Jim's Folly

Notes to all:

Angel- I love you dearly. I laughed QUITE hard at your review. You'll be happy to know that lots of explanations will be happening soon, which is also good news for you, Abook.

All will be explained about Jim, Silver, Raven, Andrew, Simon, etc. Come on, I already have plans for the future. I have to make it work somehow.

Star, welcome to TP fandom. J Can't wait to see some of your stories on FF.net soon.

Mia- You're so cute. Butt-Munch? Love the choice of words, there…

Chapter 26

During those two years of Jim's graduation, acceptance and absence all in one, the Benbow had been completed, Amelia and Delbert had been married and had long since had four children. Amelia, being a feline, was able to do this in one pregnancy, much to everyone's surprise. She loved her three little girls and little boy more than anything in the world and was taking an extended leave of absence from the academy in order to spend time with her large family.

Sarah was adjusting to hearing from Jim once every month or so, but still worried for him day by day. She'd started talking to Raven each day to numb the pain, but both women, after awhile, grew tired of each other's mumblings and decided they had better things to do.

Raven, namely, decided she'd consume herself with her schoolwork and students. That was her excuse. In her spare time, she stared out the window longingly, hoping the day on which Andrew would return home to her would arrive sooner due to her lengthy stares over the city.

Morph had returned home to watch over Delbert and Amelia's children, as the much-needed help was, well…needed. Four small children all under four years old had to be monitored carefully and Morph was definitely the one to do it. He chirped and giggled over the phone to Jim whenever Jim called to check in with Sarah. It made Morph happy to hear Jim's voice, and one could only guess that he was looking forward to seeing his master again soon.

B.E.N. was as obnoxious as ever. A cook, waiter and doorman at the new Ben Bow Inn, he was constantly busy and constantly annoying customers. The usual people were used to his antics by now, but often times he irritated and aggravated, but people rarely left the Inn to be away from him. His annoying charm was enough to make them stay, even if they did rip out their hair the second the door closed behind them.

The Ben Bow Inn, completely rebuilt for a few years by the time of Jim's graduation, was fully underway. Now that Sarah had some extra hands to help out, business was smooth and definitely booming. Her Inn was popular and she was happy. Having her son around would definitely make things better, but she knew he was on to bigger and better things, following his dreams…

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Jim didn't hesitate to leap onto the old cyborg's belly in a huge hug.

"Where have you been all this time?!" Jim cried happily, looking up into the eyes of his mentor. Silver didn't seem to be uptight that the young boy was hugging him and hugged the young lad right back.

"I've been around, lad. Looks like you did follow yer dreams," he said, letting go and readjusting his hat.

"Just like I told you I would," Jim replied, grinning.

Silver nodded, frowning at his crew. "Back to work, men! This is a private conversation, y'hear?"

The crew went hesitantly back to work, keeping ears and eyes open as to whom this young captain was.

Jim scratched the back of his head as Silver led Jim around the ship, showing him the main points. It was a tiny, merchant's ship, but Silver kept it in good shape.

Silver explained to Jim that he'd been given the ship as a test. After being caught by robocops on a nearby planet, Silver had served some time in prison, but had long since learned his lesson.

The ship was his to keep, and he had a promise to hold on to: no more piracy or else.

He told Jim that all he was interested in was seeing the sights, visiting various places.

He loved sailing, and didn't care where he ended up. This particular voyage had proved fruitful, he explained. "Found you, didn't I?"

Jim smirked. "Naw, I think I found you."

"Well, nonetheless, lad…tell me what you've been up to lately. You're a captain, you've graduated…tell me the news I'm actually interested in, eh?"

Jim raised an eyebrow. "My mom's fine, the treasure was enough to build a massive new Inn. She really loves it there and extends her gratitude."

"Well, you tell her that it was my pleasure, won't you now?"

Jim nodded, suppressing a smile. He most surely would.

Sighing, Jim turned and looked out over the skies. Smooth sailing from hereon in, and he was bored. He missed home. He wanted to give Raven back her sanity.

Thinking about her made the place where his shirt pocket was burn. He took out the picture and glanced at it briefly, knowing full well it was too late to hide it from Silver's eye.

"Well, goodness me, Jimbo. Who's this fine lass?"

Silver's mechanical eye studied Raven's smiling face and he smiled fondly. "Fine work indeed," he added quietly.

Jim snorted a short laugh.

"She's…well, not…I don't really know."
"You're together but you're not?" Silver suggested. Jim nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Gonna marry her someday? Make 'er a happy woman, you will."

"People keep telling me to, y'know," Jim said quietly, thinking of the Admiral. "I don't think I'm ready for that sort of thing yet…"
"You're still young…but remember, Jimbo. Y'only live once! Next time I see ya on the high skies, I want to meet 'er."

Jim smirked. "You have high hopes."

Silver nodded. "She looks like a keeper." Jim took his comment to heart. No one had said that before…and Silver was right. He didn't know the half of her story, but he knew one thing- and that was she was a keeper. Jim knew that too…he just…didn't know if he was the one who would end up being her keeper.

He didn't know if he would be the one blessed enough to consider himself such a title.

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