(Flashback: One month after Miranda)

Serenity floated along as if space travel required no effort. And indeed, considerably less effort was required now that Serenity had been fixed up by some of the Alliance's finest. The Operative had done a lot for them, but Mal would be rather lose the war all over again than admit he was grateful. But, he wasn't even thinking of that now.

Mal was seated in the dark kitchen, trying to keep out the voices... Simon and Kaylee's voices, that is. He had told the entire crew to go to bed, and they had, but unfortunately for the rest of the crew, Simon and Kaylee had gone to the same bed.

"It's downright regretful," he mused aloud, "especially at these hours of the night."

"What is regretful?" came Inara's voice out of seemingly nowhere.

Mal jumped up skittishly, turned, and tripped over the chair he had just been sitting in. Both he and the chair hit the floor with a loud crashing noise. he groaned, then waited, listening. Kaylee's moans and screams continued on.

Inara giggled quietly, "With those two going on, I doubt anyone even heard your fall."

Mal looked at Inara's form silhouetted in the light coming from the hallway, and he swallowed. "Hell, she's beautiful." he thought.

She came over to him, and helped him get up. Then she righted his chair, and set him back down in it. She giggled again, "I didn't know you were so clumsy."

If Inara had expected him to get annoyed, then she was surprised, because Mal laughed quietly too. "I'm tired Inara... and ya startled me. Shouldn't do that to a man like me."

Inara nodded, "I guess we are all somewhat tense. It has been a difficult time for all of us."

Mal, looked at her, "Whatcha talkin' 'bout? I'm tired only 'cause a certain mechanic and her sophisticated boyfriend won't let me sleep."

"I see," said Inara, "I came in here to make some tea, would you like some? Maybe it will help you to relax, somewhat."

Mal nodded, and Inara went about preparing the various herbs she needed, and put the water