A/N: Hey all! So I literally cranked this out in the past hour due to inspiration hitting me in the face in the form of my fencing instructor lol. Hope you all enjoy!

3 R.L.I.

Silver

Mr. Base's injuries, although painful, didn't stop him from running the crew in the morning. As soon as the bell chimed six times, Jim and the rest of the crew were up and scurrying to their duties. The morning passed quickly even though Jim had yet to catch site of Arabella. When he had asked Zeb about the captain's absence, he had only shrugged. Mr. Base hadn't been any help either, simply glaring as Jim until the lad turned back to his mopping.

Lunch eventually rolled around. Jim sat next to Zeb who had already tucked into his stew. Jim ate a bite and nearly chocked. Hacking the disgusting mixture back up, Jim turned to Zeb.

"How in the cosmos do you eat this stuff?" he sputtered. Zeb only shrugged and chewed. Swallowing slowly he regarded his new friends blatantly repulsed expression.

"Cook's cooking has always been off. It's only gotten worse because the Captain always threatens to take the rum away. He leaves the galley in a right state all the time, and if there is one thing that girl hates, it's a run-a-muck galley. You just have to get used to it"

Jim shook his head. True, threatening to take a pirate's rum was a low blow, but Jim knew what type of meals came from a messy kitchen. The thought made him shudder. Forgoing his stew, Jim munched on a bread roll in silence for a few minutes, scanning the deck for the site of golden hair. Sighing in frustration when the elusive blonde was nowhere to be found, Jim turned his attention back to Zeb.

"Well the ship is completely clean. According to Bobby the ships computers and gears are all in order too. So what are we going to do the rest of the day?"

Zeb let his gaze wander over the Cambiar. Seeing Mr. Base limping toward the crew from Arabella's quarters, he nudged Jim's shoulder.

"I think what we're about to find out." He said with a grin.

"Quiet down and gather around lads!" Mr. Base commanded. After the crew had circled about him, he cleared his throat.

"The Captain is pleased with the work you've accomplished and has decided to reward you all." Mr. Base paused due to the grins and whispered hopes that passed through the crowd. Once they had settled back down, he continued.

"This afternoon, we practice!" He boomed with a smile.

A general cheer went up from the men. Jim though was confused beyond reason. As Zeb and the others clamored to their quarters, Jim pushed through to stand at Mr. Base's side.

"Mr. Base, sir?" He tried to get Base's attention.

Mr. Base turned to look down into Jim's perplexed face. He heaved a sigh. The lad was out of place today and in his opinion, not ready for what was coming. The Captain however disagreed, so Base was forced to do his duty.

Without a word he pulled one of the cutlasses from his belt and handed it to Jim. The poor lad looked even more confused. Mentally groaning, Mr. Base decided to spell it out for him.

"When the Captain feels that everything on the ship is adequate, she allows the men to practice their defensive skills. Mainly sword fighting, although I know Mr. Zeb is a fairly good shot. But I digress. Captain Viscari wants you practicing with the others today."

Jim stood there dumbfounded. He stared at the sword in his hands while he digested Mr. Base's explanation. A thought suddenly struck him.

"Will Ara – I mean Captain Viscari practice as well?" Jim couldn't keep the hope out of his voice. Mr. Base quirked an eyebrow at his slip up but wisely ignored it.

"The Captain is far too busy trying to find answers to be rolling around on the deck crossing swords with the crew Mr. Hawkins." He stated imperiously. Jim though had stopped paying attention.

Without so much as a bye-your-leave, Jim went to his quarters to change. As he pulled on his old frayed shirt and pants he let his thoughts take over. Arabella was obviously trying to figure out who was sabotaging the Cambiar. She was doing it all on her own though.

Why? Why must you be so completely stubborn, you foolish, crazy girl?!

Jim sat down heavily on his bunk. He wasn't being fair and he knew it. Arabella was trying to protect everyone she cared about. He should have been happy to know she included him among those she cared for but mostly he was upset that she was hurting herself in the process. She was isolating herself. Jim knew the pain that came with isolation and he didn't want that for her.

Jim's despondent thought were broken by fists beating against the door to his cabin. Jim made himself open the door. Zeb stood there grinning like a kid who'd just found out Christmas was coming early.

