Chapter 5: Lack of Appreciation

Mal leaned back out of the way, pulling Inara along with him underneath the scaffolding. She muttered beneath her breath about never having a peaceful day of shopping with him as they walked down the street, narrowly dodging street carts and pedestrians struggling to get home before the downpour. Already there had been a few streaks of lightening across the sky and the rain was cold.

Involuntarily, Inara trembled and tucked herself closer to Mal's side. He glanced down at her as he squeezed her hand in his and led her to another alleyway. He was of half-a-mind to simply race back to the docks to Serenity but didn't like the thought of whoever was following them getting there as well. Best keep this as low radar as possible. All he needed was to get the rest of the crew shot at and Simon complaining about the work...not that the boy ever did but Mal figured he was inclinded to.

He pressed Inara into the rough wood siding and heard her suddenly gasp as he invaded her space. Ignoring the tight quarters, he was perfectly content with pressing up against her. Long as this didn't last long, she'd never know the effects of it.

"You alright?"

" Wo hao ," she murmured. "What are we doing here?"

"Just inclined to see who's following us, if you catch my drift."

Inara rolled her eyes before lifting her hand to see that was coated in dirt and brown paint. Her back, she realised, felt soaked by something oily. "Mal..." she suddenly whispered, "If we get back to Serenity and you aren't injured...I am going to hurt you."

Mal, whose attention had been away from her, looked down at her hand and blinked. "Oh, sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it. I liked this dress," she ground out as she tried to shove him off of her. Mal jerked her back and pressed her against the wall.

"Gorram it, woman, use some sense," he said just as thunder rumbled. "I like the dress too but stop moving." Inara focussed her large brown eyes on him, struggling to keep calm as he continued t