Mal could feel the warmth of Inara’s hand on his and he liked it as he looked down and then back up at her, he cleared his throat and finally spoke “But am I good enough for you?”

Inara dropped her hand and froze.

She had stayed on Serenity now for some weeks after Miranda unsure of whether to leave or not. She not only stayed for Mal but for all the crew everyone was hurt.

It had been ten minutes before anyone spoke, Inara not sure what to say.

Finally Mal spoke “Inara I’m sorry the last time I tried to be truthsome with you, you left and I don’t want that happening again I couldn’t handle it again if you left, why don’t we forget this conversation and you go and try and get some sleep and I’ll continue to play with the dinosaurs.

Inara got up, tears welling in her eyes and was about to leave when she stopped and turned around.

“I never said you were not good enough for me” Inara said.

Mal was surprised even though he stopped their conversation he knew they needed to address this matter.

Rising from his seat and putting the ship on autopilot, Mal turned and went to Inara. He could see the tears in her eyes.

“Inara then whats the problem because I sure know I wanna be with you, you got into my head and my heart and I can’t let you go.” Mal said looking at Inara with those eyes that made her go weak.

“Mal don’t I fog things up isn’t that what you told me before and after all I’m a whore do you ever think maybe I’m not good enough for you?” Inara got the words out but was choking up now, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hated hearing and using the word whore.

Mal reached out his hand to wipe her tears and then he couldn’t resist he kissed her.

Mal and Inara had not heard River come onto the bridge.

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” River said startling both of them in the process.

“Huh ….. River what you doing up?” Mal asked confused and lost in thought. Part of him still was kissing Inara.

“Albert Einstein said that. I can’t sleep do you mind if I pilot, I think you have other matters to attend to” River said looking smirkly at Inara.

“I think I better try and get some sleep goodnight River and goodnight Mal” Inara said as she left the bridge looking a Mal before she left.

“Well Little Albatross I might go and get some sleep also if you don’t mind piloting” Mal said to River eager to get out after Inara so they could continue.

“Yes Captain go I think your thoughts are elsewhere than the bridge and you need to go with them” River said knowing where Mal would be headed.

As Mal continued out the bridge and made his way to Inara’s shuttle.

He stopped at the door.

“Should I knock or go straight in” he thought to himself.

“Well you never knocked before why change the habit now,” he said to himself and he went in to the shuttle.

Inara was sitting on bed.

Mal stood in front of her hands on his suspenders not really knowing what to say.

Finally Inara spoke “Mal you got into my head and my heart too, I left the last time because I was afraid and also jealous of Nandi” Even saying Nandi’s name was upsetting for both Inara and Mal.

Mal reached out for her and kissed her again.

“Darling you needn’t be jealous of anyone you're the only one in my heart and always will be. I love you Nara please stay here on Serenity with me” Mal said.

Inara looked up at him and spoke “Mal I love you too I don’t how we can make this work but we can try and beside why would I want to leave Serenity”