"Coming! I'm coming!" called a slurred voice from the other side of the Inn's door. The entry light had been extinguished, but Silver could easily make out through the side window (with the aide of his cyborg eye) that it was indeed Jim who was coming to answer the door. While waiting Silver considered the HELP WANTED poster placed below the Benbow sign with curiosity. He guessed it made sense considering the grandness of the facility, and the fact that for nine months out of the year Sarah Hawkins was running all of it with only the aide of a robot that was designed more for navigation than to serve certainly made it very hard on her. Life was much better for the Hawkins family now of course, but it was still very busy. Sarah was now putting Jim through school as well as keeping up with all of her other responsibilities. How the family had faired at all Silver could only wonder. He had often had a hard enough time just keeping himself up to task. The idea of supporting himself and someone else when it came to necessities such as this simply made his head spin. How Sarah had managed he didn't know, but he certainly had a great deal of respect for the woman who had done so much to make fraying ends meet in her household.

These thoughts and others flooded his head as the door to the Benbow squeaked open. Jim stood leaning against it and rubbing his eyes, the image he was presenting was comical at best. He was still in his daytime getup, though his hair appeared as though he had just rolled out of bed. He was rubbing sleep out of his eyes upon answering the door, and so had not initially noticed it to be Silver that he was talking to.

"Unless you're wanting a room, we're closed," he muttered while yawning.

Silver put on his best mock frown and threw both hands on his hips. "Well that certainly ain't no way to be greeting your supposed guest of honor."

Whatever evidence of exhaustion Jim had been exhibiting moments ago disbanded instantly at the sound of a familiar voice. His eyes shot upward and found Silver's face, and Jim's own immediately lit up with the light of what Silver might have estimated to be a thousand suns before finally throwing himself into the big man's arms.

"Silver!" he exclaimed loudly. "You made it!"

As Jim melted into his arms, the memories of his encounter with Roland Hawkins also melted away. Silver felt suddenly as though he were being welcomed home, and after so many years of drifting from planet to planet and solar system to solar system, it was a very appreciative sensation.

"Ah, Jimbo!" he declared with a sniffle. "You didn't think I'd let you down now, did you?"

Jim pulled away, grinning brightly. "I guess I just wasn't expecting you this soon."

Silver chuckled and allowed himself to be lead inside. The place had changed a lot since his last visit...not that he had paid attention to detail during that brief and violent stay.

Jim stepped away and quickly illuminated what Silver discovered to be a dining area that would comfortable hold over one hundred patrons, perhaps even more. Numerous chandeliers hung from the ceiling, rocking gently with the flow of wind that came from the upper windows, and all around there were scents of home cooking that Silver had desperately missed throughout his latest travels around the galaxy.

"You hungry?" Jim asked, already making his way into the kitchen. Silver flushed in embarrassment. He hadn't expected Jim to offer him anything really, and he certainly didn't want to ask the lad to serve him a meal, especially so late and when he was so tired. Back on the Legacy he had worked Jim hard, but he certainly didn't have the heart to do that again.

"Aw Jim don't worry 'bout me," he stated with a nervous chuckle. "I'm fine."

As if to eagerly disprove him, Silver's large belly immediately rumbled with hunger. Jim chuckled from the kitchen, having heard it even from such a distance, and started in on finding some leftovers from meals served earlier that day.

"Drink?" he called after his old friend.

"Uh...perp juice if you've got it," Silver stated nervously. He cast a look over his shoulder and wondered if they had attracted any attention from neighbors. It was pretty late, but Silver's streak of paranoia that had formed over the last year had far from waned. The last thing he wanted was to be caught in the presence of an academy student. A situation such as that would not only get him tossed in prison, but most likely get him expelled from the academy.

However, after a few moments Silver's thoughts were dismissed when Jim pushed his way out of the kitchen bearing a platter of goods. He gave Silver a plate laden with food and a mug brimming with perp juice while pulling out a few snacks for himself as well. They ate in silence, and only when Jim moved to take his friend's plate did they begin to talk. "S'all right Jimbo," Silver said with a wink. "I got it."

"Oh yeah?" Jim asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well uh, you know Silver, customers aren't allowed in the kitchen." He grinned deviously, believing he'd cornered his old friend.

