Jim's Folly

I'm freezing and I need to have a shower to warm my blood….so I'll write this in about….half an hour.

Okay, I'm back! I feel much warmer. Nothing better than warm water to warm your blood and then you're good until the next morning. Whee! ^_^

Monkeypants, good to see you! I plan to go into Andy's abduction a little more…just wait. Faith, it's good to see you back! Welcome!


Chapter Thirty-Two

Mark made a great impression on Sarah and he stayed with them for a long time. One afternoon while Mark and Sarah had gone grocery shopping, bringing Morph and Ben along for once, Jim and Raven were left alone at the BenBow Inn save for the couple of boarders who never left their rooms.

In the private quarters of the Inn, the place where the Hawkins' spent their time, Raven was curled on the couch reading a newspaper on compacted screen next to Jim, who was watching TV.

"Hey, look at this," Raven said quietly, coming across an article.

Jim frowned and leaned over. "What is it?"

"It's you. This is an article about you…it says 'Captain Jim Hawkins, the man who found the legendary Treasure Planet, has resigned from his position as a captain for the meantime while he goes off to start a family.'"

Raven paused and frowned. "You didn't have to resign, you know."

He shrugged and kissed the side of her head. "They'll take me back."

"Hope so," she muttered in return. The phone next to them rang and Raven picked it up first. "BenBow Inn, Raven speaking."
A chuckle. "Hello, Raven." (A/N: I was so tempted to write "Clarice" in Raven's place…)

Her blood ran cold and she paled, her fingers turning white as they gripped the phone.

"Where are you," she whispered quietly. Jim didn't look up, not noticing her fear-filled eyes and terrified expression. Her body had grown tense, but Jim still watched his show.

"It doesn't matter," the man replied. "I just called to say congratulations. Andrew's thrilled, by the way. He wants to see you, but I told him we'd have to wait and he'd see you eventually…"

Raven spouted a few curses. "Where have you taken him, Simon!?"

Saying Simon's name caught Jim's attention. His eyes were wild.

"That's Simon?"

Raven nodded, gritting her teeth.

"Where is my son?" Her eyes were shut tightly as she asked.

"He's safe, babe. Don't worry."
"Are you taking care of him?" she demanded.

She heard Simon chuckle and allowed Jim half an ear of the phone, so the both of them were ear-to-ear listening to the receiver.

"If you're referring to buying him clothes, food, etcetera, of course. I take good care of my son."
Raven held her tongue and breathed heavily. "Is…he there? Can I talk to him?"

"No. He's at school right now."
She raised her eyebrows. "You put him in school?"

"I'd be a horrid father if I didn't. So how's your pretty boy? When are you two getting married?"

"How did you know about the engagement, Simon?" Jim asked. Raven sighed. Simon shouldn't have known Jim was on the phone…

"Hey! It's the pretty boy himself! How ya doing?"

Jim shook his head. "No time for small talk, parasite."

Simon laughed. "Parasite! That's a new one." A groan sounded that made the two believe Simon was yawning and stretching.

"Andy's fine. He likes being with me. We do a lot together. Don't worry, Ray. I'm taking wonderful care of him. I can be as good as you can."
Raven trembled continuously. "No one can be like you, Simon. You're a snake."
Simon chuckled some more. "A snake, am I? Either way, Raven, at one time, you did like me. And because of your fondness, you had a son. It's not my fault. I just followed your wishes."
Jim couldn't believe he was hearing this. He breathed deeply and prepared to unleash his fury on the buzzard that was speaking to his love like this.

Raven calmed him with a look and licked her lips.

"Simon, I was young and stupid. Very stupid to have chosen you, anyway. But I do not regret keeping Andrew. He's my pride and joy. I don't care if I never see him again, Simon, I just…want you to take care of him. He's my baby….and I don't want anything happening to him." Tears clouded her vision and Jim's heart began to ache for her.

She was willing to sacrifice never seeing her son again in order for his life. Amazing.

Simon smacked his lips and thought for a moment, nodding to himself. "Ah, yes. Good plan, good plan. I'd love to keep him alive for you, seeing as he's MY son."

Raven kept silent.

"Anyway, I should get going. By the way, don't bother tracing this call….and…what else? Oh, did they bury the Admiral in a decent place? I hope so. It was sure a messy death. Andrew has nightmares from time to time, but…after awhile, he finally stopped calling for you, Raven. Now he calls for me and I'm able to be there for him."
Simon hung up.

Raven felt like her throat had been tied shut with a thick cord and her heart had been ripped out and stepped on with soccer cleats.

What a cruel way to remind her of her loss.

Jim cursed. "I can't believe that - that! Argh!" He cried out in frustration.

"You actually took that! I can't believe it, Ray!" Standing, Jim tugged at his hair. He stopped and looked back at Raven, who sat in her spot, unmoving, with sad eyes.

Jim's heart broke for her all over again and he gathered her into his arms.

"I love you, Ray…and I'll do what I can to get Andy back to you."

Raven smiled faintly. "Thanks, Jim. I appreciate it."

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