To write another chapter, I could not help to do. :D

Reviewer Thanks

Welsh Gem: I do believe you're right. ;)

HG96: Thanks, though I had some inspiration after reading other TP stories. And I always try to make my villains as cool as possible, so they seem more realistic. I'm glad you like Finn, and you'll find out he and Jim will have a LOT more in common. I'll try to include more descriptions of Finn, too, though I was hoping that describing his mother and saying he looks like her would help.

LaylaBinx: Thanks! ^-^

Amalimrock: Trust me, it gets more interesting, and thank you.

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Back on Montressor, in the Doppler household…

"…And it is highly recommended that you join us, Captain Smollet." An alien with brown-gray skin, yellow eyes, and four arms, wearing a spacer's uniform, was saying- only it was more of a hologram of the alien, being shown on a telephonic communication device. He addressed her as 'Smollet', knowing that- whether she was married or not- she would prefer her maiden name when being addressed as a captain.

"I see." Amelia said, her expression serious. She straightened her posture. "Very well. I shall see to it that we join you on your mission, Captain Ronaldo."

"The Galactic Navy thanks you, ma'am." With a solute, the hologram disappeared, shrinking back into the device.

Amelia sighed, then walked into the study, where Delbert was sitting by a warm fire reading a book, while the children sat on the floor, looking at holographic images in a small picture-book, ranging from strange-yet-adorable looking creatures to different kinds of flowers. Delbert had organized his books, so that they were more on shelves than piled up, after Amelia recommended that he tidy up (it was more of a critical remark, claiming she didn't want to raise her children in a house where they could be buried in an avalanche of encyclopedias). As she looked at the scene, it was hard to tell her husband the news she received.

"Who was on the holo-phone?" Delbert asked once he saw her step in.

Amelia took in a deep breath. "Please restrain your blood-pressure, darling, but… it appears we've been recommended to join a search-voyage." she replied calmly.

Delbert's eyes widened, and he leaped out of his chair, running up to his wife and holding her hands. "You mean… we'll be sailing again?" he sounded more excited than Amelia expected. "Oh, this is wonderful! Traversing the galaxy once again, discovering different things, finding specimens only seen in books- it'll be fantastic!"

Amelia's expression turned critical. "Doctor, I hate to burst your bubble, but the voyage is going to be more of a manhunt for a ruthless criminal. …And, you overlooked one, small, detail."

Delbert arched an eyebrow. "What would that be?"

Amelia gave a small sneer, and pointed at their children. Alice was now trying to pin Derek on the floor, while Amy and Ashley had a tug-o-war fight over the book.

Delbert's eyes widened in realization. "Oh…" he then cleared his throat. "Well, it shouldn't be a problem. We could have my parents watch them!"

"Doctor, forgive my following statement, but I wouldn't leave my children in the care of your parents if they were the last species in the Etherium. Your mother isn't too fond of my daughters, anyway."

Delbert considered this, then rubbed his chin. "I suppose your parents are out of the question, too, the way they scowl at Derek…" he then snapped his fingers. "What about Sarah? She could do it!"

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, dear, she's already has her hands full with the Inn. The last thing she needs is to baby-sit our children."

"Alright, how about Jim, then?"

Amelia unleashed another sigh. "He won't be able to, Doctor."

"Why not?"

Amelia gave him a solemn look. "Because… he's joined the manhunt, as well."

Delbert's expression turned to surprise. "What? Why… how…? They honestly let a young man like Jim join the search for some ludicrous scoundrel?"

"Apparently. …Especially since that ludicrous scoundrel happens to be that blasted cyborg, Silver." Amelia's fists clenched, giving her husband the hint that she was ready to get her hands on the pirate if- or when- they caught up to him.

"Oh. Well, I suppose that makes sense. After all, Jim spent most of his time with Silver in the past, so he knows more ways on how to find him, I assume…" He looked at Amelia, clearing his throat a little. "I suppose it would be too much to ask for if we decline the offer?"

Amelia walked over to the fireplace, picking up Ashley when the young redhead held up her arms to be held, and she faced the burning embers, cradling her daughter gently. "I know it's a risk, but I cannot turn down the offer. Somewhere out there, some pirate is wreaking havoc- the one pirate who managed to escape my grasp, and I've had trouble sleeping in the past, thinking about what would happen if he burned down our home… or got his hands on our children." she turned and faced Delbert, concern in her eyes. "Delbert, I don't want my children to go out in the world with that fiend running loose."

Delbert was taken by her words, not only because he, too, was concerned for their children's safety… but also because she called him 'Delbert' for the first time. He then let a heavy sigh, and nodded. "Alright, Amelia. Alright." he replied, standing beside her, putting his arm around her. "But, who will take care of the children?"

Both parents looked at each other, thoughtfully. There was one other choice, though they weren't sure they were that willing to take it… but they knew they had to.

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"Hidey-ho, Dopplers!" BEN exclaimed as he walked through the door, carrying a small duffel bag, while Morph floated beside him. "I hope you don't mind, but Morph wanted to tag along."

"Hello!" Morph chirped, giving a small wave.

"Alright, their food is in the kitchen on the top shelf," Doppler said to the robot as he grabbed his bags.

"Derek is allergic to carratatoes, keep him away from those," Amelia added.

"After lunch, put them down for a nap- oh, and they like having a snuggy-toy…"

"It'll keep them from being fussy, and don't let them nap past two."

"They eat every 4 hours…"

"No meals after eight, though. Otherwise they'll be up all night."

"They like a bedtime story…"

"And they are to be asleep by nine, not a minute later."

"If you need help, call Sarah…"

"And do not let anyone but Mrs. Hawkins indoors. And I expect to have our household organized and intact the way it is once we get back." she gave Morph a look. "And, um, I expect your shape-shifting friend to be housetrained, otherwise keep him outside."

"Hmph!" Morph scoffed, pouting.

"You can count on us, Amelia." BEN said, saluting the felinid. He waved at them as they walked out the door. "Have a nice trip! Good luck on the hunt! And don't forget to bring the kids back some souvenirs! They'd love that!"

Amelia gave Delbert a look. "Are you sure that rambling metal-man is capable of taking care of children?" she asked him.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine." Delbert assured her.

"Be sure to bring us back one, too!" BEN called.

Amelia gave Delbert another look. "I also advised Sarah to check up on them, every hour or so."

Amelia sighed. "I hope we're not asking too much from her… It's probably hard enough for her to deal with Jim being on this dreadful mission." she said.

"And be sure to write!" BEN called once again.

"Actually, when I spoke with BEN, he mentioned that things had been running slow at the Benbow, lately." Delbert said. "Not many customers have been coming in."

Amelia gave him an inquisitive look. "Really? I wonder why…" she replied.

"Something about some rumor- he said it was too sickening to bring up,"

"Oh! AND TELL JIMMY I SAID HI, IF YOU SEE HIM!" BEN shouted.

Amelia and Delbert sighed, then climbed into their carriage, praying that their children would be alright with BEN… and that their house would still be standing.

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A/N: Okay, I lied. The NEXT chapter will be more exciting! Promise!

Please review. No flames are necessary… (raises axe) Really.