Blue Blood – Chapter Eleven

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“Sheriff?” Inara looked stunned.

“Yes,” Mal nodded, still in shock himself.

“What did you tell them?” she asked.

“That I’d think about it,” Mal admitted, looking at her closely. “I honestly don’t know what to do, ‘Nara. I mean, they made some valid points.”

Inara said nothing, still working over in her mind the idea of Malcolm Reynolds, of all people, being the Sheriff.

“I mean, it would put me in a good position to know what’s goin’ on, and to stop anyone from trying to come in and grab River, or Simon.”

“Yes,” Inara nodded, thinking about it. “It would also ground you. No more taking to the black.” Mal nodded, frowning.

“I thought about that, too,” he replied. “But, it would help solidify our place here. In the community, I mean. And make a good home for our children. Was we to have any, I mean,” he hastened to add at the look on Inara’s face.

“What are you going to do, Mal?” Inara asked softly, and he looked at her.

“It ain’t just my decision, ‘Nara,” he pointed out. “It’s yours, too. That’s why we’re having this talk. I made it clear to both of them that if you objected, then that was it.” Inara looked shocked.

“I know,” he chuckled. “Ain’t like me, is it. See what you’ve done to me?” He kissed her lightly, wrapping her in his arms.

“Blame it on me,” Inara grumped humorously.

“Well, it is because of you,” Mal told her seriously. “I’d not make a decision like this, not anymore, without I ask you. And if you say no, then that’s it. But I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you want to do?” Inara asked, curious. “I mean, do you think you’d like to take the offer?”

“I ain’t sure,” Mal shrugged helplessly. “I mean, it’s a big job, and like to be rough ‘fore it gets better. And it’d mean puttin’ down strong roots, big tie to the community, takin’ a job such as this.”

“You wanted it to be