A New Beginning: Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Sealed With a Kiss

It was a peaceful evening on Crescentia, one of the galaxy's finest spaceports. Citizens bustled about, closing up shops and preparing to spend a nice night wrapped up in their beds. Upon the morrow they'd set off into the galaxy to discover new worlds, or make friends with old ones. Life on Montressor and its spaceport had changed very little during the past five months in space.

The sky was a mixture of Etherium azure and cloudy roseate blanketing the surrounding stars as the Montressians prepared for a warm summer's eve. The peacefulness of the area was only mildly disrupted by a few late ferries or cargo ships taking off along with mantabirds flying about, trying to locate a late night snack.

No one expected such a disturbance so late in the evening, nor did they expect such a cataclysmic show. Those that were still awake and about at the hour thought they were experiencing a pirate raid far off in the distance, but from the emerald flash this theory was proven incorrect.

It was, in fact, no pirate raid, nor battle in the sky.

It was Jim Hawkins escaping an explosive planet followed by the crew on the space galleon RLS Legacy. They passed through the portal with not a moment to spare leaving it to rupture behind them in a sweltering outburst.

"Woo-hoo! Yeah! Wow!" Jim screamed in complete exuberance as the crew of the Legacy cheered and threw up their hands in relief and happiness. Alice was jumping up and down, pumping her fist in the air and cheering as loud as Silver was.

"Yes! Yes!" she bellowed.

"Oh you done it, Jimmy! Yeh done it boy!" Silver shouted, running to the side of the ship with Alice. "Didn't I say the lad had greatness in 'em?" Jim circled around, and leapt off his board, watching it spin off into space. Morph was the first to fly over and cover him in licks.

"Morph! Morph, stop," Jim chuckled trying to push the protoplasm away.

"Jimmy!" B.E.N cried, cutting off Alice as he ran to hug Jim first. "That was unforgettable! I know you don't like touching, but get ready for a hug big guy because I gotta hug yah!" B.E.N laughed and wrapped all of his thin metal limbs around Jim. And the strange thing was Jim hugged him back. He wasn't much of a touchy feely guy, but the jubilation building up in his chest was ready to burst.

"B.E.N," he exclaimed, swinging the robot around before putting him back on his feet.

"Hey you hugged me back," B.E.N choked out. "Oh I promised myself I wouldn't cry," he sniffled, immediately breaking down against Jim's chest. Jim smiled and patted the robot's back, but there was one person he was really looking forward to hugging.

Alice grinned running forward as Jim removed B.E.N and calmed him down. Once the robot was semi in control, Alice turned back to Jim with the biggest smile he'd ever seen her wear.

"Jim," she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. Jim hugged her back, grinning into her shoulder. "I thought you were a goner, but you pulled through." She drew back to meet Jim's eyes. "You did it, Jim. You did it," she praised. Jim looked at the ground unable to contain his raw emotion. Should he try to…? "So I guess calling you genius was quite appropriate considering you just –" Jim didn't hesitate this time. He had made his decision. With one swift move he had leaned forward the rest of the way, closing off any distance between the two. Alice's eyes went wide when Jim cut her off by inclining his head and kissing her.

Right smack dab on the lips. His arms around her waist brought her closer as he planted an eager kiss on her lips. Both teenagers felt fire crackers erupt in their guts. Alice was sure her heart had just fallen into her stomach, but her eyelids slowly fluttered closed as she melted into the new feeling, never wanting to release him, never wanting this moment of pure bliss and satisfaction to end. It was her very first kiss, and it was beyond the realms of even her imagination. She smiled into the kiss. He was her prince charming.

By raising one hand and placing it against her cheek Jim was able to keep her in that position when he felt her kissing him back. It seemed like they'd experienced a lifetime together before they heard a slight cough and gradually pulled apart to see Amelia and Delbert standing there with amusement plastered on their faces.

