The Ending to Disquiet!
Title: Disquiet: Chapter 27
Setting: Post OIS, disregarding the BDM
Pairing: Jayne/Inara
Rating: R (hard R ??)
Comments: Okay, this is ridiculously long, but we lost out on a chapter and I wanted to wrap up lots of details. I’m really worried about this because I loved this fic soooo much and I was so worried about screwing it up that it took me forever to write. If you hate it, I’m really sorry.
Sections in italics are Inara’s ruminations/memories on previous events.
Oh, and I began with the ending of the last chapter so you can remember where we left off.
Disquiet Organizational Post
***
Inara came out of the infirmary and sat down tiredly next to Grace and River who was sitting one arm around the girl.
Grace’s tearful eyes were raised to hers “He will be alright, won’t he?” her whisper was desperate.
“Simon, our doctor assures me that it is mostly blood loss.” Inara felt as shaky as Grace looked, she hadn’t enjoyed the terror-filled ride back to Serenity. Despite her and Zoë’s efforts Jayne had neither wakened nor stopped bleeding. “You may go in and sit with Jayne once he’s been cleaned up.”
“Will you come with me?” Grace phrased her question carefully, conscious that though she would never say it, Inara desperately wanted to be with Jayne.
“Of course I will.” Inara gave her a weary smile adding quietly, “thank you mei mei.”
*********
They walked into the infirmary together, arms linked and with worried expressions on their faces. Simon had motioned to them through the doorway as they sat waiting to see Jayne. Inara was surprised to see that he was conscious and felt an urge to run to him. But she couldn’t do that, she was back aboard Serenity and whatever had happened on that planet between them was over. She needed to get control of her emotions.
Grace rushed to her brother’s side, limping on the swollen ankle she’d gotten when tricking Aldridge into carrying her. Even in the state he was in, Jayne’s watchful eyes caught her movement.
“You’re hurt. That ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng hurt you,” he growled in anger and tried to push himself off the medcot. Two sets of hands pushed him back, one lingering on his shoulder and squeezing in reassurance. He glanced at Inara to see a momentary smile on her face, quickly replaced by her trained expression.
“No, Jayne, I ain’t hurt,” Grace said, hoping to alleviate his worry. Now that it was all over and they were safe, she realized how much he and his friends had done to rescue her.
“Yes y’are.” Jayne caught Simon’s attention by grabbing his arm as he attempted to inject him with medication. “Doc, you gotta see to my sister, make sure she’s alright.”
Simon pried Jayne’s fingers from his hand. “I’ll do that Jayne, as soon as I give you this pain killer.” He gave Jayne the injection and turned to Grace.
“Miss, um…” Simon was at a loss for words as he looked into the face of the beautiful young woman. He wasn’t certain what to call her. Miss Cobb sounded odd to him because he could see very little of the uncouth mercenary in her demeanor. In fact, the only resemblence he saw to her brother came in the clothes that she and Inara were wearing; clearly procurred in some unseemly manner if he knew Jayne at all.
“My name is Grace,” she said, blushing furiously.
“Of course, well um, if you could just sit over here, I can take a look at that ankle.” Simon gestured to a nearby stool and knelt to examine her foot.
Inara smiled suddenly, the girl’s response was definitely not part of Companion training. But she understood it well enough; the doctor was a handsome man. She looked down at Jayne and found that he wasn’t smiling at the innocent reaction before them.
A musical laugh came through the doorway and they looked to see River peeking around the corner watching Simon wrap Grace’s ankle. “Have to try the glass slipper on all of them,” River said before disappearing.
Watching his sister and the doctor for a moment, Jayne turned to Inara. “’Nara, is it the gorram drugs or is my sister blushin’ over the doc?”
Inara ran her hand down his arm in a soothing motion and put on her most serious expression. “It’s the drugs, Jayne.”
“Good, ‘cause elsewise I was gonna hafta kill him,” Jayne remarked before closing his eyes and succumbing to the pain killers.
***
“Inara?” Mal stood in the door to his infirmary watching the scene in front of him with interest and not a little bit of suspicion. His doctor was stammering over a girl, nothing new ‘bout that, only that it wasn’t Kaylee which was something that might bode watching. His merc was passed out on the medcot with his companion…with Inara standing watch. And did she really have her hand on Jayne’s arm?
“You got a minute?” He mentally grimaced as he heard his tone which was tetchy at best. He’d just got her back safe and sound, didn’t need to be puttin’ her on edge quite so quick.
