Mal and Inara’s relationship was blossoming like a rose. They still bickered over stupid things but at least he no longer called her ‘whore’ and she didn’t call him ‘petty thief.’ Their affair was quite discreet at first, with stolen kisses at Louise’s house. Then it continued on the ship, often when they’re washing dishes in the galley or happened to be alone in a hallway. Followed by love notes appearing mysteriously in random hiding places. Despite Kaylee’s urge to squeal every time she saw them makes big eyes at each other at dinner, the crew decided to avoid bursting their bubble.

For Mal and Inara those stolen moments were promises of sweet dreams to come. When they slept, every kiss was a pledge of a never ending love. River obviously knew; but never said anything because even she noticed how Inara’s smile shone and that there was a new hop in Mal’s step. River also noticed how miserable Mal looked when he and Inara bickered, especially when Inara’s feelings so obviously had been crushed like glass by his careless words.

But today Mal had decided that the games would stop. He and Inara could no longer try to hide what they felt for each other anymore.

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Mal smiled up at the beautiful woman who had become as important as air for him, she was sleeping on top of him as usual and her weight was like that of a comfortable thick blanket. Over the past 3 months, he had come to really know her and the more he learned about her the more he was sure she was his better half. She was beautiful, intelligent, loyal, brave and her heart was as big as the universe. It had not taken him long to learn that she loved chocolate and cuddling; and that every time they made love, the day would turn out just shiny. It constantly amazed Mal how much love a person could give and be given. He loved Inara more than life and at the same time he knew she loved him the same way. He also knew that everyone on the crew could tell she loved them like her real family.

The pair were now on holiday, thanks to Inara’s Aunt Serenity was making huge stacks of money and the work was comparably safe, as safe as life ever got in the black. Serenity had to refuel soon; although fuel was not what caused them to choose to land Münster on today. Münster was smack in the middle of the ‘verse between core and rim planets. What made it special though were some old friends. Two of the ranch hands, who had worked for Mal’s mama before the war on shadow lived on Münster with their 3 kids.

‘Maybe a visit wouldn’t do any harm,’ Mal thought to himself. It had been quite a while since he’d last seen Fred and Liz. He suspected Liz especially would like to meet the most important woman in his life. Liz had been like a second mother to him when she worked for his mother in the kitchen of their ranch. Mal wondered how much their daughter, little Melanie, had grown. She was probably nine now, he mused. Fred had fought in the war too, but they had been stationed on different worlds, since the battle of Serenity, they only kept in touch by an occasional wave, in which Fred and Liz always practically begged him to visit.

“You’re thinking,” Inara smiled up at him.

“Huh,” Mal said, kissing her forehead.

“When you have that look, you’re thinking about something.”

He tickled her sides, just to hear her laugh. It was music to him. Seeing her happy made him happy as well. “So smarty-pants, what was I thinking about?” He grinned as she snuggled closer.

“I’m not River Mal, I don’t read minds; but I know you well enough to know when you’re being thoughtful.”

‘Oh damn,’ Mal mentally kicked himself for his last statement; she sounded hurt.

“Hey,” Mal lifted Inara’s chin up so that he could show her the love in his eyes. “I never said that,” he kissed her lips, cheek and nose, “Okay?”

Inara kissed him back and smiled, “Okay.”

Several minutes later, Mal washed his teeth while Inara was tried to choose between two dresses before she went to shower. “You were right though,” he mumbled from the bathroom, the toothpaste in his mouth obscuring his words. “I was thinking. According to Kaylee, we have to refuel on Münster and since we’re on holiday,” he paused gathering his thoughts, “well.”

Inara came back into the room to gather her shampoo and towel. “Mal, you’re rambling. It won’t kill you to get to the point, you know!”

“Well, you were just a kid when you left shadow. Do you remember Fred and Liz?” Mal garbled before spitting.

A frown crossed the ex-companion’s face as she concentrated on those far off memories. “No, I remember your mother and some of our classmates but no one else.”

“It’s okay, Fred and Liz were two of the hands on the ranch; they were like an aunt an’ uncle to me. Remember when we were tryin’ out Lily-bun? It was Fred’s sister who bandaged our limbs at the hospital.”

“I loved that pony!” Inara laughed. “I think the lady you mentioned is the same one who took care of you after the ‘scrap-mule’ fiasco, do you remember that?”

“How could I not, darlin’? You cried so much when you saw me unconscious and my leg broken,” he chuckled as he started shaving.

“What can I say?” Inara replied from the shower. “Annie had known you since the two of you were babies, she was blond and pretty and everyone loved her.” Inara got out of the shower wrapped in a towel and started fidgeting with her fingers; she always did that when she wanted to explain something and was not finding it easy.

Mal thought Inara’s fidgeting was the cutest thing ever.

Inara sighed and her fidgeting became more frantic “While I was the core-girl who no one knew, everyone stared at me like I was an alien. I couldn’t compete with her!”

“Whoa now, my ma loved you like you was her own. Annie was jealous as hell when you came ‘cause she no longer was the teacher’s pet and everyone wanted to get to know you.” Mal caught Inara’s hands to stop her fidgeting, pulled her toward him to kiss her. He put his arms around her after resting her hands on his chest “‘sides, I happen to love your brown locks, you’re beautiful and your nose is cuter than hers.”

She burst out laughing.

“But it’s true!” he said, pulling her closer.

“Anyway,” Inara continued. “I challenged you to jump from that mule to see if you really liked me and when you did, and you got hurt; I felt guilty. I don’t like seeing you get hurt,” she smiled sadly.

“Neither do I.” Mal kissed her sad smile and replaced it with a happy one. “That’s better, now I’ll shower up and then we go and face the day, all right?”

“Yes, ai ren.” she kissed him and went to get her toothbrush.

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So? You like it? Hate it? River reads minds...I read comments =)