"Customers eh?" Silver asked. He rubbed his chin in contemplation. "Well I ain't no customer! I'm a guest of honor!"

Jim rolled his eyes and acquiesced. He guided Silver into the kitchen, where he left the dishes to soak in the sink. Together they made his way back into the dining area for some casual conversation and laughter, though they kept it down so as not to wake those who were sleeping upstairs.

"Enough about me," Jim stated after a while. "What have you been up to?"

Silver's lower lip jutted out in contemplation while he eyed Jim thoughtfully. As he pondered his response, he marveled for only a moment about how the much the boy had changed, even since their farewell upon the Legacy. Whatever Jim had gained upon that expedition, and in the year while Silver had been away, he hoped that he had at least had some small part in it.

If he were to ever be asked, John Silver could honestly admit that he was more than proud of Jim Hawkins for all of his accomplishments. Not only that, but within a short time the boy had totally reformed his life. What had once been a depressed, negligent fifteen year old outcast was now climbing the ranks to become a fine member of society, and perhaps one of the galaxy's finest solar officers. With a sigh, Silver wondered if he might be fortunate enough to sail under Jim's command one day.

"Silver?"

The cyborg looked up to find Jim staring concernedly at him.

"Sorry Jimbo," he said with a laugh. "I was just thinking..."

The light and the smile died from Jim's eyes. He considered his friend closely, as though he suspected he might be hiding something. The silence between them had grown awkward, and left both of them wondering if they should call it a night. "Thinking about what?" Jim asked, his concern outweighing his exhaustion at that moment in time.

Again, Silver chuckled. "Oh, it's nothin' Jimbo." He sighed and glanced outside. The sun would be rising in a few hours. "How's about you show me that room now?"

With a grin, Jim shook his head. "C'mon."

The next day, Silver was eagerly awoken by a very joyful Morph. The creature licked his old master, cooing and chirping affectionately. For a moment the old cyborg lay with his eyes to the ceiling, enjoying his old space companion's company. He pondered where exactly he was and what it was that had brought him here. Months ago, Silver had only considered coming to visit this place. Never once had he imagined himself actually staying overnight. Or being so welcome into the Hawkins' household.

As Silver sauntered down the many staircases to the dining hall, he was surprised to find that Sarah Hawkins had already prepared a special breakfast for him, and had even gone through the trouble to keep it hot.

"Jim told me what you like," she said with a motherly grin that made Silver blush the color of his bandana. "I wasn't sure what time you'd be up though."

"Oh, why thank you Misses Hawkins," said Silver, going even redder. "It, uh, looks great!" He immediately dug in and found that his words did not do justice to such an exquisite meal. Everything seemed fine toned, cooked to perfection and then some. Even the perps that had provided the juice for his meal seemed fresh right from the gardens of paradise. He'd never known such food! And here he had hailed himself a chef of many talents, Silver now felt bested by a lovely young innkeeper on a mining planet on the outskirts of the galaxy.

"Well, I'll be," said Silver, patting his now full belly. "That's gotta be the best food I've ever eaten!"

"Oh please." A grin flickered over Sarah's face. "Jim's told me what a wonderful cook you are. There's no need to be so polite."

"I be speakin' me heart, Misses Hawkins," said Silver with a bow. "As always."

A doubtful smile grew on the young woman's face. Silver felt more heat rise in his own under this woman's gaze, though he wasn't sure why. He coughed lightly into his flesh hand before gazing around a bit, hoping to escape the awkward situation.

"The place looks wonderful," Silver commented, sure to keep his gaze away from the woman in front of him. "Even better now that I can see it in the daytime."

"Oh! Did you come in late?" Sarah asked. Her interest was in no way pretended, and for once Silver found that it was nice to talk with a bartender who actually seemed to care about their customers.

"Eh, more like early," he admitted with a hint of guilt. "'Fraid I woke ol' Jimbo up."

Sarah grinned , though moved swiftly to hide it from her customer. "I've caught him waiting up for you some nights," she stated with a warmth in her voice. A sly grin shot from her eyes, and Silver caught it. He looked away, embarrassed once more.

"Has he?" He began to rub the back of his neck as though it ached. Sarah nodded. "Where is Jimbo anyway?" Silver said as he began looking around, as though he expected Jim to simply appear out of midair by his side.

