Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Joss

Rating: PG

Pairing: Mal/ Inara

Spoilers: The movie Serenity

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=13387>Part 7 - Enemy At The Gate

Somethings Gotta Give: Part -8- Walking With The Dead

Lattelady

Inara knelt beside the med-cot where Mal was muttering in his sleep. His wounds had been treated and the Alliance medic had given him a strong smoother to ease his pain, but it would be weeks before he recovered completely from his fight with the Operative.

“Shhhh, you’re going to be all right,” the dark-haired Companion whispered as she gently stroked his cheek.

“He is walking with the dead, and now there are three new bodies added to those he has already lost.” River Tam spoke quietly from her hiding place in the shadows. Inara hadn’t seen the young girl in the darkened corner watching over the wounded crew of Serenit. “The Captain is cold, and so are you. Share your body heat to make his journey more bearable and ease your pain as well.”

“River…” Inara shook her head trying to deny the gush of feelings that had been threatening to erupt from the moment the Operative had shown up at the Training House demanding her help contacting Malcolm Reynolds.

“It’s what you both want and need.” The girl backed away sliding gracefully though a hidden slit in the tent.

The ghostly words, which River left behind, washed away the last of Inara’s control and sent tears coursing down her face. With hands that shook she pulled aside Mal’s blanket and lay down beside him, careful not to jar any of his wounds.

The Tam girl had been right, Inara was cold. Her skimpy pants and revealing top were perfect for marksmanship contests on the Core Worlds, but did nothing to protect her in a real battle on an almost dead moon. She’d only chosen the outfit because it allowed her to move freely and quickly while shooting her powerful bow. She’d never believed any of them would survive the Reaver’s attack, and she