jedibuttercup

> I like your analysis of why she was part of his hard shell being ripped off - if we assume the fun Mal from early episodes is a cover for the dark Mal underneath - but maybe she can be part of him really putting himself back together?

Maybe so. I've seen on various forums comments about how Inara could fill the conscience/counselor type role for Mal now that Book is no more, provided the sexual tension between them is dealt with. There isn't any room for a M/I romance in the story I'm writing, but I hope to work on moving her into that advisor-friendship role, after they get the bomb she just dropped out of the way.