Life's Too Short- Part One

Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine, this 'verse isn't mine, though I'm happy to play here.

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He hadn't meant for it to happen. Well, okay, he had. But not like this! In fact, Mal wasn't quite sure what had happened at all. He had an inkling that it was River's fault. She was sneaky like that, and had had an inordinate amount of interest in his and Inara's love lives. Or lack thereof, when concerning each other. Still, he didn't know how she could have managed to get him lying on the floor at the foot of the stairs leading to the bridge, with the lovely Companion herself sprawled across his lap.

Not that he was complaining, o' course.

“Mal?” Inara tried to sit up, but fell back with a moan. Her head slammed against his knee, and she winced. Mal caught her shoulders and carefully lifted her into a sitting position.

“Sorry, 'Nara,” he managed, knowing full well she wouldn't be happy about his thoughts. Although her head had felt mighty good in his lap.... But she was putting a hand to her temple, leaning against him without really noticing it.

“My head!”

“You want I should fetch the doc?”

“No,” she murmured. Then, Inara realized that she was sitting on the floor with Mal, leaning against him, his arm around her shoulders. Her heart sped up and she scrambled to her feet, ignoring the pain it brought to her skull.

“Easy, bao bei, that's my foot you're trampin' on-” He broke off with a hiss as she jumped backwards and off said foot.

“What did you call me,” Inara asked, trying to regain her composure. Why was it that this man could get under her skin with such ease? And how had she tripped and fallen on him? River, Inara thought.

“Huh?”

“You- Nevermind.” Idiot man. She swayed for a moment, then swallowed. “I'm sorry for falling into you,” she said calmly. Mal got to his feet.

“Yeah, me too. Bit odd, though- I thought they taught you grace in Whore Academy.” His tone was joking, but her back straightened and her