-Insert witty disclaimer concerning Joss and Mutant Enemy here-

First of all, I'd like to say that this has absolutely nothing to do with any of my other storylines. This came about purely because I, uh, I needed to get it... out of my system. Rofl. I needed my fancy tickled. Anyway, I don't know how great it is. But as of now, you've been warned, this is NC-17, for graphic sexual content. Continue at your own discretion.

***

"There's something-" she swallowed, almost as if forcing herself to continue, "There's something I should have done a long while ago." She paused, and his heart did this queer little stutter. "And I'm sorry, for both of us, that it took me this long." Could it be? Could it really be? It certainly seemed like she was leading up to... but Mal tried not to get his hopes up. He knew Inara's games only too well.

"I'm leaving." Those two words cut deeper than any sword ever could. His heart came to a complete stop and time seemed to stand still as they sank into his heart with a fatal blow. There'd been plenty of times in Malcolm Reynolds' life where he'd thought he was dead; he'd never thought the day would come when he would wish it so.

Time gradually started passing again as his brain began to thaw out from the numb cold that had consumed it. Hurt eyes watched her as she turned, yet there was a sadness to hers as well. She looked about to cry. Was this the part where he was supposed to say something? Where he was supposed to get down on his knees and beg her not to go? He just wasn't that guy. Mal couldn't beg. It went so strongly against his nature that the mere thought of it would have made him laugh sarcastically if this were any other situation. But, by the same token, could he just let her walk away like that?

As if by its own volition, his hand shot out and gently but firmly took hold of her wrist, spinning her back to face him. He'd been right, she was crying. The look of surprise couldn't mask the pain, he could still see it there, quivering in those dark portal