Legacy Mal/Inara Chapter Two

[bashipforever.livejournal.com]

Title: Legacy
Authors: druinsanity and bashipforever
Summary: AU Takes place two and a half years after the end of the series. The movie never happened, but if you’ve read the comic book Those Left Behind, it did. Everything Inara has worked for in her life is finally happening but an old friend shows up, making her doubt everything she’s wanted.
Pairing: Mal/Inara
Rating: PG-13 - R
A/N: The title comes from an Emily Dickenson poem. This is a WIP but it is being updated daily so you shouldn’t have to wait for too long for updates.

You left me, sweet, two legacies,-
A legacy of love
A Heavenly Father would content,
Had He the offer of;

You left me boundaries of pain
Capacious as the sea,
Between eternity and time,
Your consciousness and me.

Previous Parts:
Ch.1




The house priestess, Dria, scrolled through the files on her comm screen. Even at nearly seventy years old she was still an exquisitely graceful and beautiful woman. The preparations to retire and hand the guild house over to their most promising companion, Inara Serra had begun. In a little over a weeks time, the coronation would take place.

Dria remembered clearly the day Inara had come to the guild house. There had been something special about her from the very beginning. She’d been a beautiful child of course, but a companion must have so much more than mere beauty. Dria had seen potential in the shy, dark headed waif from the very beginning. There was inherent grace that couldn’t be taught. There was a stubborn will that was a treasure if handled correctly. The only motivation Inara ever needed was to be told that she couldn’t do it.

Dria smiled to herself, recalling how often she’d taken that tact with Inara. It had never failed to push the girl into proving that not only could she do what she was told she couldn’t, but also she could do it better than anyone had ever estimated.

Within five years of debuting as a registered companion, Inara had become the highest paid companion in the guild. At the top of her profession, she’d left the guild house and taken up with the crew of Serenity.

A wrinkle formed between Dria’s eyebrows. That was when the hiccup had occurred, the only one in Inara’s file, the time she'd spent on a transport ship, with a less than shimmering reputation, called Serenity. Other companions had taken up with ships but they were always luxury liners, cruise ships designed for tourists who wanted to see the universe. Rumors had run rampant about Inara, particularly where a space pirate named Malcolm Reynolds was concerned.

Dria didn't often believe rumors, nor did she take much stock in them but she did like to see the whole truth for what it was when she had the occasion. She trusted Inara in all things, however the fact remained that while Inara had been the consummate companion and role model for the other girls, the woman seemed to have lost some of her shine once she'd returned. She was still beautiful and elegant but the Inara she had known had lit up a room, this one faded into the shadows.

Dria decided it was time to meet the reason why and assure herself that he would not be a problem in the future. The house priestess set the tone for the guild house. Inara would need to be completely committed to this life, to the guild house and to the students here if she were to become a successful house priestess.

It took a little bit of searching and a few palms greased but eventually she got in contact with the ship Serenity. She beeped the Captain and hoped he'd answer. She only had a few weeks to get this settled.

Mal was sitting in the dark, his eyes closed. He'd been quiet and reserved since Zoë had freed him from the Alliance prison. He'd also spent a lot of time in this shuttle... her shuttle. It was peaceful, calm, and no one bothered him when he was here unless it was important.

A few of his things were scattered about the room, some discarded clothes, books, captures, and uneaten food. He still held wounds that required a visit to the infirmary once a day and fading bruises were scattered about his skin. He knew that they needed to find work. The ship needed fuel and the crew needed money. He kept promising himself just one more day and so far, the crew hadn’t complained. As a matter of fact they’d been quiet about the whole thing, a bit over-protective at times. He knew they worried about him mainly because he was worried about himself. Again, he promised himself another day before he had to get back the fight he normally had.

"Captain, got a wav here. Lady asking for you." Wash's voice sounded over the com.

Mal knew he should take the wav if Wash was interrupting him. He walked to the front of the shuttle. "Take it back in the shuttle."

He flipped on the cortex screen and found an older woman who was obviously very well bred. "Captain Reynolds." He said dryly, not bothering to turn on any of the background lights to the shuttle for the woman to clearly see his face from the dark shadows of the shuttle.

Dria leaned forward slightly, trying to get a better look at the man in the shadows, when she couldn't she sat back, ram rod straight and nodded slightly at the man, a polite smile curving her lips. "Captain Reynolds, I'm Dria Lang, house priestess for the training house on Sihnon. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

She left it at that, deciding she'd wait and gauge Captain Reynolds reaction to her before she moved forward with her proposal.

Mal lifted an eyebrow, his features remaining hard. He bowed his head, cleared his throat, and looked back up at the screen. "Don't get many calls from priestess's. Must have the wrong captain."

