Mal was ten minutes late when Inara heard his boots outside her shuttle door. While she wasn’t blowing out the candles she had lit yet, she had begun to think he wasn’t coming.

Her heart fell a little when she heard him walk away again. She could tell, however, he had not gone far.

You’d think after all this time, he would realize that I am familiar with the sound of him loitering outside my shuttle, she thought peeking outside the door.

She saw him leaning against the railing over the cargo bay. Perhaps I should leave well enough alone. He is by no means obligated to do this. But he did change his shirt, she noticed, pushing the mental image out of her mind. This is just Mal and it’s just a manicure. This is not a big deal. Just go get him.

“I thought I heard someone prowling around out here,” she said, as she glided in next to him. “Coming in?”

She felt him relax a bit as she accepted his offered arm. “Yes, shall we?”

“This place looks a lot brighter then usual,” Mal said as he sat on the couch. He picked up a throw pillow cased in a deep blue silk cover. “Did you get some new things?”

Inara nodded, “I did, in fact. It’s nice of you to notice.”

“I almost don’t recognize this table without the tea set,” he said as Inara watched his fingers dancing over the chocolate colored table cloth.

“I put it away. I would be happy to get you some tea if-“

“Oh no, that’s not necessary. Besides, you’re going to keep my hands plenty busy, right,” Mal said, cringing the moment the words were out of his mouth. “I mean with the manicure and the…”Mal trailed off clearing his throat. He picked up a pair of cuticle clippers. “Some of these things lean a little more towards frightening then I’m generally comfortable with. In fact, I think Niska has a pair of these his own self.”

“Then I’m sure his nails are impeccable,” Inara said, taking them from him and laying them back down. She brought over a bowl of warm sudsy water and placed it in front of him. “Place the tips of your fin