Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, just writing for fun!

Sorry for the delay, I have been out of town for the past two weekends and haven't been too inspired as of late. Hope you guys like it! Please comment!:D

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Inara cringed as the hatch to Mal's bunk opened with a loud creaking noise. She had quietly slipped from his arms early that morning, all the emotions from last night spent, and now she just wanted to hide. She couldn't face him, everything was still raw and she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself or what she had ventured into. She leaned back making sure to listen for footfalls, just to reassure herself that he was still asleep. She emerged from the opening and pulled the hatch closed as silently as possible, then stood in the hallway. Inara didn't know where to go. Her shuttle was still filled with the trappings of a life she may possibly no longer be a part of and the hatch she faced held a man that confused her even more than the situation she was in now. "'Nara?" Inara turned quickly to face Kaylee, who was standing at the base of the steps inside the galley. Inara felt the urge to run but resisted as Kaylee smiled brightly, one hand rubbing the left side of her very pregnant belly and the other carrying a plate of fresh fruit that they had picked up just the other day. Everyone on the ship spoiled Kaylee with little gifts of fruit or sweets, even Jayne had bought her a full bag candy, though he gave it to her in private, not wanting the rest of the crew to see his softer side. Inara's eyes began to well when she thought of her friend being so delighted in sharing the treasure she had received. Kaylee had beamed when she opened the bag and Inara appropriately responded with a smile of her own, but it was just a guise, a trained pretext to hide the overwhelming heartache she experienced every time she laid eyes on this precious girl. "Hey you," she responded as she collected herself and made her way from the hallway to the entrance of the galley. Inara glanced down at her rumpled nightgown from the previous night and took in Kaylee's own as she made her way down the steps to stand directly in front of her. "Not quite dressed for the day are we?" "Don't worry, it's still plenty early, no one's gonna come in 'n catch us in our night things." Kaylee's giggle was infectious, Inara couldn't help herself as she began to laugh but it quickly turned to tears. Kaylee set the plate down on the table and quietly enveloped Inara in her arms. "Mei mei, I am so sorry," Inara whispered against Kaylee's shoulder. Kaylee just kept her arms around Inara as a small tear ran down her cheek. Pulling back from the embrace when Inara's sobs began to subside, Kaylee smiled brightly. "Well ain't this just a bunch of foolishness, bawlin' like a couple a babies." Inara wiped the rest of her tears from her eyes but she couldn't let her friend absolve her so easily. She reached out and gently touched Kaylee's cheek. "You are the most forgiving creature I have ever encountered.” “Ain’t nothin’ to forgive, ‘Nara.” “Yes there is. You shine so bright, too bright sometimes. Every day looking at you, this family you and Simon have created, it’s been burning me up inside. I thought I knew what I wanted out of life, I was so sure of my path, and then I...well it...it doesn’t matter. You are so dear and I have wasted my time being jealous over something that should have brought joy to my heart, but not anymore.” It was Kaylee’s turn to cry and the tears streamed down her face. “Oh ‘Nara, I never wanted t-” “No, mei mei, don’t you dare try to apologize to me!” Inara scolded as she took Kaylee’s hands in her own. Kaylee sniffled and then a devilish grin spread across her face. “’Nara, was that the Cap’n’s hatch I saw you climbin’ out of?” Inara smiled right back at her and slid an arm around her shoulders guiding her to the table. “Look at all this wondrous fare we have before us?” “Ah, no! Don’t be trying to change the subject. You was-Oh!” Kaylee clutched at her stomach and Inara’s heart began to race. “Mei mei, what is it? Should I fetch Simon?” “I think ya should help me down the stairs.” “Maybe I -” Inara stopped her sentence as Kaylee reached out and gripped her hand so tightly that she was sure she may have lost circulation permanently. “Baby’s comin’.” “All right, let’s get you to the infirmary and then I’ll go get Simon.”

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