I was restocking food at work and came across the Maple Long John's and this quote stuck with me. I could not get it out of my head and it was so cheesy I had to get it down so it would leave me alone.

"What kind of Pirate name is 'Long John'"

"It weren't the pirates who named me that lad."

This was supposed to be a short sweet little one-shot but my brain ran with it and it has now turned into a full-fledged story.

After Jim was out of the Academy he jumped on the first skip out of town. He told Amelia he wanted to take a couple of months to decide on his specialty. They both knew it was a lie though Amelia only thought he wanted one last rebellion before he settled into a career. She wasn't exactly wrong, though she wasn't exactly right. Jim wanted to find Silver, he had a few choice words for the man. It might have looked like he didn't have a plan but boy did he.

Jim's Plan:
Step 1: Graduate
Step 2: Jump on a ship to the Lagoon nebula (That is where Morph said he would be)
Step 3: Storm Silver's ship
Step 4: Tell him exactly how he felt...the anger part...not the other part...you know what... forget it.
Step 4 (Revised): Yell at him for betraying him... yeah that's a much clearer step
Step 5: um...well. OK so he hadn't quite figured out what to do after he said his piece but he is good at figuring things out as he goes.

He managed to barter his way onto a supply ship headed for the Nexus Galaxy, it wasn't quite as far as he would like to go but it was closer than he was now. Getting onto the ship was easy, with his experience in the Navy along with being a cabin boy he was welcomed with open arms, well kind of. It wasn't as bad as being on the legacy but boy did they run him ragged. The voyage was going good so far, almost everyone was of an upstanding nature though there were a few whispers here and there. Morph was never bored as there was something called a star-ferret aboard. You could see the two bounding across the deck together multiple times a day getting into all sorts of trouble. Half the time Jim would pick up the wrong one and put it in his pocket when it was time to go do something.

Like the man himself said, "Sometimes Plans go astray."

He was down below organizing the stock when the ship rocked to one side as a blast hit. Grabbing onto the shelf he steadied himself as he heard a whistle above deck. Making sure the cargo was secure he ran to deck stopping short at the chaos that met him. The entire crew was at their stations, loading cannons, getting arms, and defending against...pirates... of course. Just had to be pirates, couldn't just take a nice trip without them now, could you! Grabbing a discarded blaster he jumped into action. Although they fought valiantly they were outnumbered and the pirates seemed quite determined. Each of the crew was given a choice, work or spend your time in the brig. Jim chose option A, while spending quality time in the brig with most of the crew sounded lovely (not!) the ability to stretch his legs, keep an eye out and possibly gain some trust won out in the end. The Hispaniola as he came to find out, was similar in size to the R.L.S. Legacy despite not having the upkeep the other did. Once they were underway and threats had been leveled Jim was reintroduced to his long-lost friends, Mr. Mop and Mrs. Bucket. Yippee. Joy of all joys, he was now back to being a pirate workhorse. Is it too late to go back home to the Navy? No, he had a plan, had. Past tense. But like all plans, there's a backup, even if it's on the fly. OK, new plan.

Step 2 (amended): get kidnapped on a new ship headed towards wherever
Step 3b: Jump ship, escape and head the rest of the way.
Then back on track with revised step 4.

While the Hispaniola could rival the Legacy' they sure were taking their sweet time. I guess when you're a pirate there is no rush, add that to the fact they are sticking to the back courses and avoiding all major hubs and you have yourself a nice snail's pace.

Two weeks...two bloody weeks he had been on this god-forsaken ship being run ragged. He knew every divot and bump in the deck. He knew the Captain liked two lumps of sugar (with a chaser of the strong stuff) in her tea. He knew that the first officer Trelawney had three girls he was stringing along with plans of "One in every port." He even learned about the cook, a little scrap of a man well...thing. He was a small hairy little creature who only spoke in grunts and glares, he had rusty orange hair all over except his palms and around his face. One of the crew referred to him as Orangian once, though Jim was unsure if that was his name or what he was. Jim tried to avoid the Galley at all costs if possible, he couldn't help but fall into his old patterns there.

Peel a bunch of potatoes? He felt himself waiting for the deep gruff praise of "There's a good Lad." Wash the dishes? Tensing waiting for the crash of more pans and "Ye ain't done yet Jimbo." needless to say he was glad there was a cabin boy already aboard to do the small tasks, though he noticed the boy wasn't run near as ragged as he had been.

