Title: Compromise

Summary: Post BDM Post stagesoflove original challenge. Mal and Inara are giving a relationship a go.

Author: Bashipforever

Prompt: Jealousy/first fight for stagesoflove Trouble in Paradise.

 

 

 

“That’s not fair, Mal. I don’t ask you to stop taking jobs.”

 

“My jobs don’t involve women’s hands all over me. Might feel a might different ‘bout things if they did,” Mal responded. He crossed his arms over his chest, giving her a hard look.

 

“I’m a companion, Mal,” Inara bit off the rest of her sentence, hoping they could keep this argument civil.  “You knew going into this that I’m a companion.” She had begun to suspect he’d been avoiding this issue, this fight by staying on backwater planets, as far from anything core as possible.

 

“Didn’t realize you’d still be whorin,” Mal snapped. His entire body was tense, his jaw squared and he faced off just a few feet across from her.

 

“Oh…well nice to know the way we fight isn’t going to change,” Inara responded, shaking her head slightly. “What do you suggest I do, Mal? Help with the petty thieving?”

 

“Hell no,” he shot back without thought. He raked his hands through his hair and turned away from her.  “An’ it ain’t petty, Keeps food in the crew’s belly an’ Serenity in the air. Anything that ‘complishes that ain’t petty.”

 

Inara sighed, silently agreeing with him.  “And the rent on my shuttle goes toward the same purpose, Mal. If I don’t take clients I can’t pay my rent.”

 

“Don’t want your rent then,” Mal told her, his eyes going to her. His gaze lost its hardness for a moment.

 

“You’re kicking me off Serenity?” she asked. Her words were an echo hollow laced with shock and pain.

 

“What? No,” Mal said, stepping closer to her. His hand came up to cup her cheek. “I don’t want you to leave Serenity, Nara. I want you to quit taking clients. You can have the shuttle, free and clear.”

 

Inara hesitated a moment, looking up at Mal. They’d been dancing around each other for a year, dancing with each other for a few months now and she still couldn’t read him like the open book he should be.  She pulled away from him, focusing her attention on the tea that had grown cold during their discussion.

 

“Mal, I can’t fix Serenity the way Kaylee can. I’m not a solider the way Zoe is and I can’t fly the way River can.  I don’t exactly belong here and I’m fine with that but the problem is if I’m not wedging my world into yours then I’m completely lost.”

 

“Don’t worry ‘bout that, ‘Nara. I’m real good at findin’ people,” Mal grinned at her. He stepped up behind her and pulled her back into his embrace. He kissed the bared curve of her neck. “Won’t let you be lost for long, Darlin’.”

 

Inara sighed, relaxing against Mal for a moment. Part of her wanted to let it go but the other part of her wanted to scream at him and tell him he couldn’t fix this with nonchalance, a kiss and an endearment.

 

“Mal…” she started.

 

“I know, ‘Nara. Just let it lie for now.”