Title: Comfort
Series: Our Mrs. Cobb
Author: Sevangel
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating: R
-
"Think we need to talk bout what you see as 'propriate clothin'." Jayne says, his hands cupping River's ass and pulling her hips against his. "Cause that dress and these clothes ain't it."
River tilts her head up to look at Jayne with a pout. "You don't like my clothing?"
"Oh, I like em plenty." Jayne runs his hands up her bare back to slowly unknot the strings holding her top up. "What I don't like is anybody else seein' this much of your skin." His hands stop moving and a thoughtful look crosses his face. "Wonder if'n Mal kept that dress he wore back on Triumph?"
"I am not wearing that dress." River wrinkles her nose in disgust. "It is ugly and has enough fabric to cloth two of me."
"That's the whole ruttin' point, Moony." Jayne says with a grin.
River rolls her eyes. "We only have 13 minutes and 36 seconds left. Are we going to waste it discussing my clothing?"
Jayne doesn't answer; instead he drops his mouth onto hers while his hands go back to removing her halter-top. Once it's untied, he pulls the top over her head. "Well, now, don't you look all marked?" Jayne leers at River's chest and brings his hands up to trace over her hickeys.
River leans back against the door of the septic room with a grin. "They're my Jayne marks."
"Yep." Jayne agrees, his hands cupping her breasts. He thumbs her nipples and smirks when she whimpers. "I love them little noises you make, like you ain't got no control over em."
"I don't." River whimpers. "No control, please, oh….Jayne…"
Jayne hefts River up until her breasts are level with his face. He groans when River wraps her legs around his waist and rotates her body against his. He nibbles on her left nipple while his fingers tug her right nipple. Then after a few moments, he switches sides.
River moans helplessly as Jayne licks and massages her breasts. She loves the feel of his hands on her, the feel of his mouth on her. In fact, she wants to strip him naked and rub every part of her naked self against him until she's completely soaked in him and he's completely soaked in her. But they can't. "Nine minutes and 28 seconds." River manages to pant out.
Jayne reluctantly pulls away from her breasts and helps her to her feet. He fumbles with his belt and zipper, stopping mid-action to watch River. Her gorram pants are so tight she's havin' to wiggle out of em and if that ain't the most arousin' thing. Then he sees the little, tiny, small bit of black lace masqueradin' as panties and his mouth drops open. "Turn round, babydoll."
River smiles at the endearment, amused that he doesn't use the same one every time, pushes the jeans down her feet, and kicks them off. Then she does a little curtsy and spins around gracefully.
"Jesus." Jayne mutters, his hands moving out to cup her bare ass. He traces the tiny triangle at the base of her ass with a lustful groan. "I wanna find a capture and take a gorram picture, you look so ruttin' sexy."
River shimmies her hips at him and giggles when he groans.
Jayne's hands move back to his pants and they're off in a matter of seconds. Then he cups her crotch.
River squeals and widens her stance.
"You was walkin' round in these panties." Jayne rubs her clit through the lace of her panties with rough, hard strokes. "With all that gorram skin showin', lookin' ten kinds of delicious; whatcha gotta say for yourself?"
"Oh...oh…mmm…" River pants, eyes closes as she rocks herself against his hand.
Jayne pulls his hand away.
River opens her eyes in panic. "Jayne?"
"Done asked you a question, baby; you gonna answer it?" He runs his fingers over the little strips of elastic holding her panties on her hips. "Ain't gonna fly till you answer."
"Wanted to look pretty." River whispers, eyes closed and her cheeks pinking with embarrassment. "Wanted you to look at me and see a pretty, sexy girl."
Jayne slides her panties down her hips with a sigh. "You don't need none of this for that." He picks her back up until her face is level with his. "First time I saw you, I done thought you was the prettiest girl I ever did see. Also thought you was crazy as a loon but that's beside the point. All I see when I look at you is that pretty girl."
River wraps her legs around his hips with a sigh. "And it doesn't bother you that I'm not normal?"
"Nope." Jayne grins at her. "Kinda like you crazy-like; it's entertainin' as hell."
