide grin, he noticed a flash in her eyes; she was having fun. Letting out a silent sigh of relief he left as quickly as he came, unwilling to jeopardize all they had worked for, just to stay close. Besides, he could watch her just as easily from a distance.
-- --
Mal and Inara were dancing, their eyes on Kaylee and the ambassador as they entered the room. Mal twirled her around the room in silence, only tensing slightly when he noticed Simon approach them. "I swear, if that doc …" Mal murmured, but with a sigh of relief, he watched Simon go as quickly as he'd come and then turned back to Inara.
"I gotta hand it to the kid," he told her, again gazing at her beautiful face. "He's handling this a mite better than I would."
Raising an eyebrow to him, Inara murmured, "A mite better than you have." As he spun her about and she again came back to rest her hand on his shoulder, she teased, "Need I remind you about Atherton Wing?"
Grimacing, Mal told her, "Please don't."
She laughed lightly and they continued to dance in silence, each of them taking just a moment to enjoy themselves. As the music stopped and they stepped to the side of the floor, they were greeted by Mitchell, a jovial smile on his features.
"Mister Reynolds, Miss Serra, I'm so glad you could come," he told them, shaking Mal's hand and kissing Inara's. "And I know the ambassador is looking forward to speaking with you as well."
Nodding politely to him, Inara stepped forward and asked, "You didn't get a chance to discuss my request with him, did you?"
Frowning slightly, the man answered, "I honestly felt it would be much more convincing coming from you." Moving away quickly, he told them, "Please, enjoy yourselves and let us know if there's anything we can do to make your time with us more pleasant."
Inara and Mal both nodded politely watching the man go. As Mal guided Inara towards the bar across the room, he whispered, "Well, the guy could tell me where my ruttin' pilot an' your sister are. That would make my time more pleasant."
Placing a light hand to his arm, Inara said quietly, "Patience, Mal. We can't rush this and run the risk of leaving with nothing."
Squeezing the hand she'd placed to his arm, he took a deep breath and said, "I know, darlin'. Jus' keep remindin' me."
She smiled lightly and then let him order their drinks, doing her best to calm her own rising impatience.
-- --
Light and darkness crept slowly into River's consciousness and she wished they would both go away. She knew she was awake, the pain she felt pulsing through each limb, through each layer of flesh told her that, but there wasn't much she could see; her vision was obscured, one eye swollen shut, the other half-closed.
Even as noise joined the sensations of hurt, the presence of light, River did not move. She wasn't at all certain she could; the sharp pain that coursed through her arms and back and legs was so intense that even lying still she found her breath stolen for seconds, minutes at a time as one spike of agony enveloped her, washing down her body in a slow trickle that brought tears to her eyes and caused her cheeks to sting as the salt water fell into fresh cuts.
"I told you they'd kill you."
This noise was soft and gentle, even if it was scared and while River wanted to turn her head and assure the speaker that she was not dead, she didn't have the strength and so instead, all she could do was listen as Malena spoke to her, her voice hardly more than a whisper that River had to strain to hear.
"I really liked you. I thought maybe you'd make my last few weeks okay in here. But you don't escape from hell. You just don't. No one ever has." A heavy sigh; then, "I'm sorry they beat you so badly. I'm sorry you thought you had to rescue me." A wet sigh, filled with tears; then, "I know that's why Inara brought you here, to rescue me. But it's okay. I want to die. It's time for me to die."
The lightest touch ghosted across River's hair and she heard more sound as doors were unlocked and women were pulled out for that evening's performance. "I'm sorry," the voice whispered, before leaving with the others; leaving River alone.
The pain she felt, the agony and hurt, paled in comparison to the anguish of resignation she'd felt from Malena, and River cried more tears, not moving, even as the music blared again.
-- --
"I must say, my dear, you really are lovely."
Kaylee smiled shyly, as Inara had instructed, averting her gaze to the dance floor, as Isaiah spun them about. He had asked her to dance almost immediately and so now, here they were, four dances later, waltzing as she and Simon had done earlier that day. As Kaylee again brought her eyes to her escort's face, she had to wonder if maybe Inara and the captain weren't a little wrong about the ambassador.
He was a tad standoffish and a bit guarded to be sure, but so far, Kaylee had not picked up on any inappropriate behavior. He had been nothing but gentlemanly to her all evening, complimenting her looks, offering to get her drinks, introducing her to his guests. She knew that it was all part of the show, a man like Isaiah Creighton did not earn the professional reputation he had by not acting precisely as expected. But still … Kaylee was less and less convinced the longer she spent with him that he was the monster they had assumed.
"Thank you, Ambassador," she said quietly, her eyes widening imperceptibly as the hand he held to her waist pulled her a bit closer. They were quickly losing that proper distance Simon had instructed her about and now, their bodies were almost touching. Trying not to tense, she smiled to him and said, "It's a wonderful party. And you have a lovely home."
He smiled back at her, drawing her even closer and Kaylee did her best to stay relaxed. He guided her footsteps with the same assuredness Simon had, but it was different, dancing with this man than it had been dancing with her boyfriend. While Simon's touch had been gentle and true, Kaylee was finding that as Isaiah twirled her now, his hands were a bit stronger than they had been only moments before. And now, they were touching, her body flush with his and Kaylee found it uncomfortable. She knew she shouldn't, but she did and as the music stopped, she let out a deep breath and said, "Would you mind terribly if we sat this one out? I'm getting a bit winded."
