Joss owns them all. I just like to play with them.

It was Mal’s night to cook – not an event the crew looked forward to. The captain could devise elaborate plans to bilk Badger or orchestrate intricate charades to confound Saffron but his culinary imagination was limited to opening cans and boiling water.

Up in the shuttle, Inara glanced at the crew duty roster and decided she could, and probably should, give Mal a hand and spice things up a bit tonight. Hmm,... was that double entendre intentional?

The stew pot was on the stove and Mal was listlessly dumping in cans of drab protein blend. It didn’t smell good – in fact, there was no smell at all. Inara moved past Mal and opened one of her lockers. She picked out a packet from her store of spices, “Add a little of this.” With a laugh and a grin, he acquiesced. She handed him another, “Some of this, too.” Now, his eyes were twinkling.

Inara stirred the protein potage and a wonderful aroma wafted through the kitchen. She stirred once more and raised the spoon to Mal. “Here, try this.” He caught her wrist lightly to guide the spoon into his mouth. His taste buds tingled as the coriander and curry laden soup swept by. He looked up and licked his lips. Inara leaned toward him, her mouth open slightly – an unasked question. And that was all it took. Mal kissed her.

Inara had been kissed a lot. Quite a lot. But she had never been kissed so sweetly. She giggled and blushed. The Companion blushed! With another giggle and a glance over her shoulder, Inara slipped past Mal. She paused at the hatch and there could be no misinterpreting the smile she gave him then. Quickly, Mal covered the soup, closed the food lockers, and threw the utensils in the sink before he deserted his post.

He bounded up the stairs two at a time. When he caught up with Inara outside her shuttle, one look told him that this was no mistake – there would be no misunderstanding.

Mal leaned in and kissed her again, lightly, gently on the lips. Jasmine and coriander. He stepped back with a shy smile. Because her eyes were sparkling, he kissed her again, wider, warmer, fuller, and this time when they parted, her face was flushed and he gulped for air.

Mal went in for a third time...taking her in his arms, wrapping his arms around her waist, her hips, all of her, burying his hands in her hair, kissing her, kissing her, kissing her...when, “Mal, hey, Mal!”, Jayne’s voice boomed out down below.

Mal stepped out of the shadows and leaned over the railing. The big merc stuck his head into the cargo bay, “Hey, Mal, you cookin’ tonight?”

With a rueful smile, Mal set off to the kitchen.

Inara leaned back against the door of the shuttle and watched the captain’s swai backside saunter down the catwalk. She sighed, “Most definitely!”