“Mal!”

The captain spun on his heel and looked back down the corridor. Inara was gliding towards him, in robes of green and pale gold. Her slippers were a light red, a shade away from being pink and a gold thread traced its way through her dark hair.

“Yes, Inara? I got work to do you know.”

“This very noble of you Mal, going to rescue your friend like this.”

Mal grinned crookedly, “I am going to get paid for doing it, but thank you.”

“But its stupid!”

Mal stepped back, hurt, and snapped back “So’s whoring. You never know what diseases you might catch.”

Inara ignored him and kept going. “You’re going to voluntarily enter one of the most dangerous places in the outer rim, with no-one to watch your back!”

“And who should I take with me? Zoe? She’s got a busted collarbone and I ain’t takin’ her into Erebos like that. ‘Sides if I took Zoe then Jayne would be in command for the better part of a week and there’s no telling what the man would get up to.”

Inara nodded, conceding. “That’s true Mal. But I don’t have to like it.”

“This isn’t gonna go any other way ‘Nara. I got things that need doing and seems I’m the only person who can do ‘em.”

“Then take Jayne, if anyone can watch your back its-”

Mal cut her off with a snort. “I ain’t taking Jayne with me. First of all I need him to make the drop and help bust me out. Second he’s liable to open his mouth at the wrong time and get us both bleedin’.”

Inara quirked and eyebrow at him and said wryly “And you never open your mouth at the wrong time.”

Mal half glared at her and blustered, “Yeah but, Jayne, Jayne does it more often.” He paused again. “I’ll be fine by myself. I’ve been in Slams before.” He walked up and stood close to her. She smelt of incense and cinnamon. He paused there, the words catching in his throat. At last he patted her awkwardly on the shoulder.

“If everything thing goes to plan I’ll be back afore you can change pretty dresses.” Then he turned and swung himself down into his room.

Inara stood alone for a moment. If everything went acc