A/N: I know the facts are completely off. This is just a bit of fun.


~o~O~o~


With the money given to him by Captain Silver, Jim Hawkins had had enough to purchase a modest houseboat for he and his mother, and just enough left over to live on. A houseboat gave them freedom. No one could easily take it from them, save God, and it allowed Jim's newfound sense of adventure to be indulged.

Jim thought often of Silver, but no grand scheme appeared to warrant his calling on the man. Jim knew he deserved a break and would wait for something more pressing to occur before forcing Silver from his wife's arms. In the meantime, he knew adventure could be found in much milder ways.

Jim had told his mother of the man he'd encountered on the island of treasure, Ben Gunn, and she'd granted the boy permission to search for him. "No man should be left alone when there is even the slightest of want to return home," she'd said.

And so Jim set forth on another voyage to the island that housed many ghosts on its blood stained sands. After learning the location of Ben's palace the last time on the island, it did not prove difficult to find the man they sought. Jim crept up on Gunn lying in a hammock, Parmesan cheese wrapper still clutched tightly in his hand. The faithful man broke down in tears upon seeing Jim and looked in wonder on seeing Meg. It was hard enough to live without seeing another man, let alone a woman.

Had he not remembered Gunn's fondness for heaven, Jim might not have as easily enticed him to return to the land in which cheese could be easily bought or made.

The journey home was spent in idle worship of the sea.

~oOo~

Meg and Jim thought it would be best to ease Ben's re-entrance into civilization. In reaching inhabited land, they secured their boathouse near a shoreline which contained a small cave; deserted and ideal.

Ben seemed happy, deliriously so. He spent his days eating only cheese and bread, and in gaining weight, came to be in greater health. Meg made salves for his abused skin, fitted him in new clothing and cared for him as well as she could. She tried for months to aid in the release of his inner demons, mostly without avail. One thing she had managed to sway, even if only a little, was his twisted idea of goats. She told him they were not the devil in any way shape or form, only more of God's children. When this revelation lead to tears over lost life, she told him God had placed them on the island so that he might prosper. When he continued to be troubled, she confessed that the goats of the island might have indeed had a bit of the devil in them, but only they, so it was good he rid the world of them.

Jim noticed his mother was becoming more and more fond of Ben, and he her, but thought nothing of it only joy. Until one day when he was confronted by Ben, who leapt out from behind a ledge as Jim made his way to leave.

"Jim, I gotta talk with ya."

"Can't it wait? I need to go to town."

"No. It's important, and I'd better say it now while I got the courage."

"Fine, but I cannot talk long. What is it?"

"I wanna court your ma."

Jim couldn't help but laugh. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm in love with her. An' I wanna ask your permissin' like a proper Christian gen'leman."

"Ben, you don't mean it." All of Jim's merriment had left by now. "You haven't seen a woman for a long time is all. I suppose I can understand why you might think yourself in love."

"I know this is love, Mr. Hawkins. It is." Ben acted thoroughly offended. "Now, please, I want your consent."

"You need to think this over before you do anything rash." Jim patted the wild man's shoulder and turned to leave.

"I been out, Jim, I has. When you is asleep, Ben sometimes goes out on the town. He does. He seen plenty of women 'round and don't love, nor want none of them."

"You go out on the town? I do hope you haven't caused any trouble."

"No. I have not. You need not worry. Go on to town, Master Hawkins, I'll bother you no further." Ben looked solemnly to the ground and returned to the shore.

Light-headed and upset, Ben seated himself in a shaded area at the edge of land where grains of sand met green and lush grass. He'd tried to be civil, and granted, it was strange to ask a boy if he could court his mother, but he had no one else to ask.

He closed his eyes before reaching into his pocket to remove his Bible. He'd just started reading, when he heard Meg's voice behind him, asking if he wanted some tea.

~oOo~

Spreading a cloth on the sand, Meg placed a teapot, two mismatched cups, and a plate of sliced cheese in front of them and seated herself. Sighing, she looked towards Ben, and in noticing his upset, asked what was bothering him. "Nothing," was his reply.

"I saw you talking to Jim. Did he say something to upset you?" She looked to the kettle as she poured, trying not to unnerve him.

