Ok doki, didn’t make up these characters I just have my way with them. All creation credits should be forwarded to the Joss.

To Washie, you know who you are…come forward and touch the gleaming guitar award, cos this wouldn’t have started without ya. There are a couple of other civilians who I would also like to thank, but I think naming them would be a bit awkward. Also thanks to G and R for the title, I’m not a big fan…but it fit.

Finally people the name Kyuss is pronounced Kai-uss.

Paradise City:

Kaylee smiled again as she felt Inara slide her body into a hold. Kaylee cocked her head to about where she thought Inara would be, eyes closed so tightly. Inara smiled, putting one of the deliciously ripe strawberries covered in chocolate into her mouth. She held it there with her tongue then leaned in and delicately pressed it into Kaylee’s mouth in a deep kiss.

Kaylee’s eyes shot open, her arms sliding around Inara, pulling her head in to deepen the kiss. Kaylee moaned into Inara’s mouth, her hands touching, massaging her lover's lithe and sexy body, the flavour of the sweet fruit mingling with the taste of Inara’s mouth. She pulled back briefly to swallow what remained of the succulent fruit, an image of her love's sweetness fluttering across her mind.

“ ‘Nara…mmm.” Inara smiled again, pulling Kaylee to her. “Mmmm…a good choice I take it?” Inara smiled again, happy she could please her lover. “mmm… not as good as something else we did today.” She kissed Inara deeply again, enjoying the faint taste of chocolate in her lover's mouth. The two lingered holding each other, till Inara motioned that the two should retire to the rather plush bed. In moments as swift and graceful as a setting sun Inara crossed the room, picking up the box, to join Kaylee in reclining on the large bed.

Kaylee lay across Inara’s Body, her head resting comfortably on Inara’s right shoulder. She half sat, half lay in the companion's lap, Inara having one arm wrapped about her waist, the companion's hand snugly stroking against Kaylee’s bare stomach. Kaylee smiled to herself, enjoying being in Inara’s arms. She liked how all the other woman wanted to do was be close to her, touch her softly, just to make sure she was still real. Kaylee felt that need too, stroking Inara’s bare thigh as the other woman occasionally placed the odd strawberry in her mouth.

“Mmmm…” Kaylee chewed slowly enjoying the flavour of the sweet red fruit. “Oh ‘Nara…Mmmm…” The dark haired woman smiled. “I was thinking maybe later we could go the markets in Persephone city…if you wanted to bao bai.” Kaylee smiled, lightly kissing Inara’s exposed collar bone, the companion's robe noticeably open, exposing her luscious body. “ 'Course…long as you're coming to…” Kaylee grinned, Inara giggled, Kaylee didn’t think she had ever heard Inara giggle before. She had always been so prim and proper, too proper to ever giggle. Yet here she was.

Kaylee smiled, shifted her body, her hands sliding under Inara’s robe. She rose up on her knees levelling her gaze with Inara, she pulled the companion too her, their bare chests pressing against each other. Kaylee gazed into the other woman's eyes, it was like staring into the eye of every storm. Inara’s eyes spoke of burning passion, and love.

“I love you so much ‘Nara…” Kaylee breathed quietly, never breaking eye contact. Kaylee slid her hand from her love's back to the base of her head, pulling her gently into a deep, loving kiss. Kaylee felt so much love and adoration for the other woman, she would happily spend her whole life with her. The kiss was like a season in the sky, the two lovers not wanting to break the hold, the intimacy of their touching. Slowly they mutually broke the exchange, looking deep into each other's eyes. Inara breathed.

“What brought that on bao bai?”

“Mmm…nothing in particular.” Kaylee kissed Inara’s nose. “humm…we stay here too long you know we’ll not make it outa the room.”

“Mmm…I guess” Inara smiled, then sighed. Kaylee grinned, she knew their trip to the markets would be impatiently short, she didn’t care. Kaylee wanted to pick up something for Inara, nothing in particular, just something special so she could always be with her lover. “It don’t have to be long bao bai…we can come back…” Kaylee coyly eyed Inara’s somewhat exposed body, then the bed. “And make the most of the night…” Inara smiled at this. She did want to procure a couple of items for her lover, but also wanted to have her cake and eat it…so to speak.