River laughs at the look on his face and then groans when he pushes inside her.
"How much time we got?" Jayne asks as he thrusts evenly and deeply inside her.
River thinks back and tries to calculate but comes up empty. "Don't know." She pants. "Can't think….oh, god, Jayne, right there."
Jayne laughs and pushes inside her again. Her mouth is open, chest heaving, eyes drooped closed, and nostrils flared; all in all, she's the sexiest gorram thing he's ever done seen. Then she squeezes around him and he groans deep in his throat and pushes harder into her.
River experimentally squeezes her internal muscles and mewls at the shocks of pleasure the action provides. She does it again and again, enjoying Jayne's groans more than the shocks.
Jayne buries his face in her neck and tilts her hips slightly. Then he starts pounding into her, the small room filled with their moans and groans and the sounds their bodies make as the slam together.
River comes first, her mouth opened in a silent scream and her legs squeezing Jayne's hips with a death grip. He in turn grips her hips hard enough that she knows his finger marks will remain as he groans his release against her neck.
"We have to go." River announces a few moments later. "We've gone past our allotted time frame."
Jayne sets River on her feet with a scowl. "I'm bout done with this whole sneakin' round thing." He complains as he pulls on his pants.
"I know." River agrees. "But the time is not right."
Jayne rolls his eyes and picks her thongs up off the ground. "Don't you be doin' that cryptic crap on me, little girl."
"But I just did." River says, hands clasped in front of her naked body innocently. "Am I to be punished?"
Jayne smirks at the not so innocent flare in her eyes. "I think that might just be a good idea." He replies. "Think you're too gorram used to your brother babyin' and coddlin' you, lettin' you get away with all the sneaky things you do. I think you just might need an old-fashioned punishment."
River looks up at Jayne with wide eyes. "You are correct." She whispers. "I am a very bad girl and deserve to be punished."
Jayne pulls her naked body against his fully clothed one. "And what kinda punishment do you think you deserve?"
"I believe that maybe I should be spanked." River replies huskily. "But who will administer my punishment?"
"Me." Jayne growls. "Ain't nobody but me ever gonna lay a hand on you."
River smiles and rubs her face against his chest. "My Jayne will keep all the nasty boys with their nasty thoughts away?"
"Yep." Jayne growls, the thought of any gorram boy even thinkin' on her makin' him ten kinds of pissed. "You're mine."
"And I have the Jayne marks to prove it." River reaches up to plant a kiss on his nose. "Now, may I have my panties back?"
"Nope." Jayne grins as he tucks the bit of fabric into his pocket. "They're mine now."
"Actually, they were Dawn's and then Willow's and then mine." River corrects as she slips on her jeans. "And now they are yours; does nobody want them?" She pulls the jeans up, wiggling her hips to get them completely on.
"You was wearin' panties that somebody else done wore?" Jayne asks, a little grossed out by the idea.
River wrinkles her nose in disgust. "Of course not." She replies. "That would be unsanitary; they still had the tags on them so they were newly purchased and unworn."
"And now they're mine." Jayne grins.
River pulls her shirt on and turns her back to Jayne. "Tie me, please."
Jayne moves her hair over and ties the tiny strings of her not-a-shirt. "I believe you gotta punishment comin'." He whispers into her ear. "And I believe you best be in my bunk fore midnight, dong ma?"
River nods shakily.
"That's a good girl." Jayne soothes. He steps away for a brief second and then as an afterthought, smacks her ass roughly.
"Oh." River yelps, startled by the sensation.
"You was the one who wanted spankings." Jayne points out. "Don't tell me you're backin' out now."
"Oh, no." River turns her head to leer at him. "I was just surprised but it wasn't unpleasant."
"You best git fore we do this now." Jayne warns.
River giggles, opens the door, and runs out of the septic room.
Jayne shakes his head with a smile as he follows at a more sedate pace, completely amused by his crazy girl.
-
"Starin' the man down wearing his own damn.." Mal trails off and looks down at the table.
"He didn't say anything?" Willow asks gently.
"He must have said something…." Inara is cut off when an explosion rocks the boat.
"We hit?" Zoe asks.
