Legacy-Betrayal Ch.2 Mal/Inara

[druinsanity.livejournal.com]

Title: Legacy - Betrayal
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.
A/N2: This is the sequel to a trilogy in this series. Please read Legacy before this to fill in any blanks. This second part is a month after the ending to the first.

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.

Ch.1


CHAPTER TWO

The slight feel of Serenity setting down on Haven was more than welcome for the crew. Mal knew they loved being on land even though to him, he could only stand it for small amounts of time and the only reason he tolerated it at all was for them. He tapped the button that would open the cargo door as his crew trickled into the cargo bay. "Stayin' here for a few days then we'll be leavin’ to look for a job. Rest up 'fore we get back to work."

"Yay!" Kaylee squealed and clapped her hands together as she rushed out to meet Book in a welcoming hug.

Zoe followed her, giving Book a one armed hug. "Shepard. Good to be seein' you."

"Ain't like we're missin' sermons or nothin'." Jayne patted Book on the shoulder. “Familiar faces is good is all.”

Book raised an eyebrow, an arm going around River in another hug. "Oh I've saved sermons a plenty just for you, Jayne. Have a few for the captain too." He was a little anxious to see Captain Reynolds after Wash had sent him the news that he'd been in prison for three months. He was all too familiar with how former Browncoats were treated in Alliance prisons, especially those who didn’t believe in the word ‘former’.

"Doctor." He nodded a greeting to Simon and then spied a too thin Mal walking off the ship with Inara's hand in his.

"Capt'n and 'Nara are together." Kaylee whispered quietly. "Ain't that shiny?"

Book nodded, a small, knowing smile curving along his lips. "Quite."

"Preacher," Mal nodded at Book, holding a hand out to him in greeting.

Book took Mal's hand and pulled him into a half hug, patting his back. "Captain, it's good to see you... very good. I was just telling Jayne that I've saved a few sermons for you."

Mal smirked. "Ain't needin' any sermons, preacher… just safe harbor for a bit."

"Like candy... sweet and nice." River commented.

Mal shook his head, glancing at River and looking back to Book. "Ain't so bad to see you either though..."

Book nodded softly then looked to Inara, his smile growing. "Inara." He held his arms out to her.

"Shepard," Inara smiled, releasing Mal's hand long enough to hug Book. It'd been a long time since she'd seen him, much too long. He looked older but happy. "How are you?" she asked pulling away from him and looking up at him with a smile.

"I'm doing well. And yourself? It's good to see you back with the crew," Book told her.

"I'm doing wonderful and it's good to be back home," Inara said as she hooked an arm in Book's and let him lead her out into the community. "The others have told me a little about your place here. I understand Simon has a clinic here."

Book nodded as he led Inara toward the town square. "He does and it's much appreciated. Praying doesn't heal all wounds. The township loves seeing everyone else too."

As he spoke one of the little boys squealed and ran full tilt at Kaylee who bent at the waist and caught him up in her arms. She carried him on her hip like she was accustomed to having him there. Another gaggle of children surrounded Wash, begging him to do a shadow puppet performance later that evening.

Even Jayne was a popular subject, some of the older kids asking if he'd play guitar and sing later that night. Zoe and Mal walked along behind everyone else.

"When you told me you'd be landing I arranged a celebration," Book said as he and Inara slowed to let Zoe and Mal catch up. "The women in the community have been cooking all day in preparation."

"Now, now Shepard. Talkin' real food is right pretty talk." Mal said, stepping up behind Book and Inara with Zoe.

Zoe glanced sideways at Mal. "Yeah, maybe you'll actually eat it, Sir. Good to be here."

Book raised an eyebrow. "Not eating, Captain?"

"Eat just fine." Mal nodded, glancing at Zoe. “Crew’s just overly worryin’ is all.”

"Lying isn't in your nature." Book shook his head. "Perhaps what we feed you will not only be better than protein powder, but also food for the soul."

