***** 907 Words *****

He always knocked now.

He rarely waited for a response before coming in anyway, but he did knock.

“Evenin ‘nara.” He strode into the shuttle purposefully and she heard each footstep against the hard metal deck plates. “You weren’t at dinner.”

The companion sat in front of a small mirror, her head turned away from him. “I’m not hungry,” she responded.

Mal waited a few seconds in vain for her to turn around but continued speaking when it became obvious she wasn’t moving. “You had a wave today.”

It wasn’t quite a question but she knew he was fishing for information. “Yes. I did.”

“From the guild?”

That was a question and Inara’s breath hitched slightly. This was not a discussion she wanted to have right now. “Yes.” She spoke softly, almost a whisper.

“Well,” He was nothing if not persistent, “Seems to me that means you’ll be needing me to turn this boat around sometime soon.”

Silence

“We’re either pickin’ up your belongings or droppin’ you off somewhere.”

Silence

“I know Kaylee’s hoping for the latter.” Mal was getting more than a little concerned at this juncture. Surely she’d be more upbeat if she were staying… facing him would be a start. “Nara,” he paused, “What’s it gonna be?”

“Neither.” One word leaving Mal remarkably confused.

“What d’ya mean ‘nara. It’s gotta be one or the other. Are you leaving?”

“I don’t have anywhere to go.” She looked over her shoulder at him and his heart lurched. Her eyes were red and tear tracks ran over her golden cheeks. Mal had never seen a more heartbreaking sight in his life. He was at her side before he even remembered to breathe.

“What happened bao-bei?” The words were out of his mouth without thinking. A soothing tone as his hand rubbed her back reassuringly, the other resting on her knee.

Fresh tears welled in her eyes and Inara struggled not to sob. “They kicked me out.”

Mal could only sit, slightly stunned at the impact of those words. It was a minute or two before either of them spoke, the absent minded movement of his hand against her dress comforting whilst he struggled for the words.

“Alright,” he began decisively. She stared at him. “We’ll go fetch your things and then we’ll sort something out from there.”

Inara shook her head sadly. “No Mal.”

“No?”

“No.” Her hand moved lightly to cover his own. “They kicked me out… I don’t have any things. Not anymore.”

“But, they can’t just take your things.” He was incredulous. “They… they’re yours.”

“Mal.” Her own voice took on a soothing tone. “I’ve been dismissed. I’m no longer welcome in the guild house. My possessions will be sold. I can’t go back.” She hesitated then, unsure of herself. Worry cascaded over her face and Mal’s indignation turned back to concern again. “I’ll look for somewhere to go.”

“Why?”

She looked at him then, taking in his obvious confusion. “I can’t afford the shuttle Mal. The guild has seized my accounts. I have a little cash which should cover the month, but I’ll have to go somewhere.”

She stood then, busying herself in the small living space. The shuttle was still bare, the items of one small trunk unable to cover the entire interior. Besides a few small trinkets, an outfit or two and some other essentials, she now owned nothing. Strange, she mused, almost all her clients had brought her some small gift in the past. At the time she had barely noticed them. Thanked them, of course but then the gifts were put aside. She wondered if she’d miss them now.

“Why?” The unexpected question startled Inara slightly. Mal had been so still she had almost forgotten his presence.

“‘Why’ what?”

“Why will you have to go somewhere?” He stood, facing her. The question was evident on his face.

“I told you Mal. I can’t afford the shuttle.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I’ll find somewhere. Perhaps I can rent a room somewhere for a while. Try to find a job.” God only knew what she’d end up doing. It wasn’t like she’d picked up many useful life skills.

Mal was still eerily quiet. His mind was superimposing images of Inara, young and vulnerable on some rim world somewhere. “You can’t go home?” The inquiry was soft. Inara had never spoken about ‘home’.

“I don’t have a home.” The admission was hushed. Almost a secret, shared only between them and the black. Inara hung her head and one final tear glistened on her cheek. His thumb caught the shining droplet so softly that she barely felt it. He had crossed the room in an instant and he watched her now, with a gentle gaze that showed respect, caring and something more.

He could see the fear in her eyes, dark and bottomless set against pale skin- too pale. He noted the goose-bumps that appeared on her skin as she shivered slightly and Mal frowned. The room was warm but his hand was acutely aware of the coolness skin.

The room swayed slightly and she felt empty. Closing her eyes, she didn’t even feel herself fall. She only knew that when she woke he was holding her, lifting her gently and carrying her to the bed. He set her down gently and pressed a kiss to her forehead lovingly.

“Inara” He smoothed her hair. “You have a home.”

***** Taya ***** I started off writing something a little lighter...with tea! I'll finish that another time and maybe post it. It depends on the feedback. Honesty would be good. I've never written Fanfic before and need your opinions. The good, the bad, the underenthused... if you read it please just let me know what you think.