Inara glanced at Mal and read his demeanor in an instant. Slowly, she removed her hand from Jayne’s arm. Regardless of what the circumstances were, she would not allow Mal to add guilt or shame to her emotions. She smiled at Grace as she followed Mal into the common area.
Mal looked at her with concern as he pulled on his ear, a nervous habit he had when he needed to ask for something. “You alright, Inara?”
“I’m fine, Mal. Is something wrong?...Is something else wrong?”
“No. Well, it’s just…we could use some help gettin’ your shuttle back. Thought maybe those friends of yours at the Guild could help out. ‘Sides, the Shepherd tells me she’s wanting to speak to you. Seems Aldridge got to your friend first and spun her a yarn that you’ll need to clear up.”
“Of course, I’ll wave Lilia at once. I’m certain they’ll be able to help us to get back onto the planet to retrieve the shuttle.” She hesitated, “Mal, I’m sorry about all of this and about the shuttle. I want to take care of the repairs for it.”
He dismissed her idea with a wave of his hand. “No, don’t gotta be worryin’ on that Inara. This was Jayne’s business, it can come outta his pay.”
“Mal! It wasn’t Jayne’s fault. You can’t make him pay for that, especially now that he has Grace to look out for.”
Mal was amused by her defense of the large mercenary. “His sister is something me an’ him are gonna have to talk about, she’s welcome on the boat for now, but she’ll have to find a way to earn her keep. And besides, are you tellin’ me he didn’t go down there an’ lose his temper and contribute to the situation that crashed my shuttle? I find that kinda hard to believe, Inara.”
“Perhaps you don’t know your own mercenary as well as you think, Mal.” Inara spat at him, raising her chin and breezing past him toward the bridge, passing Kaylee on the way.
“Hey, ‘Nara!” Kaylee reached the captain and looked back and forth between him and Inara’s retreating form. “You say somethin’ wrong to her again, Cap’n?”
“Wrong?! What…” Mal was indignant as he watched Kaylee laugh at him.
“Don’t worry about it, Cap’n, ‘Nara’s probably just tired is all. I got the spare room all made up for Jayne’s sister, just like you asked.”
“Yeah, about Jayne’s sister, mei mei…” This was one situation that Mal wanted to diffuse before it went boom.
***
Inara straightened the last of the pillows on the divan. Her shuttle was nearly back to normal. Mal and Kaylee had retrieved it with the help of the Guild representatives who had been sent to investigate the incident. It had been a week since they had returned from their misadventure and so much had happened during that time.
It began with the wave to Lilia which, Inara reflected, was the highlight of the week.
“I’ve been in contact with your Shepherd, Inara, quite a man that one.” There was a wicked glint in Lilia’s eyes. “He has informed me of recent events, but of course I’ll need to hear the story directly from you.”
Inara had recounted the events of the last few days, from their arrival at Aldridge’s estate to the circumstances that surrounded his death. To her utter amazement, Lilia was quite apologetic and concerned; for Inara as well as Grace. It was then that Inara confirmed that the Guild no longer had any claims over Grace. All parties agreed that the contract was voided if not with Aldridge’s actions, then certainly with his death.
Between us,” Lilia whispered conspiratorily, “the Guild wants this swept under the rug quickly.”
Inara decided that the time was right to broach a delicate subject with her friend.
“The indentured program is beneath the Guild’s standards, Lilia. It must be stopped.” Inara watched as the caramel-haired woman struggled with her emotions.
Lilia looked away as she spoke. “I have always believed in the Guild completely, Inara. I’ve never been brave enough to question the Sister’s rulings as you have, but I’ll admit this incident has made me doubt many things.” She returned her gaze to Inara with a much different glint in her eye. “Perhaps it’s time we worked to put a stop to it.”
They had talked into the night, formulating a plan that was dubious, but with luck and the right contacts Inara thought it might work. But their conversation hadn’t ended there and as they discussed the young woman who had brought about these events, Inara pointed out that they still had an obligation to Grace and her future. They decided to work together on that mission as well.
Unfortunately, the remainder of the week went about as smoothly as one of Mal’s jobs.
She found them in the kitchen, sitting at the table and looking somber. Her negotiations with the parish had gone well, given some mild pressure from Lilia and the Training House, and she could finally share the news with Jayne and Grace.
“I have what I hope is good news for the two of you.” Inara smiled at them both, certain that this would be a welcome revelation.
Grace looked up at her hopefully as Jayne spoke, “You talk to the Guild?”
