Chapter 20:

As they waited for B.E.N. to return, Jim explained everything to Zarabeth. He told her how after the longboat was hit, Amelia somehow managed to land it with everyone still alive. Amelia had taken a bad hit from the aftermath of the laser cannon, but she was safe with Doppler at B.E.N.'s house. While searching for a place to hide, they'd stumbled upon the robot, who'd been the navigation system for Captain Flint a hundred years ago. Jim explained that when he thought he'd retrieved the map from the ropes in the bay during the escape, it had actually been Morph, but that he'd found the map safe and sound now. B.E.N. had set off the alarms, unplugged the lights, and turned off the gravity while trying to disconnect the ship's laser cannons. While the gravity had been off, Jim and Scroop had floated up to the mast when Jim had managed to kick Scroop off balance, sending the alien to float up into space to his death.

Now the plan was simple. With the longboat Jim had stolen from the sleeping pirates, they were all going to fly back to B.E.N.'s house, get Amelia and Doppler, find the treasure, and fly away on the Legacy with as much loot as they could manage, leaving Silver and the other pirates stranded until they sent the authorities back for them.

Zarabeth and Jim heard B.E.N. coming back long before they could see him. What gave away the robot's approach was B.E.N.'s voice singing, "Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!"

Zara listened in amusement as Jim pinched the bridge of his nose mumbling to himself. "That robot's gonna get us all killed."

"Oh come on, he's a sweet...thing. He's helped us all a lot from what I've seen and heard."

"Why thank you Bethers!"

Zara jumped slightly at hearing B.E.N.'s voice a short ways behind her. The girl raised her eyebrows in surprise at what the robot called her. "Bethers? That's one I've never heard before."

B.E.N. let himself into the cell, his arms spilling over with rolls of bandages and a flask of water. He haphazardly set them near Jim as he walked around Zara. "I think it suits you! Not to blow my own horn or anything, but I think I'm a great nickname giver. I can just feel it flow from me so naturally- You let me know when I'm rambling ok?-But it's just my personal opinion that..." B.E.N. continued his conversation with himself as he made his way out of the cell and up the stairs onto the deck, curious Morph trailing behind.

Suddenly surrounded by quiet, Zara let out a small sigh in relief. "A little in your face, but he'd make a good travel buddy. I don't think he took a breath from the moment he started talking."

Jim laughed as he tore off a chunk of a bandage roll. "Unfortunately, that's because he doesn't need to."

After soaking the cloth in water, Jim carefully began to clean the blood stains from Zara's arm. He chuckled to himself as he scrubbed at a particularly stubborn part.

Looking quizzically at him, Zarabeth couldn't help but ask. "What's so funny?"

Jim spoke as he continued to work. "It's just, why is it that whenever we're really alone, you're usually bleeding?"

Zara looked down at her arm as she smiled. It looked so much better without the dried blood covering it. "Hmm who knows."

Finished with cleaning it, Jim began to wrap Zara's arm in the crisp white bandages. He was extra gentle as he layered it directly over the bleeding cut on her upper arm. The girl winced slightly as Jim tied it off just above her elbow. "Sorry."

Zara smiled as she shook her head. "No, you're good. Thank you Jim...for everything."

The girl's heart melted into nothing as Jim gave her a half smile in reply. Pushing Zara's hair behind her ear, Jim finally spoke. "You're very welcome."

The two leaned forward, resting their foreheads together as Jim whispered. "Thanks for being alive when I got here."

Zara blushed as she felt Jim plant a small kiss on the tip of her nose. Her reply was equally quiet. "Trust me, a minute later and I wouldn't have been. I owe you my life." She opened her eyes to find Jim looking directly at her. Those beautiful blue eyes, Zara could watch them forever.

"Well...I guess that makes us even now."

Zara bit her lip as she continued to be lost in Jim's gaze. "Guess so."

Cupping her cheek in his hand, Jim closed his eyes as he leaned forward to kiss Zara again.

The girl closed her eyes in anticipation when an unexpected voice rang through the brig. "You know, you two are just the sweetest thing, I just have to say it." They both looked up in the same instant to see B.E.N. outside the cell, leaning against the bars as he watched the two.

Zara quickly turned her face to the wall, covering her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing out. She took a glance at Jim and had to turn away again. Jim was pursing his lips, his eyes firmly shut as he slowly breathed in and out, obviously trying hard not to lose his temper.

B.E.N. continued to talk without even noticing that Jim or Zara minded. "I'm no expert or anything, but I'd say that you two really have something special. I mean, did you see how she looked at you Jimmy? I'd say that speaks for itself right there."

After regaining his control, Jim looked sadly over at Zara. "We'd better go if we're gonna make it back to the Captain and Doc before morning." After standing, the cabin boy offered a hand to help Zarabeth up.

Zara's face wore a mischievous smile as she took the boy's hand. "Let's go find us some treasure."