Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns it, I just pwn... I mean write fanfic about it. *ahem*

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Simon headed towards Inara's shuttle, a bottle of fine champagne in one hand and a pair of crystal champagne flutes in the other. The rest of the crew were out celebrating a job well done, River was sleeping and Inara had just gotten back from a visit with a client, so Simon decided it was the perfect time to pay her a visit.

He made his way down the hall at a leisurely pace and finally reached the door to Inara's shuttle. Simon knocked lightly. Sometimes he would surprise her and enter without announcing himself first, but this time he decided on being polite.

Upon hearing her beckon softly, Simon pushed open the door and stepped into the tastefully decorated space, smiling softly. His gaze wandered around the small, intimate, opulent space as his lungs filled with the sweet scent of strawberries and frankincense. His skin was immediately assailed by a pleasant warmth and his eyes half closed in relaxation in the soft, orange glow of a hundred tea lights, a few of which glowed through threadbare Chinese paper lanterns in crisp autumn colors.

Simon allowed the door to hiss closed behind him with a soft snick sound. He looked around and his breath caught in his throat when Inara stepped out from behind a changing screen in a black robe. The neckline of the robe dipped down to the valley in between her breasts and the hem came down to her mid-thighs, skimming the flesh there lightly. Simon's heart skipped a little at the realization that Inara was most likely completely bare beneath the robe.

He watched as Inara walked toward him slowly with a graceful, purposeful sway of her hips. The material of her robe fluttered around her thighs as she walked toward him, exposing a little more golden skin with each step she took. He watched her eyes take in the champagne and the glasses in his hands. Simon felt himself relax a little as Inara's hand ca