"Too damn close." Mal mutters as he stalks to the bridge.
"They're behind us." Wash says as soon as he hears Mal coming up the steps. "Fired over the port bow."
"Warning shot?" Mal questions.
"They could have hit us." Wash replies.
"Feds." Zoe announces quietly.
"This is Lieutenant Womak of Allied Enforcement." A voice says over the com. "You are in possession of stolen goods and are ordered to cut thrust and prepare for docking."
Mal groans. "The Lassiter."
"That was quick." Zoe comments with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, goddess, we're going to jail." Willow gasps. "I can't go to jail."
"Willow, calm down." Inara soothes, rubbing her hand up and down Willow's arm. "We're not going to jail."
"We broke the law and now we're being punished." Willow whispers. "I should have known this would happen."
"Keep him distracted." Mal orders Wash before turning around to leave the bridge. He stops for a second to address Willow. "You ain't goin' to jail, ain't gonna let that happen, dong ma?"
Willow nods.
"Alright then, now we just gotta figure out what's in that crate they want so bad." Mal mutters, more to himself than anyone else. "Can't pick up one gorram thing without havin' trouble."
-
"You really think there's something in there?" Zoe asks Mal quietly as they watch Simon prepare to cut Tracey open.
"Using corpses for smuggling is a time-honored repulsive customs." Mal answers.
"Maybe it's gold." Jayne comments and then grunts when River smacks him in the stomach. "Girl."
"Behave." River whispers.
Zoe arches an eyebrow, surprised that Jayne doesn't argue with River. She was about to say something but there's no need now; River's got it under control.
"He's been opened before." Simon says, scalpel held a few inches above Tracey's bare chest.
"How's that?" Mal says, looking down at Tracey's chest.
"It's good work." Simon comments. "The scar's nearly invisible."
"Well, lets see what's in there." Mal says after a few moments. He looks at Zoe and sees the same torn up look on her face that he knows must be on his. This ain't somethin' he wants to do.
River reaches behind Jayne and grabs a blanket, smiling up at Jayne when he gives her a funny look.
"Awwww."
Simon jumps back when the corpse screams, scalpel still held in his hand. He sees the blood running down the corpse's chest and instinctively moves to examine it when he's attacked.
"Jayne, get ahold of him." Mal yells.
"Spry for a dead fella." Jayne comments as he shuffles in front of River to block her view.
Mal tackles Tracey and straddles his body. "SETTLE!" He shouts. "That's enough."
"He was cuttin' on me, sarge." Tracey protests.
"I know it." Mal agrees. "I told him to."
"You told him to." Tracey repeats. "What for?"
"You were dead." Mal shouts.
There's a brief pause as this dawns on Tracey. "Huh. Oh, right, suppose I was." He looks up above him and smiles. "Hey, Zoe."
"Private." Zoe replies evenly.
"You feelin' a bit calmer now?" Mal asks.
"Yes, Sarge." Tracey replies. "Sarge?"
"What?" Mal says.
"I think I'm nekkid." Tracey announces.
Willow can't help but giggle at the look that crosses Mal's face.
River pushes around Jayne and walks over to drop the blanket into Mal's arms.
"Thanks, little witch." Mal says, standing up and handing Tracey the blanket at the same time.
River turns around and smiles at Willow. "Told you."
"Yeah, yeah, time told." Willow agrees, rolling her eyes. "Still think it would have saved some time if we'd just told them he wasn't really dead."
"What one gorram second, you knew?" Mal turns to glare at them.
"I suspected and cryptic girl over there said time would tell." Willow replies.
"Little witch, you wanna explain why you knew and didn't say nothin'?" Mal asks angrily.
"You wouldn't have believed me." River replies. "Seemed pointless to tell you." She grabs a bedpan from behind Jayne and hands it to Simon.
"Thanks, mei-mei." Simon says, holding the pan under Tracey's mouth just as he throws up. "Here."
"No, thank you." River wrinkles her nose. "You can dispose of the partially digested substances."
