Declined Partnership

Hey everybody. I am so sorry for the VERY long wait. I actually did write chapter two a while ago, but I didn't like it, so I decided to rewrite it. I think this chapter is much better than my first try. I hope you guys think so as well.

Enjoy!

My head hurt... So does my arm... My whole body is burning... Ouch! I shouldn't had moved... That really hurts... What happened? Why am I in so much pain...? I can hear voices... Wait... I know that voice! It couldn't be, could it...?

I weakly opened my eyes, a mixture of colours came into view, blurred together like a rainbow. The sight was seriously beginning to give me a head ache. I couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips as I attempted to shield the brightness away with my organic arm.

"I see you're finally awake, Silver," a familiar voice spoke.

I knew that voice anywhere. But I prayed it wasn't the person that I was thinking of. Hopefully it was just somebody who sounded like him. Please let me be right.

I lifted my head, my gaze focusing on a blurry image beside my bed. As soon as my vision cleared, I directed a glare at the person.

"Edward Thatch..."

The man smiled at me. "Come on, Silver. You know I changed it to Blackbead." His friendliness made me sick to my stomach, I felt like puking all over him. But that wasn't how men dealt with their problems.

"Why do ya t'ink I called ya t'at?" My voice was bitter and I knew it. But I wasn't going to hide my anger. I wanted him to know and feel my fury.

"Oh, come on, Silver. Don't be like that." Edward began pouring liquid into a small glass. Before the smell reached my nostrils, I already knew what it was just by the color.

Rum...

I scanned my surroundings and realized this was definitely not my ship. The crew's quarter was twice the size of mine and I only had two hammocks. Oh wait... My ship was shot down... Now I remember... So that's why I was in so much pain... Guess it made sense.

"Where am I?" I asked, looking back at him to see he was already returning the gaze, offering me the glass of rum.

"My ship. The Navy shot down your small ship. If I hadn't stepped in, you would of died."

"I rather 'ad died t'an 'ave ya save me." I smacked the hand away from my face, watching as the glass smashed to the floor with a loud crack, the liquid filling the floor.

"Come on, Silver. You're not still mad about what happened in the past?" To my disgust, Edward still held that friendly smile. I wanted to punch him just to wipe it off his face.

"I was almost arrested because of ya!" I shouted, feeling my blood beginning to boil. I was pretty sure my cyborg eye was flashing red by now.

"It was thirty years ago." His calm voice only added to my fury.

"Thirty or three hundred, it doesn't matter. The point is ye left me."

"I've changed since then and I know you have too." Edward reached behind him, bringing an old crippled up newspaper into view. I flicked my gaze between him and the newspaper, unsure of what he was getting at.

"What are ya talking about?" I asked, tensing up.

"Well, I don't remember seeing anybody on the ship with you, and every pirate needs a crew, right?" I didn't like that mischievous look in his eyes. That could only mean trouble.

"I ain't a pirate no more. I gave up t'at life two years ago."

For Jimbo...

But I wasn't about to give him that piece of information. If I knew him, then he would surely use it to his advantage

"Oh, right. I heard about your Treasure Planet adventure."

I was so shocked that I chocked on air. I thought he would be too busy to pay attention to such things. But I guess if it involved treasure, he's all over it.

"W'ere did ye hear that?"

"It was in the newspaper." Edward Shrugged, showing me the newspaper article. "If I remember correctly, you planned a mutiny on that ship."

I didn't answer back straight away, I simply just stared at the picture, biting my lip to stop the smile that was threatening to form. The picture was of Jim, awkwardly smiling at the camera. Obviously he was nervously, probably about being in the newspaper. Little Morph sat on his shoulders.

Wait... Was I smiling? I hope Edware didn't see it...

"That's right..." I finally replied, looking off to the side to avoid his piecing gaze.

"But you didn't get any of the treasure?"

"The planet blew up." I tried to give him as little information as I possibly could. Trying to lure him away from Jim.

