Chapter 6: Earthly Desires

Kaylee didn’t know what to say, so she just stood there with her mouth open, gaping. Wash and Zoë exchanged glances and Inara tried to catch Mal’s eye in order to get him to say something. Nobody seemed to want to be the first to speak until suddenly a soft voice broke the silence.

“Sorry to catch you by surprise” Said Lola “I hadn’t realised there was another little girl on this ship”

Kaylee felt about two inches tall. She was about the same age as Lola but compared to her poise and glamour Kaylee must seem like just a kid. She glanced down at her overalls with their rips and the teddy bear patch. God, why hadn’t she realised she looked so young? No wonder Simon hadn’t looked twice at her…

“Are you a…companion?” Asked Kaylee, hesitantly. She honestly didn’t know which answer she would prefer. If she was a companion, technically she wouldn’t be able to lie with any of the crew without money changing hands, however, it would mean that she’d have all of her companion training on her side and that made her a formidable opponent in the game of love. On the other hand, if she wasn’t a companion she wouldn’t have the training but she would still have her good looks and the choice to pursue anyone she wanted on the ship. Kaylee gulped and waiting for an answer.

“Lawfully, no” Replied Lola, her voice cold. Kaylee had obviously touched a nerve “Though I did train as one for a while and have many friends who are registered companions”

great thought Kaylee, bitterly She’s got the best of both worlds

“Badger’s asked us to smuggle her to Beaumonde” Said Mal, addressing the whole crew “Seems she has some business there that needs taking care of and by the by would you mind telling us what that is?”

Mal swung round and addressed that last part to Lola. She smiled serenely and then shook her head.

“I’m sorry Captain Reynolds but that information is strictly confidential”

Her tone was slightly patronising and Mal didn’t like it one bit.

“Now listen here” Said Mal “There ain’t nobody who uses my boat for business without telling me what that business is”

“I can see you’re no fool, Captain Reynolds” Replied Lola, smiling sweetly “If you must know, I am the guardian of some very precious cargo. The item in question has great sentimental value to me, however, the law forbids me to own it and therefore I am taking it to a safe house in Beaumonde. Unfortunately the Federal Officers on Persephone were somehow informed that I had it and therefore I was forced find passage off Persephone quickly and discreetly. A friend put me in contact with Badger and he in turn told me that Captain Malcolm Reynolds would be able to grant me safe passage and protection. I assume he was being truthful?”

“I’d say he was” Replied Mal “We’re not at all unfamiliar with transporting illegal cargo, even cargo that’s alive, and you should be safe onboard. I’ll have Kaylee make you up a room in the passenger dorms.”

“You are most kind.” Said Lola “I’m afraid I was unable to get much sleep last night as Badger was hardly what one would call hospitable and therefore I feel I must lie down. Kaylee, would you hurry please?”

“Better do as the lady says” Said Mal “If she’s unsatisfied with her treatment it turns out we don’t get paid”

“Yes, Sir” Said Kaylee through gritted teeth. God, she hated Lola…

*****

Inara sat in her shuttle half-heartedly scanning the cortex. Despite various attempts to spice things up, last night had felt so…empty. Inara was used to feeling disconnected from her clients, hell, it was part of her job description, but this was the first time that a client had actually noticed. She’d been in such a good mood while she was with Chyou but the moment she left all the thoughts of the previous week just came flooding back to her. “I’m glad” she had told mal about him taking to bed with Nandi. She had been glad that Nandi was able to experience something beautiful before she died but did it have to be with Mal…?

Inara sighed and sat back on her heels. Why did she even care? She remembered the morning after, Nandi had come into the “delivery room”, put her hand on Inara’s shoulder and starting to indicate that Inara felt the same way as Mal. Inara hadn’t wanted to get into a discussion about it while she was still emotionally fragile and especially not in front of Simon and River so she shrugged the comment off, but at the time Nandi’s words had set fireworks off in her heart. Mal and Nandi must have been talking about her the night before and as much as the thought if anyone discussing her behind her back repulsed Inara slightly, if that discussion led to something big, then maybe…

Inara’s thoughts were interrupted by a brief knock at her shuttle door and then Mal’s head appearing round the curtain.

“You know, when you knock on someone’s door it is customary to wait for a response before barging in” Snapped Inara, standing up

“Well I figured you’d just tell me to go away” Replied Mal

“I can’t imagine why” Said Inara, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Listen; as much as I enjoy these little spats of ours” Said Mal. Inara rolled her eyes. “I must get to the reason why I’m here”

“And that is…?” Asked Inara impatiently

“We have a guest” Replied Mal

“A Guest?!”

“Well, cargo actually” Clarified Mal “But seeing as the cargo is a living, breathing and very much awake woman, I figured it was more polite to refer to her as “our guest”

“I’m sure it is” Replied Inara “But mal, why on earth is there a woman on the ship?”

“Job for Badger” Replied Mal bluntly

“Yes, but don’t those jobs usually involve smuggling things of a non-human variety”

“Turns out this job is no different, except that the non-human cargo has a human guardian”

“Are you sure this is a good idea Mal?” Asked Inara. She remembered the last time they had trusted a stranger on their boat. The thing she recalled most strongly was being knocked out.

“Not in the slightest” Replied Mal “But that pay’s good and right now we could really use the money. Been a bit short ever since that wobbly-headed doll caper”

“I recall”

“Anyways, this woman said she’d had some companion training and so I thought maybe the two of you might want to get acquainted and the like” Said Mal

“I’ve no doubt”

They stood there in silence for a couple of minutes, neither having anything to say but neither wanting to end the conversation just yet. Inara looked at Mal with concern. He was doing a pretty good job of hiding it but she could clearly see the pain in his eyes.

“Mal, it wasn’t you’re fault” She said, putting a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

“Yeah, trying telling that to her” Replied Mal brushing Inara’s hand away.

“She died protecting that baby. If you hadn’t been there he would have taken the child as well and then her death would have been in vain”

Mal stared down at the floor trying to resist the urge to kick something. Inara stepped forward cautiously, took his chin in her hand and gently lifted it so she was looking him in the eyes. He moved forward slightly.

“Inara…” He began.

He was going to kiss her, she knew it. She closed her eyes in anticipation but she never felt the touch of his lips. He pulled back from her and headed for the doors.

“I should really see to our guest” He said hurriedly before disappearing out of the shuttle.

Inara blinked a tear away and then went back to her work.