What would a priestess of the guild want with him? It suddenly occurred to him that something might have happened to Inara. His gut twisted inside of him nervously. "'Nara's there?" He asked simply.

Interesting, Dria thought, her smile never wavering. Even after almost three years, his first thought was of Companion Serra.

"She is. In fact, that's why I'm calling. I wonder if you would be willing to travel here. Just a short trip, perhaps on a shuttle. I would personally guarantee your safety." She’d read enough of Malcolm Reynolds’ history to know that he often had trouble with the Alliance.

Mal smirked lightly and shook his head. "No offense... just got away from the core a few weeks ago. Weren't real hospitable there. I don't really fit in to the core's way of thinkin'."

Still, he was curious. If Inara were in trouble, there was no way he wouldn't go. He narrowed his eyes. "Got some trouble?"

"In a manner of speaking," Dria answered. "I think you'll find the guild's idea of hospitality to your liking. You'd be privy to all the amenities here. Hot springs, massages, and of course any of our companions should you choose to take advantage of them."

Mal glanced back at the three uneaten meals on the floor in the shuttle and back to the woman on the cortex screen. He didn't give a zaogao about any of that finery they had at the guild. He'd barely been taking care of himself here. He wasn't going to use their so-called hospitality.

"Look, don't like games... do I look like a man who needs hot springs, massages, and the like to you? Cause you got me pegged wrong if you're thinkin' I am." Mal lowered his gaze for only a moment then looked straight at the priestess to ask the only question that would make him go there if the answer were the correct one. "'Nara in trouble?"

Dria lowered her gaze for a moment, fixing it on her hands folded elegantly in her lap. The truth of the matter was that Inara was in trouble, just not likely the kind Captain Reynolds meant. She looked back up at the man, holding his gaze. "Yes, Captain, I think she is and I think you're the only one who can get her out of it this time."

Mal's heart felt like it skipped a beat. All he could think was that Inara was in trouble. Yes, he would go to get her out of it. Part of him wondered why Inara hadn't called him if she was in trouble. She had to know that he'd come for her. "Don't guess you'd be tellin' me this trouble now... or do I have to wait 'til I get there to know?"

"I think perhaps it's best if I explain once you're here," Dria answered. She wanted to see what Inara's reaction to this man's sudden appearance after nearly three years would be. It would tell her far more than Inara’s words. "You may bring your crew if you like but I'd prefer that you come alone. You have my word that no harm shall befall you while you are under my roof."

Mal shook his head lightly. Always the same empty promises from the same Alliance supporting bureaucrats "Don't mean to offend but your word means nothin' to me."

He tapped an index finger on the com and drew a deep breath before giving the woman a short nod. "I'll come. And if this is some Alliance trap, you're gonna be on my bad side. Trust me, you don't want over there."

He knew that Simon would have a fit. Some of the cuts on his skin were still in need of antibiotic cream. He'd been making daily trips to the infirmary for checkups and had been warned over and over that he needed to eat and take care of himself. The whole crew had been over protective of him. This would be fun.

"I understand, Captain Reynolds," Dria said, not in the least bit offended. She'd read quite a bit about Malcolm Reynolds and if she had his history with the alliance she was sure she'd feel the same way. "I assure you your bad side isn't where I want to be either. Frankly I'm too old for such a thing. I shall expect you in two days then. Zài-jiàn," Dria said as she signed off.

This was going to prove a very interesting week.

**

Zoë walked into the galley, curious about the meeting the captain had called. He hadn't called one since they rescued him from the Alliance. In fact, he hadn't done much of anything besides sit in Inara's empty shuttle looking at the trunk of things she'd left behind.

Kaylee and River were already in the galley, River sitting cross-legged on the counter and working her hair into tiny braids. Kaylee sat at the galley table chatting to River more than with her since River seemed content to stay quiet.

"Wonder what Capt'n is callin' the meetin' 'bout? Good to see 'im runnin' 'round doin' capt'ny things again, ain't it?" Kaylee smiled at Zoë when she walked into the room.

Zoë nodded, reserving her judgment until she'd heard what the captain had to say. Quite frankly, she was worried about him. She had been for a long time; But since they’d gotten him out of jail, he’d only gone downhill. They all knew he hadn’t been sleeping enough or eating except for a bite here and there.

Jayne strode in with a grunt, picking at his teeth with a slender dagger. He wanted an apple. Truth was they were living too slim these days to afford such luxuries. They hadn't had a decent job since before the captain had been taken and all the money they had made since then had gone toward bailing Mal out of jail. He made a sour face and sat down at the table, still picking his teeth with the dagger.

Wash had set Serenity out to drift in the black as they'd been for the last two weeks since Zoë had brought Mal home. He entered the galley and shrugged lightly at Zoë with a curious look. "What's with the meet and greet?"

