The kiss dissolved quickly as Inara stirred. Mal pulled back, but not far enough to avoid heads bumping as she attempted to sit up.
" 'Nara?!" His arm slid around her back as she flopped down against the pillows again. Holding her carefully, he lifted her up to sit as it looked like she wished to. In an unusual show of attention, his palm even rubbed against her back hoping to ebb the coughing fit she was in. "Inara.. " Snatching another pillow from near her feet at the opposite arm of the sofa, he settled it in to prop her up and slid his hand free.
"Inara, come on.." His tone was gruff, in that commanding, captain of the ship way.. but not without a twinge of the worry that had been plaguing him in his quiet vigil over her as she'd been unconscious.