Title: Aint Nothin' in the Verse (Part 3)

Author: InaraxSerra (a.k.a Lauren)

Rating: R/NC-17 for sexual situations

Summary: Mal and Inara have a talk. Will Mal finally admit his feelings?

Disclaimer: "Serenity", "Firefly", and all of the characters do not belong to me.

A/N: Everyone who reviewed, thank you! Reviews are what keep me going! So keep on reviewing and I'll keep on writing! * * *

Inara moved gracefully across the shuttle, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. On the outside she looked as calm and collected as ever, which was the complete opposite of how she felt on the inside. Inara pressed a hand to her abdomen, trying to ease her nerves a bit. She did not know why she was reacting this way, but the tone in Mal's voice told her that what he had to say was something of importance. She carefully took a seat on the couch, looking up at Mal. "Well, what did you need to speak with me about?" She asked him, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible even with her heart thumping so loud in her chest she was sure he could hear it.

"W-well.." He stammered, deciding to take a seat as well. "First off..I never told you that..I really am happy you're decidin' to stay here on Serenity. I..missed having you around, Inara." It was then that a genuine smile spread across Inara's face, and Mal was once again struck by her beauty.

"Thank you Mal...really. It means a lot, and I must say that I missed you too. I did miss Serenity, and the rest of the crew, but I missed you, Mal." She glanced down at her hands nervously, unsure of whether she should continue or not. She started a bit when she saw one of Mal's hands slide over her own. It was calloused and rough, evidence of years of hard labor, and yet it felt like heaven against her soft skin. Inara finally forced her eyes up to meet his, and she was taken aback by what she saw there. She had never seen Mal so vulnerable, his eyes were clear, expressing such emotion. He cleared his throat, as if it would make the words any easier to form, to say.

"This ain't easy for me, 'Nara." Mal left his hand over hers. "I didn't..I never expected to feel this way 'bout you. All I know is I'm happy you're stayin, and that I don't want you to leave again. I can't let you leave again."

"I know exactly what you mean, Mal. I do not want to leave again, either." She cast her eyes downward again before looking back up at him. "I have tried to deny it. God how I have tried to deny what I feel for you." She let out a soft, feminine laugh before taking her other hand and placing it over his hand, running her fingers over the rough skin. "I don't want to deny it anymore, Mal." He responded by moving closer to her, taking his free hand and sliding through her silky curls, pulling her face so close to his, she could feel his hot breath against her skin. It wasn't even a second later that he crushed his mouth to hers. At first the kiss was soft, yet urgent, but finally having her here in his arms, Mal was having a hard time holding back, especially when her tongue ran along the crease of his lips, seeking entrance. Who was he to deny a woman what she wants? As the kiss deepened, Inara wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his and he slid his hands to her waist, holding her as close as possible.

Inara couldn't think, she could only feel. She had never burned like this for a man. She was swept away with the passion that rolled off of them both like waves. Every scent, every taste, every texture that she was experiencing was so purely Mal. Inara briefly wondered how she had stayed away for so long, and knew that she would never be able to stay away again. He was intoxicating. Her head was swimming. She did not protest when Mal swept her up in his arms, standing and moving over toward the bed. Inara swelled with love at how gentle he was with her, placing her down on the soft satin like she was something to be treasured. He broke the kiss then, standing before her. Inara looked up at him, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed, and lips swollen from the passionate kisses they had just shared. Neither of them spoke a word, but no words were needed.

Never breaking away from his gaze, Inara stood up to face him. She reached up, slowly and carefully sliding the straps of her dress off of her shoulders. The silky fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her exposed to Mal's gaze. He raked his eyes over her form, swelling with desire. "You're beautiful." He could've sworn he saw a blush on her cheeks at his words.

