Sorry it took me a little longer to post this chapter.
I had a more trouble than I originally thought I would with this and I've had a lot going on with school and stuff...
But here it is!

Also, I got tired of doing the POV's, so this is chapter is narrated.
I'll probably go back to POV's in one of the next chapters, though.

Enjoy!


Tabitha slept better than she ever had before. Her sleep was deep and peaceful, no insomnia or nightmares or tossing and turning as usual.

She rolled out of bed in the morning and stretched as she observed her appearance in the mirror. She looked well rested for the first time in a long time and she was still sporting the ridiculous grin from the events of the previous nights. Instead of pulling her hair up she ran her fingers through it to emphasize the natural waves and left it down so that it framed her face, giving her a softer, more feminine appearance. She adjusted her shirt and, once satisfied with her appearance, headed out.

She immediately spotted Jim standing at the fo'c'sle and headed over to him. He turned around when he heard her footsteps.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Jim smiled. "I was beginning to think you'd never wake up."

"Really? Why?"

"You slept forever. It's almost lunch time."

"What?! It is!? Why didn't someone wake me up!? Silver's going to - " the worry rose in her voice.

"Relax - he gave us the day off."

"Oh," she ended. She walked over to the edge to stand by him and looked out at the vast universe that surrounded them. After a minute, she noticed Jim hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

"You look really pretty today." The remark caught her off guard, and she blushed. "I mean, you look pretty every day… but today you look especially beautiful."

"Thank you," she responded quietly as she bit her lip to hide her broadening smile. "So…what have you been doing with your free time today?"

"Umm… well I slept in too… and then I sat in the shrouds for a little while, and then I came to stand over here, and then you woke up. It's been pretty exciting," he added sarcastically.

"Sounds like it."

Jim sighed. "I wish I could have brought my guitar."

"You play guitar?" she asked excitedly.

"Yeah, wh -"

"Wait right here!"

He started to protest, but she was already gone. She returned moments later carrying a guitar.

"Whoa, who's is that?" Jim asked excitedly.

"It's mine. Silver got it for me for my birthday last year, but I'm not very good at it."

Jim strummed the chords and winced. "That's may be because it's really out of tune."

"Oh," Tabitha blushed as Jim adjusted it to sound right.

"Here you go. Play something," he tried to hand it back to her.

"No, you go first. I'm really not that good."

"Fine." He started a song, but stopped suddenly and looked back up at her. "I haven't been able to practice in a while since my guitar was destroyed, so it may not sound that good – "

"Just play the song, Jim." She rolled her eyes.

He sighed, but began.

I am a question to the world,
Not an answer to be heard
Or a moment that's held in your arms.
And what do you think you'd ever say?
I won't listen anyway.You don't know me
And I'll never be what you want me to be.

And what do you think you'd understand?
I'm a boy, no, I'm a man -
You can't take me and throw me away.
And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah, you stand here on your own.
They don't know me

Cause I'm not here…
And I want moment to be real,
Want to touch things I don't feel,
Want to hold on and feel I belong
And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same.
They don't know me
Cause I'm not here.

And you see the things they never see
All you wanted, I could be.
Now you know me and I'm not afraid.
And I want to tell you who I am.
Can you help me be a man?
They can't break me as long as I know who I am…

And I want a moment to be real,
Want to touch things I don't feel
Want to hold on and feel I belong.
And how can the world want me to change?
They're the one's that stay the same.

They can't see me,
But I'm still here.

They can't tell me who to be
Cause I'm not what they see.
Yeah the world is still sleeping
While I keep on dreaming for me
And their words are just whispers and lies
That I'll never believe…

And I want a moment to be real,
Want to touch things I don't feel,
Want to hold on and feel I belong.
And how can they say I never change?
They're the ones that stay the same.

I'm the one now
Cause I'm still here.

I'm the one
Cause I'm still here.

I'm still here.
I'm still here.
I'm still here…

They sat in silence for a minute as Tabitha stared at him in awe.

"Told you I wouldn't be that good…" Jim sighed handing the guitar back to her.

"Are you crazy? Jim, that was really good! Where did you learn to play?" she asked still staring at him in wonder.

"Really? Oh, thanks. I, um, taught myself actually. My mom got me one when I was about 10 because she thought it would be an outlet for my emotional stress or something … and because she was afraid I was going to break my neck on my solar surfer." They laughed just as they heard the call for lunch.

They headed down and served themselves food, the whole time laughing and talking amongst themselves, completely unaware of the crew, especially Silver, observing the new closer level of their relationship. The rest of the crew promptly finished their meals and went back to work, but Jim and Tabitha took their time. Even after they finished, they stayed in the galley, playing with Morph and allowing Silver to eavesdrop on their conversation. Several hours later, after Silver had finished all the clean up duties, they were still talking as animatedly as ever.

