"Mal."
"Inara."
Josephine let her gaze drift from the stunning woman before her to Mal as an awkward silence fell over the others. The Captain's jaw was set in a tight line and if Kaylee hadn't told her about his past relationship with this women she would have thought he was bracing himself for a fight. His eyes weren't cold, but wary as he regarded her.
Jo, though she didn't know the Companion, thought she saw the same wariness in Inara's rigid posture. "They hurt each other," Kaylee had said. Somehow Josephine found these words unfit for the distant and restrained reunion before her.
Her thoughts were interrupted suddenly as Jayne surprised them all by stepping forward without warning and throwing his arms around the Companion.
Inara's eyes widened in shock at the mercenary's unusual display of affection and she stood there stiffly for a moment before returning his embrace. She patted his back absently and smiled as he pulled away, an embarrassed grin across his face.
"It's good to see you Jayne."
Jayne nodded simply but was pushed out of the way when he tried to speak as Kaylee lunged at the Companion. Inara braced herself and managed to stay upright as she returned the mechanic's enthusiastic embrace.
"Oh 'Nara... I've missed you." Kaylee's voice was thick with the beginning of tears and Inara pressed her lips to the shorter woman's forehead gently before speaking.
"Shhh mei mei... we've plenty of time to catch up." Kaylee continued to cling to Inara until Simon stepped up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Come on Kaylee, if you hold her any tighter you're going to break something and I'd hate to perform an operation this early in the visit." He increased the pressure on the mechanic's shoulders and separated her from Inara gently before turning to face her again.
Leaning his head towards her, Simon placed a chaste kiss on the Companion's cheek. "It's nice to see you again Inara."
Out of the corner of her eye, Josephine thought she saw Mal's fist clench slightly. He looked down at his hand in alarm a moment later, as though it had acted of its own accord and surprised him.
"You too Simon."
Josephine watched silently as Zoe and River took turns greeting their old friend. Her eyes traveled up to Mal's face as Zoe and Inara exchanged pleasantries. His expression had changed and she could tell he was doing his best to appear collected, but as hard as he was trying he couldn't keep the contentment from his eyes.
"I hope it's not for my benefit," Jo whispered next to the Captain.
He turned to her questioningly. "Shenme?"
"That you're trying not to look happy."
Mal dipped his head down, closing his eyes briefly and allowing a small smile to grace his features. "I know Kaylee's told you some... things," he began, keeping his voice as quiet as he could. "I don't want you getting the wrong idea. Its just..." his voice trailed off, unsure how to express himself. He settled on gesturing towards the people next to him.
"You don't have to hide anything. I know you're diverted just seeing how happy they are." Josephine nodded in Inara's direction. "Having her back is almost like having them all back... when you were a family. I get it... it's attractive."
The Captain stared down into her smiling face thoughtfully for a moment before leaning in and capturing her lips in an innocent but hurried kiss.
"You must be Josephine."
They pulled apart suddenly, both of them surprised to have the elegant voice now addressing Jo.
"And you're Inara." Jo turned to face the woman, searching her eyes for any sign that she should be defensive, but was pleased to find only curiosity there. She tightened her grip on the cane in her left hand and leaned forward, her right had extended towards Inara.
The Companion only hesitated a moment before grasping Josephine's outstretched hand and smiling warmly.
"I've heard a lot about you," Jo said, watching as Inara's eyes widened in surprise. "Pleased to finally meet you."
"Likewise," Inara spoke quickly, letting her hand drop. She looked behind Josephine suddenly. "And these must be our guests. Hello." She waited patiently for one of the women to speak to her, ignoring their suspicious eyes.
"They don't say much," Mal said, speaking to Inara for the first time since their greeting.
"Or anything at all," Jayne muttered under his breath, his comment receiving a quick glare from the Captain.
"Let me speak for them." Efram hobbled forward to face the Companion. "I'm Efram. And let me be the first to thank you ma'am."
Inara stared down into his earnest face and simple nodded before turning back to the others. "Shall we?"
For the first time since they landed, Josephine became aware of their surroundings again and realized that Inara wasn't the only one to come and greet them. A small group of bare-chested young men in brightly colored trousers stood behind Inara, a few well dressed, older women among them, who all seemed quite content to let Inara do the talking.
