1Disclaimer: Treasure Island is not mine. Nor is Star Trek. Either Generation. :)

Chapter Five

Spock opened his eyes. The late afternoon light shone in from the left set of stairs. He closed his eyes. Even the little bit of light was giving him a headache.

"I know," Morgan said kindly. "I'm sorry, Spock, but you're the only one left."

"You did that on purpose."

"Guilty."

"I wasn't accusing you; I was stating facts."

"Well, you're right."

"I know."

Morgan smiled. "I know you know."

"I know you know I know."

"I know you know I know you know."

For a moment, Morgan was sure she saw a hint of a smile. Then it was gone. "The Enterprise will assume you have killed me; if it was your plan to keep me here to lure them back, it will fail."

Morgan smiled. "Not a bad idea, but that wasn't the plan, Spock. I was told I could release you if you weren't violent, despite Avanwe's assuring them that you are of a logical race, and that trying to single-handedly instigate a mutiny and take charge of the ship would hardly qualify as logical."

"Your Captain's concern is justified, however. If you were to help me–"

"But I won't. He learned that. I'm here, alone. He trusts me. Please, Spock, would you join us for dinner?"

"I would, Morgan, but if I try to stand, I believe–"

"Oh, for the love of convenience," Morgan smiled. "Keep your eyes closed for a moment. What do you see? Men cenich?"

"Bits of color. Red, green, grey, blue, yellow."

"The grey. Is it light or dark?"

"Light."

"Focus on that. What does it look like?"

"A ship. Very much like yours."

"The flag?"

"The Jolly Roger. But the background is dark green, and the skull and crossbones are light grey, like the ship."

"That's very good. Look closer. Can you see any people?"

"Yes; they're on deck. Morgan, how many are in your crew?"

"Twelve. Thirteen if you're counting parrots."

"I see thirteen without the bird."

"I thought you might. That's very good. Open your eyes."

The Vulcan did so. "The pain is gone."

Morgan nodded. "My own special form of meditation. I wasn't sure how much your species would be able to see. Humans usually see very little, with some exceptions. Elves of Avanwe's kind see so much that it's almost scary. The other kind of elves see less than them, but more than most humans. Of course, a lot depends on the color. I'd expected you to see a bit of a darker grey, but, then, of course. You don't like to admit you're half-human, do you? I should've expected that."

"I am curious how this works. Did you use your powers?"

"Not exactly. Simply speaking, you used yours. I'm very impressed," she said as she unlocked the door. "Someday I'll show you how it works, but now, let's go to dinner."

"Agreed."

"Almost ready!" Silver called from across the galley.

"Good!" Athos called back. "We're starving."

"Well, if you, Athos, weren't a vegetarian, this wouldn't be as hard! Good grief! You'll steal, you'll lie, you'll pillage and plunder your heart out, but you won't eat one dead animal! Where did I get such a first mate?"

"Wherever it was, you got the best," Eric smiled. "I was working with Athos long before I met most of the others, and you won't find a better first mate anywhere on the seven seas."

"Wait a second," Nora said. "If you're here, who's at the helm?"

"Tandro."

"Of course. Always the outsider."

"Soup's up!" Noka called. "Now we're just waiting for Morgan."

"Wait no more!" Morgan called from the stairs. "Here we are."

"Please, come sit down," Athos smiled. "Spock, was it?"

"That is correct."

"Glad you decided to join us. It's a real pain to have to take food all the way to the brig. Please, sit down, all of you." They all did. "Join hands, please."

Spock was about to politely excuse himself, but Morgan took his hand gently. "Please, Spock," she said as Peter joined hands with him. "He won't take forever."

"Not at all," Athos said with a laugh. "May I, Captain?"

"Is everyone here?"

"Tandro is at the helm. Everyone else is here."

"Then, by all means, aye."

Athos smiled, closed his eyes, and bowed his head slightly. "God, in the time I've been with this crew, I've learned that we all call you by different names. Some don't believe in you at all. but even if they want to call you Lady Luck or simply The Powers, you still hear us. So, whoever you are, thank you for a fine crew, a fine ship, and two good cooks."

"Aye," most of them responded.

"Curious," Spock said as everyone started to eat. "Religious pirates."

"Is that so strange?" Avanwe asked.

"For you, especially," Spock nodded after receiving a glance from Morgan that indicated not to mention her.

"I recognize that I am not all-powerful, Spock. We all do. Whether or not we believe that there's someone out there who is, well, that's our personal choice."

"Could it be that some of you believe stealing is right?"

"Our religion has nothing to do with our business," Eric said firmly.

"There are far worse sins, if you will, than stealing, Spock," Morgan said casually. "We do not kill needlessly. Why do you think I don't use my powers except to save lives. It would be too great a temptation to fix everyone's lives for them."

"And you don't believe in solving people's problems for them?" Avanwe asked.

"That's right. Life has problems; that is an essential part of what life is. Take that away, and there's no challenge. Take the challenge out of life, and there can be no growth. Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say. Take growth away, and life is pointless."

"A curious philosophy," Spock observed.

"Not quite logical, I admit, but it's served me well."

"I can well believe that."

"Captain!" Tandro called from on deck. "Another ship!"

"What kind?"

The elf hesitated. "It's a pirate ship, but . . . different."

"I'm on my way."