If it were anybody else, Book might have been confused by the mixed signals he was getting. The man wasn’t exactly happy to see him, but wanted him to come back to Serenity. That sort of reaction made sense with Malcolm Reynolds, if with no one else. The shepherd couldn’t pretend to comprehend the inner workings of the captain’s mind, it was a rabbit’s warren of twists and turns that he didn’t really feel the need to explore. But in this case, he felt as though he had a bit of an understanding. He had some mixed emotions about this meeting himself.
Had to admit, though, it warmed him some to hear that he was still wanted on the ship. Shepherd Book could easily say that they didn’t always see eye to eye. Rarely, as a matter of fact. But he genuinely liked and respected the captain and felt the regard was returned. Which might go some ways to explaining the hostility. Farewells said to a dead man that turns out not to be dead any longer, that could produce some anger and confusion. That this was the second time he’d had to do so, that would just make it worse. Made the invitation that much more welcoming. And that much harder to turn down.
Zoe’s words, spoken in that low, even tone of hers, helped him remember his earlier decision. Brought a good deal of amusement as well. He’d missed her dry humor. But he wasn’t getting side tracked again. Though that didn’t mean a body couldn’t use some friends around him. Might seem odd to some, his choice of company, but there were a lot of admirable qualities in this crew. And he wouldn’t discount that most of the time, they pushed him to be better. Times that they didn’t, they challenged him to remain true to his choices. And he was holding fast to this one too.
“I think for now, I’ll be staying where I’m at. Does make it a bit convenient for me to be getting to the church when I’m right next door. Of course, if you’re in need of preaching,” he gave Mal a significant look that said he was sure the man was always in need of a little guidance, “it’s not real hard to find. Big building. Stained glass windows. You can’t miss it, even if The City moves it about.”
Book had his own reasons for wanting to remain in the parsonage. Reasons that only had a little to do with the crew of the Serenity. Though he was happy to know they were here in The City. Meant that he could still visit them now and again. Especially cheerful mechanics. A smile creased lines into his cheeks as he added, “So Kaylee is here as well. And the others? Inara? Jayne? Simon and River?”