“Yes, and the Mistress of Grace’s house, Lilia, and I have procured a position for Grace to teach at a school.”
Inara’s smile was bright until she realized that Jayne wasn’t happy with the news.
“Gorram Guild thinks they’re gonna try to keep her then? Well they ain’t. No offense to you, ‘Nara, but she ain’t gonna go teach whorin’ to other girls so’s they can work as slaves to rich hun dans!”
“Jayne, that’s not…” Inara began, but before she could explain, Jayne stomped out of the kitchen toward the cargo bay. Inara was moving to follow him when she heard Grace speak behind her.
“We thought there was some hope that the contract would be broken. Guess we were wrong.” The young girl looked so sad that Inara could hardly bear it.
“Mei mei, the contract is broken. The Guild no longer has any hold over you. The school I was speaking of wasn’t a Guild House, but a school for small children. You have an excellent education, Grace, and we’ve found a school where you can work and be independent. If you want it, that is?” Inara watched the girl’s expression go from forlorn to sanguine in the span of a few moments. It lightened her heart to know that at least she could help Grace with this.
“I…I like children,” Grace said hesitantly. “I’d be teaching them…reading and writing and things like that?”
Inara smiled and reached out to brush the hair back from the younger girl’s face. “Yes, reading and writing and things like that. And it’s on your home world, so you would be relatively near your parents.”
Without warning, Grace burst into tears. Confused, Inara rushed to cradle the girl in her arms. “What’s wrong, Grace? I thought this would be something you would want.”
“Big brother wants her to see the parents again, but she is uncertain.”
Inara looked up to see that River and Kaylee had entered the room. Kaylee looked torn between feeling sorry for Grace and something else, while River watched Grace with a distant look.
“Is that true, Grace?” Inara asked. The girl nodded but couldn’t speak through her tears.
River walked up to Grace and took her chin in her hand. “They love you, did what they thought was right to save you, feel bad about it. Didn’t turn on you, didn’t abandon you.” River’s distant expression became focused. “You should talk to them.”
It seemed to calm Grace in some way. Perhaps, Inara thought, they had been sharing stories about parents and brothers.
Kaylee stepped forward, unwilling to let her jealousy keep her from helping someone who looked so torn apart. “You need some cheerin’ up, Grace. An’ I got just the thing.” She pulled Grace to her feet and proceeded to walk her out of the kitchen.
“Where are they going?” Inara asked River as she raced to catch them.
“Going to look at a doctor.”
***
Two days later, a soft knock on her door interrupted the task of putting her shuttle back together.
“Jayne.” Inara said after opening the door to see his tall, brooding form in the entryway. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.” She was still not sure what he knew about the position she’d found for Grace, nor what he thought about it.
“Yeah,” he said stepping inside at her invitation and shutting the door behind him. “I been kind of a jackass lately.”
Inara couldn’t help but smile at that; amused that he was able to admit what Mal never could. How else would he manage to surprise her, she wondered.
“I come to apologize to ya for the way I acted. Madd…Grace explained it all to me. That school teacher job sounds real good.” He grinned a little. “Hell, never had a school teacher in the family before. She’ll do good with what learnin’ she got and the fact that she’s a Cobb means she’ll be able to handle any young’uns who get outta hand with her.”
“Well, hopefully it won’t come to that, but I’m glad you think it will work out.” Inara began arranging silver teacups on a tray, with the hope that keeping busy would distract her from the feelings that were stirring at having Jayne so near again.
“We talked to our folks, an’ that went pretty good. She said River talked her into that.”
Inara smiled as she moved to place the tray on the table nearby. “They’ve become friends…”
She nearly dropped the tray when she felt Jayne’s hand on her shoulder. Her silk shawl had slipped to bare it, revealing faded bruises in the shape of a large hand print. She could see the realization on his face of how the bruises had occurred. Jayne’s arm around Inara, Aldridge grabbing his sister and putting a gun to her head. He traced the bruises lightly with his thumb while avoiding Inara’s eyes.
“I did that to you,” he said quietly.
Inara’s smile faltered, “Jayne, it’s nothing.”
“It ain’t nothin’! I wasn’t raised to do that to a woman, Inara.”
“Jayne, you didn’t mean to do it, you were angry at Aldridge.” She stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his arm, watching his eyes darken at her touch.
Jayne moved his hand from her shoulder to cup the back of her head, fingers threading through her luxurious curls. Pulling her towards him, he crushed her mouth with his in a fierce kiss. He felt her arms wrap around him as she opened her mouth to him and pressed her body against him.