"We don't know yet." Simon walked into the galley behind Wash. "I suppose it's good to see the captain wanting to do something though."

""Maybe it's something to do with the wav he got earlier." Wash said.

"Capt’n got a wav?" Kaylee asked. "From who?"

"House priestess on Sihnon." Mal answered for Wash as he walked into the galley. "Says 'Nara needs me. In some kind of trouble." He stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed over his chest.

"What kind of trouble?" Simon asked skeptically, leaning forward slightly.

Mal shook his head. "Wouldn't say. Conjure she'll tell me when I get there."

Panic rose up in Kaylee's belly at Mal's words. "Nara in trouble?" she squeaked. "Guess I ain't waved her in a few days but..." she shook her head. She'd noticed that Inara wasn't quite herself but it'd become so common that she'd just assumed that was Inara now. They’d all changed in some way or another. Kaylee wasn’t sure what had made Inara change, but she had her suspicions.

"Don't like the sound of that, Sir," Zoë started. "The gun shootin' sort of trouble?” She wasn’t sure there was any other sort of trouble where Mal was concerned.

Mal shook his head. "Didn't really ask. Think if it were gun shootin' trouble, 'Nara would have waved me herself."

"Ain't plannin' on goin' by yourself, are ya?" Jayne asked, eyebrow raised. He’d stopped picking at his teeth with the dagger. Now he was twirling it in a lazy circle on the table top. "Keepin' all them whores for just you? It ain't right."

"Yes Jayne," Simon rolled his eyes. "Let's think of the companions. Never mind that the captain still isn't one hundred percent." He shook his head and looked back at Mal. "You're still weak. You can't possibly be thinking about going by yourself."

"Not thinkin' about it... goin’ to." Mal said matter of factly. “I'll take a shuttle in once we get close enough.”

Zoë watched Mal carefully for several moments before nodding. He seemed to have more conviction about this than he had anything in a while. She was going to count that as a good sign for the moment. Conviction was part of Mal, any part of him approaching normal, she was behind one hundred percent. "We'll be close enough you can wav us if you need anything. Might be nice."

They all knew that the captain hadn't been the same since Inara had left almost three years ago. Zoë couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him smile and his laughter was a completely foreign thing these days. Some closure with Inara might be just what he needed.

"The guild house is real nice an' relaxin'," Kaylee said. She'd been there a few times to visit Inara. "They got these hot springs an' it all smells so nice an' the companions give massages. Leave there feelin' like a whole 'nother person.”

“Still don't think its right, usin' all those purdy girls and hot springs for yourself." Jayne said. "Gettin' paid for this job?"

"Didn't ask." Mal answered blankly. "Won't be usin' their finery. Just make sure 'Nara's shiny and get out."

Wash nodded and started out of the galley. "I'll set course." He doubted it would be that simple. Whether Mal wanted to admit it or not, he was a man in love and matters of the heart were complicated.

"Sure this ain't another trap Alliance set for you?" Jayne asked. "Not that I care, just want to be able to get some jobs. Kinda hard with you in jail since you're the one people like doin' business with."

"Already warned the woman about my bad side. She ain't aimin' to be on it." Mal said.

Jayne laughed. "No, she's aimin' to be on one of your sides though." His gaze darted around to everyone staring at him. "What?" He asked obliviously. "S'what they do there..."

"Captain, I still don't like it." Simon said. "If you got hurt again..."

"I'd wav you and you could come get me." Mal finished the sentence for Simon. "M'goin' in to check on her. Won't be stayin' long."

"Jayne, the house priestess ain't like that," Kaylee rolled her eyes at the man. "She's old an' gittin' ready to retire. ‘Nara’ll be-" Kaylee stopped, her eyes flicked to Mal. She didn't generally talk about Inara around him.

Mal's gaze caught Kaylee's glance and he drew a needed breath. There were times when Kaylee reminded him of everything he would never say to Inara. "I'll go prep the shuttle. Pack a few clothes."

Jayne pointed to the door after Mal had walked through it. "Already plannin' on takin' his clothes off..."

Kaylee smirked and tossed a piece of bread at Jayne. "Well you can't go in them hot springs with clothes on," Kaylee teased him.

"Ain't no time for playin' games. Dong Ma? Stay on the alert, Jayne. 'Case we have to go save the Capt'n," Zoë said as she started out of the galley.

Jayne pushed back away from the table, snagging his dagger with one fluid, almost graceful motion. “I’ll be in my bunk,” he grumbled and walked out of the galley behind Zoë. Since when did he start caring about people on Serenity? It was downright unsettling. Hopefully they’d get some cash when the captain got back.

"And they all fall down," River whispered from her position sitting on the counter top, her fingers still braiding her hair into tiny braids. “Never easy.” She looked to Kaylee and gave her a childish almost impish smile.