Reaching up, Inara slid the suspenders he wore down his arms before pulling his shirt out of the waistband of his pants. She unbuttoned each button so slowly that Mal thought he was going to have a coronary. Yet, it was heaven the way her fingers brushed the skin of his bare chest lightly as more and more of it was revealed. When the shirt was completely undone, she slid it off just as carefully, letting it fall to the floor. When she leaned over, running her lips over a scar underneath his collarbone, Mal thought he was going to lose it right then and there. He shuddered involuntarily, placing his hands on Inara's shoulders to still her movements. Leaning down, Mal captured her lips with his again. They stumbled back toward the bed again, Inara's usually graceful hands were fumbling with the buttons of his pants. Her whole body seemed to be shaking. She tried to calm herself down, but it was doing no good. With each touch of Mal's hand, each sweep of his tongue against hers, her grip on the control she had so carefully practiced, and learned, was slipping. She finally succeeded in undoing his pants and broke the kiss, turning him around so his back was to the bed. Inara pushed him down on his back so she could remove his pants and boots more efficiently.

Once all of his clothes were removed, Inara moved up on the bed, straddling his waist and leaning down to kiss him again. He sat up, wrapping one arm around her middle and placing the other in her hair. She could feel the evidence of his arousal between her thighs and she moaned into the kiss. This was it, this was the point of no return. This was where things were going to change, and there was no going back. As if he was reading her mind, he broke the kiss briefly, looking into her eyes, silently asking her if she was sure that she wanted to do this. There was no hesitation in her eyes. They both knew what they wanted, and this time nothing was going to stop them from getting it. Not looking away, Inara lowered herself down onto him, inch by agonizing inch. They were both shuddering from the sensations, beads of sweat dripping down their bodies. When he was fully sheathed inside of her, they stayed there for a moment, just holding onto each other. Mal trailed kisses down the side of her neck as she began to move above him in a slow and steady rhythm. She moaned his name and a string of incoherent Chinese curses, closing her eyes as they rocked against each other.

Mal knew he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. He had never experienced the pleasure she was giving him at that moment, and the way she was moaning and writhing above him made the experience even more erotic. Placing his hands on her slender hips, Mal began to move her against him at a faster pace. Her moans became louder and her actions more frantic and passionate. She was losing control, and she loved every minute of it. It was liberating to be so free with someone. Inara was able to concentrate on her pleasure, as well as Mal's.

Inara felt like she couldn't breathe when Mal flipped them over and began to drive into her faster and harder. Words and loud moans filled the room, but neither of them were paying any attention to it. She was close, so achingly close. He was also on the brink of orgasm with each thrust into her silken heat. Reaching between their bodies, Mal found and stroked her clit, his eyes practically rolling back in his head when she let out a feral scream, squeezing around him as she came. He thrust into her a few more times, bringing himself to his orgasm, spilling his seed inside of her as Inara came once more, muffling her scream into his mouth as they kissed, both of them slowly coming down from their climaxes.

Neither of them knew how long they just stayed there, still connected, his sated body collapsed on top of hers. The weight of his body did not bother Inara, she enjoyed the feeling. She felt safe. She felt loved. Eventually, Inara brought her hand up to the back of his head, sliding her fingers through his locks. "Mmmm.." Her eyes were still closed, a satisfied smile on her face.

Propping himself up on his elbows, Mal studied her, brushing a damp curl off of her forehead. "Well..I'd say that talk went fairly well." He joked. She laughed, and he smiled at the sound.

"I'd have to agree with that." She said in that dreamy voice of hers. Opening her eyes, she smiled at him. There was no sign of regret in his eyes. In fact, he looked the happiest she had ever seen him in the all the time she knew the Captain. Her heart swelled, and she was filled with feminine pride at that knowledge that she could make Mal look so happy.

"..I love you, Inara." He said, his eyes shining with emotion. The smile was still there, but his voice was serious. Her eyes widened a bit at his exclamation before she pulled his head down to hers, to give him a small, chaste kiss.

"I love you too, Malcolm Reynolds."

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A/N: I know this chapter took longer than others, I just wanted to spend more time on this one. This isn't the end of the story, even though they got together, you know nothing is ever simple in this 'verse :) Please review!!