TO HELP A RAGING VOYAGER SPIRIT

Chapter 3: Síofra

A/N: The name Síofra is an Irish name and is pronounced, Shee-fra.

The Voyagers and David toppled into prickly underbrush and leaped out before they were cut and scraped. Phineas inspected the surroundings and was relieved to see a fresh water riverbed nearby. It was a very cloudy afternoon with a dusting of snow on the ground. They'd landed in a small wooded area near a long and winding dirt road. About a mile down Phineas spied an enormous, picturesque Victorian home with the facade of a countryside hotel.

David crept nearer to Jeffrey and checked him over. Jeffrey was still weak and dizzy, and his skin was hot. However, his breathing was steady. David picked Jeffrey up and rushed him to the edge of the stream before Phineas could take him. He tasted the water, and deciding it was clean, patted Jeffrey's face to cool him down. He cupped water into his hands and put them to Jeffrey's mouth. The boy slurped it greedily.

"Where…where's Bogg? Where are we?"

"I'm right here, kid. Don't worry." Phineas darted over. He brushed leaves, ash, and dirt off his clothes and hair. "David saved your life out there, I almost forgot what to do." He winced.

Phineas faulted himself. In his desperate attempt to shield Jeffrey from the smoke and ashes and protect him from the Hulk, he'd nearly smothered him. Jeffrey didn't realize it. Phineas rubbed his eyes before they could see his tears.

Jeffrey's strength returned and he sat up, able to drink the water for himself. David smiled, knowing Jeffrey would have a full recovery. David rubbed his arms and shoulders. He still felt the dirt on his body and leaned over to wash himself. Phineas sat back and massaged his neck. The tension knot at last subsided. He opened the omni, happy to see the green light.

"Ireland, January 10th 1885. We're okay for now…um…how are you doing, David?" Phineas asked.

"I feel fine…just very cold and very…confused." David stood up to clean what was left of his shredded pants. "How in the world did we get here…and on the beach in Hawaii? What is that in your hand, some kind of transporter? This is unbelievable!" He paced to keep warm.

Phineas removed his vest and offered it to David. He put it on grateful.

"I don't think it's any more unbelievable than me and Jeff watching you turn into a green giant! That's what the Klan man meant when he said something about a… green demon wasn't it?"

"It's not a demon…but sometimes I feel cursed by his existence. It's something that happens, a change, a metamorphosis due to a scientific experiment gone wrong."

"I had a feeling it was like that, I've traveled the world hundreds of times over throughout the centuries and I've never seen anything like it. I've yet to see any real magic of that sort." Phineas admitted.

David blew into his hands and rubbed them together, stopping to observe the Voyagers for the first time. Jeffrey resembled any ordinary boy from his era with a striped shirt, brown jeans and the reliable Nike sneakers that he'd often wore. David tried to recall where he'd seen the boy, and then it hit him – Hawaii, 1979, during those wonderful few weeks he'd spent with Caroline. He wanted to talk with him later.

Jeffrey's guardian was a different story. Phineas was dressed in pirate fashion but his outfit had all the trappings of a thirties swashbuckler movie and he was just as clean cut as any modern day man. There was nothing remarkable about the travelers, save that the pirate was exceptionally handsome. The key to their unusual power lay in the brass compass clipped to Phineas' belt.

"Tell me about that brass compass. What does it do exactly?" David asked.

"It's called an omni. It's a time-travel device."

David was startled. "No wonder I feel like I've traveled the world."

Phineas allowed him to examine the globe and dials. David marveled at its design.

"This is like something out of Jules Verne or H.G Wells! How does it work exactly?"

"Well, you see it…"

Jeffrey, having satisfied his thirst, approached them. He felt badly for David, who was still only half dressed and had no shoes. He figured David was no stranger to being in that condition because of the creature. The man had an assured peacefulness, which was unfortunately marred by the creature's rages. Phineas looked at his partner and tousled his hair. He hugged Jeffrey to his side.

"You know what, why don't we get to that home down the road and then continue this discussion? I definitely need to relax, you needs some clothing, and Jeff's worn out…"

"And starving, Bogg!"

"That goes without saying, kid." Phineas smiled.

"All right, Phineas, you're in charge here, please lead the way." David announced, hopping from foot to foot.

The trio walked briskly. Phineas sensed Jeffrey's fatigue and picked him up. Jeffrey rested his head on Phineas' shoulder, and closed his eyes. He tried to ignore the frigid air hitting his face.

"Jeffrey calls you 'Bogg.' What's your full name again?" David inquired.

"Phineas Bogg, he's Jeffrey Jones and you're...?"

"David…Banner…I'm Doctor David Banner." He stuttered. It was no sense giving a false name to the Voyagers. They both knew his secret and he saw no harm in telling them. In 1885 the Banners were just building up their farmland in Colorado.

Phineas adjusted Jeffrey's position in his arms; the boy grew bigger by the month. He was about to ask David for the year that they'd landed in the swamp, when a shrill scream and crash of splintered wood broke the stillness. They swung around to see a large wagon overturned with bundles and foodstuffs scattered everywhere. A young woman lay on the ground, trembling.

"Oh no! Please help me!"

