TITLE: "MAKE AND MEND"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal. Jayne. Crew.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "ANOTHER NEEDLE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Inara rejoins the crew on Serenity. Jayne's recovery

comes along in leaps and bounds while everybody worries about

the Captain."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"MAKE AND MEND"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara couldn't believe it. She might have known that even in the mother of all storms Serenity and her crew would find trouble. Trying to project an air of calm she could not quite hide her worry as she quizzed Wash. The pilot's reluctance to go into too much detail only heightened her worry. "How bad is it?"

The pilot brightened. "*Hen hao*, well - now that we got them back."

Her heart missed a beat. "Back?"

Wash didn't want to have this conversation over an unencrypted line. "You comin' back, Inara? We've missed you."

Knowing she was being not so subtly redirected the Companion gave a nod. "*Qu*. The House Mistress wanted me to stay until morning but I'm ready to return now."

The pilot didn't smile and that struck Inara as wrong on so many counts. Before she could quiz him further, Wash glanced behind him then looked back at Inara. "Gotta go, sendin' you our co-ordinates now." He flashed an approximation of a smile. "See you soon."

For a minute Inara just sat staring at the cortex screen frustrated not by what Wash had told her but by the things he had not said. Rising to her feet she decided to forego the evening meal. The sooner she got packed and left the training house the quicker she could return to