CHAPTER 4

Inara sat with Mal at the dining table, their fingers intertwining in a constant dance, while Serenity sauntered through the black. Mal scrutinized a map of the region, making a note that the Tao Wu faction had become notably violent on this border. Inara sipped jasmine tea, having spoken hardly a word to him since she put Emma down for a nap. The fragrance of the tea filled the room like a summer afternoon.

“You didn’t have to bait that kid,” Inara told him, breaking the silence.

Mal had been waiting for the reprimand. “That kid don’t know nothing about the war.”

“And you were trying to educate him? Mal, you are always telling people that old war is over. And it is over, Mal. Replaced by a brand new one!”

“Don’t mean we should forget it – forget what all those folks died for,” Mal growled angrily.

Inara’s hand broke contact with his and she sipped her tea sternly. Mal ignored her, and started doodling on his map, seeing as it weren’t much good for charting. Inara’s voice surfaced in the quiet like a soft breeze.

“Mal, how long are you going to keep me at your shoulder with a rifle?”

“No one’s forcing you,” he pointed out angrily.

“I just think one of us should be alive to look after our children.”

“You wanna hide, then hide. I got Cappy and Zoë.”

“Zoë has her own child to think about, Mal. You can’t just throw her life on the line like that!”

“I don’t!” Mal bellowed, then stopped himself, reigning in his anger before he continued. “I don’t throw anyone’s life on the line but my own. Anyone standing next to me is there by their own choice.”

“I gave up my work to be with you,” Inara whispered.

Mal groaned. Here it came.

“I started a family with you in the hope that we would raise our children together. I just think it’s time…”

“What?” Mal raged. “You want me to settle on some rock filled with fancy gentlemen so you can return to whoring?!”

As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Inara cringed like he’d slapped her in the face and he could see her fighting the tears