Title: Greatest Lesson Ever Learned

Series: Winter Tidings

Rating: PG

Author: Jmaria

Disclaimer: Joss owns all

Pairing: FFA #417 Tara/Inara (Firefly)

A/N: Part 2 of my attempt to get 20 new installments or stories up for my own birthday (20th). Pathetic, I know, but that's how I choose to spend my free day.

Greatest Lesson Ever Learned

"Did you ever learn of the Earth?" The blonde woman asked, staring up at the stars.

"Earth that was? Yes, we've all heard the tales." Inara Serra sighed heavily, focusing on the tiny pink drink in her hand. "I'm sure it was a beautiful place." She didn't really want to be having this conversation with this strange woman. Inara didn't even want to really be here.

But Mal, in his great stupidity, had landed them on this backwater little moon, and rather than be faced with him, she'd sought refuge in this little tavern. The woman behind the counter seemed to be out of place. She looked like one of the girls who belonged in the Companion Houses.

"It was beautiful at Christmas. All of that snow, and the caring. You could believe in mankind then." She sighed.

"You can't do that nowadays." Inara said knowingly.

"You can try, but it's awfully hard." The blonde smiled. "Or you can try to do it, but fumble along the way. You can pretend that something isn't there, when it's been there all along."

Inara stared at her, her words echoing the thoughts she was having about Mal. The woman smiled.

"It's hard and often confusing. But there was always something about Christmas that evens it out. Like magic. I suppose it's got it's own brand of magic."

"It's just another day. There's nothing magical about it." Inara took another sip.

"No, that's just it. On the Earth-that-was, it was never just another day. It's a sacred time. A time when the sky will blanket the Earth to save a love. It's love embodied." Tears shone in her eyes. "It's family and friends gathered together, even if some of them are Jewish. It's love and sacrifice, joy and heartbreak. It's the greatest gift."

"Perhaps we're too far away from it to see it. This isn't Earth that was."

"No, it's a backwater moon."

Silence hung in the air for a few minutes. Inara looked around at the tavern. Green and red decoration hung from the ceiling and walls, perhaps trying to give it a festive look. Inara had a niggling suspicion that the barmaid was the one who decorated it. Mal, Zoe and Jayne were across the room, no doubt making a business deal.

"He can't tell you not to leave and he won't beg you to stay."

"Pardon me?" Inara spun to face her.

"He can't admit what you won't. Just like you omitted the kiss. He really is that thick that he didn't know you felt that way."

"How - "
"I can't say. Not allowed to." The blonde smiled.

"Inara, come on. We gotta get back to Serenity." Mal put some money in front of the blonde and gave Inara a look.

"Why?"

"Cause it's time to go."

Inara slid off the bar stool and followed Mal toward the exit. She froze half-way there. So did Mal.

"What in the gorram hell is this?" He yelled to the boy bussing the table.

"Oh, that barmaid Tara's idea. Mistletoe, an Earth that was custom. Force field holds ya till you kiss."

"No rutting way I'm kissing her!"

"That does wonders for my self-esteem, Mal." Inara said sarcastically. "Is there anyway to get out of this without kissing him?"

"Nope." The busboy turned away.

"Sir, just get it over with so we can stay on schedule." Zoe said discreetly.

Mal let out a stream of curses in Chinese, before turning to face Inara. One second she was staring up at him and the next his hands were on her face, his lips on hers. Inara felt light-headed, and her mouth opened in shock. She lost track of time until Zoe coughed.

"Are you two quite finished? Force field's been down for two minutes." Zoe grinned as they sprang apart.

Inara blushed as she looked away from Mal. But when her eyes rested on the counter, Tara was gone, and the bell over the door twinkled on it's own.