With the possible exception of his first week of boot camp, this had been the most difficult week of Malcolm Reynold's long and checkered life.

One week since Inara had fluttered her eyelashes at him, all wide-eyed innocence while wearing that dress that was far from innocent, practically daring him to rip it off her.

One week since he had come closer than he cared to admit to actually taking her up on that dare, pinning her against the corridor wall and letting her feel his need pressing into her.

One week of excruciatingly vivid dreams of him actually finishing the job she started. Ripping open the bodice of her dress down to her waist, just so he could get a look at those breasts that had taunted him. Undoing his pants and lifting her skirts and having her right there against the wall, hard and fast and not at all in any manner of a proper fashion. In short, treating her like the whore he knew deep down she wasn't. And him not caring that he was doing so.

One week of very little sleep and a lot of exercise for his right arm.

Inara had pretty well stayed out of his way, which was most likely all for the best as his control was about ready to snap. If this went on much longer, Jayne would start to look appealing, and that was something Mal just didn't want to dwell on.

When he saw her waiting for him against that very wall, he was instantly on guard. At least she was wearing something less revealing than that dress. She looked quiet and subdued.

"Hey there, Inara."

He wasn't sure what else to say. Somehow I've been dreaming about taking you like a rutting animal was not likely to impress a lady.

"Hello Mal. Listen, I...I wanted to apologize. For last week."

Mal leaned against the wall, doing his best to look casual. "Last week, you say?"

She blushed, making Mal wonder just how far down that pretty rose stain went. "Yes. It was cruel and unnecessary."

"You forgot unkind and unfair."

"Yes, that too. Forgive me?"

Mal couldn't decide whether she looked more desirabl