Mal rolled over in his cramped bunk, he had a thumping headache and a hazy memory. No doubt caused by the results of Kaylee’s inter-engine fermentation system, but there was something else, something even foggier, but what? “What Was That?” **** Inara lay in her silken sheeted bed, her raven black hair splayed out across the red satin pillow. She was warm but not quite as cosy as she normally was and as she struggled to wake from her from her drunken sleep she vaguely wondered why the bedding was rougher than usual and why there was something holding her down. **** Mal opened his eyes and looked slowly down at the woman he had been cradling protectively in his arms as they slept. **** Inara opened her eyes and looked down at the two strong brown arms that were wrapped about her, holding her close. She turned her head to look at the man who was holding her so tight and safe yet so gently.

“ARGGGGHHHHH!”

***** A peal of laughter rang out from the galley where Kaylee and Zoe were sat eating Breakfast together, trying to guess what was happening down in Mal’s bunk. “Still it’d be real Shiny if something did happen” chirped the bubbly mechanic. “Mite give Cap’n sum’thn to be happy about, make him loosen up” “Yep” agreed Zoe nodding “’Ain’t likely it did though, they’re both too stubborn” Heavy footsteps sounded as Jayne entered the galley closely followed by Simon who lowered himself gingerly into the empty chair beside Kaylee. “Awww ya suff’rin bad hun?” She asked kissing his sore head. “I need coffee” he groaned rubbing his temples “Comin’ rite up” she said bounding up to go and make some. “How come’s your’ both so gorram shiny anyhow?” Asked Jayne suspiciously. “Because we didn’t have any” said Zoe smugly. “Had to trick the Cap’n and ‘nara remember?” Added Kaylee. “I think Jayne may have passed out by then” Zoe said smiling at him, Jayne glared and tried to answer but choked on his mouthful of food instead. “Speaking of the Captain and Inara do we know the results of that particular, experiment yet?” Asked a grumpy Simon, shooting Jayne a disgusted glance. “Yea any ruttin’ goin’ on?” “JAYNE!” *** Mal fell off the bed in shock, groaning as the sudden movement shot straight to his already thumping head. Inara instantly pulled the rough army blanket up around her, already missing the warmth of him laying beside her and wondering why she was covering herself. Many men had seen her wearing less so why did it matter now? She wasn’t even naked. She wondered vaguely if maybe he had hit his head on something but then she saw his head rise up over the edge of the bed, his sleep-tousled hair all over the place, blue eyes questioning.

“Maybe it’s a dream, it wouldn’t be the first time” he thought then lifted his head over the edge of the bed. “nope still there” And his head hit the ground again. “What was that?” Asked Inara nervously. “Nothin’, nothin’. “ Then there was silence for a few moments, neither of them moving. Mal laying on the floor, palms flat against his forehead, Inara sat nervously upright in his bed. “’Nara?” “Yes Mal” “Why you in my bunk?” “ I don’t know Mal” They were silent once again until they started babbling in unison. “we didn’t…Couldn’t…I mean…I……..Did we?”

________________________ TBC , if you liked it?