Once dinner was over Zoë excused herself and she and Mal headed down to the cargo bay to check on their supplies. Jayne headed after them to go and work out some more. River and Kaylee settled down on the sofa to play cards. Simon headed in the direction of his room after looking longingly at the two younger women but turning away shyly.

Inara walked Alana back through to the shuttle slowly while supporting her arm. Once inside the shuttle Alana flopped down on her front on the bed and sighed. Inara poured herself a bowl of warm water and then slipped off her gown and began to have a sponge bath. As companions neither women were shy about their own or each other's bodies so Alana half watched Inara's ritualistic movements as she bathed and then rubbed lotion into her arms and legs.

"Going back to what you were saying earlier, before dinner, I mean. I understand exactly how you feel because often I feel the same way; it's one of the reasons that I left the companion house. I wanted to be able to have more control over the choice of my clients. Out here in the black I am a rare beauty and have many offers of business but if often find more and more excuses to avoid engaging with them. I have had some bad experiences since I left but on the whole I like the freedom, and the privacy, that this life style provides. But you are right; sex is always fun but it's so much nicer to be romanced and to flirt. It's like a dance and that's the trouble with being a companion; the music has just got to the end when you are ready dance so you have to move to the tune in your head."

"Is there someone you wish you could 'dance' with? I mean on ship?"

Inara smiled coyly but turned away to pour away the bowl of water and pulled on a robe. She walked round to the other side of the bed and slipped under the covers next to her friend.

"There is someone but nothing could ever happen between us, it would be... Impractical. Besides which I would be breaking one of the first ground rules that I set down when I join this crew