Simon sets the pan on the counter with grimace; it is one of the main reasons he went into surgery and not general practice. He goes back to examining Tracey; half listening while Mal questions the not-a-corpse about how he became a corpse. As he starts to monitor Tracey's heart, he realizes something is completely wrong. "Captain..I don't mean to…I think we may have a medical emergency here….." He turns around to study a monitor. "This man…he appears to be in cardiac arrest."
"What? Tracey, you havin' a heart attack?" Mal says in shock. "He don't look like he's havin' a heart attack."
"Don't pay no attention to your machines, doc." Tracey laughs. "They'll fib to ya. Heart's just fine. Better'n fine. Run's a bit hotter'n normal, is all."
"My god." Simon mutters. "It's not just the heart muscle…it's everything."
"All the movin' parts." Tracey says. "That's what I took, Mal, and that's what they want back."
"Tracey, you wanna explain what the tyen shiao-duh you're talkin' bout?" Mal orders.
"Sure, sarge…sure." Tracey trails off, his eyes focused on the doorway.
Simon looks up to see Kaylee standing outside; then he sees the look she's sharing with Tracey. He never got to 'practice' Willow's lessons; when he found Kaylee she was in the engine room listening to the recorder. He sighs and starts to mechanically put his medical tools away.
-
"Here ya go." Kaylee smiles cheerfully at Tracey as she hands him a glass of water.
"Thank you." Tracey smiles back.
"So your innards, ain't your innards?" Mal questions.
Willow giggles.
"What?" Mal turns to look at her.
"You said innards." Willow says.
Mal rolls his eyes. "Well, Tracey?"
"Mine got scooped out." Tracey explains. "Replaced every bit."
"Why'd you wanna go and do that?" Jayne asks.
"For the money." Tracey explains. "They're paying me to transport what they stuck in."
"You're smuggling human organs?" Zoe asks, a little bit of anger showing in her tone.
"Grown in a lab." Tracey answers. "Only way they can me moved is in a person. Not sure why?"
"Because the technology's not ready." Simon explains, trying not to watch Kaylee watch Tracey but failing miserably. "The blastomeres are unapproved, likely unstable. You're not just a carrier; you're an incubator?"
Willow leans her head on Simon's shoulder as she stares at Tracey in complete fascination.
"What?" Tracey asks, feeling uncomfortable under the redhead's gaze.
"It's just fascinating." Willow comments. "They took out everything that makes you, you and replaced it with who knows what."
"Just replaced it with more organs." Tracey says.
"Yeah, but, you could have girl parts inside you." Willow says, tilting her head back slightly to look up at Simon. "Right?"
"Yes, I suppose they could have put any number of organs inside you." Simon agrees. He knows what Willow's doing, the comfort she's trying to give him, and is grateful for it.
"Yeah, but, girl parts?" Tracey says.
"That's what's so interesting." Willow says. "Who knows what they put inside you or how long it will last. I mean, maybe this whole thing was just a scam to get your organs and you fell for it and now you've got artificial parts that are only going to last so long before they give out."
"Willow." River scolds.
"What?" Willow replies. "It could be the truth…though I guess telling him that isn't the nicest thing to do."
"We'll deal with that when it comes." Mal says, bracing his hands on the couch when the boat shakes again. "But for now, we gotta deal with whoever wants them fake innards back."
-
"So… that was the plan.." Tracey gasps out painfully. "That…that was a good plan."
"I think so." Mal replies.
Tracey coughs heavily. "I'm feelin'…kinda stupid right now."
"Only cause you are." Mal replies quietly.
"Kaylee..I'm sorry." Tracey gurgles. "Everyone…wasn't never no good at life, seem to make sense of it….always running scared."
Zoe squats down and gently brushes hair off Tracey's forehead.
"When you can't run anymore, you crawl…" Tracey coughs with a little, sad laugh. "And when you can't do that…you can't do that…"
"You find someone to carry you." Zoe finishes quietly.
Tracey nods and his eyes flutter close, head slumping to the side. "Guess I did at that…"
-
"We should have been able to save him." Willow whispers to River.
"Couldn't." River whispers back. "Fake parts were boiling, body rejecting, and his parts were too far away. He would have died in a few hours anyways."
