A Question of Trust

As anyone who had ever known her could tell you, when Inara Serra made up her mind, it was definite. Complete resolution. It was never the decision, once made, that was the problem. It was the deciding that was the agony for her. And when she determined, once and for all, what to do about the maelstrom that was Malcolm Reynolds the rest fell into place for her without a whimper.

~*~

Things did not look promising in the cargo bay. Mal noted two dainty train cases and one larger suitcase by the stairs, an elegant shimmer wrap thrown over the top. He’d told Zöe that he thought Inara would be leaving, but that she’d go this fast was a surprise even to him.

By the time he was outside her shuttle he had an ache in his chest and gut that nearly took his breath. He recognized the feeling. It was the way he’d felt the last time she'd left Serenity. He hadn’t had much to say that time either.

He met Jayne and Simon coming out, carrying boxes filled with the draperies she’d used to decorate. They nodded at Mal and moved off, looking nervous and like they wished they were elsewhere.

He could hear her and Kaylee discussing the price of something, and he was just about to step in when River danced out carrying a tiny, wooden music box held to her ear in one hand and Sushi’s bowl in the other. Sushi darted about lazily, seemingly undisturbed by the dancing or the moving.

“Zao lao!” She hummed as she passed him, flashing him a beautiful smile.”

“Mornin’,” he answered tightly, trying to see inside. “What’s goin’ on in there, albatross?”

“Out with the old, in with the new,” she sang, grinning like that was the best news she’d heard all day.

Mal felt his stomach clench, then the pain eased and he felt a familiar coldness soak through him. Best if they got this over with fast. Tearin’ out a heart was like tearin’ off a weave. Wa’n’t no use protractin’ the pain.

“She leavin’ then?” he ground out. “She gonna need a ride?”

The music crept to a tinklin