Liz stood in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes with Inara, they were alone since the others were getting settled in their rooms and Mal was probably asleep by now thought Inara, a small smile gracing her lips. Liz took serving bowl Inara had just finished washing and placed it in the center of the large square table that dominated the room. She could not believe that they had managed to fit fourteen people around it that evening. She pushed the purple velvet and chrome chairs in.

“I remember you well,” said Liz, drying a plate and putting in the cupboard. “Your face is still the same even if you’ve grown into a woman.” She cast a smile at Inara, she was really glad Mal was sweet on this girl; she had this warmth around her she couldn’t explain.

“I’m sorry I don’t remember much about those months on Shadow except Mal taking me with him almost wherever he went,” said Inara, putting two mugs of coffee on the table as they sat.

“Yeah, you and Mal used to have us worried at home, Mal’s always running around looking for trouble and he took you everywhere he went but Valentina was glad her son took you under his wing, smart boy he is,” Liz grinned, recalling some of the mischief Inara and Mal got themselves into, and remembering it mostly had been Mal’s fault.

“Mrs. Reynolds was one of the most incredible people I ever met,” said Inara fondly. “She was very strong, she ran one of the biggest ranches on Shadow and no one dared putting her authority in doubt, not to mention she raised Mal, he learned so much from her... I think it was she who gave Mal his kind heart. He really was sweet, the girls used to drool on him all the time when he was a little boy.” Inara grinned.

“Oh but he still is!” exclaimed Liz.

Inara looked up curious about what Liz was going to say.

“My grandma used to say a little boy depends on his mother to take care of him,” Liz explained. “When he grows taller, it’s up to the woman he loves to take care of him. He’s in love with you Inara; I’ve seen how he looks at you. I ca