Missing Pieces
Thursday, August 24, 2006
"Sometime during the last few months, Inara had become well acquainted with sacrifice." Mal/Inara. And trying to make it work.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3334 RATING: 9.0 (PG) SERIES: FIREFLY
Title : Missing Pieces
Author : Goldy
Disclaimer : Joss is boss.
Pairing : Inara/Mal
Rating : PG
Word Count : 3, 441
A/N : Written for terimaru on, yes, livejournal, who requested “lavender shower gel” and an established M/I relationship. This is that.
***
It was an empty bottle of lavender shower gel that did it.
Sometime during the last few months, Inara had become well acquainted with sacrifice. She could no longer afford the lush life of a Companion on a hulking and battered vessel like Serenity.
First, she sold the dresses. She gave a couple to River and Kaylee and stuffed some of the more precious ones in the bottom of a trunk. Next went the silk. And the bracelets. The necklaces, the jewels, the gifts. Altogether, it brought her almost two years worth of rent money.
Mal blanched when she tried to hand it over to him.
“It’s not for you, Mal!” she said. “It’s for Serenity! Fuel! Food!”
Mal shoved it back into her hands and closed his eyes—as if that would make it all go away.
“It’s yours.” He paused. “All you got left of that life.”
“Mal—”
“Just… keep it. Might come a day when you’ll be wanting some of those fine things back.”
Inara frowned. She doubted it. She had been well aware of what choosing a life onboard Serenity meant. Besides, she was an intelligent woman—she was capable of supporting herself by many different means, should the need arise.
And yet…
The shower gel was empty.
Her incense supply was low. She’d used her last tea bag a week ago. In the old days, Inara would never have run out. Running from bullets, dodging the Alliance, it left no room for buying the high-quality products she was accustomed to.
Staring at the empty bottle left Inara feeling inexplicably sad. With Mal’s gun resting on the dresser, bullets and holster mingled in with her dwindling pile of incense, Inara made a decision.
***
“Mal, I need a few things from town.”
It was unlikely the town’s products would be up to I
You can't take the sky from me
My two favorite parts are...
1) When Mal finds Inara coming bavk to Serenity, and they talk. Its just a great scene. I especially love that it ends with them being okay. It is nice to see them have a spat that doesn't end in someone fleeing the room. They can get along. It's lovely.
2) The sense of secrifice, uncertainty, pain that Inara harbors throughout the entire piece. And all if it can be so well summerized in one line --- “You’re not,” Inara said, pushing him into the shuttle. I am. --- It's awesome, and such an honest moment for her, and then leading into the next scene... I love that she will tell the truth, that she won't give him sweet nothings, but instead says ---
“It doesn’t matter,” Inara said. “I chose you.”
“You regret it?”
“Not yet,” Inara said. “I hope not ever.”
Mal swallowed and nodded, his hand stilling on her arm. “And what exactly happens if—”
“I don’t know,” Inara said simply. “I imagine we’ll discuss our options, and then make a choice—whatever that is.”
-- its great. Plus this line --- “I suppose,” Inara said. “I was going to waste away by your bedside, but if there’s incense..." --- is just plain inspired.
The 'not yet, I hope not ever' line is just my favourite, because it's so honest, and open... beautiful.
tammyy2j - thank you. *pats pretty feedback-y words*
Arcadia - Thanks! Your words are all shiny and nice! I'm worried this one got a little slow in parts, but I'm so glad you liked the conversation at the end, since it's sort of the crux of the whole thing.
2x2 - Squee! *huggles you*
“I’d recognize Mal’s handiwork anywhere.”
It has heart and humour mingled together - very "Firefly"
Makes me wonder, though, how the story would have gone, if Benjamin in fact HAD asked for seomething back. Thinking about doing an alternative version? :o)
Esther
Gotta say...was waiting for the other shoe to drop with Benjamin Travers and getting Mal & Jayne sprung. The guy totally has Mal, Jayne and Inara in his grip...could ask for anything he could ever want from Inara...but he lets them go. Definitely an unexpected plot twist; mainly cuz I was expecting some angst to arise and force Mal & Inara to really buckle down and work out some lingering issues:)
BEB
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