He'd overslept. Overslept on a sea of satin sheets, with his body wrapped around a fallen angel.

Worse ways to wake up, Mal supposed.

It had finally happened. He and Inara had finally taken the tumble together. Several times over, even. It was more than he'd imagined it would be, and he'd worked up a pretty vivid imagination when it came to her.

He had himself a dim recollection that at one particular high point, that pesky L-word mighta slipped out of his mouth. Not that he didn't actually mean it, but more that he wasn't sure he was ready for it to be out in the open.

It was undiscovered country for him.

Her lashes fluttered open. She looked at him, a bit afraid that he would bolt.

"You're here?"

A question, rather than a statement. As though she was surprised he'd stayed the night. Did any of her clients actually stay the night, unless they'd bought her for an entire weekend?

"Where else would I be, darlin'?"

"I thought...you'd have things to do. Captain-y things."

"Well, I suppose there prolly are. But Zoe or Kaylee ain't hollerin' for me at this very instant, so I don't see any reason not to be here."

She blushed, and Mal grinned, knowing just how far down that blush actually went.

"Mal, I wouldn't blame you if..."

He frowned.

"If I just up and left? Like all your other fancy gents? Tossed some coin on the table, buttoned up my pants and went on my merry. Because if that's what you want, Inara, I think I hear Zoe hollerin'."

She huddled in the bed, hugging her knees.

"That's not what I want." Whispering so soft, he almost didn't hear.

"Then what do you want? Because I know what I want."

She sniffed a bit, looking like she might cry. Mal hadn't known angels could shed tears.

"You're not the first to tell me you love me, you know. But I don't think any other man has said that to me and then stayed the night."

He lifted her chin with his finger.

"Ya thought all I wanted was a tumble? Hell, if all I wanted was the release, I know how to do that m