Title: Aint Nothin' in the Verse

Author: InaraxSerra a.k.a Lauren

Rating: PG-13, nothing major in this one

Summary: My first "Firefly" fiction. Takes place after BDM. Mal/Inara. Mal and Inara's feelings about each other finally come out into the open.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, I am simply borrowing them for a while for my own amusement.

A/N: This is my first attempt at the Firefly/Serenity-verse fic, I mostly write Buffy and Angel. I LIVE for reviews, but no flaming please. Constructive criticism is welcome.

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Captain Malcolm Reynolds never could really find a way to put his feelings into words. He wasn't really a sharing kind of guy. Sure, everyone knew he loved Serenity. Serenity was his hope, his reason. The crew was a part of that. Hell, even Simon and River mattered to him now. River had become a skilled pilot as well, even though Mal always tried to keep an eye on her. No one had really spoken of Wash since his death, and no one knew what to say to Zoe, not even Mal. Mal missed having Wash around more than he could admit. Being aboard Serenity wasn't the same without his presence. Things had begun to go back to normal, whatever that may be, but there was still an underlying tone of sadness and mourning that Mal feared would never leave. He was far too familiar with death and loss, and no matter how much time passes, the pain will always be there.

It was hard to believe that almost three months had passed. Jobs were beginning to come more frequently now, and everyone was trying to get back into the rythm of things. Mal's mind drifted to Inara, as it often did. She still had not decided whether she would stay on Serenity or not, but she wasn't making any move to leave. It bothered Mal, not knowing. Part of him wanted to tell her that she couldn't leave, because he didn't want her to. He didn't want to lose her again. The other part told himself that he wasn't worthy of her. That he could never even dream about having someone like Inara. What he felt for her was the cl