A/N: Thanks to everyone for reading and to those of you who commented, I really appreciate it! I still have some more finished stories lurking on my hard drive and I'll try to post one a month until they're all done. I hope you enjoy them!

Mal circled the floor of the hospital once more, making sure he knew where his crew was. He’d already checked in on Kaylee and Simon, sleeping like babes in a blanket, all cuddled together and cute, although he’d never admit it. He’d seen River from a distance, where she was still trying to explain to her disbelieving parents all that had happened to her. And he’d sent Zoe and Jayne back to the ship, letting them know that as soon as Simon could be moved, they’d be off this rock.

But he couldn’t find Inara anywhere and that troubled him. She’d been particularly quiet since his arrival on Osiris, but since they’d left the Tams she’d been almost comatose. And while he might belly ache about her sharp tongue and barely concealed contempt for him, he found her silence far more disturbing.

Walking past the nurse’s station once more, he caught sight of a door leading to the stairwell. Figuring it was the only place he hadn’t tried, he reached to push it open, his hand freezing on the metal as he heard a stifled cry coming from within. His heart firmly lodged in his throat, Mal pressed his ear to the door and listened more intently. There was no mistaking that sound, it was crying and he knew with utmost certainty that it was Inara.

He toyed with his options; he could go in there and see if he could help, maybe even comfort her, if she’d let him. Of course, that course of action could lead to another big fight and even more strangeness between them which Mal was getting just a bit tired of. He could also just keep on walking, maybe find the cafeteria and get a cup of coffee. But with a heavy sigh, Mal knew if he did that, the guilt would be unbearable.

Besides, if Inar