The two rose from the bed and proceeded to hastily dress, Kaylee noticed that Inara chose less flamboyant clothes than she normally wore. It was interesting, Kaylee thought, she looked so much more…sexy in less ostentatious garb. She also hoped that Inara was just dressing how she felt, rather than dressing down just to make her happy. Kaylee shook her head, ‘don’t be silly, she’s been so relaxed since we came here. She hasn’t worn any make up since we arrived…humm she is so beautiful…’ Kaylee stopped when she realized Inara was looking at her.

“Something wrong with my dress?” She smiled.

“Oh…no no, I was just thinking…ya know…how sexy you look, ya know…not all done up.” Kaylee smiled. Inara smiled back.

“Its not often I get to dress …casually.” Inara smiled.

“Well ya don’t have to dress up for me ‘Nara… ya-“

“Shuuu…” Inara crossed the room, put her finger on Kaylee’s mouth, pecked her full lower lip. “depends if you want me to dress…” The older woman’s arched eyebrow and sultry look forced Kaylee to exhale sharply. Inara motioned for the two to leave, then led a dumbstruck Kaylee out by her waist.

The markets in Persephone city were busy, but Kaylee thought this was possibly the understatement of a life time. She felt like her head was spinning and that at any moment she could drown in a sea of foods, exotic materials and shop keepers yelling prices and hawking their wares. Kaylee pressed into Inara, not that she didn’t feel capable of dealing with the crowd, it was more because she irrationally felt that Inara might get swept away.

The two wandered for what seemed like hours, looking at little things. Kaylee bought a couple of workable shirts, more out of practicality than anything else. Her eyes constantly on the look out for something for Inara, she had just seen a jewelry stall adjacent to the clothing shop, desperately she tried to think of a way to keep Inara occupied…Ironically Inara was doing the same, she had seen a robe stall about ten or fifteen minuets before and was thinking up an excuse so she could quickly slip back to it.

Kaylee turned to find Inara standing there behind her. She smiled. “Bao bai…I uh saw an incense store a few shops back…I just need to get a couple of things…um… why don’t you go on and I will catch up.” ‘humm…, thought the companion, 'It had sounded better in my head…I’m really not good at lying to Kaylee…’

“uh…yeah ok…ill meet ya up ahead.” Kaylee grinned and the two parted ways, hoping the other wouldn’t see how fast they headed for their targets. Kaylee reached the stall quickly and looked about the many different glass covered displays and boards covered in felt with all manner of ornate and sometimes garish numbers in metal and bright red stones, or nasty fake-looking gold.

Kaylee didn’t know what it was she was going to find. Her gut on the other hand insisted that it was here. The minutes seemed like hours, the paranoia of her getting caught by her lover and her surprise being ruined. She sighed, the noise of the market getting to her, it became so loud and crushing it was like a wall of sound that threatened to swallow her whole.

Suddenly her eyes fell on a small silver pendant, oval in shape and suspended on a beautiful plain silver chain. Her eyes spied a small hinge on the side. Kaylee didn’t know jewellery, finery though she liked it was not always her strong point, but she could tell metals when she saw them and this was real silver. Not the tacky fake silver or gold plated rubbish the vendor was trying to sell alongside a few real and beautiful items.

“You like this one miss?” the man behind the counter, a tall, thin and sly looking Asian man asked. Like most vendors of his type, he had a sixth sense for a sale when it walked up to his table.

“uh…well its not for me I…uh…” “This is a good thing…is not meant to be worn by the one who buys it.” His long thin fingers, picked it up and held it in front of Kaylee’s eyes, his fingers prying it open. On one side of the locket was the Kanji for love ‘Ai’ and on the other the Kanji for eternity ‘Eien’. Kaylee gasped, it was beyond perfect, and it even had a little hollow inside for her to place something of hers. Kaylee thought, her mind wandering as to what she could put in, a photograph…no that wouldn’t do... humm. In less than an instant she settled on a lock of her hair.

Inara had always commented that she loved Kaylee’s hair, its silky smoothness, its Kaylee come strawberry smell. Oh the idea was beautiful, perfect.

“How much is it?” The man smiled.

“well…it should only really go to someone who means what they say…” his eyes narrowed. “normally fifty platinum…” Kaylee’s face fell, this would be a hefty chunk out of her savings. Still, she was sure Inara would love it. She rummaged in her pocket for the coin. The vendor saw the sweet young woman’s crestfallen expression and sighed, his memories of being a young lover getting the better of him.

