Billy Jukes, Lost Boy continued.
The scrap with Peter and the Lost Boys over Hook commanded the crew return to the long-boats. Not a word passed between Mullins and Jukes - Robert was trying to come up with a good way to say "thank you for saving my life" and Billy was just pleased everything had worked out okay. He had even made a friend in Slightly which made it a pretty exceptional day.
Once back on board the crew were surprised to be given the order to line up, but they did so. No one fought with Hook, it wasn't worth it, as many of their long-dead crew-mates would testify - if they could.
In a voice dripping with honey Hook told Mullins and Jukes to step forward.
"So, today two of my valuable crew-members decided to jump ship, to leave without my express permission. By rights I should hang the two of you by the yard-arm. Robert Mullins, let's hear your excuses first," he ordered.
"Well ummm...yes Captain Sir! I was sick with that Neverfever stuff, I would never intentionally leave the Roger!"
"And you are feeling better now Robert? Able to resume all your piracy duties?" Hook's voice was calm but something made Mullins feel uneasy. This was going somewhere bad, he just knew it.
"Yes Captain, back to 100 percent health and strength".
"I'm so glad, so very glad. And what about you Jukes? What is your poor excuse?"
The cabin boy took a deep breath before facing up to his Captain.
"Sir, I only left to help Robert. I planned to return once he was well, but he couldn't of been left on his own with that illness."
"Mr Jukes, I gave express orders for you not to leave the ship yet you purposely disobeyed me! With no illness as an excuse for your actions I'm afraid some form of punishment is in order!"
Robert and Billy gaped at their Captain. It was Alf Mason who spoke up,
"Begging your pardon Captain but the lad was only trying to help Mullins. He was being a good shipmate - like he's been taught".
"Good point Mr Mason. In light of that opinion I am willing to reduce the punishment from hanging to 3 strikes of the Cat. However I am weary and as Mr Mullins here has reassured me he is back to top form I think I will let him deliver the blows. I'll just take a seat and watch."
"No! I won't do it - you can't make me hurt him because he helped me!" Robert was shocked to his core, he was unable to hurt the boy he secretly thought of as his son at the best of times. And now he owed him his life. Hitting him with the cat-o-nine-tails was unthinkable.
"You disobey me Robert Mullins?" Hook purred.
"Yes Captain, I do".
"Fine then, we'll make it 4 strokes of the Cat. Please get started - it's nearly dinner time and I grow hungry."
"Four?" whispered Robert, who was truly beginning to think he was trapped in some horrendous nightmare.
"Four! Unless you feel like arguing some more, as it can always be five."
Robert felt a hand on his arm and turned to look at his young friend.
"It doesn't matter Robert, and it's only going to get worse. Let's just get it over and done with." Billy started shrugging off his top and headed for the mast so at least he had something to brace himself against.
"At least one of you has the sense to know when he's beaten...or about to be," said Hook laughing at his own joke. He threw the Cat to Robert who caught it and stared helplessly at the smooth dark skin on Billy's back.
"I can't. I just can't."
Again Mason spoke up, moving across the deck towards Jukes as he did so.
"Get it over quickly shipmate," he called over his shoulder to Robert. He knelt on the opposite side of the mast to Jukes and placed his large, calloused hands over Billy's.
"Keep your eyes on me lad and be strong. You are such a good kid."
Billy gave Alf a small smile and closed his eyes as he heard Robert taking up position behind him.
4 times the Cat flew through the air and flayed Billy's back. He whimpered and sobbed quietly but tried to ensure he wasn't loud enough for Robert to hear. This needed to be over, and who knew what their Captain would do if Robert stopped to argue again.
After the fourth stroke Alf simply picked him up, threw him over his shoulder and raced him into the crew quarters - the world slowly dimmed as unconsciousness took over and removed the pain for just a little while.
Back on deck Robert knelt on the wooden planks. Unable to look up and choking on his own cries he barely registered the sound of his Captain approaching.
"So that is the value of friendship with Robert Mullins. The one person in this world who cared whether you lived or died today risked everything for you, and at a word from me you took the skin of his back. No wonder you are so alone. Good night".
Hook headed to his cabin, trailed by the Bo'sun, and Robert simply lay down emotionally, physically and mentally drained - and unable to bring himself to find the child who was no doubt in agony somewhere in the bowels of the ship.