Chapter 14 Taken

They fell together onto the floor of the Control Room Receiving Area.

"Why didn't you tell me we were leaving" Jeff asked irritably as he stood up.

"I didn't bring us here," Bogg answered looking around, "but at least I know where we are this time. This is where you're supposed to land when you stop at headquarters," he finished.

Jeff narrowed his gaze and glanced around, "so we're at headquarters again? Weren't we just here for the trial? Not that I mind, it might be nice to.."

He was interrupted when a door opened and Professor Garth walked in.

"Professor, why are we here?" Phineas asked.

"We need to talk," was all Garth said and Phineas got a sinking feeling in his stomach.

Garth led them into a side room with a conference table and they all sat down. There was an awkward pause before Garth spoke.

"The other members of the Tribunal will be here soon," he began. "I wanted to talk to you first, to let you know what has been going on." When Phineas and Jeffrey sat in silence, he continued. "Once the records on Jeffrey's life were opened, it was difficult to keep them private. The other members of the Tribunal have seen some of his future."

"Okay, but what does that mean, ... to us?" Bogg asked in a serious tone. He glanced at Jeffrey and saw that he looked as concerned as Phineas felt.

"It means that they feel they can make decisions about Jeffrey's future better than you can."

"Explain."

"They plan to place Jeffrey with a family here at headquarters, to begin his formal education as a Voyager as soon as possible."

"You mean take him away from me?" Bogg asked in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so."

"I can't let that happen," Bogg said without pausing to breathe.

"Yeah, they can't make me leave Bogg," Jeff added.

"Since you have no legal guardian here, the Council can do whatever it feels is in your best interests," Garth explained to Jeff.

"Then help me become his guardian," Phineas asked.

"I doubt a petition would be approved, now that they've decided what they feel is best for Jeffrey. I'm sorry. But I'm telling you this because I want you to know I don't agree with them."

"Then help us stay together," Phineas said.

Jeffrey looked from one to the other. "Please?" he asked Garth.

The door opened and Brindle and Kane walked in, followed by two assistants and the court stenographer. Bogg got a sinking feeling that this would become official very quickly.

"Councilor Garth, I see you've made it," Brindle said formally, acknowledging Garth's presence as she sat down. She and Kane nodded to Phineas and Jeff. "I trust you're ready to start?"

Garth sighed and took some papers out of a briefcase near his foot. Then he began speaking from a script.

"Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones, you have been summoned here for this hearing regarding the placement of said minor Jeffrey Jones. It is the majority opinion of this Tribunal that Jeffrey Jones be placed with Oliver and Lydia Brindle so that he can begin school immediately. Jeffrey if you would go with the bailiff for a few minutes."

Jeff looked at Bogg, who nodded, and reluctantly allowed himself to be escorted out of the room.

"As I was saying, it is the opinion of this Tribunal that Jeffrey Jones be placed with Oliver and Lydia Brindle so that he can begin school immediately in order to fulfil his unique destiny as a Voyager. This would be in the child's best interests."

"More like their own best interests," Phineas shot back. "They think Jeff is gonna do something great for Voyagers and they want him to get started as soon as possible."

Garth pounded the gavel, "that's enough," he said, but he looked at Phineas and tried to convey the thought that he agreed with his assessment.

"I want a lawyer," Bogg said as he locked eyes with Garth. "This has to stop now, while I get a lawyer."

"Bring the boy back in," Garth asked, and when Jeff was back, he continued, "We can reconvene after you get a lawyer, but Jeffrey Jones is from this moment, a ward of the court and has been placed with the Brindles. They will be here momentarily to meet him and take him home with them."

Bogg sat back, stunned.

"Momentarily?" Jeff whispered, his voice shaking as he reached with both hands and grasped Bogg's arm.

Phineas turned to him immediately and knelt down. He put his hands on Jeff's arms and stared into his eyes, "I'll get a lawyer and fight this," Jeff stared at him in shock. "I won't be far away, you'll be safe, and I'll see you as often as I can, I promise," he whispered.

There was a knock on the door and a young couple was escorted in. They smiled at Jeff as he stared back at them. Then he turned to Bogg and put his arms around him, "but I don't wanna go," he whispered into Bogg's ear.

Phineas held him tightly, until Garth was beside him and he had to let go. "We'll see each other again," he said quietly, "as often as we can, it'll be okay." He made his voice as calm as he could, to make this as easy for Jeff as possible, "who knows," and he tried to smile, "you might even like living with somebody smarter than me."

Jeff swallowed and stepped back, "don't leave me," he mouthed the words so only Bogg could know what he said.

"I won't," Phineas whispered back, the tone of his voice giving away his emotions. Then, suddenly Jeff was gone and the room seemed incredibly empty.

"Meeting adjourned," Garth said and the gavel fell. Suddenly Phineas Bogg, the ex-pirate who had always said 'I work alone' felt inconsolably lonely.

He sat down and wiped his eyes as everyone left.

"Phineas," it was Garth talking so Bogg pulled himself out of his shock and looked up. "I've had more time to consider this problem than you have, so I have some ideas on how to proceed."

"What should I do?"

"First thing, like you said, you need a lawyer, so I think we need to see Susan."