"Thanks again fer cleanin' up down here fer me las' nigh'," he said at a break in their conversation.

"You would have just made us do it today, anyway," Tabitha kid.

"Yeah, guess yer right," Silver laughed. "Well it must not 'ave been too bad. Both o' ya were smilin' bigger than I seen ya the whole trip when ya headed to bed..."

Tabitha and Jim exchanged sideways glances, but said nothing.

Silver noted the silence, then watched as Tabitha took a sip of her drink. "Tabby, is that purp juice yer drinkin?"

She peered down in the cup, then back up at him. "Yeah."

"That's the secon' time this trip! What's gotten into ya, lass? Ya've always said ya hated purps!"

"I guess I just… acquired a taste for them," she looked suggestively at Jim and took another sip to emphasize her point. Jim happened to choose the same moment to lift his own cup to his lips.

"Ya kissed, didn't ya?" Silver asked matter-of-factly.

The two teenagers nearly choked on their drinks. Silver laughed as they coughed and sputtered in unison.

"Well, tha' answers tha'!" he stacked the last few dishes and headed up to the deck, leaving the two infatuated teenagers alone.

"How does he always know everything?" Jim asked in wonderment.

"Cause ya do a terrible job o' hidin' it!" Silver called from the top of the staircase.

"He's got a point," Tabitha giggled. "Come on, we've only got a few more hours in our day off. What should we do?"

"How about nothing?" He propped his feet up in a chair and reclined.

"Sounds perfect." She did the same next to him.

They were silent for a minute until Jim spoke up again.

"Hey Tabitha?" He said as he turned to look at her.

"Hmm?"

"Last night…" he started. She opened her eyes and turned to face him. "Were you…okay with that?"

She sat up straighter. "Could you be a little more specific?"

"Well… I guess I'm just wondering where we stand… relationship wise. I didn't realize it until today, but a whole lot happened last night, and I don't want you to be uncomfortable with anything..." She continued to stare at him with a puzzled expression. He sighed and began. "Umm… okay first of all, I'm really, really sorry about reading your diary. I saw my name in it and just assumed that that gave me permission to read it, which was really stupid of me, but I stopped as soon as I realized it was yours, and I never would have read it if I had known from the beginning. I don't want you to think I'm not trustworthy. Then when I kissed you…" he ran his fingers through his hair, "I was so nervous and… I acted impulsively and I thought maybe you weren't as ready as I thought you were and maybe that's why you were crying and what you said about it being because you were happy was just a cover up and maybe you actually were mad at me and – "

She put a finger to his lips to silence him. He stopped abruptly and stared at her. She leaned in suddenly and kissed him. It was just as good as their first one, but in different ways. This one was surer, more determined. It was still gentle and sweet, but was now accompanied by a fervor that soon brought the kiss to a new level of excitement. It lasted much longer than the one last night had, but neither of them could break away. They were both lost in the moment; Tabitha was drawn in by his scent, which only fueled her desire to keep the kiss going as long as possible. Jim was captivated by the softness of her skin and lips, and was just as determined to see that nothing trivial would interrupt this moment.

They finally separated and breathed in deep breaths of air. He stared at her, completely stupefied.

"Well I had to stop you from freaking out somehow! You were starting to ramble," she invented an excuse as a blush rose to her cheeks.

"If that's how you're going to handle it, I'm going to start rambling more often." He grinned smugly at her. "So I guess I was worrying too much?"

"Way too much. First of all, thank you for apologizing about the diary, but I still trust you, and I think you'll agree when I say it all worked out for the better?" He nodded. "Okay. And when you kissed me..." she looked away from him again. "Jim, I'd been waiting for you to do that since the night you showed me the stars."

"Really?" he asked surprised.

"Yes! How did you not realize that I liked you? I really thought that it was obvious…"

"Well, I thought you did, but I thought you would just tell me if you did…you didn't realize that I liked you?"

"I wasn't sure, either." They laughed at how naive they were. She sighed and continued, "As far as the whole crying thing goes… I don't know what to say. I'm not even sure what happened. I just know that... well, not to sound melodramatic, but my life hasn't exactly been filled with joy. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, everything that's happened has made me who I am… but that kiss – it easily topped every other happy moment of my life combined. It was by far the most intense thing I have ever felt, and I think that it was just strong enough to tip the scales finally. It was…" she struggled to find words.

"Indescribable?" Jim suggested.