"Come on mate! Let's go! Practice time is the best!" Zeb seemed to bounce as his words tumbled out. At Jim's nod of consent, he bounded off across the deck. Jim shook his head at his friend's antics. He turned around to grab his borrowed sword and hurried after Zeb, thoughts of a lonely captain still lingering in his mind.

Jim watched in fascination as Bobby threw the knife point blank into the small target erected near the stern of the ship. Grinning in satisfaction, Bobby turned to Jim.

"Your turn!" Jim groaned. He was not good with a knife. Even so, he knew Bobby would pester him if he didn't at least try.

Jim angled his body as he had been instructed. Taking a deep breath, he focused his eyes on the center of the target. He raised his arm slowly and precisely. One more deep breath later and he let the knife fly.

Whack! The knife landed just left of center.

"Yes!" Jim couldn't help but shout and punch a fist in the air. Bobby smiled and nodded approvingly. The moment didn't last though. Mr. Dreck's voice was carrying across the deck.

"Lad's only now getting better with that weak little knife. I'd cut him to shreds if he could even hold up a sword." Dreck's smile was cruel. Jim felt his anger rising. Without stopping to think he stomped across the deck straight into Dreck's face.

"You want to test that theory scumbag?" Jim's voice came out on a growl. Dreck looked taken aback for a minute before smirking.

"You're on laddie." The alien unsheathed his cutlass. Jim did the same. The crowd circled around them, giving them space but still close enough to see every movement. Jim and Dreck started circling each other.

Quick as snake, Dreck threw a side slice at Jim's stomach. Jim knocked the sword away with little effort. They parried blows back and forth for the next few minutes. Jim was definitely holding his own and Dreck was obviously tiring. Jim smirked at his opponent. He had bested everyone at the academy when it came to sword play. Even his instructor had conceded defeat. This weakling in front of him was nothing.

Then Dreck showed how much of a pirate he was. He slid a knife from his boot and tried to slice Jim's throat open. All hell then broke loose. Zeb and Bobby pulled Jim behind them and turned to confront Dreck. Punches were thrown and soon enough everyone was beating each other to a pulp while Jim pushed to the out skirts of the fight.

While the others were fighting Jim was the only one to notice the sky shift. A bright flash of light streaked across the stars, leaving in its wake a large triangle.

A large triangle opening and closing like a door.

Realization of what was happening blew through Jim's mind just as a dingy came streaking through the open portal. It pulled up alongside the ship and someone barreled on to deck.

John Silver stood in the center of the brawling mass.

"Quiet!" his rage filled voice shouted out.

Everyone froze in fear. Silver's cyborg gaze zoomed through the crowd, searching desperately. Not finding the desired face he picked up Dreck by the neck. Dreck was filled with terror and clawed desperately at Silver's metal hand.

"Where is he? Where is the lad?!" he bellowed into the man's face. Dreck whimpered. Jim tried to push through the others but couldn't make them budge.

"Mr. Silver, that's enough if you please." A voice drawled from behind. Silver whipped around to face the latest foe. Arabella stood on top of the railing, casually leaning against the rigging. With her arms folded over her chest, she was the perfect picture of piratical arrogance. Silver stared at her dumbfounded. Shaking his head as thought to clear his vision, he pasted on a fatherly sort of smile.

"You'll be wanting to stay out of this missy. A wee lass like yer self doesn't any trouble from an old cyborg like me self." His words were meant to sooth, but Jim could tell from the smirk on Arabella's face that she was far to amused to answer. Bobby though, he had a mouthful to say.

"You shut your trap cyborg!" he grounded out. "Don't you dare talk to the Captain that way. She's a lady and a fine leader, so show some respect!"

His words were lost on Silver however. The second he had heard the word captain come out of Bobby's mouth, his whole appearance had changed. He whipped around to face the still casual Arabella.

"It was you!" His voice cameo out in a scratchy whisper. "You took the lad. You kidnapped him."

Arabella shrugged elegantly. "I did." She gazed steadily at Silver, her eyes still betraying her amusement.

Silver dropped Dreck like a sack of potatoes. The alien scrambled to merge back into the crowd. Silver on the other hand was advancing on Arabella. Her entire countenance changed as he pulled his sword free.

"Do you mean to fight me Mr. Silver?" Arabella's voice was deadly quiet.