"Oh." Willow mutters as she digs through the clothes she got from Dawn.
"No." River rejects. "Must be warmer clothing; it is snowing where we are going."
"Oh." Willow mutters again. She's not used to this, watching somebody she knows die without fighting back. Okay, she didn't really know him but Mal and Zoe did and they're both torn up about it, especially Mal since he's the one that shot him.
River pulls the turtleneck over her head, wraps her scarf around her neck and then sits down to pull on her boots. The whole boat is sad but for once, it's not washing over her until she's lost. She's able to keep most everything out and is grateful for it; she's so tired of always feeling what everyone else feels. She just wants to feel what she feels. "It's time."
Willow nods and pulls the hoodie on. She takes the hand River is holding out and lets the younger girl lead her back to the bay where everyone else is waiting. Simon is holding Kaylee's hand and Willow knows the mechanic's brush with death probably made the doctor realize he can't keep waiting for another day. Wash and Zoe are standing close together, Book beside him. River moves next to Jayne and he turns his body to cover her smaller frame with his larger one. Willow slowly walks over to stand a few paces behind Mal and right beside Inara. She watches as the door lowers and when Inara takes her hand, she squeezes the companion's back gratefully. They follow Mal and Zoe, who are carrying Tracey's body, down the ramp and out into the cold, brisk snow where his family is waiting. The casket is set on the ground, Mal and Zoe stepping back as Kaylee steps forward to hand Tracey's mother the recorder. Book steps forward to give a small blessing and then he's gone, family taking him away as if he was never there to begin with. Nobody speaks as they get back on Serenity. Wash heads straight for the bridge, Zoe at his side. Everyone else separates and heads their own ways, intending to deal with it on their own.
-
Willow glances over at River's bed and isn't surprised to see it empty. She knew the genius was going to Jayne's bunk, helped her pick out something to wear before they went to bed. She can't sleep; every time she closes her eyes, she sees Tracey's eyes close as he slips away. It's not something she enjoys seeing. With a sigh, she stands up and leaves her room, intending to go find something to eat when she senses somebody else. She instantly knows it's Mal and starts towards the bridge. He feels guilty and at the same time doesn't. Tracey did bring the entire situation down and expected somebody else to get him out of it but didn't take the help when it was offered. But he was still a kid and had so much living in front of him to do and now, poof, there's nothing. Anya was right; it's stupid and mortal and doesn't make sense.
"Shouldn't you be sleepin'?" Mal asks, not having to turn around to know who's behind him. He can smell her; that earthy sent.
"Shouldn't you?" Willow asks back.
"Can't sleep." Mal answers honestly. "Thought I'd sit up here and do a spell of thinkin'."
"Don't let me interrupt." Willow says. She walks over to the lockers and opens the first one, knowing blankets are stored there. Then she walks back over to the pilot's chair Mal is sitting on and plops onto his lap.
Mal grunts in surprise and automatically wraps his arms around Willow to keep her from falling. "You wanna explain what you're doin'?"
"No explanations and no questions." Willow replies, turning her body so she can look at him. "Nothing but human contact; comfort."
"I don't need…."
"And don't do that whole male posturing thing about not needing comfort." Willow interrupts. "You're human, Mal, and as much as you try to deny it, you're a nice man. And you cared about Tracey and then had to shoot him. It's not your fault, it had to be done but I know you feel all guilty about it and sad and I'm here to offer you comfort, nothing more, nothing less."
Mal smiles down at her. "I ain't a nice man."
"Sure you are." Willow argues. "You could have thrown me off a long time ago and you didn't."
"No, I couldn't." Mal whispers.
Willow doesn't question what that means.
"Deep down I always knew he'd end up gettin' himself in trouble." Mal comments. "He always just waited for somebody to rescue him and get him outa trouble; a male version of a female in distress. But I never thought I'd be the one to end him."
"You didn't." Willow says. "You just carried the bullet along, remember."
Mal sighs and looks down at her. "What's a smart, young, and pretty thing like you doin' tryin' to comfort an old grump like me?"
"Guess you're not the only masochist on the boat." Willow grins up at him.
