Mal-Inara vignette.

[bad_in_latin]

You can't hide.He hates walking around barefoot; he doesn't know how River does it. Maybe it's because River is lighter on her feet, and walking barefoot across the open deckplates doesn't bother her as much as it bothers Mal. Still, Mal's lack of boots aids considerably in keeping his footfalls silent as he finally climbs out of his bunk and makes

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[ff_ambassador]

Inara jerks awake at the knocking and stumbles out of bed automatically. She moves over to the door and opens it, sucking in a small breath when she sees Mal's face.

"Are you alright?" The fact that the door wasn't locked has gone right out of her mind.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal, still leaning with his hands on the doorjamb, walks in and almost collides into Inara, throwing his arms around her waist and holding her there at the door against him for a moment, not answering her question.

Not that he had any words to explain what has happened anyway. Not that he had the energy to go over it again.

[ff_ambassador]

Her eyes wide at his sudden movement, Inara holds Mal tightly, lending him as much physical support as she can.

She runs her hands lightly on his back. "What happened, baobe?"

[bad_in_latin]

Mal pulls back at her question. It's a fair one, he realizes, and he should answer it.

"Not now. Please."

Not now.