Jayne was devouring her. Inara had never felt so out of control and so thrilled. He pulled back from the kiss and looked into her eyes. She knew he was searching for some sign of hesitation on her part, but Inara understood what she wanted now. Dropping her shawl to the floor, she reached for Jayne’s hand and guided his fingers to the fastenings of her dress. She watched his eyes as it fell from her body to pool at her feet. She had seen many men look at her body, but never one like this.
He surprised her by stepping away from her and toward the door of the shuttle. With a flick of his wrist, Jayne locked the door and was back at her side, mouth on her and hands moving her toward the bed. Inara pulled at his clothing in entirely uncompanion-like haste. When they were both fully unclothed, she tried to push him back against the pillows, but Jayne stopped her with his strong hands at her wrists.
“Huh uh,” he said, his gaze seering hers, as he lowered her gently onto her back.
Jayne knew he wasn’t smart, but he was smart enough to know that this was gonna be his first, last and only time with Inara; they could never do this again because there were too many complications, too many people, and too small a ship. He weren’t gonna waste one gorram minute of it.
He worked over her body, his gravelly voice whispering deeply into the skin of her mouth, her breasts, her belly. “Truth or dare, ‘Nara.”
He felt the breath catch in her chest and heard the slight waver in her voice. “Dare.”
Jayne grinned against her hip bone and raised his eyes to meet hers in the dim light. “I dare ya to enjoy this.”
Jayne moved over her for what seemed like hours, calloused fingers plunging into her and teasing every last moan from her. He was ruthless as his mouth covered every inch of her body, surprising her once again with his focus on her pleasure. When he finally gave into her pleas, she came to wave after wave of release that she hadn’t experienced in years.
Inara caught her breath and pulled Jayne’s attentions from her breasts to her mouth, wanting to taste herself on his tongue. She could feel the tension in him as he finally allowed her hands to roam over his body. She began stroking his straining erection, watching his eyes darken even more. Inara raised an eyebrow at him challengingly.
“Truth or dare, Jayne Cobb.” For once, she wasn’t surprised at his reaction as she watched him try to form coherent speech.
“Um…truth?”
Inara gave a huff of pretend frustration and pushed him roughly onto his back. She straddled his hips and ran her fingernails through the soft hair on his chest.
“Ai ya, ‘Nara, I wanna be inside you somethin’ fierce.”
Inara didn’t speak as she lifted herself to guide him into her. She let him dictate the pace of their movement, countering his slow slide in and out of her body. His fingers found her clit, making her gasp once again.
“Ain’t one a’ them fancy folk, ‘Nara. Wanna feel you come.” It was a command she couldn’t help but follow as she pulsed around him.
With a low growl, Jayne clasped her body to him and turned them over. He plunged into her then, hard and fast with mouth and cock, working his way to his own release. Inara wrapped herself around him and called his name as he came inside her.
***
After, when she expected him to leave, he pulled her against him and soothed calloused hands over her skin. If possible, she thought he was the most confounding man she’d ever met. Perhaps even more so than Mal. In all the time she had known Jayne, he had only allowed her, a Companion trained in reading people’s most private desires, to see what he had wanted her to see. His words broke her thoughts.
“I oughta go, ‘Nara. Grace’ll be lookin’ for me.”
Jayne pulled himself from her and began to dress. For a moment, Inara knew the conflict some of her clients faced upon leaving her.
“Jayne…this…” she began.
“Don’t gotta say it.” He looked back at her as he prepared to leave, seeing silk sheets covering the lower half of her body, hair mussed and lips swollen from kisses. “We just go back to being us. You’re the ship’s Companion and I’m the hired gun. That’s how it’s gotta be.”
Before she could respond, Jayne took two swift steps towards her and kissed her savagely one last time. Then he was out of her shuttle and Inara was left staring into empty space.
***
Jayne found Mal in the galley. Sexin’ always did give him an appetite, but the last person he wanted to see right then was the ruttin’ captain. He grabbed a protein pack and a cup of coffee, not saying anything. He could see Mal studying him careful-like out of the corner of his eye. It made Jayne all manner of tetchy.
He turned to face his captain head on before he strode out of the kitchen. “You know, Mal, I might be stupid, but you’re a ruttin’ fool for not takin’ what coulda been yours.”
Watching his mercenary stride from the kitchen, Mal wondered if, after all the excitement of the last few weeks, his crew might need a little break.
