The Last Spartan – Chapter Twenty-Six Blah blah blah blah. Disclaimers apply. No ownership implied or . . . owned. Limit one per customer, etc. etc. **************** “Mal, I need you to go to the study to be fitted for a tuxedo,” Inara said from the stair landing. Mal looked down at her, having been on the verge of descending the steps himself. “Hello, Inara,” Mal said, smiling slightly. He hadn’t seen much of Inara since the hospital. He’d caught glimpses of her here and there, but hadn’t spoken to her. “Hello,” Inara didn’t smile back. “The fitting? The tailors need to fit you, and the party is tomorrow evening.” “Okay,” Mal said amiably, and started down the steps. Inara turned to precede him, but Mal called out to her. “Inara, I wanted to apologize. For the things I said the other day. Both days,” he amended. “I. . .well, I ain’t got no excuse that’s good enough, so I’ll just say I ain’t got no excuse a tall. But I’m sorry I hurt you.” “Don’t let it worry you, Mal,” Inara said, not quite stiffly. “I don’t. Not anymore.” Mal winced at that. He’d hoped that maybe he could at least mend the bridge between them, even if he couldn’t fix the damage he’d done to their budding relationship. “Okay,” he agreed quietly. “Zoe and I will be going two days after the ball. Figured we’d take that last day to say goodbyes and such, maybe recover from the ho-down. Then hit the black first thing day after.” “We’ll be sorry to see you go,” Inara said professionally. “I understand why you want to leave, and wish you the best.” Mal hid the grimace that threatened to hit his face. He’d never heard her so cold. “Well, I admit it’s a nice place, and I’ve enjoyed being here,” Mal surprised her, and himself. “But I can’t live on another man’s charity, no matter how well meant. I know Jayne means it, but I got to make my own way, long as I can.” “I understand, and so does he,” Inara nodded, walking slowly down the steps. “Well, I’ll go and get fitted, then,” Mal said, as he hit the ground floor. “Thank you.” Mal went to the study, his heart heavy. ‘Sorry’ couldn’t always fix things. He’d let his mouth get out of control, and now it was costing him. But he held onto the steely reserve he’d found while lying in the hospital. He’d do better. If another chance at happiness ever came, he wouldn’t make a mess of it. Not again. ****************** Inara watched Mal walk away, and started to call after him. She stopped herself, though, rather than give in. She would probably always love the man, but she didn’t like him anymore. He had hurt her more than once, and she was determined not to let it happen again. She was no longer a Companion, and never would be again. She had encountered a bit of difficulty with the Guild at first, but a wave from ‘Lord Janos’ had made all that go away, as if by magic. She was free. Mal would always hold her being a Companion against her. He might not say it, but anytime he was angry, or upset, she’d be a ‘whore’. She wasn’t a whore, and no man would ever call her that again, and share her bed, or her life. And that included Malcolm Reynolds. With that mental declaration, Inara went about her work. Her new job was challenging, and demanding. And she loved it. ****************** Prim watched the episode play out with a held breath. He’d wondered if Captain Reynolds would allow Inara to go without at least some attempt to reconcile, and he’d wondered more if she would accept. It seemed that she would not. Under other circumstances, he might have been glad, knowing that the way was now open for him. But Inara had been somewhat shaken by the discovery that Prim himself was also one of ‘them’. Perhaps, given time, she could overlook that. He’d just have to wait and see. ***************** Zoe, Kaylee, and River were all being fitted for the ball as well. The women assigned to fit them had brought a number of choices along, and would alter them as needed once the women settled on their choices. River was also selecting a number of items for her new wardrobe as ‘Dame Janos’. She frowned at that. Did Janos even have a last name? “Wow,” Kaylee breathed, looking at some of the dresses laid out for their perusal. “I ain’t never seen such fine fixin’s before,” she gushed. “Me either,” Zoe agreed, her fabled stoicism slipping a bit. “Gotta hand it to Jayne, he knows how to throw a shindig.” “Not Jayne,” River told her, smiling. “Inara. She has made all the arrangements, including the tailor. Please, get what you like, and more than one. Janos insisted,” she added when both women started to object. “Lotta