Disclaimer: Firefly and most of these characters belong to Joss Whedon. I have included some dialogue from “Out of Gas.” Mainly because it's the best hour of television ever made. Ever.

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CHECK MATE: Red Queen in play.

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2512 – January

As she brushed the last of her tears away, Inara Serra knew with absolute certainty that she would never cry for love of a man again. She would never again let a man into her heart. Better not to feel that exquisite fluttering. Better not to give in to the desire to touch, hold and have him. Better not to weave dreams around him. The House Priestess had been right all along. The life of a Companion was simpler if love were kept well out of it. She should have heeded the lessons on distancing. Now she promised herself she would revise them and practice them repeatedly until they became second nature.

The fire had died down almost completely now, leaving a pale pile of grey ashes. Not much to show for a love affair of such intensity. Letters, photographs and indeed everything he had touched. All gone now. Not merely because the ritual gave their relationship closure, but also to protect her against further investigation.

And besides, she had memorized the name and cortex address she needed.

The first light of dawn was showing blood red against the horizon. It would soon be over. By the time the sun was up, he would be dead. And she had no tears left with which to mourn his passing.

Pianhu, who had been watching from the cloisters, approached and lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. Inara turned her head to look at her and for a moment Pianhu could see the full extent of her friend's agony.

“Come,”she said softly, “The House Priestess sent me to find you.”

Inara rose from her knees and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for an instant. When she opened them again, her face was calm and composed. She gave Pianhu a small smile and followed her across the gravel courtyard and in through the ornately carved wooden entrance to the House Madr