"Soul's just fine too." Mal said matter of factly even though he knew his soul was weary.

Book chuckled and shook his head. "Some things never change... or should I say change more slowly than others."

"Just stubborn is all." Zoe watched Mal for a moment as if gauging his reaction. He’d been in better spirits since Inara had come back to Serenity, but there were times that she knew it was a show. "Now I'm off to find my husband."

Inara reached over and took Mal's hand with her free one, lacing her fingers with his. "That's kind of you, Shepard. I have to admit I share the others excitement about the food. I'm not sure a person ever gets entirely used to so much protein."

"I'm off to check on the clinic supplies. Maybe open it for a few hours before the celebration," Simon said then looked over at River. "Are you coming with me, Meimei?"

River shook her head. "No. She's going to stay. She has to be aware. Always on her guard," she said as her gaze fell solidly on Inara.

Inara shivered slightly at the look in River's eye, moving unconsciously closer to Mal. She'd never been scared of River but she supposed the time away from the girl had left her more vulnerable to her oddness.

"She'll be fine," Book assured Simon. "All the townspeople know to look after her."

Simon nodded hesitantly and started toward the clinic.

"Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going to check on some of the preparations for tonight," Book told Mal and Inara. "Captain, you know your way around, make yourself at home."

Mal nodded, watching Shepard walk away. He looked around the immediate area where his crew scattered around with the locals. Even Jayne was smiling as he played with a few of the kids, lifting them up on his shoulders.

He looked back to Inara. "You alright?"

Inara smiled and nodded. "Yes..." she told him. In truth, she was feeling a little like she didn't belong.

"You don't," River said giving Inara another one of those looks that said she knew more than anyone else did before she slipped away toward Simon's clinic.

Inara furrowed her brow and watched after River for a moment then shook her head. "I'm fine." She glanced around the township. "This is nice. Kaylee's told me about it during her wavs but its different seeing it. Everyone seems to belong here, almost the way they do on the ship. It was kind of Shepard to plan a celebration for us."

"Preacher's a good man." Mal nodded slightly watching after River. "Can relax here. Nothin' to worry about for a few days."

"That'll be refreshing," Inara smiled. “… and different.”

**

Inara wasn't sure why she felt the compulsion to change her dress except that it was a celebration and in her world that meant dressing for dinner. She did pick one of her more casual gowns. It didn't quite trail the ground and was a deep orange-red color that often reminded her of the sunset. It left her shoulders bare, nipped in her waist, and like most of her dresses showed off her cleavage.

She left most of her hair down in curls because she knew Mal would eventually take it down anyway. She did pull the sides up to keep it out of her face, securing them with coral combs. Finally, she spritzed on some Jasmine perfume and turned to Mal who was sitting on the couch. "I did warn you about the amount of time it took me to get ready to go somewhere didn't I?"

Mal lifted a corner of his lips in a half grin. He could already hear the party in full swing outside and shook his head at Inara. "Don’t mind the waitin' when I got the time. Means I get to do the watchin' too which holds a certain amount of goodness." He’d been enjoying watching Inara prepare for the celebration and was lazily lounging on the couch.

"Something I'm going to have to become accustomed to," Inara told him. It made her a little self-conscious to have him watch her. Inara was completely insecure on the inside. The dresses, makeup and hair acted as her armor, giving her confidence. It was a bit eerie having someone watch her put on that armor.
She held out her hand. "It sounds like the festivities have started without us. Shall we go?" Actually going someplace with Mal, as his lover was a new experience for Inara, one she was looking forward to. He made her feel like a sixteen-year-old girl in love for the first time. Sometimes the little girl in her that got closer and closer to the surface all the time worried that he'd drop her hand as if it burned and shy away from her. The guild house had taught her that falling in love brought inexplicable pain. She supposed a part of her was waiting for that pain.

Mal stood, a hand going out to grasp Inara's. They headed out to the night air. A large bonfire was blazing in the middle of the open area. There was dancing, laughing, and a large assortment of food. "Guess you like makin' an entrance." He teased.