***
The End
Setting: Post OIS, disregarding the BDM
Pairing: Jayne/Inara
Rating: R (hard R ??)
Comments: Okay, this is ridiculously long, but we lost out on a chapter and I wanted to wrap up lots of details. I’m really worried about this because I loved this fic soooo much and I was so worried about screwing it up that it took me forever to write. If you hate it, I’m really sorry.
Sections in italics are Inara’s ruminations/memories on previous events.
Oh, and I began with the ending of the last chapter so you can remember where we left off.
Disquiet Organizational Post
***
Inara came out of the infirmary and sat down tiredly next to Grace and River who was sitting one arm around the girl.
Grace’s tearful eyes were raised to hers “He will be alright, won’t he?” her whisper was desperate.
“Simon, our doctor assures me that it is mostly blood loss.” Inara felt as shaky as Grace looked, she hadn’t enjoyed the terror-filled ride back to Serenity. Despite her and Zoë’s efforts Jayne had neither wakened nor stopped bleeding. “You may go in and sit with Jayne once he’s been cleaned up.”
“Will you come with me?” Grace phrased her question carefully, conscious that though she would never say it, Inara desperately wanted to be with Jayne.
“Of course I will.” Inara gave her a weary smile adding quietly, “thank you mei mei.”
*********
They walked into the infirmary together, arms linked and with worried expressions on their faces. Simon had motioned to them through the doorway as they sat waiting to see Jayne. Inara was surprised to see that he was conscious and felt an urge to run to him. But she couldn’t do that, she was back aboard Serenity and whatever had happened on that planet between them was over. She needed to get control of her emotions.
Grace rushed to her brother’s side, limping on the swollen ankle she’d gotten when tricking Aldridge into carrying her. Even in the state he was in, Jayne’s watchful eyes caught her movement.
“You’re hurt. That ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng hurt you,” he growled in anger and tried to push himself off the medcot. Two sets of hands pushed him back, one lingering on his shoulder and squeezing in reassurance. He glanced at Inara to see a momentary smile on her face, quickly replaced by her trained expression.
“No, Jayne, I ain’t hurt,” Grace said, hoping to alleviate his worry. Now that it was all over and they were safe, she realized how much he and his friends had done to rescue her.
“Yes y’are.” Jayne caught Simon’s attention by grabbing his arm as he attempted to inject him with medication. “Doc, you gotta see to my sister, make sure she’s alright.”
Simon pried Jayne’s fingers from his hand. “I’ll do that Jayne, as soon as I give you this pain killer.” He gave Jayne the injection and turned to Grace.
“Miss, um…” Simon was at a loss for words as he looked into the face of the beautiful young woman. He wasn’t certain what to call her. Miss Cobb sounded odd to him because he could see very little of the uncouth mercenary in her demeanor. In fact, the only resemblence he saw to her brother came in the clothes that she and Inara were wearing; clearly procurred in some unseemly manner if he knew Jayne at all.
“My name is Grace,” she said, blushing furiously.
“Of course, well um, if you could just sit over here, I can take a look at that ankle.” Simon gestured to a nearby stool and knelt to examine her foot.
Inara smiled suddenly, the girl’s response was definitely not part of Companion training. But she understood it well enough; the doctor was a handsome man. She looked down at Jayne and found that he wasn’t smiling at the innocent reaction before them.
A musical laugh came through the doorway and they looked to see River peeking around the corner watching Simon wrap Grace’s ankle. “Have to try the glass slipper on all of them,” River said before disappearing.
Watching his sister and the doctor for a moment, Jayne turned to Inara. “’Nara, is it the gorram drugs or is my sister blushin’ over the doc?”
Inara ran her hand down his arm in a soothing motion and put on her most serious expression. “It’s the drugs, Jayne.”
“Good, ‘cause elsewise I was gonna hafta kill him,” Jayne remarked before closing his eyes and succumbing to the pain killers.
***
“Inara?” Mal stood in the door to his infirmary watching the scene in front of him with interest and not a little bit of suspicion. His doctor was stammering over a girl, nothing new ‘bout that, only that it wasn’t Kaylee which was something that might bode watching. His merc was passed out on the medcot with his companion…with Inara standing watch. And did she really have her hand on Jayne’s arm?
“You got a minute?” He mentally grimaced as he heard his tone which was tetchy at best. He’d just got her back safe and sound, didn’t need to be puttin’ her on edge quite so quick.
