PART 6

One thing Inara had to keep in mind until she resolved this medical thing was that while acupressure alleviated the pain, orgasm completely obliterated it. Her body still tingled with delight and the simple act of walking made her shiver with want. She couldn’t believe that as of now, she officially lived in the sky again. It suddenly made sense why Mal had spent the last several weeks re-organizing the house and putting things into storage and selling off things they’d kept packed away for years.

They were still giggling like children when they landed the ship and came down the ramp. Mal kept pinching her playfully and running his hands under her blouse. It was things like that that helped her believe they would never truly grow old.

Mal went suddenly stiff and held up his hand. Inara froze too, seeing the figure sitting on a cargo crate at the edge of the docks. Inara wondered if the man needed help, but she could tell Mal was more wary that the stranger posed a threat to their new home. He closed the ramp quietly, locked the ship, and checked the lock twice.

Inara was glad to be wearing shoes she could run in if need be, but she opted for a diplomatic approach first. Keeping her distance, she circled around the figure so she’d be in view of his face but out of reach of his fist. He sat cross-legged on the crate, and his body was hunched. He wore a white collared shirt and a woven vest that was too light for the weather, and his hair was scraggly and unkempt. It wasn’t until she came around that she noticed the bright orange flip-flops he wore.

“Jamie?” she asked incredulously.

Jamie lifted his chin and smiled tentatively. “Surprise.”

Inara gasped in shock, but Mal rushed in gleefully, man-handling Jamie to his feet and giving him a giant bear hug. It was incredible to see, but Jamie was taller than Mal now.

“What are you doing, sittin’ here all creepy-like?” Mal asked, touching Jamie’s face and shoulders as if trying to make sure he was real.

“Long journey,” Jamie