Mal had been kinda offish in the last couple of days. Oh, he’d been real friendly at night, same as usual, but during the day he’d been quiet, as if he was trying to make up his mind about something. She knew Vinnie dying like that, saving his life, had grieved him, but it wasn’t likely to be just that.

His face was healing, and the violent purples of the bruising over his cheekbone had faded to yellow, and he had at least stopped snoring now his nose was back in shape, happier now that Simon had assured him he wasn't going to be disfigured for life. Simon had made some crack about his nostrils, and an Alliance cruiser, but he was going to be fine.

Only now the rest of the crew were acting odd too. Conversations stalled when she entered a room, or the subject matter abruptly changed.

That and the fact that she’d seen Mal in deep conversation with Simon and Inara, even Hank, and not with her, made her angry. No, not angry. That wasn't it. More … worried. And there was only one person she would turn to when she was worried.

---

“Have I done something, Inara?” Freya asked, dipping her head to get into the shuttle. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She went to back out.

“It’s all right, Freya,” Inara said, rising to her feet gracefully and lifting her sari back into place. “I was just bathing.” She picked up the bowl and sponge from the floor, placing them on the small table.

“Yeah, sorry, I saw that. Don’t you usually lock the door?”

“Actually I thought I had.” Inara smiled. “But what can I do for you?”

“Look, if this is a bad time –“

“It’s a fine time. Sit, sit.” She motioned towards the sofa.

Freya looked at her then more or less collapsed onto the red satin. “As long as you’re sure.”

Inara sat next to her. “Now, what is it?”

“Have I done something that I don’t know about?” she asked, absently stroking her belly.

“Is this some kind of test?” Inara teased.

“Mal’s … well, I can’t say he’s ignoring me, because he isn’t, but he just doesn’t seem to w