TITLE: "THE JOURNEY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Standalone

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://unilelu.net/Alison/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Shepherd Book decides it is time to leave

Southdown Abbey and go out in the world."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"THE JOURNEY"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"You think you failed?"

Book didn't even have to consider his reply. "For each one that flounders I have failed but for each one that pulls back from the abyss I am redeemed."

The Abbot raised his eyebrows, the short fringe of white hair circling a bald pate like a halo. "Ah. But in whose eyes, my son? Verily I say unto you, is it true redemption or the artifice of a desperate man?"

He was too tired to dance with semantics and respected the Abbot too much to lie to him. Neither heart nor mind were tranquil any longer within the sanctity of the Abbey walls. Southdown Abbey had become Sanctuary not Home to him and the prick of guilt while subtle undermined his ability to ignore that fact. The longer he stayed in presumption of the latter the heavier the guilt weighed. As if he was hiding from that which must be confronted. Cowardice had never been a cornerstone of his faith yet what Book was contemplating made him wary. "I can do no more good here, father."

"Do you think so little of the benificence of prayer, my son?" Said Abbot Paul mildly.

"*Bu qu*, but it is time I walked in the world again. If only for a while."

The Abbot was silent for a moment, considering the man and his words. "Then it is time for you to go. This is a place of meditation and contemplation in the Lord not incarceration, my