TITLE: "NEVER ENOUGH"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Inara

RATING: G

STATUS: Second 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: "Inara admits the truth to herself while maintaining

the only lie that will keep her sane".

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.

"NEVER ENOUGH"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"I don't know how to love him

What to do, how to move him

I've been changed, yes really changed

In these past few days when I see myself

I seem like someone else..."

"I Don't Know How To Love Him" - sung by Elaine Page

Just when I think I have figured him out he goes and surprises me. The Captain is a dangerous man. There are more layers to him than an onion. All hidden depths and a plethora of nuances that catch me unawares. I cannot take my eyes off him even though I should not be looking. I cannot afford to let him see what I see, to know what I am feeling when he comes into a room. I thought I knew what he was. Judged him the moment I saw him in that Independent cloth. His rough untutored words an offence to my cultured ear, a homespun dialogue that doomed him to the lower classes yet he is not an unskilled nor foolish man. He plays the servant to his class with such accomplished gusto that I was taken in. His eyes are bright and sharp. They miss nothing. Seeing my error puts me on notice. These are deceptive waters and I find myself looking into eyes facing mine with a destiny that trembles before me even as my heart goes weak with desire for him. He can never know and I must never tell him. The second I do so I am ruined and in that moment I will surely take him w