"Well, Mr. Hawkins, Miss Alice," Amelia cleared her throat as Alice and Jim stepped away from each other, blushing. "I'm going to, ahem, turn a blind eye on this situation, as some would say. I hope such public displays of affection won't become a habitual routine with the two of you."

"No ma'am," Jim answered, though Alice did feel him lace his fingers with hers at their sides. Amelia chose to ignore this too as she continued.

"You both exhibited incredible wit on this escapade to Treasure Planet, and because of your courage," –Alice tried not to let her disbelief show– "I'd be proud to recommend both of you to the Interstellar Academy. They could use men and women like you two."

"But, ma'am," Alice piped up once Amelia had finished. "What about my boarding school? I mean – I have nowhere else to go."

"Well, Miss Alice, the Interstellar is quite like a boarding school, only here you will be trained to become spacers. Whether it be a Captain's position you pursue, a rigger, specialist, first mate, or any other such position, this is the school to attend. I will be happy to contact your school and sort out the situation."

"You would do that, for me?" Alice gasped.

"Of course," Amelia gave her a small smile. "However, if all went well and you were to attend the Interstellar, you would still have to wait three months at your boarding school until September first because currently they are the only place you can stay and they still are, technically, your legal guardians." Alice looked down in defeat when Amelia had finished. Jim couldn't help but notice. Three months! Three months not seeing Alice after all they'd been through?

"Captain, if it's alright, she could stay with me and my mom until that time," he spoke up. Amelia's ears twitched.

"Alice, you said your mother and father gave you to the boarding school when you were only a baby?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Mr. Hawkins, her mother and father entrusted this child unto that school. She cannot get up and leave unless she is adopted." Jim and Alice's faces fell. "On the other hand, I may be able to pull a few strings," Amelia smirked.

Jim and Alice looked up hopefully.

"Jim, adoptions are costly and I'm sure the two of you would not like to take up the title of brother and sister after such a show of affection not five minutes ago."

"Gross," Alice agreed. Jim nodded.

"Yet, it just so happens, Alice, that there is a document called a Warden Paper. It's not the same as an adoption where you legally become part of their family, but it has its benefits," Amelia said. Alice and Jim were all ears. "The Warden document allows an adult to become your new legal guardian. It does not have to be family member, nor distant relative. It could be your best friend, if your best friend is over the age of eighteen.

"If, your mother, Jim, is willing to accompany me and Alice to Hora and sign this document, she will be under your care but will retain her title as orphan."

Jim looked at Alice who was breathing hard, completely shocked.

"Amelia," Delbert began. "I think it would be best for you to recover from your injuries before any more voyages take place." At first, Jim and Alice thought their Captain would snap back something witty and condescending, but to their surprise she agreed to his terms.

"Very well, the Doctor will accompany you. Jim, will your mother be willing to do this?"

Jim hesitated.

"I don't know," he replied honestly. "I think she should get to know Alice first."

"That may also be arranged. There is no rush of course," Amelia said before she let out a small groan. "Blast these injuries," she cursed as Delbert put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"We can talk about this later. For now, let's get you settled in," he said, his voice ever gentle, and led her away. Jim and Alice shared a look.

"Jim, your mom doesn't have to take me in."

"She's going to love you, Alice, trust me," Jim smiled.

"But –"

"Wait a minute, where's Silver?"

"He was by the stairs leading to the…" She trailed off when she realized where he must've gone. The two of them ran below deck to the longboat hold, expecting to see the salty cyborg already gone, but to their surprise he was just beginning to untie the last skiff.

"Morphy, we gotta make tracks," he whispered to Morph who was buzzing around his head. Jim and Alice both shared a relieved grin.

"You never quit, do you?" Jim started, as he and Alice walked forward.

"Ah, Jimbo, Ally! Ha-ha," he laughed in apprehension. "I was just merely making sure our last longboat was safe and secure." As he said this he tied the longboat back to its post, but the knot was poorly done. Both Jim and Alice reached to redo it at the same time and laughed in embarrassment when their hands collided.

Jim cleared his throat and leaned back as he watched Alice retie it just the way Silver had taught them.

