And here is the next chapter!! I am not making it really easy for Inara and Mal because I think it never was, and in reality they wouldn't 'just' get together without any problems. So, that's exactly what I am giving them, some problems...

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'I can't wait to see that other Companion!' Kaylee squeeled the moment they stepped on Serenity again. As if on cue Inara decented the stairs elegantly. She was followed by a tall, slender woman who moved ever as graceful and elegantly as Inara did.

Jayne's cigar almost fell out of his mouth the moment he saw the two woman. He managed to catch it before it dropped on the ground.

Mal swallowed when he saw Inara. She looked beautiful as always. He looked at the woman behind her. The first thing he noticed was that they looked a bit alike. Sivella was taller and somewhat more slender but with less curving then Inara. Her dark brown hair was as long and beautiful as Inara's but it had more curls in it. The woman both had big dark eyes. And the rest was where the differences began, where Inara's face was soft, Sivella's face was graced with a square chin and visible cheekbones. Her skin colour was very light, like white porcelain. Mal swallowed again as he noticed those big brown eyes on him now, and the smirk around her full lips. Yep, he recognised the wiles immediately. She had them too. He should have known, an old class and roommate of Inara's… No trouble? How dumb could he have been?

'You just need to get to Persephone?' Mal verified just to have something to say.

Sivella nodded as she left the stairs. 'Nothing more.'

'Well, I don't see no problem in that.'

'Thankyou, I am glad.'
Sivella extended her hand to Mal who took it charmingly and kissed it.

'I've heard so many fantastic stories about you that it's almost an honour to be in your presence.' Sivella said.

Inara held her breath as alarm spread through her whole body. O, no….

'Stories?' Mal uttered surprised as he frowned his brows and looked at Inara with big eyes.

Inara kept her face motionless. But she knew she was blushing by the warmth that crept up her cheeks. And that was not for just a reason, those stories… What they implied… She looked at Mal's body. They were, very heated fantasies… She had almost forgotten that Sivella just spoke her mind whenever she wanted too, and sometimes could be brutally honoust towards her too. She should have told Sivella not to talk about this. But how could she have known Sivella would bring those horrid stories up?

Mal noticed that Inara had coloured red. This almost never happened, it made him feel paranoid instantly.

'What stories? You told her stories 'bout me?' Mal asked Inara curiously. What could she have told about her? What was there to tell?

Inara shook her head and opened her mouth to say something, but Sivella was quicker.

'O, no, I mean the stories that are going around at the Training House.' She explained lightly to clear up the misunderstanding.

Inara kept herself from inhaling and shut her eyes briefly. Dear Buddha…

He couldn't stop wondering about those stories which would probably be negative. He didn't have money, wasn't rich. They saw him as a petty thief.

'The Trai-' Mal began.

'I think some introductions with the rest of the crew are in order now, if the captain agrees.' Inara said before he could finish his sentence. She took Sivella by her upper arm and almost dragged her with her towards the others without waiting for an answer.

'And this is Zoe.' Inara said quickly.

'I don't think I got your name?' Sivella said as she walked to Jayne who had just come down and offered him her hand.

'Jayne.' He said shortly as he looked her up and down. 'So you're staying with Inara huh?'

'Yes.' Sivella said.

Inara walked to her and took her arm again as she rolled her eyes at Jayne. 'Jayne, leave her be.'

'Well Inara, you're awfully protective ain't you? What more are you towards her?' Jayne suggested wickedly.

Inara sighed frustrated. 'Don't mind him. He just doesn't know how to handle a woman.'

'Well I'd know how to handle the two of you, can say that again, if you'll only give me a chance...' Jayne said as he eyed Sivella again.

'Jayne.' Mal warned.

'Hi! I am Kaylee!' Kaylee squeeled with enthusiasm as she shook Sivella's hand.

Sivella laughed at that. 'Hello. You must be the very talented mechanic Inara told me about.' She said.

