I had no idea my story would actually become popular! Thanks for the reviews everyone. They're really encouraging. I think I'll let the minor characters shine a bit this time. Disclaimer: I don't own Treasure Planet. Just Maria!
Jim was sure every ship that could still fly was at the Terra Star. Everywhere he looked, there were ships setting up for the formation. It would be hard to find a decent spot to watch that was far enough away to keep from burning the ship and ruining everyone's eyes. Captain Amelia pointed up to Botter in a sign to look for an empty spot higher up. Once she was satisfied, she nodded to Jim.
"Release the sails Mr. Hawkins!" Captain Amelia ordered.
"Release the sails!" Jim shouted and all hands were instantly on deck including Maria.
Jim smiled as he watched her help Tress lower one of the sails. Jim always made sure to pair her up with one of the stronger crew members since he was still concerned about her head injury, but so far everything seemed fine with her. He did notice that she no longer climbed the riggings, but he guessed she just developed a fear of heights because of the fall. He hoped she would overcome the fear, but he was not going to pressure her. Jim's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a crash coming from the captain's quarters. Dr. Doppler was struggling to lug out all his equipment, and Jim quickly relieved him of his load.
"Thank you. Jim. Even incomplete, the Terra Star is amazing. Absolutely amazing." Dr. Doppler commented as he quickly set up several telescopes and cameras.
"It sure is. It almost makes me want to be a tourist and just watch…" Jim replied as he helped the doctor.
"With Maria I'm sure. Judging by our distance away, the look out post should have the best view. I'm sure two people can fit comfortable up there." The doctor suggested with a smile.
"Can I show you something Doctor?" Jim asked through his laughter.
When Dr. Doppler nodded, Jim pulled a black box from his pocket. He opened it and inside was a gold locket and a ring. He made sure Maria was still busy before he opened the locket. It played a faint bell melody and on the inside was a picture Trest took during Jim and Maria's first star lesson. Jim had his arm around her shoulder, and their smiles could clearly be seen. Trest had given Jim the picture and told him to use it well, and this was the best use Jim could think of. The doctor smiled, but Jim knew the question that was coming.
"I picked it up before we left while she was asleep. I'm going to give her the locket tonight while everyone's watching the star, but I don't know about the ring yet. I was thinking when we returned home?" Jim asked cautiously.
"I see you have everything planned out Jim. I'm sure she'll say yes, that is if she knows what marriage is. I'm sure you'll explain it to her." Dr. Doppler replied.
Jim wanted to continue the conversation, but shouting caught his attention. Maria was hanging from the rigging and every so often slid down. Trest was trying to reach out to her and grab her hand, but each time Maria slid farther down. Jim was almost to them when Maria fell completely. Jim dived and barely managed to catch her. He held her tightly as she clung tightly to him. She was breathing too quickly, but Jim stroked her back calmly.
"It's ok. It's ok. I've got you." He whispered as he glared daggers over her shoulders at the rest of the crew.
He stood up and put Maria down on her feet. She did not look her hurt, but that was beside the point. Jim wanted answers, and he wanted them fast.
"What happened? Trest you were supposed to be helping her!" Jim shouted angrily as Trest approached the ground.
"Something went wrong. One of the connected riggings snapped and sent the rest up. I tried holding on, I even have the rope burns to prove it, but Maria had the rope tied around her hand to get a better grip and went up with the rigging. Once she untied the rope, her grip gave in." Trest explained.
"That rigging didn't snap. Botter cut it." Johnson replied dragging Botter to Jim.
A chorus of "what" and "why" echoed through the crew, and Jim subconsciously pulled Maria closer when Johnson dropped pushed Botter to the ground at Jim's feet. Captain Amelia pushed her way through the crowd having heard the commotion, and judging by the look on her face, heads were going to roll.
"Cut the riggings did he? Were you trying to sabotage this ship? Choose your words carefully because you already face mutiny charges, and I'll keep raising the stakes." Captain Amelia shouted furiously.
"No captain. I wasn't going to do no harm to the ship. Just that wretched girl. She'll be the death of everyone on this ship. Best to get rid of her now." Botter replied calmly.
Jim wasn't sure what snapped in his mind. All he wanted was to get his hands, feet, anything on Botter which is exactly what he did. He had Botter pinned to the ground and was attacking every inch of him that he could reach. Captain Amelia ordered the crew to separate the two, but no one moved. Captain Amelia didn't want to stun Jim, but that seemed to be the only way to keep him from killing Botter.