"That should hold it," she announced, standing back up.

"I taught yeh two too well," Silver chuckled. There was a momentary pause in which both Alice and Jim gave Silver a look that said, 'I know why you want to leave'. "Now, if yeh two don't mind, we would just as soon avoid prison, lil' Morphy here he's a free spirit," Silver said as Morph squeaked and buzzed around his master's head. "Bein' in a cage, would break his heart," Silver mumbled, stroking Morph who released a sad purr as if to prove the man's point.

Alice wasn't completely sure, but she thought she could detect a hidden meaning in his words. Silver seemed to be using Morph as an excuse to describe himself. For a while Alice and Jim stared at him as Silver returned a sheepish smile.

At last the two shared a look. Alice gave Jim an encouraging nod. Silver watched as Jim grinned and pulled the lever opening the hatch below the longboat.

"Ah," Silver sighed as he turned around to see Jim helping Alice untie the boat. He had to chuckle. Those two, he knew they'd end up together in the end. Once Jim and Alice had stood back up, Silver started in on his proposition. "What say yeh two ship out wit' us?"

"Ship out with us!" Morph mimicked transforming into a three cornered hat before falling onto Jim's head and covering his eyes. Alice giggled as Morph waited before floating over to sit on her head a while.

"The three of us! Hawkins, Silver, an' their sidekick the terrible Alice! Full o' ourselves and no ties to anyone," Silver finished in excitement. Alice could see the obvious expectation in the cyborg's offer, but she wasn't ready to throw away a noble future for the life of a rogue pirate.

Jim was the one to take the lead.

"You know," he started, pulling the Morph-hat off of Alice's head and tickling it until it transformed back into Morph. "When I got on this boat, I would've taken you up on that offer in a second, but, uh, I met this old cyborg and he told me I could chart my own course. That's what I'm going to do," Jim concluded, staring out the open hatch far into the starry evening sky. Silver smiled in understanding and turned back to Alice who was trying hard not to get choked up.

"I have a future now, Silver. Jim and I both do. It was a future both of us never thought we'd have until you came along."

"Ah, now don't be like dat, lass. The two o' yeh were doin' just fine without me," Silver replied modestly.

"We're going to miss you, Silver," Alice sniffed, trying to hold back her tears.

"Ahem, now, now, none o' us need ta start cryin' I mean look at yeh! Yer both glowin' like solar fires! Yeh two are something special. I just know yer gonna rattle teh stars you are." By now Jim and Alice couldn't hold back the tears. They both stepped forward and hugged Silver. This time the cyborg didn't hesitate, he wrapped them both in his arms and for a long time they remained like that.

At last Silver cleared his throat.

"Uh, got a bit o' grease in this cyborg eye o' mine," he grunted, turning away to wipe the fresh tears in his own eyes. Alice and Jim shared a knowing smile as they too tried to wipe away their tears.  Morph, who had been hovering about their heads, upon understanding this was goodbye, broke down into open sobs and melted into a pool of water in Jim's hands.

"Ah, hey, Morph, I'll see you around, okay?" he reassured the little guy.

"Yeah, Morph, we'll meet again someday," Alice choked out. Morph looked between the two as he gloomily mimicked Alice's last three words before giving both of their cheeks a sad lick. Silver watched the scene in quiet acknowledgment as Morph floated over to land on his organic hand.

Over the course of the adventure, Morph had proved to be a loyal friend to both Jim and Alice despite his occasional pranks. Silver could see the little blob's obvious attachment, and despite Silver's own affection for his pet, he knew what he had to do. He loved the little fella. He and Morph had been through a lot together from the day Silver had rescued him from Proteus One all the way up to when they first boarded the Legacy, which is why Silver knew this would be no easy task.

"Morphy, I got a job for yeh," he announced, staring at Morph who gave a little squeak. "I need yeh to keep an eye on these here pups," he whispered, repeating the same instructions he had given the protoplasm their first day on the Legacy. Jim and Alice stared at Silver curiously. "Will yeh do me that as a favor?" Silver choked out, trying not to break down again.

