Title: Mercy Stroke Author: bookishtype Character: Inara Rating: PG (sexual overtones) Word Count: 194

Inara had much practice in art of lovemaking but one was certain she knew the moment that which could debilitate a man at a single stroke. Her mercy stroke, was a simple movement she executed much like a snake when it strikes out for a kill.

The Companion House taught them many things but this was her own. Designed to make her client never forget her, even to the extent when she delivered this merciful stroke, those client often solicited no one else but her. It was dangerous thing for those who do not know how to yield it but it was her coup de grace and Inara knew its power.

What made this situation even trickier was that her and Mal were at a state of enjoying each others company immensely, Inara was afraid that the deliverance one small movement, she knew that this would mean that she would solely be Mal’s woman and this scared her the most.

The continual deliverance of this stroke on one person would lessen its power and that was what made Inara sing. She knew that with this skill she held the power.

And she liked it.