With Mal playing Cap’n Grouchy, Kaylee was happy to renew her friendship with Inara. And if she was totally honest with herself, Inara was happy to be distracted. She had never expected it to be easy, but at the moment Mal had put the walls up completely and there was no way in. She guessed perceptively that he was the one who needed time and she had all the time in the world for him now.

“I’ve really missed ya, ‘Nara,” said Kaylee, in complete bliss as Inara brushed her hair.

“Missed you too, mei mei .” Simon opened the door to their quarters, stepping in, and was greeted by the two women. Kaylee gave her husband a welcoming smile.

“Not had the chance to say, Inara, but it’s good to see you,” he said.

“Well at least some of you are,” she could not help responding.

“Don’t you worry ‘bout the Cap’n, ‘Nara – he’ll see reason.” Simon was not so sure about Kaylee’s optimism, neither was Inara. She put down Kaylee’s hairbrush and made to go.

“I’ve tried talking to him again today, but he’s still not listening.” She was trying to keep the levity in her voice, and the young couple could both tell Inara was hurting. Kaylee did not like seeing anyone hurting, but both Inara and Mal confounded her sometimes. It was so obvious they loved each other, why didn’t they just stop all the dancin’ and admit it?

Inara took her leave from the Tams’ quarters. Being back on Serenity gave her more pleasure than she would be willing to admit to anyone, including Kaylee. She could not stop touching the bulkheads or the rails and had missed her dearly, like a long lost relative. Inara had missed Mal as well, though she would not admit it to him. She still remembered his anger and pain that last time on Persephone when he had come to ‘rescue’ her. His stinging words could still make her body flush with heat:

…I would have preferred a bowl of fruit by way of a thank you. It may not last as long, but at least I know when it’s finished .

Inara sighed softly and sadly, walking slowly up