Inara glanced at Mal and read his demeanor in an instant. Slowly, she removed her hand from Jayne’s arm. Regardless of what the circumstances were, she would not allow Mal to add guilt or shame to her emotions. She smiled at Grace as she followed Mal into the common area.
Mal looked at her with concern as he pulled on his ear, a nervous habit he had when he needed to ask for something. “You alright, Inara?”
“I’m fine, Mal. Is something wrong?...Is something else wrong?”
“No. Well, it’s just…we could use some help gettin’ your shuttle back. Thought maybe those friends of yours at the Guild could help out. ‘Sides, the Shepherd tells me she’s wanting to speak to you. Seems Aldridge got to your friend first and spun her a yarn that you’ll need to clear up.”
“Of course, I’ll wave Lilia at once. I’m certain they’ll be able to help us to get back onto the planet to retrieve the shuttle.” She hesitated, “Mal, I’m sorry about all of this and about the shuttle. I want to take care of the repairs for it.”
He dismissed her idea with a wave of his hand. “No, don’t gotta be worryin’ on that Inara. This was Jayne’s business, it can come outta his pay.”
“Mal! It wasn’t Jayne’s fault. You can’t make him pay for that, especially now that he has Grace to look out for.”
Mal was amused by her defense of the large mercenary. “His sister is something me an’ him are gonna have to talk about, she’s welcome on the boat for now, but she’ll have to find a way to earn her keep. And besides, are you tellin’ me he didn’t go down there an’ lose his temper and contribute to the situation that crashed my shuttle? I find that kinda hard to believe, Inara.”
“Perhaps you don’t know your own mercenary as well as you think, Mal.” Inara spat at him, raising her chin and breezing past him toward the bridge, passing Kaylee on the way.
“Hey, ‘Nara!” Kaylee reached the captain and looked back and forth between him and Inara’s retreating form. “You say somethin’ wrong to her again, Cap’n?”
“Wrong?! What…” Mal was indignant as he watched Kaylee laugh at him.
“Don’t worry about it, Cap’n, ‘Nara’s probably just tired is all. I got the spare room all made up for Jayne’s sister, just like you asked.”
“Yeah, about Jayne’s sister, mei mei…” This was one situation that Mal wanted to diffuse before it went boom.
***
Inara straightened the last of the pillows on the divan. Her shuttle was nearly back to normal. Mal and Kaylee had retrieved it with the help of the Guild representatives who had been sent to investigate the incident. It had been a week since they had returned from their misadventure and so much had happened during that time.
It began with the wave to Lilia which, Inara reflected, was the highlight of the week.
“I’ve been in contact with your Shepherd, Inara, quite a man that one.” There was a wicked glint in Lilia’s eyes. “He has informed me of recent events, but of course I’ll need to hear the story directly from you.”
Inara had recounted the events of the last few days, from their arrival at Aldridge’s estate to the circumstances that surrounded his death. To her utter amazement, Lilia was quite apologetic and concerned; for Inara as well as Grace. It was then that Inara confirmed that the Guild no longer had any claims over Grace. All parties agreed that the contract was voided if not with Aldridge’s actions, then certainly with his death.
Between us,” Lilia whispered conspiratorily, “the Guild wants this swept under the rug quickly.”
Inara decided that the time was right to broach a delicate subject with her friend.
“The indentured program is beneath the Guild’s standards, Lilia. It must be stopped.” Inara watched as the caramel-haired woman struggled with her emotions.
Lilia looked away as she spoke. “I have always believed in the Guild completely, Inara. I’ve never been brave enough to question the Sister’s rulings as you have, but I’ll admit this incident has made me doubt many things.” She returned her gaze to Inara with a much different glint in her eye. “Perhaps it’s time we worked to put a stop to it.”
They had talked into the night, formulating a plan that was dubious, but with luck and the right contacts Inara thought it might work. But their conversation hadn’t ended there and as they discussed the young woman who had brought about these events, Inara pointed out that they still had an obligation to Grace and her future. They decided to work together on that mission as well.
Unfortunately, the remainder of the week went about as smoothly as one of Mal’s jobs.
She found them in the kitchen, sitting at the table and looking somber. Her negotiations with the parish had gone well, given some mild pressure from Lilia and the Training House, and she could finally share the news with Jayne and Grace.
“I have what I hope is good news for the two of you.” Inara smiled at them both, certain that this would be a welcome revelation.
Grace looked up at her hopefully as Jayne spoke, “You talk to the Guild?”
