INT. SERENITY – INARA’S SHUTTLE – DAY

Inara sits in front of the CORTEX SCREEN that hangs on her wall like a mirror. The client portion is currently deactivated, and she highlights another section, bringing up the statement “No messages waiting.”

Behind her, Mal clears his throat.

She’s startled, and taps away the message, turning off the screen.

INARA

Captain, I didn’t hear you ask to come in.

MAL

(smiling)

You so rarely do.

Mal has a bottle of wine in each hand.

INARA

To what do I owe this intrusion?

MAL

Thought you were about, and figured I’d see if I could convince you to head outside. Not a day to be cooped up, you ask me.

She stands.

INARA

I was just checking to see if I’d received any new messages.

MAL

And have you?

She shakes her head and walks over to him, taking one of the bottles of wine and studying it.

MAL (cont’d)

From that caper we pulled for Li Shen a few months back. Got another bottle I was savin’ for dinner, but this is pretty much the last of it.

INARA

Ah, yes, the infamous, “I’ll pay you in real coin next time, I promise,” caper.

MAL

I see you’ve heard of my exploits.

She smiles, looks around the inside of the shuttle, hands the bottle back to Mal.

INARA

You know, I didn’t think I would, but when I’m gone, I’ll miss this.

Awkward beat. They both look away.

INARA (cont’d)

Shall we head outside?

INT. SERENITY – CARGO HOLD – DAY

In the background, Mal (with wine bottles) and Inara come down the stairs. They walk past Simon, who is at the edge of the open CARGO BAY DOORS, looking down at Kaylee. Kaylee is swimming directly beneath the doors, up to her neck in water.

KAYLEE

Come on in, Simon. The water’s so beautiful!

SIMON

I can’t…

KAYLEE

(teasing)

Your shoes are already off. That’s a big step!

By now, Mal and Inara are gone.

SIMON

I don’t have a suit.

KAYLEE

(coquettish)

Who says you need a suit?

SIMON

I—er, I mean—

Out of nowhere, Jayne ru