money, River,” Zoe observed. “He has a lot of money,” River giggled. “I don’t think he even knows how much, exactly.” “Do you?” Kaylee asked, looking at a strapless gown that practically lit up the room. “Not yet,” River admitted. “I spent two whole days doing nothing but looking at financial reports. There are very few corporations he doesn’t own stock in, and his liquid assets are the foundation for at least eleven banking institutions. He is beyond rich, in all honesty.” “Looks like you’re marryin’ well, then, mei mei,” Zoe laughed. River nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I suppose,” she admitted. “I had already decided I would marry him before I knew about all this. The money is nice, but unimportant.” “You decided, huh?” Kaylee grinned, and River flushed. “Well, I had ‘set my cap’ for him, as you would say,” River replied. “Success was not assured, especially after I discovered Verana,” the little woman frowned. “I was sure that if anyone. . .” She broke off, looking quickly at Kaylee. “I know, sweetie,” Kaylee smiled gently. “But that just wasn’t. . .I mean, I don’t think I could handle. . .” Now Kaylee trailed off, unable to finish. “Yes, it is a lot to take in,” River nodded. “Well, looks to me like things have worked out like they were supposed to,” Zoe observed. “‘Cept for Cap’n and Inara,” Kaylee said sadly. Zoe and River exchanged glances at that, and River nodded. “Kaylee, I don’t think that ship’s gonna leave orbit,” Zoe told the young mechanic. “Cap’n done hurt her one time too many I’m thinking, and she ain’t gonna let him do it again. Sides,” Zoe added slyly, “I’m thinking Mal’d have competition now days, anyway.” “Competition?” Kaylee asked, her face showing puzzlement. “Prim,” River nodded. “I believe that Prim is somewhat smitten by Inara’s grace and carriage.” “Is that what it is?” Zoe asked, a sly grin flowing across her beautiful features. “And here I thought it was her looks.” “He is a man,” River giggled. “Looks certainly played some small part.” All three women erupted in laughter at that. “Well, I think I’m gonna go for slinky, myself,” Zoe informed them, holding up a black gown glittering with small gems. “What’dya think?” “I think you’ll need an escort,” River smirked. “That dress will draw men like honey draws flies.” “Well, I’ll have to bear up, I guess,” Zoe sighed in mock sufferance. “Especially since I’m doing all this for a friend,” she added with a wink, and River giggled again. “And I do so appreciate your sacrifice on my behalf.” ******************** “Are the preparations made?” Hiram Nettles was seated at a private table in a very exclusive restaurant in Capital City. The man across the table from him looked every inch as if he belonged, but looks were often deceiving, and never more than in the case of Nam Phin. “They are,” the mercenary smiled, as if agreeing that it was a lovely day out. “We are ready to proceed.” “Excellent,” Nettles nodded. “Remember, I don’t want any more bloodshed than is absolutely necessary to get the job done. And no one in the house is to be harmed, under any circumstances.” “You place my men and I at grave risk with such an order,” Phin pointed out. “And I pay you very well for it,” Nettles reminded him. “The objective is to re-acquire a wayward employee for a firm I own stock in. She has stolen some very valuable information that belongs to us, and I want it back. She is not to be harmed either. However, I should be able to subdue her on my own.” “It’s the security of the place that I need your help with. I will have five men inside the house, with me. I need your men to create enough havoc that attention will be on you, rather than me. Once I have subdued the criminal,” Nettles was laying it on a little thick perhaps, but his story had to be sound, “I may need cover to get away.” “We can provide all that,” Phin agreed. “We will not enter the house, then?” “Not unless I call you,” Nettles nodded. “That should make your job easier. The security forces are fair game, so far as I’m concerned. But there are some very prominent people on that guest list. Harming them could be counter productive to my goals.” Goals that included being elevated to Director of Special Projects, he didn’t say out loud. He was risking everything here, and he knew it. If his plan failed, then the Director could have him killed, and no one would object. But if he succeeded? If he succeeded, then he would be able to say that he had done so while the Director had been content to abandon their most successful project