The usual disclaimers. Joss owns everything (including your soul, don't underestimate the boss man) and Mutant Enemy blah blah blah, you get the picture.

~~~

"I put out a few waves to some old acquaintences." Inara told Mal, as the two of them stepped onto the catwalk. "I may even be able to find something in New Melbourne, if you need the shuttle free." she went on. It'd been a few days since she'd told Mal she was leaving, but she hadn't been particularly motivated to make haste about it. Some part of her still hoped that there was a reason to stay. Or even a passing fancy. If only someone would stop being so stubborn.

"Just gonna be there long enough to pick up cargo." Mal replied. Any excuse to keep her on the ship for longer, even if it was torture every time she was near. He knew he'd hurt her bad and he thought that was why she was leaving. He just couldn't bring himself to ask her to stay. It wasn't as if he hadn't tried, but when he wasn't choking on the words, she stopped him. It was best to just make a clean break. No need to drag it out any longer than necessary. But there was no need for her to get off as soon as New Melbourne, either. "You know, the only thing you're gonna find in New Melbourne is fish, and fish related activities." he told her, "So, unless you got the overwhelming urge to gut sturgeon-and, who hasn't occasionally?-" he half joked, trying to keep things light between them.

"But it's a layover point for almost every planet this side of the system," she cut him off. It needed to seem urgent. Maybe he would panic and accidentally let the truth slip out in that chaos he liked to call a mind. "I could-" she took a deep breath, "I just don't want to draw this out." she said softly. Come on, Malcolm, you have the loudest mouth in the black and you can't summon up the voice to make one teensy little request of me?

"Have you decided when you're going to tell the others?" he asked, dashing her hopes. Why did he have to be such a fool?

"I-No." she sighed, "I appreciate