"I guess so," she laughed. "Anyways, what I'm trying to say is… everything that happened last night was perfect, and I'm so glad that you were the one who made it that way." He blushed, and she continued. "I have a question for you too - how did you manage to stay so calm last night?"

"What?" he asked surprised.

"You were so calm about everything! When Silver came down, I know nothing was happening, but you know as well as I do what Silver was assuming, but you were completely relaxed. And then when you kissed me... I just don't understand how you could keep it together like you did."

"Tabitha, I wasn't calm at all. When Silver came down... actually, that was just funny. You're facial expression and the way you tried to explain things to him were priceless," he laughed at her. She hit his shoulder, but he continued. "But when I kissed you... I was worried that I might faint. I've never been so scared about anything in my entire life."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't notice my hands shaking or anything."

"I think I was a little distracted by the fact that I was having to remind myself to keep breathing."

He laughed and grabbed her hand hands and intertwined their fingers together. "Tabitha… I know we've only know each other a few weeks, but I really like you. A lot." He leaned his forehead against and locked eye contact with her. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. If we don't find Treasure Planet, it won't even matter. You're worth more to me now than everything there combined."

He smiled but she pulled back and looked at him startled. "What did you say?"

Jim was confused. He was trying to be romantic. Was he really that bad at it? "You're worth more to me than – "

"No, not that. Before that – did you say Treasure Planet?"

Jim's eyes widened and he smacked a hand to his forehead. "Oh no..." he groaned.

"That's where we're going?! Tre – " she shouted eagerly, but Jim covered her mouth with his hand.

"Shh! You're not supposed to know. No one's supposed to know except me, Doc, and the Captain. It just slipped out… you're too easy to talk to."

"I didn't ask you to tell me! Butl…now that I know, can you tell me more?" she was practically bouncing up and down with excitement.

Jim relented. "Fine. But you can't tell anyone. Understand? Doc would kill me if he knew I told even you."

"I won't. I promise! So we're going to… there. Why? How? What?"

In hushed whispers, he explained the whole story to her. By the time he got done, her eyes had almost doubled in size and her mouth was hanging open. Immediately upon his finishing, she jumped in with questions.

"Your mom's inn burned down?"

"Yeah. That's part of the reason my mom agreed to let me go on this trip - we can use the treasure to rebuild the Benboe."

"Is that how your guitar got destroyed?"

"Yeah."

"How did you know how to open the map?"

"I didn't, it just happened. I was just twisting it and pressing the buttons, and then suddenly there was a map."

She saved the one she was most concerned about for last.

"You said that Bones told you to 'beware the cyborg', right?" she questioned warily.

"Yeah…" This wasn't going to be good.

"Do you think he meant… Silver?"

Jim looked up at her, unsure how to answer. He was sure that Silver must have been who Bones was talking about; it was inconceivable to consider his being here a coincidence. But on the other hand, Silver had been so nice to both him and Tabitha that it was distressing to think of him as a bad guy. Jim had gained a lot from Silver's advice and tough love.

He looked up at Tabitha and saw how frightened she looked.

"I really hope not, but…" he didn't need to finish, she knew. "I'm sorry, Tabitha." She nodded, then lowered her head and stared at her lap. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug. He hoped it was providing some kind of comfort, though he knew that her relationship with Silver was going to be different now.


That night at dinner, things weren't nearly as bad as Jim had anticipated. Tabitha handled the new information well; her persona hardly changed at all. The only difference Jim noticed was that her eyes appeared a little sadder, but maybe he just imagined that because he knew what was going on.

Everyone had finished eating and had gathered around to converse together and listen to the stories that Silver always told, but tonight he changed it up a little.

"I've told ya all every story I got! Let someone else do the after dinner entertainin' tonight!" The crew complained and begged, but Silver refused.
"Tabitha, why don't ya sing us somethin'!" Silver suggested merrily. She blanched.

"You sing?" Jim asked.

"Yeah," she started timidly. "That's why Silver got me the guitar – he noticed I walked around humming all the time."

"I've noticed that too," he observed her as she nervously rubbed her hands together. "Well, what are you waiting for? Sing something!"

"No, I'd rather not. I'm not very good – "

"Not very good? Why, Tabby here's got one o' the best voices this side o' the Coral Galaxy! Go on, lass!"

She stammered to come up with an excuse, but her voice failed her.

"Come on, Tabitha. I'm sure you'll be great," Jim tried to nudge her forward a little.

Suddenly, a thought struck Tabitha and she grinned a little mischievously. "Fine. I'll sing if Jim agrees to accompany me on the guitar."

