“And I imagine the crew are about done with their discussion,” deVries smiled. “It was very subtle of you to give them that opening.”
Inara inclined her head in respect.
“Well, we’d better rejoin them. But before we do, there’s something I need to know - because I’m about to trust him with the security of the Alliance. He’s a known, or at least suspected, criminal, yet I have to trust him to help us prevent a war; I HAVE to. So I need to know, Inara...”
It was the first time deVries had addressed her by name, and that immediately caught her attention. “What?”
“Is he a good man?” deVries asked, very quietly.
Inara’s answer surprised even her.
“Yes,” she answered as softly, “I truly believe he is.”
-- Unlikely Bedfellows, Chapter 1 by Anonymouse