The Companion led them to the side, where several ornate, horse-drawn carriages were located and indicated that everyone should choose one.
Mal helped Josephine up into one of the carriages in the front and was surprised when Inara climbed in gracefully and sat across from them. She smiled at them sweetly for a moment but didn't speak as one of the bare-chested men climbed in behind the horses and took the reigns in his hand, sending the animals into a slow trot. The cart glided smoothly over the small hills of the valley and Josephine ignored the others silence as she watched the training house grow larger. They had been traveling under the lush branches of the tall trees that lay in the valley but as they grew closer to their destination they left the shade behind and the rich orange hue of the sun beat down around them. Jo gasped suddenly at the new sensation and watched the way the light only enhanced their dazzling surroundings.
She turned to find Inara smiling serenely at her. "It's beautiful," Jo admitted slightly embarrassed.
"It is," Inara agreed. "And we have much to see and do here. How long were you planing to stay?"
Josephine had the sneaking suspicion that her question was for Mal and she turned to him, waiting for his answer.
The Captain regarded the women for a moment before answering. "Not long. Best to keep moving lest unwanted people catch up to you."
"I don't think you'll need to worry about that," Inara spoke quietly, her eyes betraying her slight elation.
Mal and Josephine looked at her skeptically, waiting for her to continue.
"It's been taking care of."
"What's been taken care of?"
Inara turned to Josephine. "No one is looking for you, not anymore," she said kindly before shifting her gaze to Mal. "And because they're not looking for her, they aren't looking for you either... unless you've been up to your usual business, then by all means, please be looking over your shoulder."
"How is this possible?"
Josephine waited for Inara to answer Mal's question and was entranced that this woman could turn a simple shrug into something graceful. "The Guild," Inara said simply, as though it explained everything.
Mal and Jo stared at her, mouth's open in surprise. "We have our ways," the Companion added.
"So..." Mal began but was cut off quickly by Inara.
"No law enforcement from Persephone, no Feds. You've plenty of time to take your ease here."
The Captain looked as though he wanted to believe her but was having difficulty actually wrapping his head around the thought. They'd been running from Rawley's men and the Feds for months now, it just seemed impossible that it could be that easy.
The rest of their journey was spent in silence, until finally the carriages stopped in front of the open doors of the training house. Mal eased himself out quickly, holding up a hand to assist Josephine. Inara regarded the Captain with wide eyes as he turned back around after helping Jo and held his hand out to her as well. She stared at his hand as though it were something she'd never seen before and just as he was about to pull it away she grasped it tentatively and allowed him to aid her.
"Thank you," she muttered briefly as she released his hand.
Josephine watched as the bare-chested men drove the carriages around the side of the building and Inara stepped in front of her. "Where are they going?" She motioned towards the departing carts with her right hand.
"To the stables," Inara answered, smiling at her.
"Stables?" Mal stepped up next to Josephine quickly and she almost laughed out loud as the excitement played across his face.
"Yes stables," Inara repeated. She smiled at Josephine again before turning back to Mal. "You're more than welcome to inspect them during your visit."
Mal grinned at Josephine as they followed Inara and the others up the steps. Her leg made her move slowly and the cane was little help on the steps. Mal hovered near her, ready to catch her if she fell, and she knew if she were to ask him to carry her he would. Josephine preferred to make her way slowly and by the time she reached the doors everyone else was already inside.
The rest of Serenity's crew were staring open-mouthed at the vast ceiling of the foyer, but Josephine found her eyes falling on an arched door way to the far left of the room. An attractive older woman was talking to Inara as Efram and the other women disappeared through the doorway.
"Where are they going?" Jo didn't realize how loudly she had spoken until she found every person's eyes on her. She moved quicker than she thought possible with the cane until she was next to Inara. "Where are they taking them?"
The Companion regarded her silently for a moment before turning her eyes to Mal in question.
The Captain simply shrugged as he stepped closer to them. "She asked you a question."
Inara managed to only look slightly annoyed as she turned back to Josephine.
"Kaylee told me they didn't want to be separated and we don't have any rooms large enough for eight grown women. I had to convert a classroom for them." She paused a moment, glancing at the women and old man. "I was also under the impression that they weren't particularly social and would prefer to take dinner in their room." She glanced down at Josephine again. "Unless of course you think otherwise."
