River Tam had contacted her a fortnight ago, sending a passionate wave for her to help out her older brother. Inara found her enchanting and unable to refuse.

River wanted it to be a chance encounter, for her to engage him to talk and for the possibility of more.

"He's such a boob," she had laughed, shaking her head. "He is a stuttering mess at social events when ever there is beautiful lady in sight."

"Does he perhaps prefer males?" Inara had questioned, eager to learn more about her new client.

"No," River had sighed wistfully. "Please, help him find his way."

And that is why she had spent over an hour waiting for her chance. Her gaze followed him as made his way through the crowd. This was it.

Inara quickly made her way down the stairs, stopping briefly before she accidentally bumped into him. It wasn't an accident.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Simon gasped as he caught her gloved hand in his, catching her as she swayed.

She held him tight. "No need to be," she smiled, catching her breath as she noticed the sincerity in his eyes. "I was not looking where I was going."

"Where were you heading in such a hurry?" He questioned as he squeezed her hand and lifted it to his mouth, pressing a small kiss, before letting go.

She blushed, her mouth opened slightly as she realized he was actually flirting with her- his sister was wrong. "Anywhere but here," she smiled as she glanced around the busy terminal.

"Shi," he laughed. "I can understand the feeling."

"Would you care to join me?" She inquired, hoping that he would take her offer.

"Um," he began as he glanced away. "I would like that."

"Come," she grinned as she took his hand and she led him out of the terminal and to a path just outside in the garden.

~

Simon pulled away, the sheets pooling around his waist as he sat up.

Inara smiled as she studied the muscles in his back. The last few hours had rushed by, this isn't how she had planned it to be. She had hoped to lure him back to her bed, and she was surprised that they ended back at his place, in his bed.

He was one of the best lovers she has had in a long time. Skilled, good with his hands- he was holding back, even now.

"Who is she?" Inara whispered as she sat up to meet him, her fingers brushing over his back.

"Shumma?" He questioned his body tensing at her words.

"Kaylee," she stated softly, repeating the name he cried out during the peak of their lovemaking. "Who is she?"

He hissed as he got up from the bed searching for his discarded clothes. "It's none of your concern. You have done your job; now let me go on with my own."

"You know?" Inara gasped as she watched him fidget with his clothes.

"Do you really think I would take someone to my bed that wasn't?" He replied harshly, his voice deep with sorrow.

"Simon," she sighed as she reached out to him.

"Don't," he hissed as he pulled further away from her touch. "You are not paid to comfort me."

"I give what I wish," she explained. "I give what you need, and you need more then what your sister thought."

He laughed, his eyes closing briefly. "Ah, mei-mei. I should have known it was her."

"She is worried about you," Inara paused, suddenly confused over his words. "You know I'm a companion, but not who hired me?"

"I thought perhaps it was my father," he sighed as he pulled on his pants. "They don't see."

"Kaylee?" she offered and he paused, a soft lingering smile flashing over his face.

"Yes," he nodded as he smiled. "She could never fit into my world."

"Ah," Inara soothed as she clasped her hands together. "So the stuttering fool is an act, you do not wish for their affections."

"Yes," he agreed as he sat down beside her. "I love her, but my world would crush the beauty that is in her eyes- she has such a good heart."

"Does she love you?" She questioned as she slid her hand into his.

"I-" he sighed, his body trembling. "I wanted her, I- I need her to- to-"

"Now I see the stuttering fool." Inara teased lightly as she leaned in and kissed him. He stilled, relaxing into the kiss, letting her push him back onto the bed. "Close your eyes."

He stared at her, pausing at the request.

"Simon," she soothed, draping her body over his. "Close your eyes, bao bei."

He sighed and closed his eyes, "Inara."

"Shh," she whispered as she kissed his collarbone. "Tell me about her, tell me about Kaylee."

Simon chuckled, "she's everything I didn't know I wanted. She speaks her mind; she can be rude and crass- And yet she's the most kind and gentle person I've ever meet. She has a heart of gold."

"Is she a nurse at the hospital?" She questioned as she continued to rub his chest, eliciting a moan here and there.

"No, it would be easier if she was." He sighed. "She is a mechanic, she has little to no schooling, and she is always covered in grease."

"And you love her," Inara supplied and Simon grunted in response, not trusting his voice. "I'm sorry."

"I wish our situations were reversed, I wish-" his voice trailed off.

"Never think such things," she scoffed. "Change one thing and the rest may not be worth it."

He nodded in reply, turning his head away and glancing at the wall.

"One day, she will be with you." She smiled. "One day it will all come together."

The end.