to date. To ignore the perfect opportunity to reacquire her, even when dropped squarely in their laps. “Very well,” Phin said. “We shall be in place a full hour before hand. It will take until then to be ready, due to the strict security. Our discovery before you are ready will ruin the operation.” “Good,” Nettles smiled. “Now that we’ve decided on that, what say we enjoy the cuisine here? I am told that the roast duck is excellent.” *************** The day of the ball finally arrived, with a fury. A storm lashed at the shore of the Beraline, and Sapor Parco lay in it’s path. The temperature has fallen quickly from unusually warm for the fall to something more normal, and heavy wind and rain accompanied the drop in mercury. “A fine omen,” Janos complained bitterly, looking out the window of his study. He often retreated here, to the quiet of his personal place, to think. Or to brood. “Let’s not be so hasty,” Prim said from behind him. “It is autumn after all. The good weather was bound to play out eventually.” “And couldn’t wait one more day,” Janos snarled, though Prim knew the snarl wasn’t meant for him. The Spartan turned and sat heavily in his chair. “I have not offered you my congratulations, my Lord,” Prim told him. “Allow me to do so, now.” “Thank you, old friend,” Janos almost smiled. “I admit that I was somewhat. . .well, if I’m honest, I’d have to use the word ‘afraid’.” Prim snorted. “I should think so,” he laughed. “A lot of pressure upon you, especially after Inara had already mailed the invitations announcing your engagement and forthcoming marriage.” “Indeed,” Janos did smile this time. “Lovely idea. Wonder where she could have gotten it?” he looked at Prim in accusation. “No idea, I’m sure,” Prim replied seriously. “If I were to guess, I’d say she simply decided to do it on her own. She is a very strong willed woman.” “She’s had to be, to put up with Reynolds,” Janos assured him. “I wonder how that’s fairing, come to think of it. I’ve been rather engrossed in my own doings.” “I think it’s safe to say that their relationship is one caravan that will never make market, my Lord,” Prim tried to keep the smugness from his voice, but Janos had known him a very long time, indeed. “Prim, what are you up to?” he asked warily. “Up to?” Prim feigned innocence. “Me? Why, nothing, my Lord.” “I detect more than simple professional interest in the Lady Inara, Prim,” Janos said sternly, though fighting a smirk back all the while. Had Inara managed to thaw the Roman? “Would that displease you, Janos?” Prim asked seriously. “I would not. . .” “Oh, hell,” Janos swore, disgusted. “You take all the fun out of needling, Prim, you know that? Of course it doesn’t displease me. Inara is a wonderful woman. And a good friend. She deserves any happiness she can get. Even if it comes in the form of a broken down Roman Centurion. One, I might add, who couldn’t even manage to keep hold of his pants when. . .” “My Lord!” Prim objected, almost heatedly. “I thought we agreed not to discuss that. . .evening, again. Along with another, similar evening, where a certain Spartan was discovered in the . . .” “Very well! It’s forgotten!” Now it was Janos’ turn to object. The two looked at one another for a moment, then burst out laughing. “My word, Prim, we have had some great adventures through the ages,” Janos gasped through his laughter. “Indeed we have, Janos my old friend,” the Roman agreed, wiping the tears that heavy laughter had brought. “But we near the end of such things, I think. You will now have a more fitting partner for the ages, Janos. I am happy for you, my friend.” “I did not intend that to happen, you know,” Janos pointed out. “It was. . .” “Fate,” Prim said firmly. “It was fate, my Lord, that brought you together. Never doubt it. Some things are simply meant to be.” “Thank you, Prim,” Janos smiled softly. “I’d like to think I deserve it. But I wonder. I do.” “Don’t,” Prim said at once. “If anyone is deserving, it is you. Whatever ills you have wrought, you have performed a dozen and more good deeds to atone. Take that which is offered, and be grateful, my friend. And happy.” “Happy,” Janos repeated, looking once more out the window. The storm continued to lash at the house. Lightning flashed in the distance, followed a few seconds later by the crash of thunder. “Have the guard doubled before sundown, Prim,” Janos ordered suddenly. “And keep Trivett and his men in reserve.” “You have a fear, my Lord?” Prim was all business again. “I believe in fate,” was Janos’ only reply. ****************