Promises: Bent, Not Broken

Disclaimer: Firefly, Serenity, and all related characters are copyright 2002-2005 Mutant Enemy, Inc., Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. This is a work of fanfiction. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This is a small one-shot. Lilah takes center stage in this, with help from leading male Mal (in true Mal fashion). The crew is here too. Hopefully you all will enjoy this.

Six years ago…

“Guess who?”

A pair of hands wrapped around her face from behind, blocking her vision. With a sigh, she put her knitting down and brought her hands up to cover the pair on her face. The hands beneath hers were warm and calloused and if she inhaled just the right way, they smelled like cedar.

“Whoever could you be?” She asked.

“I’ll give you three hints, okay?” The voice whispered by her ear, low and thrilling.

“Okay then.” She’d play along.

“Hint number one: I married you. Hint number two: I’ve been working in the shed all week. Hint number three: I just finished making our new bed and I think it’s time we test it out.”

The hands peeled away from her face and she turned her face up to see the face of her husband, who was grinning wickedly with heat in his eyes. She shivered at the look he was giving her… he never failed to make her feel like she was the focus of his universe.

“Those where horrible hints, Wendell,” she teased. “It’s a good thing you’re so damn wonderful and lovable.”

“Yeah well, subtle seduction has never been my strong point, Lilah.” He cupped her cheek with one hand and caressed her shoulder with his other.

“You mean subtlety, period, has never been your strong point.” She leaned up to kiss him, ignoring the awkward angle and what it would do to her neck if it went on too long.

“So, are you going to help me carry the bed in so that we can properly break it in?” Wendell asked, breaking the kiss gently and leaning his forehead to hers.

Lilah stood and turne