She's just as stunning as the day I first laid eyes on her, he thought, as he stepped through the portal into the common room. But the hair on the back of his neck rose to attention. The air was too still. Something was off.

"Inara?"

The companion just sat slumped, motionless, a single sheet of paper dangling from her polished fingertips.

Mal dropped into the chair nearest her. He placed a hand gently on hers and searched her face. Tears swam heavy in her dark eyes, a gentle smile across her full red lips.

"Inara," he repeated. "What is it? What's wrong?"

She startled out of her daze and slowly turned toward him. "It's happened. I can't believe it. I've been waiting for this day for years. I had hoped…but never really thought it would happen. It's completely unprecedented."

Mal gently patted her hand. "That's great, I'm sure. But I ain't got one idea what you're talking about. Care to share?"

Inara silently slid the paper toward him. Mal scanned it, twice, and still wasn't sure he understood. It couldn't mean what he thought it meant, what he hoped it meant. He lifted wary eyes to her.

"I don't understand, Inara. Says here your resignation is confirmed. Resignation from what? Who's this Madame Pulosky? What's going on? Are you OK?"

Inara pulled herself to a posture more fitting a registered and respected Companion. She swiped her tears away and took a deep breath. Her hands folded delicately in her lap, her dark eyes boring through him. He felt transparent and nervous. She looked an odd mixture of fear and hope.

"Mal, from the moment I stepped onto Serenity I knew my life would be altered. I felt immediately that this ship was where I was destined to be," she stated. "Then, unfortunately, you opened your mouth."

Mal felt the sting of her words as if he'd been slapped, which wasn't the first time for sure.

"Now, Inara, we've talked about that..."

"Don't interrupt me, Mal. This is important. Just listen. Please."

Mal sensed this wasn't the time to push her. He'd let her speak her piece then attempt a thousandth apology for how he behaved on that first day. Damn woman had a memory longer than an elephant and a temper shorter than a…well, a really short thing. Maybe a like a snake, but snakes weren't particularly called short.

"Mal! Are you listening to me?"

"Oh, right," Mal frowned. "Sorry. You got my full attention. Scout's honor."

Inara rolled her eyes for probably the millionth time since they met and her chest looked real pretty when she puffed it up like that. He surely did love that exasperated face she wore most times, at least most time 'round him. She looked mighty pretty all riled up and ruffled. Suited him just fine like.

"Mal, stop making googly eyes! I'm trying to tell you I resigned. And despite absolutely no precedent for it, the Guild has accepted my resignation unconditionally. I'm not a Companion anymore. They let me go, Mal."

"What? Why? What?"

Inara's hands were suddenly heatin' up his knees and her face came mighty close to his.

"Malcolm Reynolds. Today is the day," she smiled."Today is the day I tell you that I've fallen in love with you. I knew my status as a Companion was the biggest obstacle to us ever being together." Her hand moved to now warm his cheek. "So, I removed it."

Mal was stunned, shocked, silent. Then fury bubbled forth. "How long," he growled.

Inara pushed back, brows furrowed in confusion. "How long what, Mal?"

"How long have you loved me?"

Inara wiggled nervously in her seat, her eyes searching the room looking for a way out. No way, not this time, he thought.

"Well, Mal," she huffed. "I don't see how that's really the point here. I would have thought…"

"Inara! How. Long."

Her eyes flared to life, ready for battle. "Fine! If you must know. Eight years." The fight instantly drained out of her at her. "Eight long damn years. OK? Happy now?"

He watched her begin to shrink into herself and knew he'd kick himself forever if he let her suffer too long.

Apparently today is the day, he thought as he stepped up and kissed her with all the longin' and possession he could muster. A fierce kiss to show her all the feelings he ever had for her. She went dead limp in his arms and he smiled against her lips.

"So, today is the day? Our day?"

Her answering smile was all he needed.

"Are you sure, Inara? 'Cause if you are, you'll make me the happiest man in the 'Verse but you gotta be sure. If we do this, I ain't ever lettin' you go."

Her answering kiss was all he needed.

Eight years. Eight years he waited for today.

Shiny, he thought as he swept her up into his arms and back through the portal, back to his quarters.

MEANWHILE ON OSIRIS

River returned the teacup gently to its saucer as she took a moment to inspect her hostess. Dignified, as expected, and a bit smug. River smirked behind linen napkin at the irony. Only one woman in the room earned the right to be smug and it certainly wasn't the one River was looking at.

"Madame Pulosky, thank you for your gracious invitation," River purred. "It is an honor that I will surely not forget." She placed her napkin aside. This role was one of her least favorite but it proved useful. All of them did.

"Why, you are quite welcome, my dear," the old woman responded. "It truly is a shame that we couldn't convince you to join us here at the Guild. Such a true talent, you are, Ms. Tam."

River nearly shivered with disgust but managed a polite shrug. "Well, as we discussed at our last meeting, I simply can't imagine entering such a graceful life when a graceful exit is not permissible." River tilted her head for maximum affect. "Certainly I can not be the only candidate to offer such objections. Times have changed, you see. Our generation values choice, in all things." River flicked her wrist in dismissal. "But let's not discuss this further, shall we? Such a tired old topic, isn't it?"

River watched closely, hopeful that today was the day this crazy old fish finally swallowed the bait.

"Actually, Ms. Tam. I'm happy to inform you that the High Council has recently changed our policy on resignations and retirements," the Madame bragged. "The Companion's Guild has a history of adapting to social morays and edicts. I'm confident the Guild, under my leadership, will continue in that tradition."

River feigned shock, and hand even flying to her lips for dramatic impact.

"A retired Companion," River questioned. "Whatever would she do after leaving the Guild? What possible life could she lead?"

The Madame straightened, reaching once again for the comfort of her tea. "Surely, I have no idea. But I can't see how any of that is any of our business. Once a Companion resigns, she is surely dead to us."

River hid her Cheshire smile behind her teacup. "Indeed."

After going to the motions of pretending to forward her formal application to the Guild and dispensing with the formalities of high-society farewells, River relaxed into the leather seat of her chauffeured shuttle as it exited the gates of the Guild manor.

"Huh", she smirked, grabbing her chilled glass of champagne. "Guess today was the day after all."

She raised her glass and silently toasted her friends high above.