When Inara woke up that morning, she shivered, taking in all that happened and the situation she was in. As she reflected, she couldn’t help thinking about how she and Mal were interacting. Mal had come and saved her and never left her alone from that moment. What amazed her; however was that when she looked in his eyes she saw no pity. Instead, she saw something much bigger, something which she hadn’t possessed in years but she didn’t want to deceive herself. Her heart couldn’t bare another bruise. She was scared, she was broken and she felt that she had no control now that the companion layer had been ripped off of her. She was as vulnerable as a child.

A tear ran down her cheek.

It didn’t take much time for her to discover that Mal was sleeping on the other bed which pulls down from the wall. He obviously kept his promise not to leave her alone. It reassured her somewhat that she was safe. Mal looked so sweet as he slept; Inara would do anything to have that view every morning, she longed to once again feel the love and safety he brought to her when he held her last night. Her mind felt as if a jigsaw piece fell into place!

Inara saw Mal stirring before opening those blue eyes which reminded her of the blue ocean. Before she could breathe, Mal was sitting by her side.

“You okay? Is the stomach wound hurting?” he asked urgently, as he checked that the bandage did not have any blood on it.

“I’m fine, Mal” she said lacing her fingers with his “Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah, uh… thanks for letting me stay here. I surely wouldn’t ‘a slept if I went in my bunk.” He gave her that boyish grin she knew she could never live without now.

“It’s the least I could do.” She then began to untangle herself from the wires. She was feeling like she had become some kind of prisoner and she didn’t like it; but before she could even touch the second one, Mal stopped her.

“What do ya think you’re doing? Simon would surly hurt me if I let you do that.”

“I’m fine, Mal. I don’t need them,” Inara said tugging a