"I've never been dead before, either," Inara said kindly, trying not to shiver. "And I hope it doesn't happen again - to either of us." If anything, the coming back, the disorientation and fear was almost worse than actually being dead. From what she remembered, it was peaceful, almost comforting.
She listened to Fred chatter on, trying to keep a smile on her face. Part of her wanted desperately to reach out to the nervous, sweet girl, but part of her wanted to run home and hide under the covers until this would all seem like a very bad dream. She glanced around cautiously, unwilling to repeat the experience. Was she going to spend the rest of her life like this, constantly looking over her shoulder?
No, she damn well would not.
"It's lovely to meet you, Fred," she said, taking Fred's hand gently into her own. "And don't worry, we're all a bit shaken up, I'm sure. Actually, I think it would be best for us if we got out of the street. Would you like some tea? Coffee? Someplace to sit down, perhaps?" She knew she would.