"Aye, I intend to cut you into ribbons lassie. You don't mess with John Silver and his own." Silver's voice was a growl.

Arabella shrugged again and leapt lightly onto the deck. She quickly drew her own cutlass out.

"As you wish then."

Arabella smiled in that predatory way that Jim had feared his first day on ship. But now he was not afraid of Arabella but for her. Silver would crush her! She was tiny compared to him. Her fear and worry for her ship was clouding her judgment obviously! Jim had to stop this before any damage was done. He tried to once again surge through the crowd.

He was held back by a steady pair of hands. He looked to his left to see Zeb holding him steady. Ready to let loose a curse at his friend, he pulled up short at the look on Zeb's face. The glassy eyed man shook his head slightly in Jim's direction but maintained focus on the two people circling in front of them. Jim couldn't understand why he had that damned, small smile on his face!

He looked back to the fight beginning. His breath caught as Silver charged at Arabella, sword raised to strike. Then to his complete amazement, Arabella moved swiftly to the side. In the next instance she had whipped her own sword about-face and sliced Silver's jacket sleeve off. Silver roared in anger and swung wide again. Arabella dodged under his arm and brought the heel of her hand up against Silver's chin, giving the man whip lash. Silver seemed dazed for a minute and stumbled about.

Jim caught sight of Arabella's face. She was smiling to herself from her crouched position on the deck. She caught Jim's eye and … she winked at him! Bloody hell! She was enjoying this!

Silver was starting to focus again. Looking quickly from Silver back to Jim, Arabella seemed to heave a sigh. Refocusing on the fight Arabella broke the gaze.

Silver circled behind Arabella, yet she didn't move to face him. She seemed to be waiting for something.

Silver charged again from behind. Arabella straightened suddenly. The second he was in reach, Arabella raised her leg and drug the heel of her boot down Silver's cyborg leg. A screw popped loose and the pressurized gas was let loose. Silver collapsed to his knees.

Arabella pivoted smartly to stand behind him. She made quick work of the rest of the fight. She knocked Silver in the back of the head with the guard of her sword. The man was sent sprawling onto the deck. Arabella quickly fell on top of him, trapping his arms with her weight. She brought her sword up under his chin. Silver continued to struggle.

"Stop moving about so much!" Arabella hissed.

Silver stopped struggling at the feel of her blade pressing harder against his jugular. Arabella heaved a put-upon sigh.

"Now, you listen here Mr. Silver. You have no reason to fight me." At this Silver began to struggle again.

"Stop! The boy is fine. He's right here!" Arabella looked up and nodded in Jim's direction. Jim felt Zeb's grip loosen and the others cleared a path for him. He pushed his way toward the inner circle into Silver's line of sight.

The man's body immediately relaxed. Jim could almost feel the waves of relief rolling off of him. Arabella quietly observed the scene and then bent low to Silver's ear.

"I'm going to let you up now Mr. Silver. I want your word though that you nay run me or any of my crew through when I do. Your word Mr. Silver?" Arabella's voice was firm but gentle.

"Aye Captain. You have my word I'll not harm you or any of yer lads." Arabella gently rolled off of him and sprung to her feet. She took a couple of steps back and nodded to Zeb who quickly moved forward and repaired Silver's leg. She then nodded to Jim who nodded back before refocusing on Silver.

The old cyborg stepped gingerly to his feet. Happy to be able to place weight on the leg, his eyes sought Jim's. Seeing the lad standing there with nary a scratch on him, Silver smiled and opened his arms to the boy.

Jim didn't stop to think. He flung himself into Silver's fatherly arms. Jim couldn't hold back the shaking his emotions were letting loose.

"I gotcha laddie." Silver chuckled gently. Jim struggled to get a hold on himself. He turned his head to see Arabella smiling slightly at the sight of the old pirate and the boy.

Silver turned to look at her too. The Arabella straightened herself and marched across the deck. As she passed by them, she paused.

"I need to speak to you both privately. If you would follow me please." She turned to enter her cabin.

Jim immediately followed but stopped after a few steps. Silver had not followed. He was watching Jim with a curious look on his face. Jim felt decidedly uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

"What?" he demanded. Silver merely shook his head and smiled knowingly. Clapping Jim on the shoulder, he ushered them into the unknown of Arabella's office.