She hides her shame well. There are few that would guess the reasons for her flight. She's become an expert at excuses; usually, the universe is big, and she wanted to see it.

She knows how to hide the things she doesn't want anyone to see. But she knows her secrets are still on her, lingering, hidden, just under the layers of golden skin she can't help but show off.

If woman is a mystery, then she's truly the most enticing of enigmas.

Upon reflection, he had been charming, to his credit. But she had been foolish. Rushed decisions, poor choices made in moments of drunken attraction and frenzied pleasure. Two days in and they had taken the tumble, in the middle of Shinon's social event of the season. She knew nothing of him save his name.

Too rash, for a woman trained for years as a companion. No sooner had she left her mark on him before she realized he was the prime client of the House Mistress, and a man known for shady dealings with the Alliance.

Not a wise move, truth be told.

She knew she was really humped, three weeks later when she realized her illicit encounter had produced more than just potential problems for her career. Things like that did not go unsuspected in House Madrassa. And if there were few things the Guild approved of, it was useless companions.

Contacting him would have done little good. She had acquired a keen understanding that this man had cecrtain ways of dealing with delicate, unwanted situations, and she had no desire to end up a statistic.

Matters were not helped by the House Mistress announcing Inara's decision to leave the House for "a bit of an adventure." Truth be told, she was grateful, in an odd, numb sort of way. It spared her further trouble, removed her from the problem. And exile did not have to be permanent. Just long enough for her shame to be forgotten.

The adventure comprised of a secreted visit to a specialized clinic, and a quick dumping off at the local spaceport. Thank Buddha for the Firefly and it's empty shuttle. Inara wasn't sure she co