Previous chapters include:

Honest Run: Detail

Honest Run: Detachment

Honest Run: Diagnosis

Honest Run: Dance

Honest Run: Dignity

Honest Run

There was a beep in Inara’s shuttle. For a moment, Inara paused. Usually, if someone from the ship wanted to tell her something of interest, there would be a pleasant knock on the shuttle door. Mal took exception to this, but he was the only one. The console chimed again before the companion edged over to it, guiding the curtains aside as she did so, “This is Inara.”

“Inara,” Zoe came in over the com in the shuttle, “Look out for River. She’s had one of her episodes…”

“Is she alright?” Inara held down the button, “What happened?”

“Honey, stress ‘non-violent’ episode,” Wash came in over the com, “It’s a warning, not a warning, you see?”

“That made absolutely no sense, Wash.”

“It’s kind of a code peach versus a code yellow,” Wash continued, “A look out, but not…”

“You almost had me at the code peach idea,” Zoe interrupted edgily.

Inara smiled in spite of herself. To spite the increasingly serious mood that Zoe was in, Wash was responding with a more… upbeat attitude. Its effects were… undetermined.

“Honey…” Wash said.

Despite Zoe’s exasperations, Wash still remained at her side… Inara couldn’t figure out whether she was enduring his attention, or desperately needing it.

“Dear,” There was some deep marital sighing, “Fine. Whatever. Why don’t you just tell her?”

“Fine, I will.” Wash said, “Inar