Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

Summary: This story is based off of CottonWoolFairy's set of vignette's called Sweet Nothings. I decided to put them all into the same story. It's about Mal and Inara. And all the many kisses the share in my little dream world. So here ya go.

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"Mal? Bao-bei?" she asked wiping his bangs from his sweat covered forehead as she sat up in her bed. He coughed from the dryness of his throat. She slowly poured the water she'd been given at lunch over his dry lips and into his mouth. "Simon!" she yelled. "Simon! Come quick!"

The doctor hurried in moments later pulling on his shirt as usual. Doctor mode set in quickly as he entered the infirmary, fearing the worst. He was relieved to see the captain fully awake. Simon merely checked a few machines and turned to his patient. "It looks like everything is fine for now. I've been ordered to give you two alone time when the Captain awoke. I also have business to uh- finish. I'll come back later to do a thorough exam. Inara-"

"I know. I know. Call if I need you. Now you go back to your woman." she grinned. Simon left them alone, closing the thick infirmary doors behind him.

They sat silent. Holding each other's faces in their hands. Her searching his face like they had so many times during his unconscious state. His thumbs caressed her cheeks as the tears flowed as quickly as ever. Realization that she too was lying in a hospital bed struck him like a knife. "What happened, bao-bei? Are you ok?" he asked quickly, attempting to sit up.

"Relax, sweetie. Lay down. I'm fine. I've been - um - sleeping here." she slowly lowered his head back onto the pillow.

"How long have I been out?" he asked touching the would on his shoulder.

"A little over a week. Tomorrow is Kaylee's birthday." Inara said stroking his cheek with the back of her hand.

"Ai-ya." he whispered. "An' you slept here. That don't sound too comfortable."

"I was fine, Mal." she said. "I at least got sleep here. It was just too quiet in my shuttle and I-"

"Was lonely without me, huh?" he grinned.

"Oh shut up, Mal." she threw the blanket off her legs as she began to climb off the table.

"'Nara wait." he pleaded grabbing her arm. "Don' leave me." he begged. She climbed back in next to him. "Why'd you stay? Here, next to me. After all I've done, didn't think you'd be too thrilled with me."

"I don't need a hero, Mal. I never want to see you risk your career or life for me again." she said seriously.

"But I will, Inara." he said.

Her tears began to well up again. "You think this is easy for me to sit here everyday for a week? I can't watch you die protecting me!"

"An' I can't watch you get hurt!" he yelled back. Now both were sitting up facing each other despite the pain it caused Mal.

"Mal, please! Don't make me watch you die." she broke down into sobs again and he held her close kissing her hair.

"Shh, bao-bei. Shhh." he whispered into her long dark curls. "You wont. You'll never have to."

"Cap'n!" cried Kaylee as Mal entered the galley. Inara kept her hands on his abdomen and lower back for support while his arm was draped over her shoulder. The young mechanic threw her arms around Mal's causing his pain to spread. He drew in a sharp breath. "Sorry Cap'n!" she gasped, wiping tears from her eyes.

"I'm alright, mei-mei. Are you crying?" he said putting his hand over his wound.

"I was just so worried s'all." she said smiling.

"Welcome back, sir." said Zoe standing from her seat next to Jayne. She was smiling. Mal noticed the pleasantness about her. Something she had lost since Wash's death but now seemed to have found again.

"How's my ship doin', lil Albatross?" he said turning to the young girl sitting at the head of the table.

"It's got as many pieces on it as it had when you left us." she smiled. And he smiled back to her in return before turning towards her brother.

"Thanks for patchin' me up, Doc." Mal said shaking the young man's hand.

"No problem, Captain. It's good to have you back. But after dinner I'd like to check you out. Make sure everything's fine." Simone smiled as he took Kaylee by the waist and led her to the table.

"So what's for dinner?" Mal asked as he mustered enough strength to pull out Inara's chair for her.

"Just the same fei hua Kaylee's always feedin' us." Jayne mumbled.

"Jayne!" yelled Mal.

"Yup. He's back." whispered Zoe to River and Kaylee who giggled in response.

"What do ya want?" Jayne asked crudely as he assembled Vera. He looked up as Zoe climbed down into his bunk. She walked towards him and placed her hand over his where it laid on Vera. She took the gun from his hands and set it on the bedside table with little protest from the mercenary.

"Zoe, I-" she cut him off.

"I just need you to make me feel, Jayne." she began kissing him. Pushing him harder against the bed. He accepted the fragile warrior at first then pushed her off quickly so she was standing in front of him. Her left hand flew up to her slightly parted lips while her right hand curled around her tight stomach instinctively.

"No. I mean, Zoe. You don't want me." he said, still a little unsure of what had just happened. "Zo, I can't let you do this. It ain't what ya really want."

"Jayne, I need this. I need you." she pleaded, advancing toward him again.

"Stop." he said sternly. "Get out."

"But Jayne I-" she began.

"I said get out."

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TBC- more fights. More resolutions. And the moments you've been waiting for. Sweet nothings coming up...