Mal sat on the bridge, staring out into the black. He watched the stars as they twinkled past, watched planets as they flew right on by. Mal wondered what he was looking for out there. Solace? Peace? Safety? An answer? After a while he came to the conclusion that the answers he was looking for could not come from there. Inara was the only one who could really tell him what was going on, why she had been sleeping in his bunk, in his arms every night for the past week. He stood up and walked down the empty halls towards Inara’s shuttle. Kaylee and Simon were in the engine room, Zoe was probably in her bunk, finding comfort in the sheets that still smelt like Wash. Jayne was down in the cargo bay straining with his weights. The corridors were empty and Mal walked alone, or so he thought. Unbeknownst to him a pair of sad, dark eyes were watching him from the shadows. Eyes that had seen too much. River stood silently, observing. She felt his confusion and knew that tonight she would change that, or try to change that. “A candle shines brightest to those who insist on standing alone in the dark “ she whispered as Mal walked past her. Mal jumped and, cursing inwardly, looked around. “ What kinda Fei hua is that then ? ” He yelled to nobody. Nobody answered. “ Girl flits around like a gorram bird “ he thought, moving on again. He reached Inara’s shuttle and, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot straight away, took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

***** Inara had just finished confirming a later appointment when she heard a knock at the door. She had recognised the distinctive sound of Mal’s footsteps instantly and so was surprised when he knocked. She had known he would come sometime, it was Mal and he could never just let things go, he had to understand everything. So she took a deep breath, steeled herself for the inevitable confrontation that would follow when he walked in and called. “Qing jin “ She smiled at him when he walked in but was slightly confused at the change that came over his handsome features at the sight of her sat in front of where he knew the cortex screen to be. She waited politely for the questions they had both decided would pour from his unthinking mouth but they didn’t come. Instead. “Jus’ to let you know we’ll be dockin’ down on Persephone in a while. “ “ Yes, thank you. River just told me.“ ” So that’s what she’s been doin.’ “ “ Were you looking for her ? “ “Nope, she jus’ took it into her head to talk all cryptical ‘gain “ “ Why? What did she say? “ “ Nothin’ jus’ somethin’ ‘bout candle’s. Busy schedule? “ He asked, nodding his head towards the cortex screen. “ Yes actually, not that it’s any of your business. “ She retorted aggressively, startled at the sudden turn in their conversation. “ Jus’ need to know if I’m gonna get my rent was all. “ He said putting his hands up in mock defeat. Inara scowled and bit back a scathing retort as she watched his retreating back. Realising that sometime during the conversation she had stood up she moved over to sit one the couch in a huff thinking, “ this can’t get any worse “ __________________________________

Fei Hua - crap talk Qing Jin - come in