"He didn't mean to upset me. He's just trying to help. I guess."

"With what?"

"Nothing."

Meg, knowing it would be fruitless, didn't press any further. She leaned against a tree, looking out to the beckoning water, crossing her arms.

"Ma'am, was you ever in love?" Ben asked, timidly.

Meg was taken aback by the randomness of the question, but in facing him answered with the truth. "Yes. I loved Jim's father very much. Why?"

"Just wonder what it's like. Do you think you could ever fall in love again?"

"I-I don't know. I've not really given thought to new romance. Even if I were foolish enough to hope for love, I have nothing to offer, no property or money. Let alone the fact that most men want younger brides."

"But you're beaut-i-ful!" Ben exclaimed.

Meg silently chuckled into her teacup. "Thank you, Mr. Gunn, for being so kind."

"Kindness ain't got nothing to do with it. I'm telling the truth, 'less my eyes deceive me."

Meg laughed again, quite foolishly, and in catching herself stopped.

"What's wrong?" Ben asked, genuinely shocked, and leaned forward on his knees.

"I'm being silly, letting your flattery go to my head. I'm sorry, I know you speak out of the purity of your heart, but I will not have you torment me so."

"Torment you?! How am I doin' that?"

"Think no more of it," she said, raising in haste toward the sea. Ben carelessly set aside his tea and ran after her. "Please, ma'am, don't be angry with Ben. He din't mean no harm." He followed her footfalls in the same urgency as she, looking to her mouth and downcast eyes. "Ma'am, Mrs. Hawkins, I was only askin' them questions 'cause I -I have feelins for you, I do," he continued, as if possessed.

"You do not!" she shouted contemptuously, turning as if to look straight through him.

"I love you!" he shouted in return. Meg stopped in her steps. He stopped with her and studied her unreadable face, awaiting an answer before she, impassioned, took hold of his face and kissed him with so much force he thought he might fall to the ground. "Do you still?" she asked, breathlessly, pulling away only so that she might see his reaction.

"Yes," he answered, trembling. She kissed him again and again until he was enveloped in her.

~oOo~

Jim came home several hours later, carrying with him a small box of candles. He stepped from out of the clearing and into the shadows of the cave, finding his mother and Ben Gunn seated inside, lit only by a candelabra swinging in the breeze overhead. They were both on the same stone, very close together. "Hello, Jim," Meg called out. Jim noticed a change in her mood from sound of her voice alone. "We're getting a cow."

"What?"

"To make it easier for Ben to have his heaven."

Jim looked to Ben, who in turn was looking at Meg, a crooked smile on his face. Jim, realizing in terror that Ben still meant to declare his love, hurried to speak, but was silenced by Meg's words instead. "Ben has told me he loves me."

"I asked him to wait," Ben replied, weakly, as if apologizing.

"Whatever for?"

"I didn't think you would want to hear proclamations of love so early from one you know so little about."

"I have known Ben months now. And when it comes to love, it is hardly ever too early."

"You mean to tell me you return his feelings?"

"She does, Jim, she does!" Ben couldn't contain himself as he grasped her hand.

"Yes," she giggled in her high voice, contented.

"But - but what about -" Jim wanted to ask what his mother was thinking wanting to be with a madman, but thought better of it, since the madman sat beside her.

"Jim, you know how I begged you to refrain from searching for even a single coin when we went to collect Ben? The reason being is that I knew you could later call on Silver to aid in your search. You've spoken often of your desire to see him again. Even when you did not fully know it, the want released itself from the confines of your breast. I know it will do you good to be with him. Fulfilling the thrill you seek. Despite all his faults, you have spoken of him with high regard. If you care so for him, how can you not want him to be granted the share of gold he deserves? Giving some to him, you could at the same time bring home just enough for Ben and myself to live on. You are almost a man, and I want you to further build your knowledge of the sea, make well with Silver, and perhaps find your calling in life."

Meg could see displeasure etched in his features. "You are almost old enough to be on your own, please do not let happiness escape me because of doubt."

"I won't, mother. If you and Ben want to be together, I will not interfere. You are right, I do long to sail with Silver." He looked to Ben who looked rather saddened. "Worry not Ben. You have my consent."


~o~O~o~