Disclaimer: This story is in no way meant to infringe on the rights of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, or 20th Century Fox. Just wanted to have a bit of fun with these characters is all. Please don’t sue me.

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Rated R. This story contains disturbing graphic violence.

“Point of No Return, Part IV”

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Inara was glad no one else was in the dining area. She was trying to limit her contact with the rest of the crew; that way it would be easier for them to adjust once she left. And it’d be easier for her as well. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.

She poured some water into a kettle and set it on the stove. She heard someone coming down the hall and hoped to Buddha it wasn’t Mal. She quickly ducked into the kitchen area, praying he wouldn’t see her. He was the last person she wanted to see right now.

“Hey, ‘Nara,” he said with forced cheeriness.

Damn. So much for not being seen.

“Good morning, captain,” she gave him a cold smile.

Mal smiled back.

Awkward silence.

“You know, I get the impression you ain’t much in the mood for small talk.”

“Why, whatever gave you that idea.”

“I think we should talk.”

“What is there to talk about?”

“Well, what I actually meant was, I think you should talk.”

She gave him a genuinely puzzled look.

“To everyone else. About why you’re leaving.”

She sighed. She felt like she was on the spot. It’s not that she didn’t want to tell them. She just wasn’t prepared.

“Not yet.”

“If you don’t, I will,” he said, looking her in the eye. “I don’t see how keeping it secret is gonna help anything.”

“Neither will telling them,” she snapped. “Besides, my business is my own concern, not theirs and not yours.”

“It very much concerns me. For more than one reason,” he said before he could catch himself.

Inara picked up on his subtext and used it to flip the spot on him. “And those other reasons would