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[badinlatin]

Mal shouldn't be allowed to think. It always gets him into trouble.

Thief, Companion, Thief, Companion...

Mal heads from his bunk toward Shuttle One, entering without knocking.

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[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Inara stands as well, and grabs his arm, trying to take his hand in hers.

"Mal, please don't go. Tell me what you're thinking. I'm trying to do what's fair, what's right. Please don't leave like this.

And the tears make another appearance.

[badinlatin]

(What's fair, what's right)

Mal only stares at Inara's hand on his arm. All of her touches since he kissed her that night by the lake had been loving, kind, sweet. This one was different - desperate. Scared.

He was scared too.

She's gotta choose for herself, I can't tell her what's fair. DOn't know what fair is for this.

Mal's face twists away from hers, only just managing to eke out, "Ain't naught else I can do, 'Nara. Ain't a part o' your world."

Mal waits for Inara to drop her hand away from his arm. He can't even sum up the will to leave while she is still touching him.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Inara hates the pain in his voice, the pain she has caused him. But she can't be anything else than what she is.

She keeps holding on to his arm, as she whispers, "Please stay here tonight, Mal. You are a part of my world - this world. The most important one. Please."

[badinlatin]

Mal, through an altogether Herculean effort, lifts his gaze to meet Inara's and moves in quickly for a kiss that, while deep and full of his usual passion for her, held a fear that was too real to be said out loud.

A hand on her cheek, he whispers, "I can't, Inara. Not tonight. Duibuqi. I'm so sorry."

Choose Me. Don't let me be the thing that has to change.

Mal steps away from Inara, his footfalls making no sound as he leaves the shuttle.