THREE DAYS TO BOROS

Jayne's second attempted escape was thwarted by Shepherd Book. This time the mercenary had managed to get out of bed completely and was balancing on one foot, swaying dangerously, when the preacher opened the door and caught him in the act.

"Whoa," he said and reached out to grab the younger man. "Where you headed?"

"Outta here," Jayne mumbled.

"Don't think you woulda gotten too far." Book draped Jayne's arm over his shoulder, steadying him. "Feelin' a little dizzy, son?"

"I'm fine," Jayne grunted, though that was clearly a lie as he was tilting more and more towards the shepherd who found himself supporting more and more of his weight.

"Come on," Book said and lead him back towards the bed. "You're not supposed to be up 'n' about just yet, you know."

"Been restin' enough," Jayne protested.

"Not sure I agree," Book replied goodheartedly. "And it's doctor's orders anyhow."

Despite the verbal protests the physical ones were rather half-hearted and the shepherd had no problems getting the injured man back down on the bed. Jayne grimaced as Book carefully propped his casted leg on the pile of pillows, and he closed his eyes, apparently to ride out a bout of pain. The preacher felt his forehead, making sure the fever had not returned, and satisfied to find that that was not the case, he pulled the chair closer and sat down. He'd brought his Bible and balanced it upon his knee, as he mildly watched Jayne with a smile on his lips. "No need to push yourself," he said. "You got nothin' to prove."

Jayne opened his left eye and peered at him. "Jus' don't wanna be couped up in here, is all."

"Trust me, you're not missin' out, nothin' much goin' on out there. It's been a pretty uneventful trip so far, and it'll still be a few days before we reach Boros."

"Got things to see to."

"Your guns, perhaps?"

Jayne just grunted.

"I can get you your guns," Book continued.

Jayne glanced at him. "Yeah, I s'pose you can. For a shepherd you really know your way with 'em."

Book chuckled. "You want me to get 'em now?"

Jayne took a few moments to consider. "Nah," he eventually said. "We can talk first."

"You want to? Talk, I mean."

Jayne didn't answer. He eyed the Bible still resting on the preacher's knee. "Any good stories in that?"

The shepherd followed his eyes. "In this?" he asked, indicating the leather bound book. "Absolutely!"

Jayne looked back up at him. "I mean like action stories."

Book smiled. "Plenty. You want me to read you one?"

Jayne shrugged. "Sure. Just kinda bored, you know."

"I understand."

"'Preciate the company."

"Oh you're welcome, boy." Book opened the Bible, flipping through the pages to find the right one. "And I know just the story for you. It starts with a tall and handsome man, a king, by the name of Saul."

***

Zoë was climbing the stairs in the cargo bay, heading towards the bridge, when she heard hurried steps behind her and turned around to see Kaylee running to catch up with her. "Kaylee," she greeted. "You alright?"

"No," was the young mechanic's short and immediate reply.

Zoë pulled her closer and scanned the room for eavesdroppers. "I know. But you done good," she whispered.

"That's 'cause he ain't here!" Kaylee hissed. "He's with Jayne, has been all day."

"Good for Jayne," Zoë said. "And for you, I guess."

"One look at me and he'll know, I just know it!"

Zoë shook her head. "No, I don't think so. You'll do just fine. And if it makes you feel better, I've decided to tell the cap'n."

Kaylee's shoulders slumped as she gave a sigh of relief. "Good."

"Not until we reach Boros, though. Not much can be done before that anyway. No need to create more tension."

Kaylee frowned. "Yeah," she mumbled, not sounding convinced but not protesting.

They continued up the stairs, entered the hallway and turned left for the bridge. But as they approached the hatch, River suddenly emerged from the shadows, blocking their way.

"Can't go in there," she whispered, her face grave and sincere. "Important things going on."

Zoë raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Ah-ha," she said and poked her head around the girl to glance up the little staircase and inside. She couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, but she heard her husband's voice.

His play voice.

"Aaargh, if you want this land you'll have to fight me for it!" he growled.

Zoë rolled her eyes and made to gently push River aside to continue on her way. But then she heard another voice and stopped dead in her tracks.

"Uh, alright, I'll fight you, you evil… evil... uh, dinosaur."

Was that Simon?

She had to bite her lip not to laugh out loud, and she turned to Kaylee and waved her closer, nodding towards the bridge and the voices emitting from the room.

"Good," they heard Wash say, in his normal voice this time. "Now, once more. With feeling."

"I don't know…"

Definitely Simon.

"No, no, no, you're doin' good!"

Behind her Zoë could hear Kaylee try to suppress a snort of laughter, and she had to stifle a few growing chuckles of her own.

"Important things," River repeated, still dead serious, still whispering.

"Yeah, important," Zoë replied with a smile and gestured for the others to follow her, and all three of them turned around and headed to the galley instead.

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