If Isaiah did mind, it didn't show on his face. Taking her hand, he looped it through his arm and led her to the edge of the dance floor. "Of course, my dear. I wouldn't want to tire you out so early in the evening," he said, this last part murmured against her ear as he pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek.
Kaylee continued to smile, her earlier assertion that maybe he was a gentleman fading quickly as he grasped the hand he held tightly. "I have much planned for us before this night is over," he confided, drawing Kaylee's eyes to his face. She could see his intentions and while Kaylee knew it was all part of what he thought he'd bought and paid for, it still made her stomach churn. How had Inara done this?
As Isaiah greeted another guest and introduced her, still keeping a tight, possessive hold of the hand he held, Kaylee told him, "I need to freshen up. I'll be right back."
He nodded once, reluctantly letting her go, his eyes following her out of the room and lingering on her backside as she walked away. As soon as Kaylee was out of the ballroom, she took a few more steps and rounded another corner. The hallway was empty and she sank onto a plush divan that sat against the wall, obscured from immediate view by a large potted plant. Resting her head in her hands she let out a deep sigh and tried to collect herself. She could do this. The night was almost over and she'd so far managed to convince him and everyone that she was a registered Companion. So why were her hands shaking and her insides burning?
A light hand to her shoulder made her jump and as she looked up, she was more than thankful to see Simon standing over her. Kneeling beside her, he asked quietly, "Are you all right?"
She nodded once, smiling weakly and then rose, knowing it would do no good for the two of them to be caught looking so comfortable together. "Yeah, I'm fine, just needed a second is all."
His blue eyes conveyed his disbelief in her statement and Kaylee took a step closer to him and whispered, "I'm fine, Simon." Moving away, she was surprised when he reached for her hand. Looking down to their interlaced fingers, she told him, "We can't be seen together."
Simon nodded and then tugged her towards him. "I just wanted to tell you how radiant you look," he whispered against her cheek, pressing a kiss to the same spot the ambassador had only moments before. Where the other man's kiss had caused a shiver of discomfort to race down her spine, Simon's sent a shiver of content and she smiled to him as she continued to back up, heading for the ballroom and back to her date's side.
"It's almost over," she whispered to him, before disappearing around the corner.
Allowing a heavy sigh to escape his lips, Simon hoped that were true.
-- --
As they watched Kaylee leave the ambassador's side, Inara tugged on Mal's hand and said, "Come on, we've waited long enough."
Crossing the room to him, they waited a respectable number of seconds while he shared some small talk with an older couple, before approaching. Inara cleared her throat quietly, and said, "Excuse me. Ambassador?"
"Yes?" he answered before turning to fully face them. His eyes widened a bit at the sight of the beautiful woman before him and Isaiah had a brief pang of longing that she wasn't his date instead of the girlish thing they had paired him with. Smiling widely to her, he asked, "May I help you?"
Smiling back, Inara didn't miss the look of desire in his eyes, although she was fairly certain Mal did, which was probably for the best. Extending a hand to him, she said, "I certainly hope so. My name is Inara Serra, and this is my escort, Malcolm Reynolds."
Creighton bent low over Inara's hand, kissing it lightly, and then shook Mal's. He took the moment, with his eyes focused to the floor to collect himself. Mitchell had warned him about these two, had told him exactly why they had come barging into his home just a day before, asking for money and assistance in finding Malena.
As he straightened, he smiled back to Inara and kept a hold of the hand he held, drawing the two of them farther from the dance floor and the crowd. Dropping his voice, he said, "I was so sorry to hear of your sister's disappearance." Inara watched him carefully as he spoke, looking for the lie, but with the conviction of a politician, he continued. "She was a beautiful dancer and a boon to the ballet."
Affecting her most polite grin, Inara answered, "Thank you. I appreciate your sympathy, however, I was hoping you might be willing to help me look for her."
With a surprised look, Creighton backed up from her a bit. Yes, indeed, this woman would have been a much more suitable companion for him that evening; she was forthright, beautiful and unbelievably sexy. Just the thought of watching her submit to his will sent a shot of desire straight to his groin and he fought to control himself.
Focusing back on the issue at hand, he told her, "I'm afraid that really isn't possible, Miss Serra. I cannot lend my name to an active criminal investigation. My political reputation and responsibilities would suffer and as a result, so would the people who've elected me." Squeezing the hand he still held a bit more tightly than necessary, he told her, "I'm sorry."
Inara continued to smile politely although she very much wanted to slap the man. Looking to Mal quickly, he smiled at her softly, as she turned back to the ambassador and nodded. "Of course, I would hate to cause the people of Paquin any distress by jeopardizing your career. Thank you for listening."
He nodded once and then told them, "Please continue to enjoy yourselves. There is plenty of food and fine wine." As they smiled their thanks, he confided, "And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a very lovely date who has disappeared on me. I need to go find her."
Watching him walk away, Inara waited until she knew he was out of earshot, before turning to Mal. "Now what?" he asked quietly, feeling the very real desire to beat the ambassador into a pulp.
"Now, we get our information the old-fashioned way," she told him, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We steal it."
His eyes lighting with a devilish spark, Mal took her hand and said, "That's my girl."
-- --