"Jim stop." Maria muttered as she grab Jim's arm before he could strike again.
"Let go Maria…" Jim muttered, but Maria shook her head.
"Please let him go Jim." Maria continued.
Jim stared down at Botter with hate in his eyes, but allowed Maria to pull him away. Captain Amelia ordered Abe, who was the strongest, to take Botter down to a holding cell and for everyone else to return to their duties. Maria released Jim's arm and was about to return to her job, but was stopped the captain.
"Mr. Hawkins that was completely unacceptable behavior you exhibited, but understandable. Take Maria and find someplace to calm down." Captain Amelia ordered gently, and Maria nodded.
Maria pulled him down into the galley where Johnson only sighed and began brewing tea. Jim was staring off into the distance as Maria stroked his hand gently. Johnson sat the tea down in front of them and took a seat.
"What did I do? Does he really think I'm dangerous?" Maria asked quietly.
"He's an idiot. A cowardly idiot who should thank the stars you weren't hurt. He better pray that the courts sentence him to the gallows or I'll"
"You'll do nothing. You won't stoop to his level Jim. You really think Maria wants to see you hanging by a rope?" Johnson interrupted.
Maria pushed the tea to Jim encouragingly and Jim downed the hot liquid in one swig. It burned his tongue and throat, but he didn't care. The rest of his body was on fire anyway.
"It's starting." Trest called down and Maria tugged on Jim's sleeve slightly.
Jim didn't say a word, but stormed from the room. Maria's shoulders slumped and she looked to Johnson for guidance.
"Give him time. Everything will be fine." He commented as he led Maria from the galley.
Maria ran to catch up to Jim who was pacing back and forth and had an idea. She hugged him around his waist and smiled up to him. He stopped walking and glanced down at her curiously. He was not in the mood for her at the moment.
"Dance with me." She commented.
"Huh? You know how to dance?" Jim commented taken by surprise.
"No, but you can teach me." Maria replied simply.
"With all these people watching?" Jim asked glancing around.
"Who cares about them? I'm use to having all eyes on me now. I mean I just fell from a rigging." Maria replied laughing.
Jim smiled slightly and took her hands and began to sway. He always wondered why ballroom dancing was taught at the academy, and he finally understood. A captain had to be charming as well as cunning especially with a clumsy girl like Maria. She constantly stepped on his toes and changed tempos constantly even with Jim leading. He shook his head slightly and spun her around so her back was against him. He pulled the locket from his pocket, and clasped it around her neck. Maria stroked it lightly as Jim rested his head on her shoulder.
"Like it? I didn't plan to give it to you like this, but I suppose this works." Jim commented.
"It's beautiful…" Maria commented, but suddenly her body tensed.
She began shaking violently and Jim gently eased her to the ground. She wrapped her arms around herself and pushed Jim away.
"It's coming back…" She muttered quietly over and over again.
The sky suddenly brightened and Jim shielded his eyes to block out the brilliance of the star. He tried to call the captain, but he couldn't be heard over the crowd. He peaked through his fingers and saw the black dot approaching.
"Captain! We have to move! Move the ship!" Jim shouted, but his cries fell on deaf ears.
He ran to the wheel and tried to turn the ship, but it was too late. The Morwicky was upon them and headed straight to Maria. Jim tried to run to her, but a pain in his leg sent him to the ground. Botter had shot him. By now the rest of the crew and on lookers had spotted the monster, but there was nothing anyone could do.
"Mr. Abe ready the guns!" Captain Amelia ordered but Abe was no where to be found.
Jim crawled toward Maria who was now sobbing, but Botter stepped in front of him. He positioned the gun directly in front of Jim's head, but never had the chance to pull the trigger. Trest shot Botter in the stomach before taking aim at the Morwicky. Even with the combined firepower from the other ships, the Morwicky could not be stopped.
"Maria!" Jim shouted as the Morwicky opened its jaws.
Maria stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled to Jim. Jim knew exactly what she was thinking, and he did not like it. If sacrificing her life meant saving everyone else, she would do it.
"Goodbye…" She mouthed as the Morwicky's jaws closed around her.
"MARIA!" Jim shouted as the Morwicky left as if nothing had happened.
This can't be good. Maria can't be gone can she? I won't say what happens next since the story's about to get a lot deeper…Until next time.
