You know all the usual disclaimers. Consider them said. This one is kind of intense. Don't read it if you are in the mood for a light, humorous story. Also this takes place after Heart of Gold and there are spoilers for that episode in it.

Now on to the story

Niska's Revenge

"Mal, I know I don’t have the right to ask anything of you, but I’m in bad trouble. I need your help. Please come quickly."

The wave from Inara cut off. Malcolm Reynolds sat staring at the black screen for a long time. In a lifetime full of hurt, nothing had hurt him as much as when Inara left Serenity last year. He loved her and she loved him, he knew that, but still somehow they hadn’t been able to make it work out. When she left, it tore a whole in his heart so big, he was pretty gorram sure that he’d never risk loving someone again. And now, a year later, he was just starting to be able to cope with her absence. He even smiled occasionally and once last week, he’d cracked a joke. But the wave had brought all those feelings right back, strong as ever. There was no way he wanted to open that particular can of worms again. He probably should pretend the wave never came in. "Oh who are you kidding anyway, Mal, you know damn well you’re gonna help her. Doesn’t matter how much it hurts you, she‘s in trouble." Now that Mal had talked himself into it, he guessed he’d better tell the crew that they were headed for Shinon.

*******

Mal stood outside House Madrassa steeling himself to knock on the door. Seemed terribly elaborate for a whorehouse to him and he doubted he’d feel comfortable there even if he wasn’t going to meet with Inara. As it was, the thought of entering that place made him kind of sick to his stomach. But Mal was used to doing hard things, so after a minute he knocked. The door opened slowly and a girl about 12 years old stood there. She was exquisitely beautiful and graceful. He thought she must be a Companion trainee and imagined Inara at that age answering this very door.

"May I help you?’

"I’d like to