Shepherd Book was knelt by his bunk, quietly praying to himself.
"Dear Lord, Watch over these people today. I know that none of them are the most godly of souls, but these are good people. Kaylee is a bright and wonderful young woman who keeps the moral of this ship and its crew high and sees the best in people. I thank you lord for her and for Simon, that man is the best doctor I have ever known, and so kind. He cares for all at great sacrifice to himself constantly looking to help anyone he can, especially River."
Taking a sip of water, the shepherd could hear River skipping down the halls of Serenity's passenger quarters, humming a melody he could not quite make out. The shepherd quickly returned to his prayers.
"Lord, I know your ways are mysterious, and it is not always for us to understand. But I question why you would create a girl such as River, so intelligent and graceful, so full of life. And then submit her to what she had to endure, and then to make her a burden to her brother. And Jayne where do I start with Jayne? He is a troubled soul lord, but there is kindness there, and love too, and a strength and passion for fighting in him that is rarely seen. Zoe is another success of yours, she is smart and brave and fiercely loyal. She is the backbone of this crew and a real asset to this ship. And Wash lord, Wash is the very finest pilot in this verse, a loving husband and quite the comic character, he knows just what to say when needed to keep our spirits high. I thank you also for Inara and Captain Reynolds, though I admit they too have their flaws. Inara is a wonderful girl, and though her profession is regrettable, I thank you for her wit and her charm, and her ability to reprimand our goof captain when necessary. And Captain Reynolds, Lord I pray for him. He is a good man, though he is stubborn and he has sinned, there is a purity in him that I am yet to understand. This verse is a hard place to live, and these people do whatever they have to do to survive. And so I pray, that you give Simon the strength to care for his sister, and that he and Kaylee may find a peace together and live happy. I pray that Jayne may find a path that may lead him from sin, and that he comes to know and love more than money and guns. Lord I pray that you bless Wash and Zoe with a child, and allow them the happiest of marriges. I ask that you give Mal and Inara their chance at happiness together and keep them and the others safe. And lastly I ask that you continue to guide me as you have and that above all you allow us all our Serenity."
Getting to his feet, Derrial blew out the candles in his quarters and let down his hair, turning on the main light he looked at himself in the mirror. A smile came to his face as he recalled young River's terror at the sight of his unleashed hair, chuckling to himself he rinsed his hands and washed his face, before drying off and tying his hair back. He decided he would go down to the cargo bay and lift some weights.
Walking through the corridors of Serenity it occurred to the shepherd that he had really begun to think of this ship as a home away from home. This troubled him, he liked this ship, and all of its crew, loved them even, like a very dysfunctional family. But he had done things with this crew, things that he would not have done had he stayed with his abbey, or he suspected, had he taken a different ship. I think perhaps my time here must come to an end soon. For a time at least, perhaps I should ask to be dropped at Haven, help the people there. He entered the cargo bay and climbed down the stairs, he decided to think for a time and talk to the captain when he had made his choice.