'You told her about me?' Kaylee squeeled. 'You two were roommates? I have so many things to ask you!' Kaylee chirped.

'And we have so much to talk about. Let's go and sit somewhere.' Inara said as they left for the other hallway.

'I'll be in my bunk.' Jayne grunted urgently as he left.

Kitchen, Dinner

'So is there enough room in your shuttle for two?' Jayne asked.

Inara rolled her eyes. 'She's a dear friend.' She explained again.

'Who you wanted in your shuttle.' Jayne commented dryly with an obvious hidden thought behind that.

'You can't expect her to sleep in that cold bunk that are called guest rooms do you?'

Inara said. She didn't know why she even bothered explaining this to Jayne. He probably just wanted to confirm one of his sex fantasies.

'O I forgot how fragile you Companions are. Where is she anyway?' Mal asked just at the moment she came in. She had a smile on her face as she greeted everyone and seated herself next to Inara.

'Is everything in place?' Mal asked Sivella.

Sivella looked up and smiled at Mal. 'Yes it is. Thank you.'

'So Pirate Captain you said? Fantastic stories? Could you enlighten that to me?' Mal asked Sivella when the crew had fallen into a companionable silence under dinner. He had waited all day to ask this question.

Inara swallowed and looked up with alarm written all over her face, just for a split second before she masked it. She looked at Sivella who smirked.

Inara tried not to roll her eyes. Not again!! She should have known… This was so embaressing! And it was her own fault. She scolded herself. She should have told Sivella to not talk about that but it had been so nice with her and Kaylee that they had forgotten track of time and dinner had come so soon. She hadn't spoken Sivella alone since then.

'She didn't mean anything by that.' Inara said quickly before Sivella could even answer. She saw Sivella's eyebrow raise at that.

'So there are stories going around 'bout me? In the Training House that is?' Mal asked curious as he ignored Inara and looked at Sivella pointedly.

'Yes, very interesting love stories.' Sivella answered enthousiastically. She swallowed and almost dropped her proteine bar in shock the moment Inara directed a very warning, piercing gaze at her.

Mal's eyes grew wide. 'Huh?' He uttered. Had he heard this wrong? Did she just say

Love stories?

'Don't fool yourself Mal.' Inara cut in quickly before Sivella could even open her mouth or blink. 'Just in the Training House, nowhere else.' Inara said under her breath as she busied herself with pooring water for everyone. She should have known Mal wouldn't let the subject go.

The rest of the crew was silent, following the conversation with interest. Especially Kaylee was glued to her seat.

'In the Training House? Well well. Such sophisticated woman! And what would those stories be of me? Me being some sort of angry oger man? Are they using me as an example of who to stay away from?' Mal quipped. But he really wanted to know, and he would find out, that was one thing for sure!

'Something like that.' Inara mumbled. If only Sivella wouldn't say anything.. She knew her friend, Sivella had always loved to tease her mercifully if she could. But this wasn't the moment, not at all. Sivella didn't know that this was serious. This wasn't a joking matter for her.

Please don't say anything, Inara pleaded in her mind and prayed the Buddha to take away Sivella's voice for just a few moments. Maybe for this whole subject.

Sivella had to control herself to not bite her lip. Inara really had some explaining to do later on. This was very interesting. And hearing the undertone in Inara's voice also surprised her. This man got to her. She had noticed that before. Just in the slightest way, the way Inara's face was set, the way she moved around him. The way she tried to push away emotions that bubbled up to the surface. She could even hear it in her friends voice. And as far as she knew her friend, which was really well, no man had ever gotten to her like this.

'But I do get confused by the word 'love' in those stories.' Mal prodded. He actually liked this because he noticed how annoyed and irritated Inara reacted. It was almost as if she felt ashamed of something. And he just liked to get to the bottom of that.

'So Kaylee, did you go shopping today?' Inara asked, changing the subject as quickly as possible.