Morph had been Silver's best friend when no one else was, and yet he was giving him away. Morph replied by saluting proudly and rubbing against the old pirate's cheek. "Aw," Silver chuckled as Morph then buzzed over to Jim and Alice who laughed and tickled the purring shape shifter.

Perhaps giving Morph up was a mistake, but the old cyborg wanted Jim and Alice to remember him with something when they were up there in the stars and he hoped Morph would be a light for the two of them just like he had been a true friend to Silver all those years. Jim and Alice then stepped back to watch Silver climb into the longboat as the cables began to pull the boat over and above the hatch.

"Oh!" he gasped, remembering something. "One more thing." Jim and Alice's jaws dropped as he reached into his coat pocket and produced a handful of gold and precious gems. "That's for yer dear mother, Jimbo, to rebuild tha' inn o' hers!" Silver laughed, tossing the jewels up to Jim who caught them in amazement.

"We'll never forget you Silver!" Alice called as the longboat began to lower into the sky.

"Oye, Alice, yeh jus' make sure yer new boyfriend stays outta trouble!" Silver laughed when both of their faces colored.

"And you make sure you stay out of trouble, you old scalawag," Jim chuckled.

"Jimbo, lad, when 'ave I ever done otherwise?" he teased right as the cables snapped leaving Jim and Alice to watch Silver take off into the Etherium, his laughter echoing all the way.

They both stood still for a long time, gazing off into the star field beyond. When Alice was sure Silver was gone, she turned to face Jim who still had a smile lingering on his lips.

"I'm going to miss him," he finally sighed, the smile leaving his face.

"I am too," Alice agreed as Morph settled contentedly on her shoulder. "But he'll be okay, and who knows? Maybe someday we'll see him again." That brought the grin back to Jim's face as he turned and looked at her.

"We should probably go tell the Captain he escaped, eh?"

"She won't be happy."

"She can live with it," Jim smiled, taking Alice's hand as the two of them headed back up the stairs onto main deck. It would be early morning before they officially reached Crescentia so Delbert and B.E.N were trying to help clean up while Amelia rested in her stateroom.

"There you two are," Delbert exclaimed upon seeing Jim and Alice coming up the stairs. "The Captain was looking for you two and –" He stopped when he processed where Jim and Alice had just come from. "Where's that blasted pirate Silver, Jim?" Delbert asked, giving him a wary look.

"He escaped," Jim announced. "We went down to the longboat hold and tried to reach him in time, but he was already taking off in the skiff." Delbert seemed to accept the lie given. After all, in the Doctor's mind, it didn't seem plausible Jim would just release a fiend after their near death experiences on Treasure Planet.

"Well, just wait until your mother hears about this adventure, Jim," he cried, changing the subject dramatically. "Of course we may downplay the life threatening parts," he added as an afterthought. Jim and Alice both laughed as the Doctor clapped his hands together. "Well, we're all tired and hungry. I'm going to see what leftover food we can endanger – er – indulge in until we make port tomorrow. If you two could kindly start cleaning up, it would be very appreciated," he smiled, heading down to the galley leaving Jim, Alice, Morph, and B.E.N to help clean off some of the debris.

Morph and B.E.N started on one side of the ship while Alice and Jim began salvaging parts from the destroyed cannon.

"So what does this make us?" Alice suddenly spoke up as she swept more rubble into one of many piles. Jim, who had been pulling piece after mechanical piece from the cannon, looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Now that we kissed…I mean, I've never really kissed anyone," she muttered, her face flushing in embarrassment. Jim chuckled and got to his feet.

"Well, I suppose this makes us a couple."

"But I heard that people can kiss and not actually date."

"You mean a thing?"

"Yes. Is this a thing?"

"Depends on if you want to make it one," Jim shrugged, stepping closer.

"Or is it a fling?" Alice asked.

"What's the difference?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to be a couple?"

"I've never been in a relationship."

