Jim's Folly

It just doesn't look right without a note to someone in this space…Mia, tell me about him…what does he look like? Is he good to you?! If he isn't, I'll come over there and break his kneecaps! *grins* Tell me, Mia! Tell me!!!!! ^_^

Chapter 22

Jim graduated on a sunny, Tuesday morning, outside, in the sunshine with his other classmates, Amy among the many.

Sarah and the family were visiting for this special day and many pictures were being taken. Jim in his captain's uniform with his mother, with Morph, with B.E.N., with Delbert, and finally, with Amelia, the grinning captain.

"I'm proud of you, Mr. Hawkins. Should I call you Captain Hawkins now?" she asked, grinning.

Jim said nothing but blushed in return.

Sarah wouldn't stop hugging her son. She let go for a few moments to let Jim and Amy take a picture with a few other friends.

Sarah was introduced to many and she seemed to adore Amy the most. She had graduated with Jim this year because he had fallen so far behind.

Jim was swept away by all the publicity of the event, and was unaware when Admiral LeighArc stepped up behind him.

Looking up, Jim discovered that Andrew was sitting on the large Admiral's shoulders.

"Hello Jim!" the little boy cried happily, reaching out his hand to give Jim a high five.

Jim smiled in return, giving the boy a high-five in return.

"Hey, Andrew. How's it going?"

Admiral LeighArc lifted Andrew from his shoulders and set him down beside Jim.

"It's going okay. I like hanging out with the Admiral. He's cool. We play lots of games and I get to watch TV sometimes. It's interesting."
Jim nodded. Raven had told him about Andrew's new arrangements.

Sighing and listening as Andrew chattered about a new cartoon he'd seen, Jim looked around casually for Raven. It was his big day and she was no where to be found.

Sarah and Amy were chatting happily together, B.E.N. was dancing for some other life forms and Morph was sitting on Jim's shoulder.

Jim turned to the Admiral. "Do you know where Ra-Instructor Calls is?"

"You're done here, now, Jim. You can call her Raven if you wish."

The old man smiled widely.

"I know you'll probably call her a lot of things." He trailed off and looked the other way, smiling with a certain glint in his eye. Jim frowned. "What are you getting at, Admiral?"

"I know how you boys work. You're madly in love with her, Captain Hawkins. I know you'll probably let her know and the two of you will hook up, etcetera, etcetera…and then you'll go on some voyage to the stars as your first journey as a captain…You know how it is."
Jim frowned deeper. Was the Admiral suggesting Jim marry Raven?

"Admiral, I don't really feel the need to talk about this right now…do you know where she is?"

Admiral LeighArc shrugged. "Nope. She's around here, somewhere. Did you want to watch Andrew for awhile?"

Jim nodded. "Sure." Looking down at the boy, he smiled. "What should we do, buddy?"

Andrew shrugged. "I do want to find my mommy."
Jim nodded, considering his suggestion. "That sounds like a great idea, Andrew."

Off they went, in search of Raven. They were unaware of the two dark eyes that followed them as they walked.

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Raven was talking with Beth by the landmark fountain. Andrew skipped up to her, chattering happily in his dialect. Jim lifted a hand in a faint wave. "Hey," he greeted. Beth was all smiles.

"Congratulations, Captain Jim!" Beth said excitedly, hugging him. Jim was surprised, and his shock showed on his face. Raven found that amusing.

"Thanks, Beth. You too…" he said, confused. She grinned.

"Today is not a day to let things get to me," she whispered in his direction. He nodded. "All right, then."
Raven sighed and turned to Jim. "So…feel any different?"

Their conversation was different. The way they looked at each other was different. That kiss had changed everything. No longer could they stand next to each other in comfort. No longer could they think of the other without thinking of that kiss. Neither could they spend time together in front of Andrew without him noticing something was wrong.

Jim hated himself for doing it. He hated what he'd done to their friendship. They'd had a wonderful relationship. He'd gone and screwed it up.

Beth noticed the two standing in awkward silence and offered to take Andrew to get something to eat at the various food vendors around for the event. Andrew begged and pleaded with wide, dark eyes, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Raven nodded right away, happy to get some time to talk alone with Jim.

"Hold on to Beth's hand, sweetie," Raven instructed firmly. "Don't let go."
Her voice was on edge: something was wrong.

Jim sat on the ledge of the fountain and Raven followed suit.

"You see him, don't you," Jim murmured quietly. She shook her head. "Not yet, but I know he's there. I can tell he's watching us. We need to keep our eyes on Andrew…it was stupid of me to let him go with Beth but…I need to talk with you."
She met his eyes and he felt strange chills go down his spine.

Maybe what the Admiral had said was a good idea…He shook his head, shaking the thoughts away.

"Yeah, it's a good idea." He looked away. He couldn't meet her eyes. It was too hard.

She clenched her fists on her thighs and frowned. "I can't stand that he's here, Jim…"

"Have there been any more threats?" he asked quietly. Simon's calls had been getting progressively worse. This was Rowan incarnate.

"Yes…but…not as bad. He knows where we live, he knows where I am as we speak…he's probably watching us talk."
Jim did a stupid thing and reached for her hand. "It'll be okay, Raven. I promise. Nothing will happen to Andrew. He's in good hands."
She accepted his act of comfort and nodded sadly, her gaze at the ground.

In the distance, dark eyes saw the movement and smiled. This was getting so easy!

Jim frowned. "Well, I guess I have to get my resume out and find a job?" he asked rhetorically. She nodded. "Yeah, that's a good idea." She thought for a moment.

"Amelia and I could both write recommendations to some good ship owners…you'll probably go with another captain so you can learn the ways of spacing before you go it alone, you know?"
He nodded. It made sense.

"It'll involve a lot of time away from home, won't it," he asked quietly. She blushed faintly. He was referring to her.

"Yes…sadly. But Jim, it's your career. It's what you wanted."
Is it? he asked himself. It's what my friends and family wanted. Did I really want it all along?

He frowned. Where were these thoughts coming from?

He sighed. What would Silver say if he was here?

Jim stared into the clouds, the sun of that galaxy burning his eyes and making them water. He wished he knew where Silver was. He wondered if Silver was even still alive…

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