Zoe knew that Mal was having a problem with all this; he wasn't the only one. She had her own...issues. Issues she wasn't able to discuss with him, not even with her own husband which was saying a good bit about said issues. With Book here...with Book here, she might be able to talk to someone, but she wasn't even sure that would be good.
The first mate finally looked up at Mal, brow raised in slight question. He was working pretty hard to get the shepherd back on board, and that was no small thing. Mal didn't usually bother with the relegious type other than when he needed a hide out or some advice that came from who knew where - the shepherd was still a mystery when it was all said and done. The captain had just expected Zoe to stay on the ship, and some part of her had expected it too. That part had nothing to do with her husband; she had been born in the sky, and she sometimes felt that was the only place she belonged - out in the Black. But, lately...
"The City makes places it thinks will make you happy." It was strange; she hadn't gotten Serenity until Wash showed up. Did that mean Serenity wasn't the place that made her happy? Or did she link happiness, her husband, and the ship together in some way? Was she looking for a break from it all in this new place? Yeah, she was certainly going to need a heart to heart with the more understanding of the two men nearby. Mal wouldn't, couldn't understand.
"I say, if you wanna stay near the church..." She had been looking at Book as she started speaking again, and she didn't look at Mal, just paused for a moment. "You should stay near the church." The words were said as if she dreaded saying them, but she also felt that someone had to say it. "Plus, when's the last time you felt the need for preachin' on Serenity, Mal, save when you tell Wash not to crash her or Kaylee not to do anythin' silly. Which by the way, is not somethin' you should be preachin' about." There was a beat. "Sir."