Disclaimer: I don't own it

Author's note: Ten thousand apologies for not having updated sooner. I lost my disk with this story on; however, I (obviously) was able to find it. So here is the latest chapter. Enjoy!

Angela could hardly believe what she was doing, as she knocked on Inara's door. The door opened, and she could tell Inara wasn't thrilled to see her. Angela looked down at her feet. "I hate to ask… but I need some clothes. I have credits. I can pay you."

Inara shook her head. "That won't be necessary. Your ship blew up, and I have plenty to spare. Come in, please." Inara said as she moved aside. Angela stepped inside, and Inara looked her over. "From what I can see, you need more than just clothes."

Angela rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "I guess I could use a haircut." She muttered.

"And some moisturizing oil for your hair. Have a seat." Inara said, indicating a chair.

Inara set to work on Angela's hair with skill. "Why did you come to me?" She asked, as she brushed oil through the now neatly cut hair.

"I would have asked Kaylee, but she's so little…"

Inara laughed. "Kaylee's clothes would be far too short for you." Angela grinned and nodded. "Why did you run away? You were on your way to being a fine, well respected companion. You were one of the best in our class."

Angela's grin disappeared. "Alliance officers don't see companions as people. They see them as property." Inara looked confused, and Angela knew she would have to explain.

"I was on my way to meet a client, and an alliance officer told me that he was looking for someone. I didn't realize that he meant he was looking for a whore." Angela paused looking at her feet. "An alliance officer will do anything to get whatever he wants. Horrible things, things that I will never speak of to anyone. I finally gave into him. He used me and tossed me out. After that, I knew I had to leave the life of being a companion."

Tears were streaming down Inara's face. "I'm so sorry…" She said as she placed her hand on Angela's arm.

Angela pulled away. "Don't give me your pity, Inara. Just know that I did what I did for a reason."

Inara nodded. "Does Mal know?"

Angela shook her head. "Mal didn't even know where I was, until yesterday."

"I shouldn't have judged you, Angela. I should have realized that you had your reasons. I'm…"

"Don't you dare say you're sorry! I'm not sorry. Running away was the best thing that ever happened to me. With that action, I lost complete contact with my father. I got a firefly and a place on that boat that I could finally call home. So save your apologies for another day."

Inara smiled. "Let's get you some clothes. I hope you don't mind companion's clothing." She said pulling out various styles of dresses and robes.

Angela tried on a dress with a low back. Inara gasped when she saw the scars. "What…? Does it fit that badly?"

"No, it's just… the scars… there are so many of them."

Angela shrugged. "I've been in a few fights over the years/"

"You are so much like your brother." Inara said softly.

"Maybe, but you'll never see Mal in a dress."

The two women began laughing at the image of Captain Malcolm Reynolds wearing a dress. An hour later, Angela left Inara's shuttle with plenty of clothing to last until they arrived at their next destination.