"Outside doing some work," Sarah stated with a heavy sigh. "I swear, that boy..." she trailed off, wiping some sweat from her brow as she did so. "He works so hard at school, and when he gets home he insists upon doing work around here. I just wish he'd sit down and relax some days! You know? Be a kid while he still can?"

Silver nodded. He knew exactly what Sarah meant. He'd had that same notion when he'd met Jim on the Legacy a year ago. The kid never really seemed to have much of a sense of, well, being a kid, unless you counted his uncanny sense of loathing toward anything, and a major grudge toward anyone near him. But then, Silver might have expected that considering his home-based circumstances. He had been happy to shake that idealness from him.

"Outside, eh?" Silver repeated, his chin now resting in his hand as though he were deep in thought. "I'll go see what he's up to."

Sarah grinned. "Very well."

Stepping outside, Silver was disappointed to see no sign of Jim. He wasn't on the docks, nor was he working the paths. Frowning, Silver circled the Benbow once, twice, three times, only to find himself dizzy, confused and, well, Jim-less.

"Jim-BO!" he bellowed.

"Up here!" came a response immediately. Silver's jaw dropped in realization. He looked up to see Jim standing on the edge of the Benbow's roof. Around his head buzzed a very delighted Morph, and at his side stood a very disappointed looking B.E.N. "You finally got out of bed, did you?" he asked with a chuckle. Silver grinned, placing one hand on his hip and pointing the other's index finger accusingly at Jim.

"Oh yeah?" he asked with a broad smile that was pointless to hide. "And what was your excuse all those months in space?"

Jim laughed and shook his head, surprising Silver as he leapt casually from the roof to the dirt path below.

In a heart-binding flurry of panic, Silver reached to catch him too late, and gazed wide eyed and embarrassed when Jim raised an eyebrow at him after regaining his balance.

"I..uh..." Silver stuttered, his face going red for the third time that morning over something he wasn't quite certain about. "Just, worried me a bit is all."

Jim grinned, touched by his friend's fatherly nature. "Bah, I do it all the time," Jim commented, leading the way down the path.

"Yeah but..." Silver didn't bother to finish the statement. The words: 'You could get hurt!' sounded only in his mind, and he let the matter go.

They carried on in silence for a few minutes before Jim turned to stare at Silver in unexpected confusion. "Well?" he asked suddenly.

Silver's face went slack at the question. "Well what?"

Grinning, Jim placed his hands on his hips and glared mockingly up into his friend's face. "You were looking for me, weren't you?"

"Yeah."

"What did you need?"

Again, Silver found himself cornered in an embarrassing situation. "I was just coming out here to see what yeh were doin' is all."

"Oh," said Jim. "I was replacing a few shingles on the roof. That's all."

"Pretty high up, innit?"

Jim chuckled once more. "Don't worry, I only usually jump from the first story roof."

Silver laughed at this, noting Jim's manner at making fun of his worry.

"Well tha's good," Silver replied, though Jim understood that his friend hadn't taken him seriously.

They walked along the path for a few more minutes, each confounded by their lack of words. Finally, Jim spoke up.

"So how long are you staying?" he asked, not meeting Silver's gaze.

The question threw Silver. He hadn't expected it, and he hadn't thought on it either. How long would he stay? He certainly didn't want to leave anytime soon. The food was great, the beds were comfortable, and he certainly had no complaints about the company. However, he did not in any manner wish to impose upon Sarah Hawkins' hospitality, nor did he wish to be incarcerated anytime soon. The question was untimely and a little unfair, but only because John Silver had placed himself under so much trouble in so little time.

"I don't know, Jim," he said after a few moments. "I'd like to stay for as long as I could, but your mom ain't lettin' me pay for my room and board, and I really don't want yer Captain Amelia to find out that I'm here." With a sudden jerk, he turned his head over his shoulder, as though afraid that the authorities might come walking up the pathway any minute. He was surprised to hear Jim chuckle at his words, however, and turned with a questioning frown on his features.

"First of all, mom doesn't care. She likes you, and I think she appreciates your company. Second, Amelia is away on an expedition, and the authorities have eased off this place since they found out that I wasn't exactly eager to add much more to my record anymore."

