Bed and Wine: Part 5

By Kaynara

Mal and Inara pretend to be married for a job on Shadow. When Mommy and Daddy are away, the kids tend to play....Serenity *spoilers.*

***

Inara stood before the mirror in just her slip. With delicate hands, she lifted the long, mint-green gown from the bed, held it against her body like an old friend. Though no longer a companion, she had a weakness for pretty things. Especially pretty, silken things that clung to her curves, fluted out at the hip and fell down to brush her ankles. She stepped into the skirts, bringing the straps up to tie behind her neck. She dabbed cologne at her throat, slipped her arms into a gold brocaded jacket.

“Oh, this is so much better than sweatshirts,” she murmured to her reflection. Heedful of wrinkles, she sat gingerly on the edge of the bed, began to check the contents of her purse.

“Ching jin,” she called when she heard the knock. “Hey, you.”

She smiled warmly, patted the bed for Kaylee to sit.

“Oh, Nara.” Kaylee whistled, stroking a hand down Inara’s full skirt. “You’re pure evil. Cap’n’s gonna hafta sleep with an ice pack on his nethers.”

“Kaylee!”

“I’m just teasin’.” She lifted the pendant at Inara’s throat, stroked the ruby tear drop between her fingers. “Where’d you get this bit o’ shiny?”

“I--it doesn’t really go with the dress.” Inara unclasped the necklace, let it fall into her palm. “Anyway, you shouldn’t poke fun at the poor Captain. Not when he bought you such a lovely present.”

“The Cap’n don’t give presents,” Kaylee said, eyes narrowed.

“He bought one for you. Only he doesn’t know it yet.” Inara smiled, handed Kaylee a bundle wrapped in tissue paper. “Well? Go on, open it.”

“Nara....” Kaylee peeled away the paper, lifted a simple white sundress in eyelet lace.

“Do you like it?” Inara led Kaylee to the mirror, held the spaghetti straps even with her shoulders. “I know you prefer pink, but this one caught my eye.”

“Oh, Inara.” She pressed the rich fabric against herself.

“Now yo