First of all, a great big thank you to everyone who's left comments for my recent posts. All your kind words are greatly appreciated!

Guildsister noted that I seem to be much with the sniffle-making. So I thought I'd post something...completely different.

Imagine, if you will, a future Firefly timeline in which Mal and Inara come to an understanding that allows them to share a mostly happy life on Serenity. Anyone who's read my "Dreams/Dealing" series will know the initial set-up.

This story relates a particularly pleasant moment in that future.

Special note: Although I selected PG-13 from the ratings list, this story is definitely more of an R.

The usual disclaimers apply.

******

"Sweet"

by HawkMoth

(c) January 2, 2004

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It was a familiar routine.

Well, not so much that as a duty. Not really an obligation. Almost a necessity.

If Malcolm Reynolds didn't walk through Serenity at night before turning in, it was a sure guarantee he wouldn't sleep well. No matter if they were flying safely under the radar in some nowhere corner of the black or making a wide detour to avoid trouble; no difference if they'd recently departed some dusty world after a job gone smooth or rough. He had to check things out.

At least he'd gotten over his own rule that he couldn't hit his bunk unless he was absolutely certain everyone else was tucked away in their beds. He could let it pass if Book sat up late reading in the commons or Simon was in the infirmary messing around with doctorly stuff. As long as he knew everyone was safe, Mal could sleep the sleep of the just. And nowadays he had an extra incentive for not staying up all hours looking out for his crew.

He was still getting used to the idea of someone waiting up for him. It had long been his habit anyway to make a walk by the shuttles his last tour of the night. The big change was letting himself inside number one and finding a warm welcome. Most nights Inara was there, curled up in her wide, inviti