Archangel – Chapter Eight

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Inara was startled by the knock on her shuttle door. She went to the hatch, surprised to see Mal standing there. Since when did he knock? She opened the hatch.

“Mal?”

“Can I come in ‘Nara?” Mal asked, almost hesitantly. Inara managed to stop a frown from forming. This was getting more odd by the second.

“Of course,” she replied, opening the door wider. Mal walked in, barely glancing at her gown. She and Mal had crossed that line long ago, of course, but they were still distant enough that she kept her place, and he his.

“What’s wrong, Mal?” Inara asked, concern clear in her voice.

“I just needed ta talk,” Mal admitted. “I. . .you said some eye openin’ things earlier, and I. . .I’m at a loss, Inara. For what to do.”

“Sit down, Mal,” Inara told him. “Would you like some tea?”

“No,” he shook his head. “And I’m sorry ‘bout how I talked to you, earlier,” he added, almost embarrassed. “I should’a said that first, mind.”

“It’s all right, Mal,” Inara smiled. “I’ve become accustomed to your. . .quirks, shall we call them?”

“Well,” he shrugged. “I didn’t. . .hell, Inara, I can’t help bein’ jealous. I. . .I been in love with you for so long, I can’t remember when I wasn’t, anymore.” Inara almost gasped at that. Mal had never come even close to admitting that he loved her before.

“Thing is, when you was talkin’ earlier,” Mal went on, oblivious, “I realized I’d wronged more than just Jayne. I had you, too. You did all that, workin’ to get the ship straightened out, and overseein’ the repairs and what not. I never thanked you for that, and I should have.”

“Truth is, I don’t know what I’d do if you wasn’t here.”

“Mal, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Inara told him gently. “Aside from admitting you love me.”

“I do, you know,” Mal told her, looking at her. “I know I ain’t said it, before. But it wasn’t cause I didn’t. I just. . .I ain’t even gonna make an