It took a few minutes for this to register, then Silver laughed; clapping Jim on the back fondly. The truth of the matter was that Silver was not only worried about himself. If anyone found out that the Hawkins family had been housing a known felon, it would get them in trouble, and possibly get Jim booted out of the academy. He'd screwed up enough lives, he didn't want to ruin theirs anymore either. Sadly, Silver revealed these thoughts to Jim, who, though he understood, could find very little to argue.

"I know," Jim said with a forlorn sigh. He had the same look on his face he had when Arrow had died on the Legacy. A stab of guilt went through Silver's heart. If only he wasn't what he was...

"I know yeh know, Jim," Silver said, trying to comfort the boy. "I'd stay if I could, but I'm not worth that."

Jim sighed and said nothing. Silver could only frown and attempt to pretend that the guilt was not eating away at his already sore heart. He absolutely loathed the idea of leaving Jim again, especially when seeing that they still were in need of help around the inn. And, with a hint of embarrassment, Silver felt the need to linger on in case he might have somehow been needed...for other things. Montressor was nice, but it was far from safe. The idea of Jim and Sarah being here alone...Gritting his teeth, Silver refused to allow himself to think it. Thoughts like that would never permit him to leave.

The situation was definitely lose-lose, but he had to weigh the results of each. Right now, leaving seemed the best choice. But...Silver thought on his encounter with Roland only a few days ago. That man had most likely been in a similar state that Silver was now. Was leaving really better when scum like that did what they did? No, Silver told himself. His leaving was justified. Or was it? Suddenly, Jim's voice broke through his thoughts, almost welcomingly.

"What is it?"

Silver looked up, then peered over at his friend warmly. "What?"

"You had the most bitter expression on your face..." Jim looked genuinely concerned. "What is it?"

"I was just...thinking..."

"Maybe you shouldn't think so much on that particular thing then."

Silver sighed.

"I met someone the other day, before I arrived here."

"Ooooh," said Jim in a very suggestive tone. Silver immediately went red and playfully shoved Jim aside.

"Not like that!" he laughed. Jim too was laughing. He pulled himself to sit on one of the gate rails which were wide enough to make a comfortable seat for him and watched Silver eagerly.

"I met someone I didn't think I'd meet."

"Really?" Jim raised a skeptical eyebrow, not quite sure where Silver was going with this.

"He was a spacer. 'Bout forty or so, I'd say, give or take. Been at it for the last five years he said." Silver watched Jim closely. There was no mark of understanding on his face, and Silver realized regretfully that he might have to come full out with this tale. "I talked to him a bit, got to know him. Funny thing was...he looked a lot like someone I already knew."

"Oh?" Jim's face blanched a little. He seemed to have assumed what Silver was getting at.

"I asked him where he was from, where he'd been...you know, usual bar kinda talk."

"Uh-huh." Jim lied as though he understood.

"When I asked him 'bout his family he kinda started acting funny, and when I confronted him about it..." He didn't get the time to finish. Jim's gaze had sunk to the ground like the sun sinking beyond the horizon.

"Oh," was all he had to say through a slightly broken voice. "You met my dad, I see."

Silver winced at the sound of it. He hadn't intended to bring Jim pain, he had only told him this story to explain his actions better.

"Hey now, Jimbo," said Silver warmly. He wrapped Jim in an embrace and sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"No, no it's not that..." said Jim lightly.

Again, Silver sighed. He pulled away and rested his forehead in his flesh palm.

"I just wanted to say that...my leavin'...it ain't cause-"

"Don't!" Jim stated sternly. So sternly, in fact, that it made Silver jump. He turned to find Jim glaring at him. "Don't ever put yourself in his category! I know that's not why you want to leave!"

After a few seconds, Silver let out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm glad you didn't think of it that way, Jimbo," he said after a few moments of silence. "I..." he trailed off, not certain if he knew what the words were that he wanted to speak.

Finally, Jim smiled. It brought a great deal of ease to Silver's heart to see it, but did not completely wash his guilt away. He peered up toward the sun that was swiftly making it's way toward the center of the sky. It was already noon, and soon the day would casually melt away into a typical Montressor evening. Night would fall, and Silver would realize that three days in one place was far too long.

He sighed and looked to Jim. The sad grin, and the knowing gaze in his eyes proved that Jim already knew what Silver was thinking, He grinned and placed an arm around the boy, then lead the way inside.

One more chapter after this!