What do you know? I go through a three month or so period of writer’s block, and this little tidbit pops into my head in the middle of the night and won’t let me sleep until I post it! (It is exactly 3:00 AM as I type this sentence.)

Nothing in this ‘verse belongs to me, it belongs to Joss Whedon and everyone who worked so wonderfully hard on Firefly and Serenity. I’m just borrowing it for a moment for previously mentioned reasons. ;D

After the cash that they still had after the Lilac job was spent on repairs for Serenity , there was a small amount left to replenish supplies while they were temporarily docked at Beaumonde. During the war Mal learned that after a victorious battle, the troops should be treated whenever possible. Even if only small comforts can be afforded.

Like now.

While everyone else was busy with adjustments to the ship--rewiring or new wiring or some such--he and Inara went to the local fresh produce market.

While looking over a bushel of fresh red apples, Inara’s bare arm accidentally grazed Mal’s sleeve.

“Sorry,” she said, blushing slightly.

Her tutor at the academy on Shinon would have scolded her for permitting such an obvious Freudian slip to reveal itself. All words and actions must be controlled. Control is the first rule. And the last!

“Don’t be,” he replied nonchalantly. He didn’t even glance his eyes at her. Though, he didn’t have the strength to keep the corner of his mouth from curling up ever-so-slightly.

“Then I’m not,” she said brushing her delicate fingernails over his knuckles. A calculated move.

Mal took the bait and casually laced his fingers with hers. His palm was slightly moist as if he were a boy taking a girl’s hand for the first time. But, it was okay: her hand was a bit sweaty too.

But within the matter of a moment, their handholding felt like home, as if they had been holding hands for years.

Inara decided that sometimes it was best to not always be in control.