"Brat." Mal mutters but can't keep the smile from crossing his face. Against his knowledge, his hands start to rub small circles on her bare legs.
Willow shudders at he feel of his calloused palms touching her legs. It's been about a year since her and Kennedy broke up and she hasn't been with anybody since. And it's been a little under five years since a man's touched her in a non-platonic or non-killing kinda way. She knows she's supposed to be letting him and Inara do all the moving but she can't help it. Besides, she is supposed to be comforting him.
Mal knows what she's planning when she moves again, this time on her knees to straddle his thighs, and he just leans back to accept it. Like she done said, this is just about now. His arms wrap around her back and when she leans forward, he meets her halfway. It's just like he remembered; earthy and calming and arousin' all at the same time. She feels like a live wire, like gorram power under his hands and he just can't figure out what kinda power.
Willow opens her mouth eagerly to allow his tongue in. Good, she can't remember a kiss being this…much in so long. Not Kennedy, not Oz, and honestly as much as she loved Tara, there's just something about Mal's mouth that's better.
Her skin is soft and smooth and she giggles against his mouth when he touches her belly. Then gasps when he slides his hands up to cup her breasts.
Willow breaks the kiss with a pant and arches into his hands. Goddess, has it been a long time since anything besides her own hands have touched her. But she knows they have to stop; she can't have sex with Mal while she still has feeling for Inara.
"I know." Mal leans his head back with a groan when Willow starts to pull away. "Ain't the time or the place."
"It's just too much too soon." Willow explains.
"Don't have to explain it to me, darlin'." Mal replies. "I get it." And honestly, he has his own reasons for not wanting to go any further, mainly one gorgeous, dark-haired companion reason. "It'd probably be best if'n you head on down to bed."
"Yeah." Willow agrees. "Sorry, I meant to help and all I did was make…"
Mal cuts her off with a short but deep kiss. "You helped."
Willow nods shakily and moves off his lap. She drapes the blanket over him and then walks briskly out of the bridge.
Mal pushes a hand through his hair with a groan. He needs to get this whole situation dealt with and he needs to do it now. The fact that Inara is probably asleep doesn't even cross his mind as he walks purposefully to her shuttle, intent on clearing the air about everything.
-
Inara wakes up instantly when she hears somebody pounding on her shuttle door. Thinking it's an emergency, she jumps out of bed and runs to the door without pulling on a rub over her small nightgown. "What's wrong?"
Mal pushes past her and stalks into her shuttle. He glances at her rumpled bed and turns to face her, swallowing heavily at her state of undress. She's wearin' a tiny scrap of white silk that barely covers up all her girly parts. "This what your clients get?"
Her hand is across her face before she even realizes it.
"You're makin' a gorram habit of that." Mal tests his jaw but besides the brief flash of pain, there's no damage.
"Just like you make a habit out of calling me a whore." Inara says acidly. "Did you come all the way down here to get a shot in or was there a reason?"
Mal doesn't answer; he can't. He ain't ever realized it but when she's pissed, she kinda glows a bit. Hell, maybe he did notice it and maybe that's why he's always rilin' her up.
"Mal!" Inara shouts, hands placed on her hips angrily. "Are you going to answer me?"
Throwing all common sense to the wind, he's done screwed himself over earlier, he jerks her against his chest. Then without a thought to anything but the comfort she provides by just bein' here, he practically lifts her off her feet as he devours her mouth.
Inara moans helplessly against his mouth, completely out of her range of expertise. In her normal dealings, she's always in charge, always the leader but Mal just stomps on that. He leads the kiss and he leads the touching, his hands cupping her ass to bring her against his erection as he continues to ravage her mouth. It's unlike anything she's ever felt before.
They're different, Willow and Inara. That's the first thing that pops into his mind. Inara is so worldly and experienced, so kept together. Willow is almost flighty and so far from being the 'lady' that Inara is. There's innocence to the redhead that Inara doesn't have while at the same time there's innocence to Inara that Willow doesn't have.
