Timeline/Spoilers: Takes place between the end of the series and the BDM, mentions Haven.
Disclaimer: They don't belong to me.
A/N: I haven't actually read the description of Book's departure from Serenity as detailed in the Serenity Comic Books (yet), so what follows here is my own interpretation. When I do get some money though, those comics will be sittin' pretty on my shelf. Any day now.
"Oh ye of little faith."
"Seems like that's just a bit ironical, Captain." Book pointed out as the last of his bags were placed at his feet. "Coming from you."
Mal shrugged his shoulders and hooked his now empty hands around his suspender's straps. "Well, I'm a man of mystery. I just don't want you going 'round thinking that we'll be worse off or something without you. Did fine before you, we'll do fine after."
"I just want to be sure," Book looked into the captain's unreadable face. "That you won't – that you'll all be safe, be happy."
Mal's eyes dropped to the ground as his boot kicked at a dusty rock. "You're the one who's fixing on leaving."
Book sighed and then raised his face to the sky, letting the hot sun soak in. "My place is here now. I feel I'm needed, that I can do good." Mal looked back up and raised his eyebrow.
"On Haven?" He asked skeptically.
"On Haven." Book nodded deeply, "An old man's got to settle down somewhere."
"You old now?" An amused look came onto Mal's face.
"Well," Book smiled, "Not as old as some."
His smile grew wider and suddenly he was laughing heartily, head thrown back and body quivering. He clapped a hand to Mal's shoulder, "You're welcome back at any time."
Mal shook his head ruefully but finally smiled back. "Don't I know it. I'm gonna have a hard enough time dragging this crew away before they're pestering me to come back." He reached out and clasped Book's opposite shoulder warmly, "You'll be missed, Shepherd. Not the least of which for your cooking."
Mal's smile widened as well for half a moment before it dropped away entirely. "Well, best start making our goodbyes." Book nodded and looked once more into the captain's face. "Goodbye, Mal."
Mal's eyes traveled past Book's shoulder and narrowed before he cupped his hands around his mouth. "Kaylee, get away from that machine!" He bellowed, "We ain't here to fix the whole gorram planet!" He looked back at Book, took a step back and nodded one last time before he turned and made his way back to the ship.
"We'll see you around, Shepherd." Mal called back over his shoulder.
Book squinted into the fading light as the rest of the crew came to say their farewells. "You surely will." He whispered to Mal's retreating back. He smiled warmly and dropped his eyes.
"I will."
THE END.