Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly or any of its crew. All hail Joss.
Authors Note: This chapter is dedicated to the great Ron Glass. Rest in peace Shepherd.
The One Where The Shepherd Finds A Home
A heavy sigh rose from Shepherd Book's chest and met the air with shuddering exhaustion. With it escaped all of the tensions of the day. They were familiar tensions- alliance trouble, a job that hadn't gone to plan, and the suffocating pressure of morality sitting upon his shoulders.
These thoughts plagued his mind as his knees touch the cold steel floor of his bunk and his hand made the gesture he lived by.
"Hey, is that my extractor?"
Book's hand froze in place.
Pounding footsteps echoed outside of his closed door.
"Jayne, put that back!"
"Ain't gonna be but a minute, doc. Vera's jammed."
"That's not for…don't stick that in…"
The voices faded. Book shook his head and handled his rosary. Slowly, he began mouthing the words of a habitual prayer.
"She wants to fly! Can't let her fall!"
River's gleeful giggles broke his concentration.
"Oh, she ain't gonna fall!" Kaylee's heavy boots trampled down the corridor. "I'm gonna catch her and put her back right back in my toolbox!"
The corners of Book's lips crept up into a wayward grin. Once the laughter disappeared, he turned his attention to the leather-clad book at his bedside. He opened to his favorite passage and let the peace wash over him.
"All I'm saying is that maybe we can do crimes on a nicer planet next time. Pelorum for example."
"Criminals don't go on vacation, dear."
"Shame, there coulda been beaches." Their synchronized footsteps diminished. "Beaches and crime."
Book breathed a lighter sigh and closed the Bible. He placed it securely on his bedside table and traced the soft leather. A knock on his door hardly startled him.
"Come in."
The snug pants gave away the visitor's identity.
"Good evening, Captain."
Mal reached the bottom of the ladder and faced him.
"Howdy Preacher. Hope I'm not intrudin.'"
"Oh, I've come to expect such intrusions." Book smiled warmly. "Not a quiet moment on this ship, is there?"
"Thin walls. Ain't ideal for privacy." He laced his fingers in his belt. "I could tell 'em to keep it down. Poke 'em with a stick?"
Book laughed. "No, that's quite alright. I spent many years locked in a room at the abby. No distractions." He paused "Sometimes noise is comforting."
"Quiet enough outside, I reckon." Mal paused. "We're settin' down on Haven in a day or two. Heard you got folk there."
Book nodded. "I do."
Mal turned, his eyes centering on the carefully placed Bible. "Planning on jumping ship?"
Book studied the captain's back, perplexed. "Are you asking me to leave, Mal?"
Mal startled at the use of his name. He set his eyes back on Book. "On the contrary, Shepherd, I was hopin' you'd stick around awhile."
Silence passed between them. Slowly, Book moved towards the Bible. He picked it up and reclaimed the captain's attention.
"Have you ever read it?"
Mal looked to his shoes. "Can't say as I have."
"This book taught me a good deal about forces greater than myself. Surrendering oneself to those forces takes faith- a faith that I too struggle to maintain at times." He smiled, a gleam in his eyes. "But someone once told me that I'm exactly where I ought to be." Mal met his stare. "I think I'll stick around."
Mal nodded. "Reckon we could use a mite of conscience on this boat."
"Glad to be of service, Captain."
"Glad to have you aboard, Preacher." A beat of silence passed. "Well, I'll leave ya to your…greater forces." He stepped onto the ladder. "Don't hide out too long. You'll miss out on all the fun."
Mal climbed out of the bunk and nearly collided with River and Kaylee in their antics.
"Wo De Tian A!" He disappeared up the ladder. "Bed in five minutes or I'll knock ya both out my own self."
Book sat back on his bed and smiled.
He'd never thought the day would come when chaos became familiar. Still, with familiarly came comfort and that was something he hadn't known much of before Serenity.
Comfort, and maybe a family to boot.