"A lady always does," Inara laughed softly and winked at Mal. She caught sight of River dancing among the others and Kaylee sitting next to Simon with a plate of food. They were both talking to Book.

Jayne of course had taken up with some of the single women while Zoe and Wash sat on the edge of the crowd, plates of food in their laps, snuggled up to each other. Inara watched them with a soft smile on her face. Every time she thought of a perfect marriage she pictured them. It wasn't that they didn't fight. She knew they did. It was just that they loved each other so much that the fights didn’t matter. It was obvious to anyone who caught sight of them.

"We should get something to eat. It all smells wonderful," Inara said as they made their way over to the tables burdened with food.

Mal piled a plate with food as he went along the buffet table behind Inara. He knew he wouldn’t eat half of it but it was good to keep up appearances. "Got some peaches over there. Know you like those."

Inara picked and chose what she wanted from the buffet, a smile forming on her mouth at Mal's mention of peaches. It'd come up during a conversation one evening. "You remembered," she said as she leaned over and spooned some of the fresh sliced peaches onto her plate along with some cottage cheese. Once they'd filled up their plates they found a place near the bonfire to sit down together.

Mal sat next to Inara and pointed to where some kids were playing jump rope a few yards from the bonfire. He took a bite of food and watched as the children continued to play. "When I was little, the ranch hands used to..." He trailed off and shook his head. "They're cute young'uns..."

"They are cute," Inara smiled as she watched the children for a little while then looked back at Mal. "Do you ever think of having your own?" she asked as she glanced up at Mal. Inara wasn’t suggesting that he have children with her. It was never something she considered because of issues that ran deeper than she cared to examine. Inara liked children. One of her greatest joys had been working with the younger girls at the guild house and she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t imagined children with blue eyes and dark, curly hair. It was a dream though, something sweet to while a way the afternoon, not a serious consideration or a life plan. She’d learned first hand that there were some people who weren’t meant to have children. Her father had been one of them.

"Used to... not anymore." Mal answered, his voice lowered as he took another bite of food and looked back over to the kids. "I'd just end up messin' 'em up."

Inara shook her head at Mal's comment. "No. I grew up with a father who ‘messed me up’. I saw you with the girls at the guild house...the way you are with Kaylee and River. You underestimate yourself. I'd be a different person if I'd had the kind of father you'll be," she smiled at Mal. "I don't think you'd mess them up at all."

"Havin' their attention for a few minutes and havin' 'em for a lifetime is two different things." Mal said, shaking his head. "I mean, you got kids, their lives and minds are in your hands. Easy to mess up.... even without knowin' it."

Inara smiled and put one hand on the back of Mal's neck for a moment, smoothing the hair down there. "I'm betting you'd do better than you give yourself credit for. Besides, you'd make awfully pretty babies."

Mal actually leaned back and chuckled at that comment. He shook his head and looked to Inara, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "Well, now I know someone besides my ma and myself thinks I'm attractive. Gotta be the rugged yet handsome profile." He joked.

"You should laugh more often," Inara smiled. "It's a good sound and it does wonders for that rugged, handsome profile," she teased him.

Mal shook his head and reached for a mug filled with brew. He took a healthy swallow. "If I was to laugh all the time it would get old. 'Sides, I'm a mean old captain... got a reputation to keep."

"Oh yes, I'd almost forgotten the mean old man," Inara laughed. She glanced up to where Kaylee and River were dancing. "Dance with me? Or does that ruin the mean old man reputation?"

"Ain't really a dancer 'less I gotta be." Mal said. He glanced at Inara, and then downed the brew before getting to his feet and holding a hand out to her.

After helping her to her feet, he led her closer to the bonfire where several people were dancing to a lively tune. He watched the other couples for a moment, trying to gauge the steps. "More of a slow dancer..." He said before beginning to move with the music, his feet in time as he held both of Inara's hands in his.

