Title: Girl Talk

Author: haditnuit

Rating: pg

Disclaimer: They're not mine. I just think they're shiny.

Feedback: If you gave me feedback, you would be my personal Jesus...

E-mail: had.nuit@gmail.com

Summary: Kaylee and Inara relax and talk about...what else? Boys!

Spoilers: Allusion to 'The Message'

"Girl Talk"

“How do you do it? There’s so many of them.” Kaylee’s gaze drifted over the screen in front of Inara. Upwards of twenty faces stared out at her, each and every one the handsome visage of a wealthy, well-groomed gentleman.

“It seems to me that you do not have problems with the ‘attracting’ part. Just the types you attract. Like the kind that-” Inara traced her finger over the screen, searching for tactful words.

“Dies?”

Inara arched an eyebrow at this. “I was going to put it slightly more poetically…”

“No use being fancy about it. It happens to everyone.” Kaylee reached over to pick up her glass tumbler and tossed back a large gulp of the fruity liquid. “What is this? It’s squizzy.”

“Just don’t go drinking it too quickly. That’s a powerful drink. Used only for emergencies.” She smiled at Kaylee.

“What sorts of emergencies?” The crew had certainly seen their fair share of them in the past, and Kaylee could not recall ever seeing Inara resort to her well-concealed alcohol.

“Not that kind of emergency.” The companion sipped at her own beverage for a moment. “Emergencies of a more…personal nature.” She paused for a moment, lost in thought, before changing the subject. “And not all the men I attract are…particularly desirable.” She pointed to the picture of a man, whose face was twisted in a horrible rendition of a smile. It seemed as though in preparation for propositioning the companion, he had taken his first bath since his nanny had forced him in the tub as a small boy. They both giggled.

“But you can be choosey.” Kaylee pointed to another picture of a much more attractive man. “I just have to take what comes.” She stared down at the legs of her jumpsuit