"Neither have I." Jim and Alice shared an amused look before Jim stepped forward and pulled Alice into another kiss. It was not as perfect as in her storybooks, that was what Alice noted rather quickly, but despite their awkward, unpracticed kisses, Alice had to agree it was the best feeling she'd ever experienced.

When they both broke apart, they laughed and looked away.

"Alice, would you like to be my girlfriend?" Jim teased, trying to keep the mood light. Alice smiled.

"Yes, yes I would." They were both leaning in for their third kiss when Amelia called them from the helm.

"I'd like a word with the two of you in the galley please," she croaked, shakily making her way below deck. Alice looked at Jim who shrugged as they followed her into the galley where Delbert was beginning to lay out some purps and leftover pigeon pie he'd managed to heat up.

"What is it, Captain?" Jim asked as Delbert helped Amelia take a seat.

"Where is Mr. Silver?"

"Alice and I went down to check the longboat hold, but he'd already gone. He escaped, ma'am," Jim replied, retelling the exact lie he'd told Delbert.

"Blast it!" Amelia hissed as she got to her feet. "I best go send out a message to any authorities in the area."

"No!" Jim suddenly shouted, getting to his feet at once. Delbert, Amelia, and Alice all stared at him speechless.

"Excuse me?" Amelia growled, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Uh-uh-well, uh –" Jim fumbled. Alice got up and put a hand on his shoulder.

"What Jim's trying to say is that we should all take a break before we go hunting for pirates again, besides, Captain, you're injured and should rest. We can take care of it in the morning, even, perhaps after you've recovered from your injuries in the hospital."

"I didn't think Mr. Hawkins was so worried about my health," Amelia said, still giving the two of them a dubious expression.

"You're our Captain, ma'am," Jim added, getting his act under control. "Of course we all care about your health."

"I agree with Jim, Captain. Let your injuries heal before you worry about Silver," Delbert spoke up.

"Nonsense, Doctor, he'll be halfway across the galaxy by that time," she argued, but upon seeing Jim, Alice, and Delbert's unyielding looks she relented. "Very well, but if I ever get my hands on that blasted bucket of bolts, I can assure you, he will be hanged," Amelia snarled.

Jim and Alice's worried look went unnoticed as B.E.N and Morph finally joined them in the galley and all of them enjoyed a warm dinner before deciding to retire for the night. Since B.E.N was a robot and therefore never grew tired, Amelia had assigned him as lookout for the night and set the ship on autopilot, heading in a direct course toward Montressor's spaceport.

As Jim and Alice entered the now vacant crew's quarters (since the pirates were currently spending the night in the brig), Alice couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next.

"Mind if I take the bunk above you?" she asked Jim, motioning to the hammock strung up above his own.

"Sure thing, it's better than Mr. Snuff, that I can safely say," Jim chuckled making Alice smile as she climbed into the hammock over Jim's. The two settled in for the night, but neither of them could sleep.

"Jim?" Alice whispered after a while.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think's going to happen tomorrow, or even the day after that? Do you think your mom will sign those papers?" Jim was silent for a while.

"I think," he began. "I think everything is going to turn out okay from now on."

"What if your mom doesn't like me?" Alice asked nervously, leaning over her hammock and looking down at Jim who stared back up at her with his piercing blue eyes. Even in the dark she saw that half smile spread across his face.

"She's going to love you, Alice."

"What if she doesn't?"

"Hey, trust me on this," Jim whispered, reaching up and taking her hand. "Everything's going to be okay, you'll see." Alice smiled.

"Thanks, Jim, for everything."

"You're welcome, and thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything," Jim smirked making Alice giggle.

"It's the end of an incredible journey isn't it?" she sighed, letting go of Jim's hand and rolling onto her back.

"Nah, it's a whole new beginning."

"Like the first page in a fairytale," Alice breathed, her eyes slipping closed as exhaustion finally overtook her. And although Alice had already fallen asleep, Jim still silently agreed.

"Like a fairytale."