Kaylee looked up surprised as if she had been in some sort of trance.

She opened her mouth to speak when Mal spoke again.

'You were in the training house only months ago. You must have spread stories and I'd like to know what kind of stories.'

'Mal, I didn't spread anything.' Inara explained annoyed as she finally looked at him now.

He raised an eyebrow at the double meaning of that sentence.

Jayne grinned out loud. 'You sure 'bout that?' He said with a suggestive grin.

She sent Jayne a warning look and then Mal one of anger.

'Stories I mean.' She snapped. Where had this gone too? She even couldn't control herself towards Jayne anymore?! She chastised herself.

'We know what you mean.' Kaylee said trying to comfort her friend and giving Jayne an angry glare all in the same second.

'So why don't you enlighten us?' Mal asked as he rolled his sleeves up. 'I'd like to hear some of those stories, bet I'm not the only one.' He said as he looked around.

'Yeah.' Wash said friendly and got kicked by Zoe instantly.

'What?' He whispered annoyed, he only meant well, why was his wife punishing him exactly??

No one dared to answer. They didn't want to be dragged in something that was between them.

'I didn't tell any stories. It were just the girls who made stories up. And I don't know how they go at all.' Inara said in a calm tone making it sound like the subject wasn't important at all.

'Surely Sivella knows the way they go?' Mal offered as he looked with a broad smile at Sivella.

'No!' Inara said somewhat shocked. 'No, she doesn't.' She regretted her reaction instantly, she had given away too much… But she knew that Sivella would gladly tell him every story in detail and she didn't want that. She gave her friend a pointed look to sent a very clear message to her.

'It are just some stories about you being a pirate, nothing more.' Inara said quickly as she turned her eyes away from Sivella.

'A pirate huh?' He said proudly as he widened his chest.

Jayne laughed out loud. 'You a pirate? HA HA HAA.'

'You'd be a really nice Pirate I think!' Kaylee told Mal to comfort him.

'And what does that pirate do? Do I barge into the Training House?' Mal prodded.

'Yes you do. Well, it's getting late already, time to clean up.'

'How about that love?' Mal said as he looked at Sivella.

'What love?' Inara said quickly. Hadn't she just said that it was getting late and that they had to go and clean up now?! Translation: we are leaving and the subject is OVER. He was insufferable as usual and didn't take any clues or hints. Another reason to not like him.

'Sivella was talking about love.'

Did she see sparkles in his eyes? Yes she did! He was actually enjoying this.

Inara tried not to clench her teeth. She would almost want to strangle Sivella for bringing this up! As if it wasn't humiliating enough to hear something like that from Sheydra! She felt the anger that she had been feeling the moment Sheydra had confronted her about these stories well up inside of her instantly. It took a lot from her to restrain it and plaster a serene, calm look on her face.

Sivella swallowed as she busied herself with the mug of water in front of her. She could clearly feel anger radiating from her friend towards her.

'Well can't you make that up yourself Mal? Your 'charming" self walks into some unknowing girl, you buy her a rose, you fall in love and leave on your ship.' Inara said quickly. 'There's a fantastic love story for you.' Inara said sarcastic.

Sivella had heard a lot of versions in the Training House, but this one was unfamiliar to her. She doubted if it even existed. You buy her a rose? Sivella bit her cheek and looked with wide eyes in her glass to stop herself from laughing out loud. He buys her a rose! There's a lot more that he does to her, and it doesn't involve one rose.

It must have been the more censured part of a story, Sivella thought cheekily as she eyed her friend.

'So all these woman dream of me huh? You can learn something from that.' Mal said proudly.

'Girls Mal, not woman.' Inara said sternly. 'The moment they grow into woman they'll know not to dream of something like that with a man like you.' She had said it harder then she had meant too.

Sivella looked up from her glass when she heard the sudden anger in Inara's voice. This conversation seemed to be getting out of control. More specific, her friend seemed to be lashing out to the captain. And why did she do that? Sivella wondered curiously as she studied both her friend and Mal.

