Pirates of Infinite Space

a Treasure Planet fan fiction

by Lord Akiyama

Disclaimer: With the exception of Clarice, Black Sam Roberts and Peter Reynolds, all characters are more than likely the property of Disney. The character of Clarice is the property of Long Meg Silver and is used with permission (Thanks Meg - XD)

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Chapter 5 - Reunion

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The Benbow Inn on The Planet Montressor

Sarah looked about the inn. It was very clean. There was no one about on this day. In addition, Morph and B.E.N. were helping Delbert. Morph would watch over the babies while B.E.N. provided assistance to a lecture the good doctor was giving. That meant it was a day for Sarah to just relax. Normally being alone would worry her so much that she would beg to be in the company of her small circle of friends. In the past three years, being along meant it was time for her to relax and rest herself. She had been so busy running the Benbow that she barely had time to rest.

A pair of knocks was heard on the main door. Sarah sighed with a small grin on her face. "Figured it be too good to be true," she whispered quietly. She stood up, wiped her face, and straightened her hair. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She opened her mouth to greet the visitor, but then she saw who it was. Her eyes grew bigger and she covered her mouth. "Oh my goodness," she whispered. "Jim?"

James Pleiades Hawkins stood before his mother with a smile on his face. His hair hadn't changed in the past three years, but his clothing sure had. His white academy uniform started to include some decorations above the left side of his chest. The sun radiated off of him, making him glow like an angel. It was quite a sight for Sarah to see. Her own son, looking as handsome as ever.

No sooner did Sarah wrapped her arms around her son. Jim hugged her back as he could hear her about to break down in tears. She couldn't believe that after three years, she was finally seeing her son again. Jim had the same feeling as well, knowing that he meant the universe to his mother. A mother who always worried about his welfare just like any other.

"I'm happy to see you too, mom," he said. They finally released themselves from the warm embrace. A single tear actually started to run down Sarah's cheek. Jim pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it. Sarah giggled at how gentlemanly her son was becoming. She should have considered putting him into the Naval Academy a long time ago.

"Come in, come in," she said. "Come in before I start shedding any more tears." A small laughter peeped out of the both of them as they got inside. "Have a seat, sit down. I bring out some tea, though I imagine their drowning you in tea."

"It's fine, mom," he said, taking his seat on the nearest chair. "As long as it's you emerging from the kitchen." Sarah smiled wider as she entered the kitchen, returning moments later with a tray that carried two cups, a kettle of tea, and a small bowl with sugar cubes.

"I can't believe this," Sarah said, sitting herself on the chair opposite her son and placing the tray on the table. "I figured I wouldn't be able to see you until your graduation. My goodness, I am so surprised you're right here in front of me."

"I was given two days off," Jim said, stirring a couple of cubes into his tea. "I figured I spend my free time with the one person who deserved my presence the most." Sarah extended a hand out and placed it over one of Jim's. They smiled at one another for a long time with no words exchanged between one another. "And I figured it would be nice if you could ride on one of my glider sails with me."

"No thank you," Sarah said. They both began to laugh. High grades, handsome look, decorative uniform. Despite all that, it will never change Jim's outlook at life. Sarah knew this only too well. "I'm still amazed you haven't gotten some kind of detention since they let you in."

"You'd be pretty amazed what you can get away with when they're turning their backs," Jim chuckled. "It's the stuff I haven't talked about in my letters that would probably give you a heart attack."

"Don't tell me you've been drinking or taking drugs or..." Sarah paused. She looked away and started to blush. Jim nodded his head once and knew exactly what his mother was going to say.

"No, not that kind of problems, mom. I'm having a much better time flying that trying to pretend to fly. The things I do that will probably give you a heart attack are the races I have will my fellow classmates."

"Always the show-off, aren't you?"

"It's the thought of watching my races first hand. There were many times many thought we were going to slam face first into a speeding shuttle or some sorta solid concrete."

"I take it that it's the thrill of finally being able to do things without getting in trouble that makes it all the more exciting. The things you learn when you are away from your mother for one boat ride."

"If you're talking about Silver, all I did was heed his advice. To chart my own destiny."

"You're charting it alright. Soon enough, it will be a short lived life. I sure hope you know what you're doing when you do these races, Jim. I mean look at you. You are excelling in class, becoming a handsome young man, ready to become a naval captain. To see such a future die because of some foolish stunt gone wrong. But I know that you'll never change no matter what I say."

Jim placed his other hand over his mother's, handing her hand with as much comfort as possible. "I promised you three years ago that you wouldn't lose me. I also promised that I would make you proud. I've been holding true to those promises these past three years and I will continue to do so. It's the least I can do for you, mom."

The mother and son looked at one another with smiles on their faces. It truly was wonderful for them to see one another after being separated for so long. They continued to drink their tea, but spend the entire time just looking at one another and holding hands like the loving family that they are.

"But enough about me," Jim said, finally breaking the silence. "I understand things have been kind to you and the Benbow for the past three years."

"Thank you so much for the little helpers," Sarah said. "I try to keep B.E.N. from annoying the customers from time to time, but he's been helpful in serving them. Morph is wonderful with children, especially the Doppler kids. He just loves to much. Clarice is doing okay. She hasn't tried to poison the food yet, though every so often she'll run off for a little adventure. By the way, I gave her your room so if you wanna sleep there tonight it would be best if you were very careful. I'm sure you know first hand that she has a short temper."

"Don't remind me. Speaking of your helpers, where are they? Or is there nothing to do today."

"Yes, there's nothing to do today. But the three of them were asked to assist the Dopplers with something. Morph is watching the children while B.E.N. is helping Delbert with a lecture he's doing today. As for Clarice... well... she's on an expedition with Mrs. Doppler."

"I take it you're not gonna tell me where they're going in fear that I would ditch school to catch up with them."

Sarah giggled as she took another sip of her tea. "You truly are my son, Jim."

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to be continued...

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R/R - I really wanna hear what y'all think.