There's something there, a taste that doesn't belong to Mal but she can't focus past the feelings he's bringing out in her to figure out what it is. She moans against his mouth when he kneads her ass cheeks and then gasps for air when he breaks the kiss.
"I should say I'm sorry and I can if'n you want me to but it would be a ruttin' lie and we both know it." Mal says.
"I know." Inara agrees. "I know why you came, what you needed."
Mal drops a grateful kiss against her forehead. "Thanks, Nara."
Inara sighs and briefly leans against him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Mal replies. "I'm dealin' with it."
"That's good." Inara says quietly.
"Well, we best be gettin' to bed." Mal announces.
Inara raises an eyebrow.
"I mean I'll get to my bed and you get to yours." Mal explains in a rush. "We're gonna be at your friend's place in less than a days time and expect we should be rested up some."
"Thank you for taking me, especially with what happened." Inara says gratefully.
"Ain't a big deal." Mal replies. "Sides, we could all use the break."
"Yes." Inara agrees.
"Night, Nara." Mal says quietly, his hand touching her cheek briefly and fondly.
"Goodnight, Mal." Inara whispers after he shuts her shuttle door. She blindly sits down and stands back up when she realizes she sat on her tea table. She can't handle this; she's not equipped to handle the emotions raging through her body. It's like she has not control over her responses when it comes to Willow and Mal. But in reality she knows it's her body and soul finally feeling something, not just performing mechanically.
-
She waited as long as she could and if it weren't like a complete emergency, she wouldn't be doing this. But she needs to center herself and since they're deep in space and completely away from any earth, she only has one choice; deep mediation. And in order to do that, she needs incense. Gathering all her composure, Willow knocks briskly Inara's shuttle door, hoping that she's not waking the companion.
"Willow." Inara whispers after she opens her door to revel the redhead.
"Hi." Willow says cheerfully. "Can I come in?"
"Yes." Inara steps back to allow her room to enter. "Did you need something?"
"Yeah." Willow replies. "Do you have any rosemary and honeysuckle incense?"
"Yes." Inara answers.
"Can I have some?" Willow asks. "I have money, I could buy them from you."
"There's no need for that." Inara replies. She walks over to the trunk in front of her bed and opens it to remove two small sticks. "Do you need more than this?"
"No, that's enough." Willow says.
"May I ask, what do you need them for?" Inara questions.
"Just need to center myself." Willow answers honestly. "They'll help with that."
"Oh." Inara walks over to Willow and holds them out.
Willow takes the incense, her hand brushing over Inara's briefly; they both sigh.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Inara asks worriedly. "What happened before…"
"I'm fine, Inara." Willow assures her. "That was just a bunch of different things all building up and me ignoring them until I was about to explode; this is the preventive medicine to keep that from happening again."
Inara reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind Willow's ear before she even realizes it. "Sorry."
"It's okay." Willow whispers.
Inara sighs and leans forward to gently kiss Willow. She's can't fight this anymore; she wants them both and she can't tell which one she wants more. When she's with Mal, it's Mal; when she's with Willow, it's Willow. She can't help but wonder who it would be if she was with both of them. But deep down, she knows the answer; it would be both of them.
Willow sighs against Inara's mouth; it's different from kissing Mal, less animalistic and more sensual but still packs the same punch that Mal's kisses do. Goddess, she always thought Tara was it, that she would never find anybody that she would feel more with but damn it if she hasn't found two people. She wraps her arms around Inara's waist, the incense still held in her hand, and pulls the companion closer with a moan. Mal is all hard and strong while Inara is all soft curves.
Inara runs a hand down Willow's arm to rest low on the redhead's belly. She's so soft and warm and earthy while Mal is lean and hard. It's so different and she can't understand how they both have the same pull on her; make her want to leave everything about her behind but her desires.
"Oh, goddess." Willow shudders when Inara cups her breast.
Inara sucks on Willow's tongue, wanting to absorb in everything she can, and then pulls back from the redhead.
"Thanks for incense." Willow whispers, touching a shaking hand against her bruised lips.
"You're welcome." Inara replies just as quietly.
Willow looks at Inara one last time before turning around and leaving the shuttle, the door closing firmly behind her.
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