“Ahh…but today is a good day for lovers…twenty…is an antique you know…” He smiled. Kaylee beamed, she handed over the coins, the man relieving her of them a little too eagerly. He put it in a lovely small velvet coated box and wrapped it in a small square of fine silk.

Kaylee was so happy she could have exploded right there, but the gravity of her situation and her need for a stealthy exit, to get her further up the alley of stalls kept her somewhat under critical mass. Kaylee looked around quickly and slipped into the throng of people, her head cocked to look behind her, bags concealing her bounty held tight. Not looking where she was headed she carried herself into the back of a taller woman with dark hair. She was warm and smelled faintly familiar.

“Oh sorry I di-“ Inara turned also uttering some apology. They both stopped and laughed, relief and giddiness filling them both. Inara pitched forward and hugged Kaylee. “Mmm…missed you.” Kaylee giggled into Inara’s neck at this.

“Oh I was only gone for a minute.”

“I know…It was a long minute…” Kaylee pecked Inara on the cheek, and the two of them headed into the lumbering mass of the market.

Time seemed to slip by quickly, Kaylee wondered whether they had continued there browsing at the Bazaar merely for appearance’s sake, perhaps attempting to pretend that they were not waiting for an opportune moment to slip back to their retreat. Still, it was time with Inara, time with a more simple Inara. Kaylee sighed, she didn’t care where she was, she was with her lovely lover and that was most important. The mechanic was amazed at how even when the dark haired woman was looking simply at fabrics or clothing she still looked elegant.

Kaylee cocked her head to get a better look at Inara’s face, she became dimly aware that they were being watched by someone. Kaylee looked around, her eyes caught by a youngish looking man at the next stall. He had a peculiar thoughtful expression, and his gaze was somewhat unrelenting. He stood about Inara’s height, his light brown hair well kept, perfect almost. Kaylee frowned again, as he nodded to her across the way.

“What is it bao bai?” Inara’s voice clattered like water onto rocks in a cool pond.

“Humm…oh its probably nothin’.”

“I don’t mind…” Inara smiled flawlessly.

“Oh…not sure, but I think a guy over there is watchin’ us.” Inara giggled, smiled again.

“Oh sweety he’s probably just jealous of me…”

“Huh…wh-“

“Shuu…” Inara slipped up to Kaylee and whispered. “Because I'm with such a beautiful woman…and you're all mine.” Inara smiled, Kaylee felt herself melt inside.

“Oh…you…” She pitched forward to hug Inara, enjoying the warmth of her lover, all but forgetting the peculiar man.

“Its hard not to be jealous of you Inara, being with such an angel as this.” His voice cut like a welding torch through tin foil. Kaylee’s head jerked to see the man standing there smiling at them both. Inara gasped, Kaylee only stared at the single white flower he had extended toward Kaylee, a stark contrast to his traditional black kimono.

“Kai?” Inara’s eyes wide.

“Dear Inara, it's been too long.” He smiled at the companion.

“Oh…this is…Kaylee this is Kyuss, we resided in the training house together.” Inara beamed.

“Oh…I uh…see…” Kaylee sheepishly accepted the flower smiling and mumbling a thank you.

“No trouble, I should have introduced myself earlier but I had to be sure it was you, Inara dear. Inara here downplays how much time we spent together when we were younger. She was practically an older sister to me. ” Kaylee noticed his voice had a similar melodic quality to Inara’s when she talked to clients, or people she thought could benefit from that tone of voice.

“It's been so long mei mei. We haven’t spoken in so long. Not since you decided to see the universe so to speak…and to find you here with such a lovely woman, I must say it has been too long.” Kaylee grinned again, but felt uncomfortable at his compliments. Instinctively she drew close to Inara’s side, she wanted to hold her hand, but was unsure if she should in front of this man.

“Mmmm…Yes things have changed Kai.” Inara absentmindedly took Kaylee's hand, it did more than reassure the younger woman, it caused Kyuss to smile knowingly. “I have found that perhaps things weren’t quite so…black and white as I originally had thought life outside the house would be.”

“Humm…indeed. Well things are not what they were before you left mei mei, so black and white is perhaps something we could all do with a lot more of.” He looked up and over his left shoulder, then turned back to Inara, fixing her with a rather intense look. “Indeed things on Sihnon have become increasingly more complex, one of those reasons is why I happen to be here.” He smiled a little ruefully.