Jo could feel the familiar warmth as her cheeks darkened against her will. "No... I'm sure you're right... I just saw..."
Inara reached a perfectly manicured hand out and placed it gently on Josephine's shoulder. "You don't have to worry, we're going to take good care of them."
Jo nodded and Inara let her hand fall from her shoulder. "I'm sure you're all hungry, so I'll show everyone where they'll be sleeping and let you get cleaned up before dinner. Follow me."
Mal and Josephine brought up the rear as the others were shown to their rooms and Mal managed to scoff only mildly when Simon and Kaylee were led to the same room. The others were shown to their respective rooms until only the Captain and Jo were left. Inara stopped in front of a large wooden door that had been painted a deep crimson color.
"And here we are. Dinner is in fifteen minutes, I'll send someone up to show you the way." She turned to go quickly but was stopped as Jo called out to her.
"Inara... thank you, for everything."
The Companion smiled and nodded as she turned and continued back down the hallway. Jo watched her go, slightly surprised that Inara had known they would be sharing a room.
Mal grasped the door knob and pulled it open, faking a low bow as he ushered Josephine into the room.
She gasped involuntarily as her eyes roamed over the large room before her. The entire room was done in deep shades of red, right down to the plush carpeting under their feet, but somehow, as if by magic, nothing in the room seemed to clash. The bed was large enough for several people and very inviting as it sat in the back of the room. Or at least she assumed there was a bed underneath the multitude of plush burgundy pillows.
Josephine gasped again, but for highly different reasons, as she felt a pair of warm arms wrap around her waist and lift her. The cane fell to the floor, the clatter muffled by the carpet as Mal turned them, pressing her against the now closed red door.
His mouth was on hers in an instant, seeking an entry that she readily gave. Josephine moaned into his mouth as his hands caressed her back, pulling her closer to him and pressing her against his arousal. She ground her hips against his as she locked her hands behind his neck. Mal broke the kiss and cried out at the sudden friction, dragging his lips up her face and to her ear.
"How much time did she say we have?"
"Fifteen minutes," Josephine whispered lowly, "and that was about five minutes ago."
Mal groaned into her ear, his breath making her squirm and arch her back, pressing her hips into him further still. "Not enough time."
"No."
"We should stop."
"Yes."
She heard the words and they made perfect sense, but somehow her hands had found their way to his shirt and were already working the buttons. Mal dropped his head to her throat, attaching his mouth to the rapid pulse point he found there.
Josephine finished with the last button and slipped her hands inside his shirt, splaying her fingers across his rib cage and pressing lightly. Mal's tongue darted out suddenly against her neck and Josephine's hands convulsed and moved down to hastily unbuckle his belt.
"I thought we didn't have time for that," Mal whispered huskily against her neck.
"I want to feel you." Her voice had grown deep and Mal let out a low growl as his hands moved to her waist and began fumbling with the fasten on her pants. Josephine was pulling the belt quickly out of each loop as Mal struggled with her buttons. He cried out in frustration suddenly as he brought his head up to face her again, startling Jo and giving her pause.
"What's wrong?"
"This would be a mite easier if you'd chosen a skirt today."
She smiled and leaned forward to catch his lips in a lingering kiss. "It won't happen again," she said softly as she pulled back. "Let me help you." She moved her hands to cover his and stared into his eyes as she guided his fingers and easily released the button. She let him take over and begin pushing the fabric off her hips as she slid her own hand down his stomach and into his pants, grasping his hard member in her palm.
Mal's actions halted suddenly and he rested his forehead against hers, forcing a ragged breath into his lungs. He brought his mouth back to hers, hard and rough this time as though he were trying to force himself into her.
A loud knock sounded just behind them abruptly, making them both jump. Josephine's head banged sharply against the door and Mal glared at the offending piece of wood as though it were to blame.
"What do you want?" The Captain's voice was loud and angry and Josephine could almost hear the person who had knocked pause cautiously before answering.
"Dinner is served in the main dining room. I'm to show you the way," their interrupter answered meekly.
Mal sighed deeply and rested his forehead against Josephine's again. "Just a minute," he called back through the door.
Pulling her hand from his pants, Josephine wrapped them around his waist instead and stared up at his stubborn face. "We have to go," she prompted after a few minutes.
"Yeah... but I don't have to like it."