A.N.: Completely independent of my other fics, one-shot. (I promise, more of Three Strand Cord will be posted tonight.) Song lyrics courtesy of Steve Green, "I Can See (On the Emmaus Road)", so google that if you want the rest. Now, I turn the story over to Mal...

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LIKE A ONCE FAMILIAR STRAIN

The first time I saw him, I resented him. This intrusion into my past. The belief I held dearly for so long only to watch it fly away on the wings of my supposed angels. 'Command says it's too hot. They're pulling out. We're to lay down arms.' I watched my God fly away from me in that valley, shots still ringing. Left to die. I banished him from my life that day, and we managed to avoid each other a good six years, until this man walked into my life. This Shepherd. Oh, how I resented him in those first weeks. Shut him down. Ignored his commentary on my heathen life. But he stood firm, offered his counsel. And sometimes, my head would turn in surprise.

Can't you see who walks with you?

Can't you hear who speaks your name?

Can't you feel something stirring in your heart?

It wasn't the first job, nor the second. He allowed me to keep on with my thieving, not commenting at all on the illegality of it. He did not proselytize me as I suspected he might. Kept his prayers to himself, though I know for a fact he prayed every day. It's what I used to do, back when I thought it mattered. Every now and again, he'd drop a tidbit. A morsel of truth into my situation, reminding me he had a path that wasn't always so godly. There was something in him I recognized. We were mirrors, him and me. God was my past, his future.

How his words ring strong and true,

Like a once familiar strain.

Can the paths we follow from now on be the same?

I came to rely on his counsel, even after he left my ship to follow his God. I remember sitting in my bunk those lonesome days, wishing for a listening ear, a sound word of advice. I thought of sending a wave, but knew he'd only quote a scriptur