Title: Complications, Chapter Four

Pairing: Mal/Inara

Disclaimer: Not mine. Which is probably for the best, really, because Joss tends to do Horrible Things to the characters I care about.

Summary: Inara undergoes surgery while the rest of the crew is anxious. In other words, people stand around and talk at each a lot and nothing in the way of much happens.

Rating: PG

Word Count: 2, 941

***

“How she doing?”

Mal jumped and scrubbed a hand over his face before turning to look at Zoe. “Doc sent Kaylee to fetch River. Need her blood, he said. Only type that matches.”

Zoe’s mouth tightened. “Wash used to—”

“Yeah,” Mal said. Then, more defensively, “Said mine wouldn’t help any or I would’ve given it.”

“Didn’t mean to imply otherwise, Sir,” Zoe said. “River ain’t going to like this much.”

“Girl got a thing with needles,” Mal said. “But she’ll do her part. She understands what’s happening better than any of us, I’d wager.”

“I’d wager you were right,” Zoe said. “River has a good heart.”

Mal nodded and the two lapsed into silence, watching Simon work on Inara through the infirmary’s high windows. Her eyes were closed, her face relaxed, giving no indication of her body’s struggle. Simon had been operating for an hour—maybe more. Mal had lost track of time. The bullet rested on a tray near Inara’s head. Doc had given a small thumb’s up when he’d removed it.

Mal turned when River strode across the dining area. As usual, she seemed to dance towards them, her feet taking each step with a cautious grace that some could mistake for timidity.

“Blood is life. Runs through our veins, makes heart beat, organs run, from our toes to fingers,” she whispered.

“That’s right,” Mal said. “Which is why you’re going to be generous and give Inara some of yours, ain’t you?”

River gave him a stern look and went into the infirmary without responding.

“What?” Mal said. “What’d I do?”

“I think you offended the girl, Sir.”

River settled herself down in the chair next to Inara’s bedside and obe