"There's nothing wrong with dancing slow," Inara smiled and stepped closer to Mal. She put his right hand at her hip and her left hand at the nape of his neck, pulling him close. "Nothing wrong at all," she whispered as she tilted her face up, brushing her lips across his.

Book caught sight of Inara and Mal across the square and smiled softly. Perhaps the Captain had finally found something to believe in. It wasn't quite what Book would have him believe in but it was a start. He excused himself from the group he was speaking with and walked over to the musicians. He whispered something to them and they nodded.

In mid song the music changed to something slower. Simon took the opportunity to ask Kaylee to dance.

"This is more my tune." Mal said quietly. He held Inara to him as they danced. "Shiny."

"Yes, I think we have Shepard to thank for that," Inara smiled and glanced over Mal's shoulder at Book who was still standing next to the musicians. She touched her lips to her hand and waved at Book who nodded and smiled before walking back over to a group of people and sitting down.

Book nodded at Inara. She and the Captain were beginning to forge a relationship but they could still use a push from time to time.

Mal glanced over to the preacher and then looked back to Inara. He knew he should go talk to him sometime tonight. Part of him dreaded it because Wash had told him that Book knew all that had happened to him. "I'll go thank him later." He told Inara.

Inara nodded in response. "I'll go with you if you like...or just wait in the shuttle for when you're finished talking to him." She knew Mal needed to talk to Book. In many ways, he was a father figure to Mal. He might not always take his advice but he valued the man's opinion.

”Well now just ‘cause I ain't right by your side don't mean you gotta leave the party." Mal teased as they continued to dance. "Like you close by... and you're easy on the eyes." He also liked her where he could see her for his own peace of mind.

"Well I should hope so. I did spend an hour getting ready and this dress cost more than I want to think about. I'd hate to think it was for nothing," Inara teased, her eyes twinkling as they danced. "By the time we're finished dancing I'm sure I will have worked up an appetite. I'll have to go see if I can convince one of the children to burn me a marshmallow over the fire. Once we're finished dancing. Right now...I'm perfectly content where I am."

Mal let a small smile appear on his lips. "I like where you are too. Nice place to be. Can teach you to be shootin' a gun tomorrow. Ready for that?"

"I'd like that," Inara smiled at Mal. "The guild teaches us archery but that's a bit different than shooting a gun. Guns aren't considered ladylike you know," she teased him.

"Guild's got an off way of thinkin' Guns've saved my life many a time. Sure they'll help you out too if you're wantin' to go on jobs and the like." Mal said.

"I'd like to. I'm not sure how proficient I'll be at it but I'm a quick learner," Inara told him. "Perhaps another gun, however badly wielded, will help keep you from getting shot so much."

"Zoe and Jayne try... and they're both right good with a pistol or a rifle." Mal smirked and shook his head. "But maybe another one will be helpin' a bit."

"I just worry," Inara admitted. She dipped her head, fixing her gaze on her feet. She'd never been able to admit her feelings while looking at Mal. "I gave up my life...so now you're my everything...if something happened to you..." she trailed off, shaking her head slightly.

Inara looked back up to Mal, her bottom lip trembling. "You'll be careful, right? Even though we've got all that...and I don't want the flippant answer with the wink and the sexy grin. I'm serious. You'll be careful." Her voice was just tinged with tears.

"You don't like my winkin' and sexy grins?" Mal asked jokingly, then sobered and nodded. "Can't promise I won't be gettin' hurt, 'Nara. Can be careful though."

Inara nodded and held her breath a moment before letting it out. She leaned her forehead against Mal's shoulder, pulling him closer. "Okay...that's all I ask then." She looked up at him with a soft smile. "And yes I do like your sexy grins and winks."

The music ended and another quick paced tune started. "Afraid that's all the dancin' I got in me for now."

Inara tiptoed slightly and kissed Mal quickly. "Go talk to Shepard. I'll dance with Kaylee or get a drink or something. I'll be around."