just·re·wards

"You died a hero's death, son."

Wash looks up for the source of the voice. "What? Shepherd?"

"That's right, Wash," Shepherd Book says, and suddenly he is standing beside Wash's swively pilot chair.

Wash looks down and sees the Reaver harpoon pinning him to his seat, but he can't feel it penetrating his chest. He moves, stands, and looks at the chair. His body is still there. "I don't understand. You're dead."

"Very astute," Book chuckles. "So are you."

"The others?"

"Safe, thanks to you," the Shepherd assures him. "Come on, now, it's time to go."

Wash looks around. "What about Zoe? I can't leave her."

"You have to, son. That's how these things work. You'll be together again, some day."

"Where are you taking me? It can't be heaven. I'm not Jayne or Mal, but I'm still not a very good guy," Wash observes.

Shepherd Book just smiles. "You died a hero's death, Wash. You've earned your reward."
"What about you?"

"Don't you worry about me, son," Book says, smiling sadly. "I'll get what I deserve. Some of us have committed more sins than we can atone for with one lifetime; I'll be along presently."