“Yes, and the Mistress of Grace’s house, Lilia, and I have procured a position for Grace to teach at a school.”
Inara’s smile was bright until she realized that Jayne wasn’t happy with the news.
“Gorram Guild thinks they’re gonna try to keep her then? Well they ain’t. No offense to you, ‘Nara, but she ain’t gonna go teach whorin’ to other girls so’s they can work as slaves to rich hun dans!”
“Jayne, that’s not…” Inara began, but before she could explain, Jayne stomped out of the kitchen toward the cargo bay. Inara was moving to follow him when she heard Grace speak behind her.
“We thought there was some hope that the contract would be broken. Guess we were wrong.” The young girl looked so sad that Inara could hardly bear it.
“Mei mei, the contract is broken. The Guild no longer has any hold over you. The school I was speaking of wasn’t a Guild House, but a school for small children. You have an excellent education, Grace, and we’ve found a school where you can work and be independent. If you want it, that is?” Inara watched the girl’s expression go from forlorn to sanguine in the span of a few moments. It lightened her heart to know that at least she could help Grace with this.
“I…I like children,” Grace said hesitantly. “I’d be teaching them…reading and writing and things like that?”
Inara smiled and reached out to brush the hair back from the younger girl’s face. “Yes, reading and writing and things like that. And it’s on your home world, so you would be relatively near your parents.”
Without warning, Grace burst into tears. Confused, Inara rushed to cradle the girl in her arms. “What’s wrong, Grace? I thought this would be something you would want.”
“Big brother wants her to see the parents again, but she is uncertain.”
Inara looked up to see that River and Kaylee had entered the room. Kaylee looked torn between feeling sorry for Grace and something else, while River watched Grace with a distant look.
“Is that true, Grace?” Inara asked. The girl nodded but couldn’t speak through her tears.
River walked up to Grace and took her chin in her hand. “They love you, did what they thought was right to save you, feel bad about it. Didn’t turn on you, didn’t abandon you.” River’s distant expression became focused. “You should talk to them.”
It seemed to calm Grace in some way. Perhaps, Inara thought, they had been sharing stories about parents and brothers.
Kaylee stepped forward, unwilling to let her jealousy keep her from helping someone who looked so torn apart. “You need some cheerin’ up, Grace. An’ I got just the thing.” She pulled Grace to her feet and proceeded to walk her out of the kitchen.
“Where are they going?” Inara asked River as she raced to catch them.
“Going to look at a doctor.”
***
Two days later, a soft knock on her door interrupted the task of putting her shuttle back together.
“Jayne.” Inara said after opening the door to see his tall, brooding form in the entryway. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.” She was still not sure what he knew about the position she’d found for Grace, nor what he thought about it.
“Yeah,” he said stepping inside at her invitation and shutting the door behind him. “I been kind of a jackass lately.”
Inara couldn’t help but smile at that; amused that he was able to admit what Mal never could. How else would he manage to surprise her, she wondered.
“I come to apologize to ya for the way I acted. Madd…Grace explained it all to me. That school teacher job sounds real good.” He grinned a little. “Hell, never had a school teacher in the family before. She’ll do good with what learnin’ she got and the fact that she’s a Cobb means she’ll be able to handle any young’uns who get outta hand with her.”
“Well, hopefully it won’t come to that, but I’m glad you think it will work out.” Inara began arranging silver teacups on a tray, with the hope that keeping busy would distract her from the feelings that were stirring at having Jayne so near again.
“We talked to our folks, an’ that went pretty good. She said River talked her into that.”
Inara smiled as she moved to place the tray on the table nearby. “They’ve become friends…”
She nearly dropped the tray when she felt Jayne’s hand on her shoulder. Her silk shawl had slipped to bare it, revealing faded bruises in the shape of a large hand print. She could see the realization on his face of how the bruises had occurred. Jayne’s arm around Inara, Aldridge grabbing his sister and putting a gun to her head. He traced the bruises lightly with his thumb while avoiding Inara’s eyes.
“I did that to you,” he said quietly.
Inara’s smile faltered, “Jayne, it’s nothing.”
“It ain’t nothin’! I wasn’t raised to do that to a woman, Inara.”
“Jayne, you didn’t mean to do it, you were angry at Aldridge.” She stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his arm, watching his eyes darken at her touch.
Jayne moved his hand from her shoulder to cup the back of her head, fingers threading through her luxurious curls. Pulling her towards him, he crushed her mouth with his in a fierce kiss. He felt her arms wrap around him as she opened her mouth to him and pressed her body against him.
