River's prediction of dinner was not entirely accurate, but that gave her enough time to take the Shepherd to one of the spare cots and introduce the former operative to it. "This is where you'll be resting." she informed the Shepherd. It was the smallest cot on the ship, and she remembered it well because it used to be hers. "Hope you like it!" she said with a coy smile.
There was barely enough room in there for a cot and a small study desk. Cells in the Alliance prisons were more spacious than this. The new Shepherd turned back to her and thanked her with a half bow. "This will be fine. Thank you for your very gracious hospitality."
"I'm not sure about gracious." River replied playfully. "Wait until everyone else finds out you're here." There was then a loud buzzing sound that echoed throughout the ship. River's eyes grew wide with excitement. "Dinner time!"
The Shepherd quickly tossed his bags onto the cot and closed the door without a care in the world. There was nothing of value in his bags, only a few weeks worth of clothing that he was taking with him to his parish. He quickly followed her to the mess which only took a few moments to walk into. When he stepped in, no one seemed to care or notice he was there. The young doctor, River's brother Simon was busy flirting and talking with Kaylee to care, while Jane was too busy slopping a lion's share of the food onto his plate to notice.
Malcolm was at the head of the table and when he saw the Shepherd walk into the room with River, he quickly remembered and tapped Zoe on the shoulder to get her attention. "I forgot to tell you: we have a new passenger, a paying customer for a change."
"Who would that…" Zoe looked up and she suddenly recognized who it was and before Malcolm could answer, she was already drawing her pistol from her side and standing up to shoot the Shepherd.
"Wait!" Malcolm called out as he grabbed her arm and that send her shot flying straight up to the ceiling where it proceeded to ricochet off a few walls before landing somewhere where it didn't hurt anyone.
After the shot was fired, everyone got back up to discover who Zoe was shooting at. Jane was the first to speak as he also went for his pistol. "What the hell is that Alliance turd doing onboard?"
"I'm retired." The Shepherd said as he removed his cloak to reveal his new line of work. "I have a new boss and He has nothing against you."
Zoe looked at the collar, and her eyes flared open. "Is this for real?"
It took Jane's brain a few more seconds to process what was going on, but paused when his brain figured it out. "You're a Shepherd?"
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Simon said as he slowly peeled himself off the floor.
"No, it's not." Malcolm said as he took Jane's pistol away from him. "This 'Shepherd' has asked for transport to his new parish. If that is where he plans to spend the rest of his days, nothing would make me happier to help him get there as soon as possible."
The Shepherd tried to appease them with his best smile. "I mean you no harm. I am only seeking passage to my parish and would like to join you for dinner."
"You can sit here." River said as she motioned to a chair beside her.
Zoe watched as the Shepherd took a seat and didn't seem to approve of what was going on. "I've lost my appetite."
Jane watched as she left the room, "Is she going to eat that?"
"I think you've had enough, Jane." Mal said as he motioned to the food that was still there. "Help yourself." He said to their new guest.
"Thank you very much, Captain." Shepherd said with a bow as he proceeded to take a modest portion of what was there. When he was finished, the Shepherd looked back at Malcolm to ask a question. "Is it all right if I say grace?"
"Only if you say it out loud," Malcolm answered without looking back.
Half the table giggled at Malcolm's statement and the Shepherd didn't understand what was going on.
"Did I miss something?" the Shepherd asked.
"It's all right, Shepherd." Jane said with sarcasm as he recognized the operative's new profession, "Just a little déjà vu."
"Try to be respectful of our guest, Jane." Mal said with a stern tone. "He's a paying customer, so if you want to have that much food in your belly this time next week, try not to give our temporary passenger any hassles. He already knows the conditions of being on my boat. You respect them too."
"All right," Jane said through grit teeth, "Doesn't mean I have to like it, Shepherd or not."
"That doesn't matter," Mal said between bites, "While he's on my boat you treat him like you would any other passenger, understood?"
Jane growled again as he took his now empty plate and took it to the back of the kitchen before dumping them into the sink. With that he also left the room and went back to his cot.
"So," Simon said sitting across from the Shepherd, "What made you decide to become a Shepherd? Did you find salvation?"
"I did not. I found purpose." The Shepherd replied between bites of his own, "Salvation is not something that can be found. It has to be earned through dedication and hard work, much like respect."
"And trust," Malcolm added.
"Of course," Shepherd agreed, "I would be willing to let you inspect my gear if you want to make sure I haven't brought any weapons onboard."
"No need," Malcolm answered. Chances are Zoe likely found and went through it by now anyhow, "We'll try to be a professional as possible. Just try to realize it will take some longer than others to get over the initial shock of it all."
River held up a small bowl. "Peas?"