Phineas put Jeffrey down and sprinted over. He slid close and grasped her arm. Her head was down and her face was obscured by a wild mane of red curls. When she finally met his gaze, Phineas smiled. She was a very pretty, fair skinned woman with high cheekbones and startling ice-blue eyes. Her eyes crinkled and she her smile was charming and wide. Her cheeks flushed from cold and embarrassment. Phineas' heart thudded. Phineas rose with her, keeping her steady until she found her footing. She waved her hands and tried to smooth her flyaway hair.

"Oh gosh! I can't believe how clumsy I am! I'm so close to home and now an accident happens! One moment I'm driving the wagon at full speed and the next, I'm sitting in the dirt...that's my fault for rushin, 'I never did get a handle on this monster...oh ouch!" She rattled on; She spoke English, with small hints of the Irish brogue.

David and Jeffrey came around from inspecting the damaged wagon and David was now very conscious of his half-naked state. He folded his arms and noticed her pained face as she wiped dirt from a wound on her arm. He approached to examine it.

"I imagine you'll have a few scrapes and bruises. Don't blame yourself for this accident. I highly doubt you caused the wagon wheel to come loose."

The woman nodded and shoved past them. She immediately pulled a brown wool blanket from the back of the wagon.

"I donna know what mess you got yourself into, sir, but please take this and warm up. My name is Síofra Kelly; I was on my way back from the village to my uncle's hotel up the road."

David took advantage of the situation and gestured to his companions. "Please, Miss Kelly, let us help you get your wagon in working order and maybe you can take us there. My name's David and these are…my nephews, Phineas and Jeffrey. We're in great need of a place to stay…just for a night." He implored her.

Síofra stared compassionately at the weary travelers. "Of course you may. You will be my guests. It's funny, for a family you all look nothing alike!"

Phineas grunted with laughter, it was the first time anyone had taken real notice of that fact. He watched amused as David fumbled for an excuse, then Jeffrey jumped in.

"We're from New York! Uhh…you know, lots of immigrants of all kinds, my mom's Italian and Phineas'…dad…married a Norwegian woman…uncle David's…English…American though."

"Of course! New York is the melting pot! It's supposed to be the golden land of the huddled masses trying to make a life in the new world. If you're wondering, I'm from Canada…well my family migrated out there after the great Potato Famine. I miss my siblings, especially my little brother James...he has such a quiet wit and the Irish gift for gab! My parents thought it would be good for me to see the homeland, so here I am. I don't regret leaving, I don't know if I want to go back. Canada is beautiful but it's so tranquil and peaceful here too. Oh, will you listen to me? I'm babbling on while you're frozen! I'll make sure you get a change of clothes and something to eat, but first things first!"

She sprinted over to the wagon and bent down to push it up. Phineas hurried beside her.

"No, Síofra, let us handle this. You gather your packages and bundles. I don't want you to strain yourself…" Phineas took her smooth hands into his and stroked them with his thumbs. "Or hurt your delicate hands."

"Oh, they're not so delicate…I make sure to do my share of the work around here."

"Yes they are, you're a delicate looking woman."

"Appearances can be deceiving, Phineas…" She trailed off, and they gazed intently at one another.

"Perhaps I'll find out…" Phineas murmured.

Jeffrey rolled his eyes toward David. "You see what I have to put up with on every voyage?"

David chuckled and pushed against the wagon. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. I imagine you fellas get around, well at least him. Just tell Don Juan Bogg I think my feet are getting frostbitten."

"Oh Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo? Whilst thou help us lift this wagon before we become popsicles!" Jeffrey called out annoyed.

Phineas sighed and patted Síofra arm. "You get your things together, I need to straighten things out over there with my little…precious…cousin!" He mustered through gritted teeth.

Síofra laughed and didn't argue. Phineas put his back to the side of the wagon and heaved it up with all his strength, glaring at Jeffrey.

"Do ya mind? I haven't had a real conversation with a woman since we left Greece! That was what, two months ago?"

"Big deal! Do you mind? Or should we let David become an ice cube? And I'm sorry, but that Greek woman didn't understand a word you said! You couldn't even understand her! The omni's language translator malfunctioned, remember?"

Phineas narrowed his eyes and then sighed again. "There are some expressions in life that don't need translating, Jeff. I'm sorry, David, Jeffrey has a smart mouth! What can I say? It was all Greek to me!"

"I knew that one was coming." Jeffrey groaned and David laughed.

"Okay, enough jokes, We'll get this thing moving…everyone push a little harder!" Phineas ordered.

"I think now would be a great time for that creature to come back, David. He'd lift this up with his pinky!" Jeffrey whispered, struggling.

"Believe me, the creature has no place here and I'm going to make sure he doesn't…I mean…I don't transform."

Within the next fifteen minutes the wagon was set upright. Phineas insisted David stay inside to warm himself. He tightened the wheels while Jeffrey helped Síofra reload her packages. Phineas took control of the driving until they pulled up to the main path of the hotel. David stopped Síofra before she could run inside.

"I don't think it would be appropriate for me to walk through the entrance like this. It'd make a very bad impression with your guests and uncle's business. Just direct me to a barn…any place that's a little warmth."

Síofra held his hand softly. "Don't you worry about a thing, David. I know how to deal with uncle Sean. You'll be getting one of the finest rooms in the place." She glanced fondly at Phineas and he blushed.

"You all helped me a great deal. The Kellys don't shut the door on those in need and we always repay a favor."