Part XI

Mal strode towards Serenity, Freya beside him, noting one of his shuttles wasn’t in place.

“Inara back yet?” he demanded as he climbed the ramp into the cargo bay.

Kaylee had been waiting for them, and shook her head. “They’re still out looking.”

“They take a shuttle?”

“Hank picked up a signal from a com, and they went to see.”

“A signal?”

“They figured it was probably Inara’s, but there’s … I don’t know … they haven’t called yet.”

He could see the worry dousing her normally bright spirit. With a sigh he pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay, mei-mei . It wasn‘t your fault.”

“Yes it was! I could’ve stopped her, made her stay, done something to -”

“Like what? Little Kaylee, much as I’d like to have seen you tie the woman down, somehow I don’t think you’ve got it in you.”

She held on tightly. “She went to see someone she thought might be able to help. Guy called Anthony Han. An old friend, she said. Got influence, might be able to … she thought he could get you out of jail at least.”

“Yeah, she spoke to me about him. And I told her no. When exactly did she go?”

“Yesterday. ‘Bout three.”

“You tried calling him?”

“Zoe did. Last night. They said he was out. Business meeting.”

“Inara?” Freya asked.

“The man didn’t know. And I’ve been trying again this morning, but now they’re saying he’s busy, can‘t be disturbed.”

Mal looked down into her worried brown eyes. “At least she took a com with her. That was being sensible.” He tried to smile for her. “Not like Inara at all.”

“That ain’t fair, Cap’n!”

“No, I know. And I’m sorry.”

“No, it‘s … I know you‘re just trying to cheer me up, but if Inara‘s not there …” Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“Shh, it’s okay, Kaylee,” Mal said, pulling her back to his shoulder. “She’ll be fine. I know it.” He gave her one more squeeze then said, “How’s my ship? Ready to fly yet?”

Kaylee pulled back, wiping her face on her sleeve. “Not quite. Still got me more work to do,