E-mail: jack_fan2004@yahoo.com

Status: Completed: 11/22/2008

Spoilers: The Train Job

Categories: Ficlet, General, Missing Scene

Archive Permission: Ask first. I'll probably say yes.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.

Word Count: 582

Author's Notes: This started out as a single sentence that popped into my head. My muse just ran with it from there. Takes place directly during the scene where Mal tells Book that God isn't welcome on his boat. Many thanks to my beta, Cyn, for beta'ing and for the title.

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"What about you, Shepherd? How come you're flying around with us Brigands? I mean, shouldn't you be off bringing religiosity to the fuzzy-wuzzies or something?"

*If the Captain thinks he can rattle me with that question, he is mistaken. * Matter-of-factly, Book stated, "Oh, I've got heathens aplenty right here." Then gives the Captain a small smile. He notes that the Captain doesn't look amused.

"If I'm your mission, Shepherd, best give it up. You're welcome on my boat. God ain't."

Book watched as the Captain turned and walked away, abruptly ending the conversation. He considered following the Captain, but didn't think he'd be open to talking, at least not about God. He turned and made his way towards his room. Just before he got there, he spotted Zoë. In the short time he'd been on the ship, he'd been able to pick up on the closeness between her and Captain Reynolds. Knew about their past relationship and that they'd been friends since long before they'd met rest of the crew.

"Zoë, may I speak with you for a minute?"

The ship's first officer didn't answer him, but stopped and turned to face him, so Book took that as a yes. "I noticed the Captain wears a cross."

Zoë's response was a nod in the affirmative.

"If the Captain doesn't believe in God, why does he wear the cross?"

"Don't recall him saying he didn't believe, just said he ain't got much use for him." Zoë replied, as if that explained everything. Maybe to her it did, but not to Book.

H