“Well I know the Guild is planning some reforms to companion law, but that’s not so odd…what brings you here Kai?” Inara felt perplexed, like Kyuss was attempting to hint at something, in the short time he had, a warning perhaps.

“I’m travelling with Monica, we are to attend a party here together. She has become quite the favourite since your departure with our mama san, and the guild.”

“Oh well I couldn’t have hoped to continue that after leaving, all that talk of me being the next head did influence my decision to leave…I take it she is still as…delightful as ever” Inara smiled a little too flawlessly, her fingers playing with Kaylee’s anxiously. Kyuss looked over his shoulder again, frowned, then returned his gaze to Inara.

“Be wary mei mei, the old days are fading.” In a smooth movement he slid a small card from his sleeve and placed it into the bag Inara was holding. Kaylee wasn’t sure how to take this but Inara seemed to know what it meant. The dark haired woman nodded to her childhood friend, and mouthed something Kaylee couldn’t catch, then slipped her hand out of Kaylee's.

“Perhaps my friend and I should be on our way…” Inara’s comment rattled Kaylee, she shot a fearful look at Inara. Her blood chilled, her body shuddered…what had she done. Inara’s face spoke reassuringly to the younger woman, her beautiful deep dark eyes saying, ‘now is not the time bao bai.’

Kaylee smiled in acceptance, nodded. She turned to Kyuss who had turned to greet the figure of a tall elegant looking woman dressed in an angelic array of whites and silvers. It reminded Kaylee a lot of Inara, but possibly more ostentatious in her colour pallet. It did compliment her ivory completion, and the deep dark straight black hair she wore in a elegant topknot of sorts.

“I wondered what taxed your attention so Kai, and here I find you talking to a wayward sister. Inara, it has been too long.” The woman who Kaylee understood to be Monica, smiled, only if felt fake and laden with pretensions.

She looked Inara and Kaylee up and down, her eyes narrowing. “I almost didn’t recognise you in such…relaxed fashion, even if it is your day off.” Monica overtly pitched it in the nicest possible way, but it carried the venom of more than just one serpent as she motioned to Inara’s dress.

Kaylee seethed, wanting to comment on how made up the other woman seemed, and how beautiful in her understated clothes Inara was. She inhaled sharply looking at Inara for some cue, any cue to say something. Inara just smiled, nodding, her eyes flicked to Kaylee in a ‘not now’ look.

“Well I thought perhaps while spending time with good friends called for a less… affected persona.” Inara said this as sweetly as a cherub, nothing acidic in her tone. Kyuss flinched then caught Kaylee’s eye, his expression a mix of rueful joy and worry.

“Humm…and who is this flower amongst the corn field?” Monica smiled curtly.

“Kaywinet Lee Fry.” Kaylee smiled as genuinely as she could, putting out her hand to shake the other woman’s. Monica merely smiled, not venturing forth a hand to shake Kaylee’s with. Kaylee felt stupid, her face and neck burned and all she wanted to do was hold Inara’s hand, or be held by the other woman reassuringly.

“How quaint, well it was lovely to meet you Miss Fry, and to see you again Inara. Kai and I would hate to hold you both up, I’m sure you are as busy as we are…or perhaps not in your case Inara.” Monica smiled again, then turned to Kyuss, her look that of an annoyed animal trainer at an insolent puppy.

“Yes mei mei and dear Kaylee, it was nice to bump into you both. I hope that…uh…all is well.” He smiled again in a slightly pained fashion then the two excused themselves. Inara turned as they left to Kaylee, nodding in the direction of where they had left Inara’s shuttle. The lovers walked at a brisk pace, back to the homely confines of Inara’s home and transport.

Silence reigned supreme as the two slipped into the shuttle, Inara depositing her bags just inside the roomy confines of the transport. She closed the door turning to Kaylee who stood in the middle of the room feeling a little out of place. Inara sighed, her elegant frame slumping, becoming offset. Kaylee flocked to Inara, sliding her arms around the older woman, pressing her face into the crook of Inara’s neck.

Inara relaxed into the hold, her own face buried in Kaylee’s hair and neck. The companion sighed audibly.

“I owe you an explanation bao bai…” Inara’s words weighed more than some of Book’s more overt sermons. "And I owe you an apology my sweet Kaylee…” The words hung in the air like death.