Ok, I've just finished rereading this and talking to you about the next part, and I am compelled to make it official. This is so heartfelt and beautiful, really respectful of the characters. Good job with River, throughout. The parallels that you draw between Mal and Inara are delicate but very powerful. "Worried she'll stay, and you'll start feeling... Worried she'll leave again, and you'll stop;" and "Afraid to stay and find out. Afraid to leave and never know." I'm so looking forward to the resolution to this arc!

I love it!

That was just beautiful. Loved the comparison with the Velveteen Rabbit. Awesome.

Wow, really beautiful! Seems difficult to write from River's POV but you do it very well!

Interesting, very believable. Just so glad someone else does the Mal/Inara pairing. Seen too many others with Mal (cringe!). Kinda hoping for more chapters or follow-on shorts.

"She's scared, too. Never felt before. A velveteen rabbit, so pretty and soft to the touch, but only stuffing inside. Knows he wants the real thing, but she's only ever been a doll. Doesn't know how to be real. Will his love fill her, make her real like the other rabbits, or will the fire burn her to ash? Afraid to stay and find out. Afraid to leave and never know."

Perfect. That is all.

-wabbit

(ain't coincidence, that name)

Wow, I thought the last one was wonderful, but this one is even better. You really got into Mal's head in this one, and River's analogy to the Velveteen Rabbit was absolutely genius! Loved this to pieces and looking forward to the next one.

Nice work I liked it, I think you add another chapture to it though, to see what mel does with the infomation. other the that it was a light pleasent read well done.

Yay! You continued this story arc -- thanks! I especially liked River's succinct points to Mal about his worries if Inara stays, or leaves, and Inara's fears to stay or leave. Beautiful, concise writing.