Where was he? Oh right, two weeks. He had been on the ship two weeks before they finally pulled into a port. Looking over he noticed it was a small ragtag of a town though this lot looks like they would fit in just fine. Before they docked the crew dragged the 'acquired slave labor' as Jim liked to call them back to the Brig. Once the ship was docked the First Mate came down, inspecting each cell he started pointing out select individuals who were hauled up and chained before being led up to the deck. The broad man stood before Jim looking him up and down.

"Too bad you're spoken for boy, I bet you would make us a pretty penny." He moved on with a sneer.
All in all, they took 15 of the 20 man crew, the ones left seemed to be the ones who had decided to work for the ship and not been any trouble. Once they left Jim turned to one of the other men.

"Where are they taking them?" he asked softly.

"Probably the stockyard." The man replied leaning back against the hull.

"The stockyard?"

The man eyed him "You haven't been out much have you? The stockyard is a band of traders, they will sell anything they can get their hands on... including people." Jim was speechless, yes he had heard stories but to learn it was a reality?

"Do you know what he meant when he said I was spoken for?" Jim asked quietly.

"Ah, well they probably already have a special buyer lined up or are filling a special request."

Jim blanched. So much for getting to the Lagoon Nebula. He had to get out of here. He looked at the lock on the cell. Not too complicated but, he patted himself down, he didn't have anything to pick it with. Reaching in one of his pockets he felt the coolness of morph. That will work. Picking him up he gently scratched under the little blob's chin.

"Hey Morph, come on Morphy, wakie wakie." the blob yawned then slowly slid its eyes open.

" There's a good boy, hey, think you could get me out of here?" Morph looked around lazily before zeroing in on the door, he zipped over chattering to himself before squeezing in the lock morphing into a key as he went. *click*

"Such a good boy Morph" he dug in his pocket for a treat tossing it in the air for the shapeshifter before opening his pocket to him again. "Let's go, buddy."

He slowly slid open the door grateful it didn't squeak. As he was walking past the other cells he heard the man he had been talking to before.

"You'll never make it. They will catch you and if you're lucky they will throw you back here, if you're unlucky you get chained to the mast."

Jim looked toward the voice scowling "I'll take my chances." he slipped out the door, a few hallways later he stood at the bottom of a stairwell. Remembering his history of stairwells and bad guys he decided to keep low and to the side. From this vantage point, he could only see one person on deck though they were facing the land. Well shit, Think Jim. A crunch brought his attention to his pocket where Morph was nibbling at the cracker that had been his treat.

"Hey, Morph. Wanna have some fun?" The little blob perked up instantly starting to chatter excitedly.

"Now you see that guy over there?" Morph looked then nodded
"He wants to play Tag, and you're it. Go get him, Morphy. Make him look the other way then meet me onshore." Morph nodded then shot off. Tag was his favorite game though the only one who played with him was the star-ferret. The other crew didn't much like him as he tended to mock them. Speaking of mocking he could see morph change shape to imitate the pirate before sassing him. The Pirate yelled something then began chasing the shapeshifter.

Atta boy Morph. Jim kept low and quickly moved to the side of the ship, peering over he didn't see anyone looking like they were guarding the gangplank. Taking one last peek at Morph he ducked down the plank. Starting to head to the town he paused, it was probably crawling with all sorts of people who would sell him out for a copper piece. Turning he headed towards the tree line, He wasn't familiar with this planet so he didn't know how far to the next town, plus he would rather not go that far without some sort of reliable transportation. Slipping into the tree line he made his way towards the beach. Keeping the ship in sight was a must but he needed to be far enough back they wouldn't easily spot him from it. As he was settling down next to a Zangleberry bush a blur of pink sped past him

"Morph" The blur skid to a halt then turned back, panting he sluggishly made his way to the outstretched palm before melting dramatically into it.

"Did you have a good time?" Morph perked up but said nothing. Chuckling Jim slid the puddle into his jacket pocket. Leaning back he watched the comings and goings of the port. The

lap of the waves against the shore along with the wind rustling through the trees put him at ease.

He never meant to fall asleep.