Jayne was devouring her. Inara had never felt so out of control and so thrilled. He pulled back from the kiss and looked into her eyes. She knew he was searching for some sign of hesitation on her part, but Inara understood what she wanted now. Dropping her shawl to the floor, she reached for Jayne’s hand and guided his fingers to the fastenings of her dress. She watched his eyes as it fell from her body to pool at her feet. She had seen many men look at her body, but never one like this.
He surprised her by stepping away from her and toward the door of the shuttle. With a flick of his wrist, Jayne locked the door and was back at her side, mouth on her and hands moving her toward the bed. Inara pulled at his clothing in entirely uncompanion-like haste. When they were both fully unclothed, she tried to push him back against the pillows, but Jayne stopped her with his strong hands at her wrists.
“Huh uh,” he said, his gaze seering hers, as he lowered her gently onto her back.
Jayne knew he wasn’t smart, but he was smart enough to know that this was gonna be his first, last and only time with Inara; they could never do this again because there were too many complications, too many people, and too small a ship. He weren’t gonna waste one gorram minute of it.
He worked over her body, his gravelly voice whispering deeply into the skin of her mouth, her breasts, her belly. “Truth or dare, ‘Nara.”
He felt the breath catch in her chest and heard the slight waver in her voice. “Dare.”
Jayne grinned against her hip bone and raised his eyes to meet hers in the dim light. “I dare ya to enjoy this.”
Jayne moved over her for what seemed like hours, calloused fingers plunging into her and teasing every last moan from her. He was ruthless as his mouth covered every inch of her body, surprising her once again with his focus on her pleasure. When he finally gave into her pleas, she came to wave after wave of release that she hadn’t experienced in years.
Inara caught her breath and pulled Jayne’s attentions from her breasts to her mouth, wanting to taste herself on his tongue. She could feel the tension in him as he finally allowed her hands to roam over his body. She began stroking his straining erection, watching his eyes darken even more. Inara raised an eyebrow at him challengingly.
“Truth or dare, Jayne Cobb.” For once, she wasn’t surprised at his reaction as she watched him try to form coherent speech.
“Um…truth?”
Inara gave a huff of pretend frustration and pushed him roughly onto his back. She straddled his hips and ran her fingernails through the soft hair on his chest.
“Ai ya, ‘Nara, I wanna be inside you somethin’ fierce.”
Inara didn’t speak as she lifted herself to guide him into her. She let him dictate the pace of their movement, countering his slow slide in and out of her body. His fingers found her clit, making her gasp once again.
“Ain’t one a’ them fancy folk, ‘Nara. Wanna feel you come.” It was a command she couldn’t help but follow as she pulsed around him.
With a low growl, Jayne clasped her body to him and turned them over. He plunged into her then, hard and fast with mouth and cock, working his way to his own release. Inara wrapped herself around him and called his name as he came inside her.
***
After, when she expected him to leave, he pulled her against him and soothed calloused hands over her skin. If possible, she thought he was the most confounding man she’d ever met. Perhaps even more so than Mal. In all the time she had known Jayne, he had only allowed her, a Companion trained in reading people’s most private desires, to see what he had wanted her to see. His words broke her thoughts.
“I oughta go, ‘Nara. Grace’ll be lookin’ for me.”
Jayne pulled himself from her and began to dress. For a moment, Inara knew the conflict some of her clients faced upon leaving her.
“Jayne…this…” she began.
“Don’t gotta say it.” He looked back at her as he prepared to leave, seeing silk sheets covering the lower half of her body, hair mussed and lips swollen from kisses. “We just go back to being us. You’re the ship’s Companion and I’m the hired gun. That’s how it’s gotta be.”
Before she could respond, Jayne took two swift steps towards her and kissed her savagely one last time. Then he was out of her shuttle and Inara was left staring into empty space.
***
Jayne found Mal in the galley. Sexin’ always did give him an appetite, but the last person he wanted to see right then was the ruttin’ captain. He grabbed a protein pack and a cup of coffee, not saying anything. He could see Mal studying him careful-like out of the corner of his eye. It made Jayne all manner of tetchy.
He turned to face his captain head on before he strode out of the kitchen. “You know, Mal, I might be stupid, but you’re a ruttin’ fool for not takin’ what coulda been yours.”
Watching his mercenary stride from the kitchen, Mal wondered if, after all the excitement of the last few weeks, his crew might need a little break.
***
The End