These folks don't belong to me; I'm just entertaining myself, here.

******

Dinner had been quite pleasant, everyone on their best behavior and eager to please and be pleased. Isabel’s grandmother, Alice Steele, was delighted to have a crowd around her table. River and Inara praised Mal’s handling of the horses while they were stopped on Agamemnon’s moon.

“He made Fat Ninny turn right around on one foot,” River said. “I do not know how you would make a horse do that.” Isabel assured her that if she worked hard for the next week, she would be able to make Fat Ninny do a turn on the forehand, too.

At breakfast the next day Inara announced that the Davidsons would be stopping for her just before lunch. She had said her farewells to Book early that morning, before he left for the Abbey.

“Are you sure you want to leave?” Book had asked.

“No, but I don’t know how to stay. So, leaving is my only choice,” she answered, her voice husky with tears.

“If you believe it is, then it is your only choice. Inara, my child, don’t stop praying for him.”

“As if I ever could.”

***

“Kaylee, mei-mei, I’ll miss you.”

“Smile, Inara, so’s I got a capture of you.” Kaylee focused the capture on Inara. “I can’t believe you’re really gonna leave us. It won’t feel right to go back to my girl, without you there.”

“There were many times when I wasn’t there, sweet. You’ll be all right. Write to me?”

“’Course I will. You too?” Kaylee asked.

“Certainly I will.”

***

Inara hugged River and Simon.

“Be safe.”

“We’ll try.”

“Don’t write – but Kaylee will let me know how you are. I’ll miss you.”

***

Mal was sitting on the ranchhouse’s front porch when Davidson’s shuttle landed. Inara walked out of the house, carrying a small bag.

“I’ll carry that for you,” Mal said, standing and reaching for the bag. “Let’s go. Rich people waitin’ for you.”

“Mal, I want to say something. I, I – may I call you if I need you?”

“Oh, sure. If you ever need any petty thievin’ or bobble-headed geisha dol