TITLE: "ENOUGH"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Inara

RATING: G

STATUS: First in a pair of short songfics.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All "Firefly" stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "The Captain reflects on his relationship with Inara".

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"ENOUGH"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"I can see her lyin' back in her faded dress

In a room where ya do what ya don't confess

Sundown ya better take care

If I find you bin creepin' round my back stair

Sundown ya better take care

If I find you bin creepin' round my back stair..."

"Sundown" - sung by Gordon Lightfoot

It hurt. Puttin' so much into those few words then bein' cut off, no air in my lungs, no blood pumpin' into my gorram heart. Just stunned with pain an' sorrow 'til I could hardly breathe. An agony so deep. I was all kinds of raw an' not strong enough to fight her. All it took was for me to confess how I was feelin' a mite 'truthsome'. Her words still rang through me like a hammer strikin' a ruttin' bell.

"I'm Leavin'."

Losin' Nandi wasn't bad enough, I had to lose her.

"She's bin lookin' like a queen in a sailor's dream

And she don't always say what she really means

Sometimes I think it's a shame

When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain

Sometimes I think it's a shame

When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain..."

I can't help it. I think back on previous conversations. Hug myself with the moments of peace we stole between conflicts an' misunderstandin's. The quiet seconds of calm which fell over us like a hush of heaven as we lurched from one ill chosen sentence to the next poisoned barb. All because she c