“Can I come in?” Mal asked from the doorway to shuttle one.

“Please,” Inara called, putting the tray she carried down on the side and pulling her skirt down into a smooth line. She looked up to see the captain of Serenity standing looking at her.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” Inara smiled. “You don’t normally ask.”

“Well, I guess things have changed a mite.”

“And you haven’t been in here since I moved back in. And that was several weeks ago. I thought you were beginning to wish I hadn’t.”

“No. Not …”

“Oh.”

They gazed at each other for a moment longer, then Mal conspicuously looked around the shuttle. “Didn’t take you long to put it all back,” he said.

“Well, I know where everything goes,” Inara said.

“That’s new, though,” Mal commented, pointing to a large brass table lamp that gave a warm glow to the surroundings.

“I bought it on Sihnon. I haven’t used it until now.”

“Right.” He looked back at her.

“Would you … would you like some tea?” She indicated the tray.

“No. Thanks.” He seemed to be searching for the right words. “Inara –“

“Then sit.”

“Yeah.” They both sat down, a safe distance apart. “I was … we’re going to be arriving at Highgate in about an hour, if Freya can make the fuel cells last. We’ll be taking on cargo then be off again.”

“Oh? Well, there’s not really any call for a Companion on that planet. Where will we be going after that?”

“Beaumonde. You’ll be able to … I'm sure you have clients waiting.” He didn’t look at her.

“A few,” Inara admitted. “I can make a few appointments.”

“Yeah.” Suddenly he stood up, surprising her. “I have to go. Do captainy things.”

She got to her feet a little slower, more gracefully. “Of course. I quite understand.”

They were only a foot or so apart. “What you’ve done … it’s nice to have it back the way it was,” Mal said quietly. “I kinda missed having it occupied.”

“I'm sure you could have found someone to rent it from you,” Inara responded, her voice barely above a