Alright, I'll admit it, my muse has abandoned me. So, see this as an interlude before I can write the really kick ass ending that you all deserve. Reviews make it easier to write goodness!! Sorry for taking so long! Enjoy. --------------------------------------------------

Inara finished packing her silks into the last wooden box, rocked back on her heels, and sighed. The sound echoed forlornly in the empty space, and a shudder shook through her body. The shuttle had been her home for so long...she was losing her sanctuary. And, apparently, her sanity. Pushing herself up to her feet, she shook her head to banish the niggling sense of unease that had been bothering her since she had made her decision to leave.

Why would I want to leave Serenity?

The words came back to haunt her, repeating over and over in her head like some sick chorus until she wanted to scream. Oddly enough, the only time she truly heard any peace from herself was when she was at Mal's side. She refused to see that as a sign. It would be too dangerous if she did.

Mal. She'd been gone an hour. Every minute from him felt like an eternity, but this was something she had to do...she kicked the wooden box as if to prove her point. Sighing again, she turned from her stacks of boxes and went looking for Jayne.

Inara found the mercenary in the kitchen, rifling through her food locker, of all places.

"Ahem." she coughed delicately. He spun around guiltily, crumbs falling en masse from his lips, open wrapper crinkling in his hand.

"Oh, hi 'Nara," he muttered through a full mouth. Chewing messily, he swallowed with a loud gulped and gave her an angry look. "Dontcha know it's dangerous to sneak up on me? 'Coulda killed ya."

"Somehow I don't think that's possible Jayne, as you're elbow deep in my locker," she shook her head. "My boxes are all packed."

"I'll take 'em down to the cargo bay for ya then," he grunted, wiping his mouth on his arm and shoving the last of her food back into her locker. "Mal woulda let you stay, you know. You don't have to go."

Inara blinked in surprise. "This is something I have to do."

"If that's what helps you sleep at night." He winked at her lewdly. "Not that you do a lot of that, now..."

"Just get my things down to the bay and keep your dirty thoughts to yourself." Inara turned gracefully on a heel and glided from the room.

"She's a piece of work, that one," Jayne muttered to his favorite knife, spearing an apple from the basket on the table and beginning to gnaw on it as he followed her out.

Inara made her way to the infirmary, stopping to look in the window before entering. Kaylee sat by the bed, chattering away in her usual cheerful manner. Dear Kaylee, who finally had everything she ever wanted in the 'verse, and truly deserved it. Simon had told her he was going to propose whenever life on the ship got more stable. More stable. On Serenity, when would that ever happen? Inara shook her head in frustration. Even the name of the ship was a conumndrum.

"Hey 'Nara!" Kaylee chirped when she entered. "Simon says the Cap'n is improvin'! Ain't that shiny?"

"That's wonderful news." She reached down and pushed Mal's hair back from his face, a gesture that came naturally after days of sitting by his side. Kaylee watched her face with concern, her own sunny smile replaced by a frown.

" 'Suppose I should leave you two alone, as you got somethin' to tell the Cap'n and all." She slid from the stool and watched as Inara took her place. "You think you're doing the right thing 'Nara?"

"I don't know."

"Well-" Kaylee hesitated in the doorway. "None of us want this 'Nara. 'Specially him."

Inara nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Kaylee left, leaving the infirmary a little less bright and a little colder.

"Mal," Inara whispered. "Mal, I need you to wake up. I need to talk to you Mal, I need an answer from you, and I need it now." Resting her head on his chest, she let herself cry in earnest. A moment later the grip on her hand tightened, and his chest began to rise and fall with increasing regularity. Hardly daring to breathe, Inara looked up and found herself staring straight into an astonishingly bright pair of baby blues.

"Now what's this that's got you so worked up that you gotta go wakin' a man up for?" he managed to rasp out before Inara made it very nearly impossible for him to speak another word.

tbc dudes...