A/N: I guess I shoulda put this in part one, but I forgot!!! Takes place after Objects in Space, but before the 3 part comic Serenity, or the movie. No BDM Spoilers in this part.

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5922>Go back to the beginning: Part 1

Choices – Part 2

“Zhòu mà Mal, where are you?” cursed Inara as she made her way out of yet another seedy establishment, feeling like she’d need about a hundred showers to get clean again. She’d been to every saloon she could find within walking distance of Serenity, and still no sign of him. She was beginning to worry. And the streets would soon be unsafe for her to walk them alone. It had been early enough when she’d started her search, but now, several hours later, the sun was on the verge of setting, and soon it would be dark.

She stood and scanned the shops around her, searching for some clue as to where to look next. If she didn’t find something soon, she’d have to go back. God, what was she going to say to him, anyway? It didn’t matter, she just had to make sure he was safe, that he hadn’t gone and done something stupid and -- As her gaze traveled around the square, she stopped suddenly and turned back to a building she had initially skipped over, it’s neon sign flashing out an assortment of enticements. Something stupid, she thought. She crossed the street to stand outside ‘The Chapel of Love’, a low level brothel offering ‘Companionship and Christ’. Whoring and God, the two things he held the least respect for. Somehow she didn’t doubt that Mal would be inside.

Inara stepped through the door into an entryway draped with well-cut red and gold velvet. Three entrances clearly divided the house into its three purposes – brothel, saloon, and chapel. It was really quite upscale for an independent operation, though nothing compared to one of the Guild Houses, or even her own shuttle for that matter. But something about it bespoke pride and even honour in the place. It may be a whorehouse, but it was a respectable w