"Right, right... I also remember reading about that cabin boy. What was his name again? Jim Hawkins?"

I couldn't answer... I refused to answer... Did he know about my bond with the boy? Did he knew where Jim lived? Edward wanted something from me, I had a feeling he did. Why else would he had brought up Treasure Planet and Jimbo?

"How is it that your entire crew were hung, but you managed to escape? Did that boy have anything to do with this?"

"T'at is none o' ye business." I stumbled to my feet, ignoring the agonizing pain that shot through me like a knife. I only hoped it wasn't too obvious.

"Well, from what I've heard, you and this kid were very close during this voyage." Edware held a thoughtful finger to his chin, and I hated that smug look he gave me. "Maybe a bit too close..."

"He was th' cabin boy and I was th' cook. We were forced ta spend our days together, but t'at doesn't mean I liked t'at boy." There I go again, lying about how much I truly cared for him. Wasn't that what angered Jim in the first place? Good thing he wasn't in hearing range this time.

"So you're telling me that you never spent every waking moment with the kid because you cared for him?" He sounded unconvinced, I had to think of something and fast. I can't let Edward know what Jim meant to me.

"O' course! I wouldn't care fer a child!"

"I was hoping you'd say that?" A smirk ran across his face and I instantly regretted my words. I nervously watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold piece. I suspiciously eyed the object. "This is part of a map. I found it a year ago, but it's completely useless without the other half."

"Do ye not know where the other half is?" I asked, flicking my gaze back to him.

"Of course." I didn't like that evil glint in his eyes. "Your cabin boy has it..."

I almost fainted at those words. Jimbo? Jimbo had the very treasure Edward was after? But... How? Why? When? No, wait... Edward might just be stirring me. There is no way Jim has this medallion.

"How do ye know, Jimb- Ah, this boy has it?" I hoped he didn't notice my slip up. I was so used to calling Jim by that nickname, it's became a bad habit.

"Because I saw it..." Edware held the newspaper up to my eye level, allowing me to get a better view of it. "Look what's hanging around the boy's neck."

I obeyed and looked at that spot, my eyes widened as I noticed a familiar object hanging from his neck. The same object that was in our possessions. Wait... Our? I never said that I was going through with this. I gave up the life of a pirate for a reason... Because I didn't want to set a bad example for the young lad. He deserved a father who wasn't a criminal. I might not be his father by blood, but I was by heart.

"So, Silver... What do you say? Do you want to help me snatch that medallion from the boy?"

I already knew my answer. There was no way that I was going to disturb that lad's life just to made Edward happy. I cared for Jimbo and that was the only reason I needed.

"Sorry, Edward. But ye goin' ta 'ave ta find yeself another partner because I ain't a pirate no more."

For the first time, his face fell and was replaced with a scowl. "You're going to regret not helping me, Silver..."

"I don't thnk I will." Mock was obvious in my voice and I think that only angered him even more. But it was about time he knew how I felt. "Now, I suggest ye forget 'bout t'is treasure because t'ere ain't no why ye can find t'at boy. Who knows where he is." I knew... He was at the Adcademy, but I wasn't going to tell him that.

As I spoke, I noticed Edward's hand clenched into a fist, his hair cast a shadow over his down cast eyes. I figured this was the best time to make my escape so I slipped out the door, trying desperately to ignore the pain in my ribs. I'm sure it's just bruised, nothing to fret over. I've been through worse.

I found the Hangar Bay with ease, untying a long boat and jumping inside. I pressed a few buttons and dropped out of the hatched.

I turned back to stare at the large ship, watching as it drifted further and further away until disappearing into the distance. I knew that Edward would never find Jim, but I couldn't help the worry feeling that came over me. Edward was persistent, and I knew it, he wouldn't stop until he found the boy.

If he found the boy.

I could only hope Jimbo would be safe. I really do...

So there you have it, chapter two is finished. Please leave a review and tell me if you like the story so far. I honestly just want to skip to when Jim comes into the story, but just like you guys, I have to be patient and wait.