Now it was Jim's turn to hesitate. He'd never enjoyed performing in front of people. He had enough trouble playing it cool with one person; a group just increased his anxiety by the tenfold.

"No! I'm not going to play just because - "

"Well then I'm not going to sing," Tabitha crossed her arms stubbornly.

Jim scowled. If there was something Jim would never do, it was turn down a challenge. As much as he didn't want to do it, he knew Tabitha was more nervous than he was, and he wasn't about to let her off the hook that easy. He picked up the guitar and strummed a few notes. She looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Are you going to sing or what?" he asked tauntingly.

She glowered at him, but he challenged her fortitude with a coy smile and she finally relented.

There were a few moments of mumbling between two of them to make sure they were on the same page music wise, and then Tabitha began to sing.

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss

I'm longing to linger 'til dawn dear
Just saying this:

Sweet dreams 'till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger 'till dawn dear
Just saying this:

Sweet dreams 'till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me…

She ended the note and two of them received a standing ovation. Jim welcomed the praise, but Tabitha leaned her head down and tried to hide her bashfulness behind her hair.

"Sing another one!"

"Yeah, sing somethin' else."

"Oh, no, really, I – " she stammered at their appreciation.

"Come on, let's do one more," Jim nudged her with his elbow.

"Okay…" she melted at the smile he cast her way.

Just a day, Just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by.

Just a boy, Just an ordinary boy
But he was looking to the sky

And as he asked if I would come along
I started to realize

That everyday he finds just what he's looking for
Like a shooting star, he shines
And he said

Take my hand
Live while you can

Don't you see your dreams
Lie right in the palm of your hand?

And as he spoke, he spoke ordinary words
Though they did not feel

For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal

And as I looked up into those eyes
His vision borrows mine
And I know he's no stranger
For I feel I've held him for all of time
And he said

Take my hand
Live while you can
Don't you see your dreams
Lie right in the palm of your hand?

Please come with me
See what I see
Touch the stars for time will not flee
Time will not flee
Can't you see?

Just a dream, Just an ordinary dream
As I wake in bed
And the boy, that ordinary boy
Or was it all in my head?

Did he ask if I would come along?
It all seemed so real
But as I looked to the door I saw that boy
Standing there with a deal
And he said

Take my hand
Live while you can

Don't you see all your dreams
Lie right in the palm of your hand?
In the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand

Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by
Just a boy, just an ordinary boy
But he was looking to the sky…

The applause was just as strong, if not stronger, than the first time. She and Jim bowed, and passed the guitar off for someone else to entertain.

"You were amazing!" Jim said as someone else started to play.

"I was?" she asked and he nodded. "Oh... thank you. You weren't half bad yourself."

They sat on a bench, but soon Tabitha had closed her eyes and leaned against Jim's. He wrapped his arm around her and she quickly dozed off to the gentle sound of the guitar paired with the crew's raucous laughter…


"Tabby? Tabby, wake up," Silver said gently.

She sat up with a groan, then started to fall over and lay back down.

"Oh, no ya don't. Yer not sleepin' in the kitchen, get to bed," Silver pulled her up off of the bench. She swayed slightly from exhaustion, then closed her eyes and leaned on to him. Silver ruffled her hair and motioned to Jim for him to come take over. He handed her off to Jim and she opened her eyes at the exchange.

"Come on, it's late," he explained softly.

"Carry me?" she whispered.

He smiled and picked her up bridal style and she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned her head against his chest, and closed her eyes again.

"G'night, lass," Silver said as they left.

"Mhm," she mumbled in return. Jim rolled his eyes and spoke for both of them. "Good night, Silver."

"Why've you been so tired today?" Jim questioned as he carried her across the deck to the crew's quarters.

"I don't know… a lot," she broke off to yawn, "has happened since we first set sail. It's kind of… exhausting."

"Tell me about it," Jim joked. She gave a small laugh in return as he laid her in bed.

"Thank you…" she whispered through another yawn.

"Your welcome. Good night, Tabitha," Jim pulled the blankets up over her, and she was asleep.

Jim grinned and pulled the sheet around her bed closed.


While Tabitha dreamed of a charming, ordinary boy, Jim dreamed a little dream of the girl he was surely falling for.


What can I say? It's a filler chapter.
We're getting back to the movie's storyline in the next chapter.
I changed my mind at least a dozen times about whether to post this.
It didn't turn out the way I originally wanted it to,
but then I decided to go ahead and put it up because I spent so much time on it.
So I hope that you guys like it at least a little!

Also, expect more drama.
This is getting a little too lovey-dovey for me.

As always, comment! They inspire me and I really appreciate them.
-Emily