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 Bo