Inara swallowed instantly. Why had this man power over her like this? Why could he mess up everything? Especially in front of Sivella!

'And why would that be?' Mal said a bit angrily as he straightened himself in his chair.

She recognised that tone in his voice. It told her that he was holding in and would lash out to her angrily very soon now.

'Time to go.' Zoe whispered at Wash as she helped him up. She recognised the tone too. 'Dinner was very nice, thank you.' She said shortly as she ushered Wash away with her.

'I didn't mean-.' How did she get herself in a situation where she had to defend herself in now? Inara paused shortly because she was too baffled by the way this conversation had gone. Sivella won't let her live this moment down! This was not something a Companion got herself into. This was not the behaviour a Companion had.

Jayne casually leaned back in his chair to be able to see both Inara and Mal. This was going to be fun!

Sivella frowned her brows and looked in her tea mug. She was somewhat curious as to how Inara was going to get herself out of this…

Kaylee felt frozen to her chair and swallowed. Why are they always so difficult? She thought sadly. After she saw them kissing, she really hoped… She really wished- When would they finally stop this?

'I only mean that girls, well you know girls..' Inara chuckled nervously. 'They'll fantasize about nearly everything and when they grow up they see..' She looked up in his eyes. And swallowed deep. 'That it's different in reality.' She ended slowly.

'Different?' He prodded. So this is really how she thinks about me. Mal thought angrily. Everything he feared that couldn't make something like a relationship happening between them, came up now. She was confirming the awful, worrying thoughts he had had about himself right there. The thoughts of him never being enough for her, of him being less, of him being a man that never could give a woman like her all she needed. Of him-

'They're just girls Mal. Who dream of something that they don't know. They only know civil men…' She stopped instantly and swallowed. Had she just insulted him again?

Sivella closed one eye in shock. Did she just really say that? Was she actually insulting him like the words just flew out of her mouth like that, like she didn't first think about what she was going to say? If the House Mistress would have seen this, Inara wouldn't have lived it down. This was getting very intesting…

'Civil?' He said angrily as his nostrils flared. She thinks I am not civil! Here we are! Back to the beginning. Or maybe we always were at the beginning.

Again she swallowed. 'I meant civil as in rich and from a very high class.' Inara explained quickly. She felt like she was walking on thin ice here.

'Yes I know 'bout them civil men in your class.' He snapped thinking of Atherton.

'Mal, you know what I mean.'

'I don't think I do. I know I don't have much but that ain't what makes a man civil. You should know that, teachin' these girls and all. What do you teach them anyway? To look down on us 'lower' men?'

Okay, now Sivella had the idea that she should leave this table too. Just like the rest of the crew was doing, slipping away slowly. She saw the doctor leaving with his sister. Only Jayne sat as if he was unphased. And Kaylee seemed to much in shock to even move. This was something between Mal and Inara.

'We treat everyone with respect Mal. And I am not letting you trap me into another fight.'

'A fight?!' Mal stood up from his chair quickly. It almost fell down. 'Obviously we are back to where we were at the beginning.' He snapped at her with burning eyes. 'And you don't seem to mind that much.' He spat as he turned around and left.

Inara sighed out loud as he left. That insufferable man! What had she said wrong this time?! She just didn't want to fight!

'Not civil enough!' Mal moped angrily as he stalked through the hallway. 'She ain't met a man whose real civil yet!' He spat as he almost bumped into Book.

'So how was the shopping?' Inara began sweetly at Kaylee again to lighten the atmosphere.

Kaylee and Jayne were the only two who had dared to stay, and Sivella ofcourse.

Kaylee stood up as she looked at Inara with a not so nice look. 'I really don't understand the two of you.' She said heatedly and with an unsteady voice as she headed towards her bunk.

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Hope you liked it!! Please review!! Thanks