Mal could feel the warmth of Inara’s hand on his and he liked it as he looked down and then back up at her, he cleared his throat and finally spoke “But am I good enough for you?”

Inara dropped her hand and froze.

She had stayed on Serenity now for some weeks after Miranda unsure of whether to leave or not. She not only stayed for Mal but for all the crew everyone was hurt.

It had been ten minutes before anyone spoke, Inara not sure what to say.

Finally Mal spoke “Inara I’m sorry the last time I tried to be truthsome with you, you left and I don’t want that happening again I couldn’t handle it again if you left, why don’t we forget this conversation and you go and try and get some sleep and I’ll continue to play with the dinosaurs.

Inara got up, tears welling in her eyes and was about to leave when she stopped and turned around.

“I never said you were not good enough for me” Inara said.

Mal was surprised even though he stopped their conversation he knew they needed to address this matter.

Rising from his seat and putting the ship on autopilot, Mal turned and went to Inara. He could see the tears in her eyes.

“Inara then whats the problem because I sure know I wanna be with you, you got into my head and my heart and I can’t let you go.” Mal said looking at Inara with those eyes that made her go weak.

“Mal don’t I fog things up isn’t that what you told me before and after all I’m a whore do you ever think maybe I’m not good enough for you?” Inara got the words out but was choking up now, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hated hearing and using the word whore.

Mal reached out his hand to wipe her tears and then he couldn’t resist he kissed her.

Mal and Inara had not heard River come onto the bridge.

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” River said startling both of them in the process.

“Huh ….. River what you doing up?” Mal asked confused and lost in thought. Part of him still was kissing In