Man, this story got some reviews FAST! …Yays!

Reviewer Thanks

Welsh Gem: Thank you. I hope it continues well throughout the story.

SweetAngel1183: Thanks so much! And, of course, I plan to continue.

EventHorizon6: Yes! First chapter, and already I got you hooked! :D I thought about including Natalie, but I knew it would make no sense, like you said- it was a tempting idea, but no. Plus, this story isn't going to involve romance… maybe.

Amalimrock: I love striking others' curiosity. I'm glad you like the prologue structure- I always thought that, if they made a sequel, what it would be like, and having Jim narrate the beginning came to mind. …Actually, if you check the special features and go to "Alternate beginning", it kind of starts off with that idea. No lie.

Bold print will be Jim's narration.

Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet.

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I believe it was two weeks after I graduated from the Interstellar Academy, when my problems had started, and they began at the one place every single problem I've ever experienced emerged: home.

The early-morning sun rose over the hills of the small mining planet of Montressor, pushing away the shadows of the night and spreading light along the small town, mostly hitting the Benbow Inn and filtering through the windows, shining light into a dark room and slowly moving toward a sleeping figure in his bed. When the sunlight hit his face, he pulled the blanket over his head, deciding to sleep in a little longer…

*BAM!* The bedroom door swung open, and standing there was none other than the talkative robot, BEN, accompanied by that shape-shifting protoplasm, Morph.

"Rise and shine, Jimmy!" BEN exclaimed, stepping into the room. "Time to get up!"

"Time to get up! Time to get up!" Morph repeated.

Jim only grumbled, curling up tighter under his blankets. Knowing it was going to take more than BEN's jabbering to get him out of bed, Morph floated over his head and changed into an alarm clock, with the little hand on the 5 and the big hand just 3 notches away from the 12. Then 2... Then 1... Then…

*RIIIIIIIIIIIING!*

"Whoa! HEY!" Jim shouted, sitting up in his bed quickly, finding out how close he was to the edge and fell to the floor with a *thud!*. He sat up, then grabbed Morph (still in his clock form) and shook him. "Can't you guys let me sleep in for once?" Morph changed back to his regular form, then flew up and licked Jim's face.

"But Jimmy, today's the most important day of your life!" BEN said happily. "The day you finally sail the Etherium on another thrilling adventure!"

Jim sneered at BEN, shaking his head. Ever since he graduated, the robot was eager for him to sail the Etherium again, though Jim told him he wanted to stay at home for a couple of weeks to help his mother with the Inn and to make sure things were going smoothly. After all, ever since he returned from his Treasure Planet voyage, he wanted to make sure his mother would be able to run the place without having to deal with any more problems, like she had to before.

Of course, BEN didn't forget his statement, and now- exactly two weeks later- he was excited to explore the galaxy once again with his 'best buddy'. "Not today, BEN." Jim sighed, rubbing the side of his face. "I still need to help my mom."

"You said that two weeks ago," BEN whined, then turned optimistic. "Besides, I'll be around to help her while you're gone!"

Jim gave BEN a critical look. "No offense, BEN, but you're not really too coordinated to help my mother run the Inn."

"What are you talking about? I'm the most helpful guy she knows!"

Jim scoffed. "Yeah, I've seen you 'help'." …And by 'help', he meant BEN breaking, spilling, or burning something, being distracted by his own endless conversations, and causing a mess.

BEN sneered. "I'll have you know, I'm the most coordinated robot who's ever-" he swung his arms out, gesturing to prove his point, and ended up knocking a picture off of Jim's dresser. "…Oops."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Exactly." With that, he walked past BEN, grabbing a towel and some clean clothes, heading toward the bathroom.

BEN looked at Morph, who was stifling a laugh. "I AM very coordinated, you know." Morph only giggled at him in response.

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After a shower and a quick change of clothes, Jim went downstairs to the kitchen, tying an apron around his waist and stepping out into the dining area to help his mother, Sarah, take care of the Inn patrons…

…only to see her standing at a table, laughing with a man with black hair (a bit of gray on the sides), a slightly large cleft chin, broad shoulders, wearing a snazzy suit and tie. His name was Clifford Tides, a business tycoon let alone the manager of the mining corporation, a regular customer at the Inn…

…and Sarah's beau, much to Jim's displeasure. Sure, he was happy that his mother was dating again, having forgotten about his real father leaving them long ago, but he couldn't stand Tides- they didn't see eye-to-eye, and Jim new at first-glance that the man didn't like him. Why, he didn't know- the way Tides looked at him just sent the message that they weren't going to be getting along so well.

He grabbed an empty tub and began to clear a table, watching his mother talk to Tides. She seemed so happy around him- more happy than Jim had ever seen her since his father left, save the time when she met Jim at the spaceport after his Treasure Planet journey, and that's all that mattered. "…wondering if you'd like to go out for dinner sometime," Jim heard Tides ask his mother.

Jim had his back to them, and he flinched a little. Please say 'no', please say 'no', he thought.

"That sounds nice," came Sarah's reply, and Jim sneered, mentally gagging as he continued to clear off the table, a bit more roughly. "But…"

He froze, slightly glancing over his shoulder at his mother. "But… what?" Tides asked, taken by surprise.

"Well, I promised a friend I'd join him and his family for dinner tonight, already. Maybe tomorrow night."

"Ah, sure thing, Sarah." Tides stood up, smiling, then looked at his watch. "Ooh, I'd better get to work!" he then grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I'll see you during my lunch break." He chuckled flirtatiously, then walked out.

He passed by Jim, and for a split-second both of them made eye-contact- slightly glaring at each other- then he was out the door. Jim carried on with his own business, ignoring the sudden disgust he felt for the man.

He knew for SURE they weren't going to get along.

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Later that evening, Jim and Sarah rode a carriage to the Doppler residence. "So… I see that Tides came in again today," Jim said, deciding to start a conversation.

"Yes, he did. He always comes in for breakfast and lunch, remember?" Sarah replied, slightly blushing as she smiled. "Sometimes, I think he just comes in to see me."

Like I don't know that already, Jim thought bitterly. Tides has been coming in since we re-opened, and hasn't left us alone since! …No, he hasn't left MOM alone.

"What do you think of him?"

"Huh?" Jim asked, missing his mother's question.

"What do you think of him? I mean, he seems kind of nice, don't you think?"

"Oh, I think he's great!" BEN exclaimed, before Jim could answer. He was sitting next to Sarah in the carriage, hanging on to the reigns that steered their slughorse. "He always eats anything I cook, he leaves me great tips…"

As BEN rambled on, Jim looked out the side of the cart, watching the sun set. Morph sat on his shoulder, looking at him curiously, wondering why his young-master seemed so down. Sarah noticed his expression too, and opened her mouth to say something, but BEN cut her off.

"…And he ALWAYS compliments my desserts!"

"BEN, please." Sarah said, calmly yet sternly, then faced Jim. "So… what do YOU think of him, Jim?"

Jim was about to reply, until BEN pulled the carriage to a sudden stop, making them jerk forward. "Here we are! The Doppler residence!"

Jim and Sarah sat back up, then climbed off the carriage, and the small family walked toward Delbert and Amelia's household. "I haven't seen Delbert or Amelia since our celebration," Sarah said. "I wonder how they've been doing…"

"Well, they've got four kids, so they probably have their hands full." Jim replied.

"Oh, c'mon, Jimmy! How hard could it be to take care of four kids?" BEN chuckled.

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A/N: Sorry if this story got off to a bad start. I was struck with the idea of what would happen if Sarah started dating another man, and decided to open it with that. Tell me what you think!

Please review. I accept constructive criticism.